County Officials Promote Local Government’s Role

(Times-Indicator – April 9, 2008)

There are 3,066 Counties in the United States. Counties vary greatly in size and population. They range in area from 26 square miles (Arlington County, Virginia) to 878,860 square miles (North Slope Borough, Alaska). The population of counties varies from Loving County, Texas, with 140 residents to Los Angeles County, California, which is home to 9.2 million people.

Forty-eight of the 50 states have operational county governments. Connecticut and Rhode Island are divided into geographic regions called counties, but they do not have functioning governments. Alaska calls its counties “boroughs” and Louisiana calls them “parishes.”

At the March 26 meeting, the Newaygo County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to proclaim its recognition of April 6-12 as National County Government week, created by the National Association of Counties in 1991 to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation’s counties. This year’s theme is “Protect our Children.”

“Serving our residents is our main objective at the County Clerk’s Office,” said Newaygo County Clerk Laurel Breuker. “Last year we filed in excess of 2,000 documents and records; and maintained voter registration records for approximately 30,000 voters. As chief election official for the County this is a very busy and exciting year. Families and children will be greatly impacted by the decisions made this year in the Presidential election. I encourage parents to consider and include their children when exercising their privilege to vote for the candidate of their choice.”

Newaygo County Treasurer Holly Moon’s office has seen the effect the foreclosure problem has had on area children and families affected by the loss of their home.
“We can’t erase the foreclosure or economic crisis in our community, but we are fighting back,” Moon related. “In 2008 we actually have less property tax foreclosures. The earlier people reach out to us for help, the more options we can provide for them and their children.”

County Administrator Tobi Lake stressed the importance of the County’s ability to provide functions that enhance the safety and growth of County residents. “We’re in a situation in Newaygo County that’s different from more urbanized areas,” said Lake. “We’re looked on to provide services that smaller, local governmental units may not have the resources to provide or that the state doesn’t require, but are in the best interests of the people, such as the Sheriff Department’s road patrol, the Commission on Aging and Community Development.” “What’s truly unique about Newaygo County,” he added, “is the sense of community and the working relationships the various departments of the County have with each other as well as the strong collaboration that exists with the local governments.