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April 30, 2004

State of Michigan Capitol - Spring Dear Colleagues:

With this letter, I send heartfelt greetings and sincere thanks for all you do as public servants. The nation celebrates Public Service Recognition Week, May 3-7. In the state of Michigan, we have the hardest working and most dedicated employees in the country. You serve our citizens, striving for excellence day in and day out, 24 hours of every day. I am inspired by your tireless efforts. I continue to be humbled to be working at your side during these challenging times in our state. We are doing more with less, and you deserve the credit.

Your work can often be intense, demanding, and even dangerous. And I recognize that those demands, unfortunately, can prove a distraction from your family. With three children of my own at home, I know how important family truly is. And I know that many, many of you identify family as your highest priority.

In fact, in the Vision and Values process we embarked on 16 months ago, you told us that your highest personal value centers on family. As we have talked about creating a supportive and effective shared workplace, we have focused on instilling the values of excellence, inclusion teamwork and integrity in everything we do.

Knowing that recognition of family is critically important to a supportive workplace, too, I thought that one of the most fitting ways to celebrate Public Service Recognition Week would be to find ways to make it easier for you to enjoy your precious time with family. I am happy to share two right now, and I promise more for the future.

  • I have asked the Office of the State Employer and the Department of Civil Service to develop a resource directory to help parents - particularly new parents - become aware, and take full advantage, of all the benefits and services available to you. I envision a resource directory that will streamline access to information on leave usage, work schedule options, health and dental plans, workplace accommodations, nutrition, day care, education planning, and many more topics of interest to men and women who become new parents through natural birth or adoption.

  • So that you may discover wonderful places and things to do with your family, I have asked the Department of Natural Resources to consider June 12 and June 13 of this year as Michigan State Employee Days at every Michigan State Park. By showing your valid state ID at the State Park entrance, your fee will be waived for day use of the park. (That is also free fishing weekend!)

In various ways, each department will be celebrating state employee contributions to public service, and I have asked the directors to reiterate my heartfelt appreciation as they honor you this week. I want to personally offer my thanks, so if your location, workload and schedule permit, please plan to stop in to say hello and accept that thanks at one of the following employee gatherings I will be hosting:

  • May 3 - 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Detroit - Cadillac Place East Showroom
  • May 4 - 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.: Saginaw - Jerome T. Hart Building
  • May 5 - 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.: Grand Rapids - State Office Bldg.,2nd Floor Conference Room

I wish geography and workload would allow me to thank every employee in person, but I know that will not be possible. If we don't connect face-to-face during this special week, please know that I greatly value the work you do and the combined effort we are putting forth to make Michigan the great state we all want it to be.

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor

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