Fourth Quarter 2017 Award Recipients
Jocelyn Garris, Human Resources
The individual who nominated Jocelyn wrote:
"I am wowed by the service I get from Jocelyn every single day. I am not new to the County, but new to my position. With that, comes MANY questions! She always has the answer, or lets me know the person I need to contact. She is quick to respond, gives lots of information and never seems annoyed that I ask a MILLION questions! I do not worry that she is rolling her eyes when my name pops up in her email. She is truly happy to help and I appreciate that in a co-worker! I am so glad to have her in my OC Family."
Number of Years Employed by Ottawa County:
I will be with the County five years, on May 13. Time has flown by!
The thing I like most about working for Ottawa County is:
When I am helping with interviews, this is always a question I look forward to answering when/if a candidate asks it! My response is that I love that the County values exceptional customer service. But not only to the public but to each other. We are all co-workers, no matter what department we are in, and great customer service to each other is just as important.
The hardest thing I have ever done:
This is a tough one. I’ve done and experienced a lot difficult things and not one stands out above the rest – but all of those experiences have made me who I am today. I wouldn’t change any of them, no matter how sad or difficult.
You would be surprised to learn that:
I have almost 30 chickens! And we raised two turkeys last year – they were delicious!
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would you pick and why?
My grandparents that have passed away. I would love to get one more kiss and a hug from each of them.
If you had to spend all of your vacations for the rest of your life in the same place, where would you go and why?
Kihei, Maui in Hawaii. Highly recommend!
If you could travel back in time to any certain era or event, when/where would you pick and why?
I really enjoy the 1940’s era-look. I love all the beautiful dresses, hair and makeup. Very classy!
Amy Brown & Kara Bostrom-Young, Co-Recipients, 58th District Court
Amy Brown, 58th District Court
Kara Bostrom-Young, 58th District Court
The individual who nominated Amy & Kara wrote:
"These two women provided remarkable customer service today. A customer came in to meet with Kara that was in quite a state of turmoil. Kara not only spent nearly 40 minute listening to the customer, she also provided food from her own lunch to the customer because she needed it. The customer finished up with Kara and went to the counter. The customer did not have any transportation. Amy took it upon herself to call Harbor Transit for the customer and then pay for her bus toll out of her own pocket. These two went way above and beyond and took care of the person as a whole, not just the person that needed the Court's services. It's impressive to me that not only one, but two individuals would put their own needs aside and share their own resources with someone that needed them. I'm very thankful to work with such amazing women. This deed cannot go unnoticed, but neither one of these women did this for recognition but for the sake of the customer."
Number of Years Employed by Ottawa County:
Amy - Two years and the best two years of my work life since I started at the age of 12!
Kara - Just over 1.5 years. My anniversary date with Ottawa County is July 5th
The thing I like most about working for Ottawa County is:
Amy - From day one I was welcomed with open arms from the incredible people I now call my work family. I enjoy what I do at the district court, but having such great people around me in the department makes me want to come to work every day, it’s really an awesome feeling!
Kara - I love the people I work with; everyone is truly kind and cares for one another. Also, Ottawa County offers a wide array of educational courses for their employees; the knowledge is there if you pursue it.
The hardest thing I have ever done:
Amy - The hardest thing would be watching my dad go through and continue to fight with non- hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is the third time he has had to fight this terrible disease. He has had a stem cell transplant along with having to try a variety of chemotherapy treatments. I have had to witness his lowest low. I always thought my dad was the strongest guy a little girl could have, but now I know for sure he is indeed the strongest. He is the fighter I have always believed he was. He always taught me to never give up, so I often remind him of that lesson. Through it all, he stays positive and always has a smile every single day!
Kara - I completed my degree with two young children. Although I had an amazing support team, completing my major with a double minor in 4 years was a huge stressor.
You would be surprised to learn that:
Amy - I was daring enough to bungee jump by my ankles a few years ago. Also you may be surprised to know that my husband, Chad and I have been married for 24 years. We married after only 3 months of dating. We have two amazing sons, Nathan and Colton.
Kara - Before working for Ottawa County, I was a forensic pathology assistant, doing 550 or more autopsies per year.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would you pick and why?
Amy - I would choose my Gramps and Grams because they are my special people. I just feel so content and enjoy every single minute I get to spend with them. Gramps is now 93 and Grams is 89. They just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They both still go go go everyday whether it be playing golf or going to antique shops. I’m so proud to be their granddaughter.
Kara - Socrates. He is credited with being the Father of Western Ethics and as a lover of ethical debates, I would love to get inside his mind for an hour.
If you had to spend all of your vacations for the rest of your life in the same place, where would you go and why?
Amy - On a Beaches Resort in the warm sun surrounded by my family!
Kara - My childhood vacation spot; A cabin on Lake Huron in the Upper Peninsula. I believe that vacations should be soothing and a true disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
If you could travel back in time to any certain era or event, when/where would you pick and why?
Amy - I would have to say the 1940s. I realize it must have been really tough living back then, but I just think all the women were so beautiful with their dresses, their hairstyles and makeup. I don’t know why, but I think the 1940’s would be a pretty special time to witness, only for a moment though.
Kara - 1950’s. I would love to have witnessed the fall of Jim Crow Laws in 1954 with Brown v. Board of Education. The new hope and excitement it must have brought to our country would have been awe-inspiring to see firsthand.