Dear Colleagues:

I am writing with a note and an offer of thanks. Our state employees continue to deliver excellent service and value to the citizens of Michigan. Many of you are working long hours, handling large caseloads, and feeling the heat from citizens who are frustrated by their own struggles to make it in a tough economy. You provide daily examples of professionalism, excellence, teamwork, inclusion, and integrity, and for that, I am grateful and appreciative.

These are busy days and, perhaps, that is why time seems to be going by faster than ever. But, if the "dog days of summer" are upon us, that means one thing: It's fair time in Michigan. On Wednesday, the Michigan State Fair will open in Detroit, and next week, the Upper Peninsula State Fair will be held in Escanaba. Whether you're interested in seeing prize-winning animals or just strolling the midway, there is something for everyone at the fair.

That is particularly true this year for state employees, because the Michigan Department of Agriculture has designated Michigan State Employee Days at the state fairs. On those select days, you and your family will be given free admission to the fair as a "thank you" for all that you do for the people of Michigan.

The Michigan State Fair in Detroit is extending free admission to you and up to three members of your family on six days of the fair when you show your employee ID at the ticket gate. The Michigan State Employee Days in Detroit are:

Wednesday, August 11
Thursday, August 12
Monday, August 16
Tuesday, August 17
Wednesday, August 18
Thursday, August 19

Sunday, August 22, is Michigan State Employee Day at the Upper Peninsula State Fair. Show your employee ID at the ticket gate, and you and up to three members of your family will receive free admission.

So, if you are close by and can drop in after work or want to make the state fair part of your summer holiday, you'll be greeted warmly at the 2004 Michigan State Fair in Detroit and the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba.

Just as the Department of Agriculture has sought ways to honor state employees, so, too, have the Departments of Management and Budget (DMB) and Information Technology (DIT). These departments are offering state employees savings on back-to-school and office supplies, computers, and cellular service. You can learn about these employee savings programs that offer 30 percent discounts on school supplies and 5 to 10 percent savings on Dell computers, as well as other savings by visiting www.michigan.gov/doingbusiness.

These modest gestures are one small way of telling you how much your great efforts to serve the citizens of Michigan are appreciated and, personally, how proud I am to be your colleague. On behalf of the ten million citizens of our beautiful state, thank you for your service and your excellence.

Sincerely,
Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor

P.S. Thank you Department of Natural Resources (DNR)! On the weekend of June 12-13, the DNR offered state employees free admission to any state park as part of our Employee Recognition Week celebration. Some 277 state employees took advantage of the "freebie" and visited 35 different state parks.

You can learn more about the Michigan State Fair in Detroit by calling 313-369-8200 or by clicking on www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1571_2487-10945--,00.html See the U.P. State Fair Web information at: www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1571_30865---,00.html