Dallas Dean Reappointed by Governor Granholm
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Marianne Udow recently announced that Governor Jennifer Granholm has reappointed Dallas Dean of Grant, Michigan to the Board of the Newaygo County Department of Human Services.
Dallas, who retired from the plant October 1, 2006, is the Chairman of our Workers Compensation Committee and has held many committee positions, as well as, Vice President of the Local from 1984 to 1990.
First appointed by Governor Granholm in 2004, he states his first three year term has been a very busy time and a learning experience.
“The DHS is a statewide department that does far more than help the poor. When first appointed, I new very little about the DHS. As a factory worker, I had little contact with any of the services the DHS offers. Yes, we aid the poor; most of who are children of people who do not earn enough for various reasons. The DHS also works with, or is responsible for, the funding of programs that vary from the hot lunch program at school to foster care, MIChild, and many other programs.
In 2005 our office in White Cloud received and expended over $62.5 million dollars. In just Newaygo County, we have a staff of 42 people, which is down from 78 people in 1990 when we expended less than half of the funds we now have to account for.
The DHS Board serves as the Board of Directors for the Newaygo County Medical Care Facility. As a county owned facility, we have had a great deal of work in these three years as we asked for a bond issue in the 2004 election to remodel and expand our facility. It was past, and we have directed a building project from beginning to end to replace our four patient wards with 22 private or semi-private rooms in a new wing added to our full care facility.
We also directed the building of 24 senior housing apartments on our 30 acre site now called Trillium Springs. I look forward to representing the people of Newaygo County for the next three years.”
The DHS Board is made up of three people from the county. Two are appointed by the County Commission and one by the Governor.