Muskegon County Municipalities At Work

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson sits down with newly elected North Muskegon Mayor Chris Nance to explore his remarkable career in public service—from international PR and White House advance work to senior roles under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger—and how those experiences shape his vision for North Muskegon’s future. Nance reflects on returning to his h...

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson sits down with Roosevelt Park Police Chief Shawn Bride to explore his remarkable 30-year law enforcement career, from his early days with the City of Muskegon to leading a small but highly engaged department. Chief Bride discusses the transformative power of community policing, the unique collaborative spirit among Muskegon...

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson interviews county Emergency Manager Renee Gavin, whose 20+ years of public safety experience—including law enforcement, EMS, and emergency planning—shape her vital leadership role in community preparedness and disaster response. Gavin explains how emergency management identifies local hazards, coordinates resources during m...

Kathy Moore, Muskegon County’s longtime Public Health Director and its most senior employee, joins DJ Hilson on Muskegon County Municipalities at Work to share her 35 years of experience serving in wastewater, airport operations, county administration, and public health leadership. She outlines the wide range of services delivered by the health department, from restaurant and pool inspections to i...

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson sits down with Keith Townsend , a lifelong Muskegon resident and second-generation transit worker with the Muskegon Area Transit System (MATS) . Townsend shares how MATS connects residents to jobs, schools, and essential services through fixed routes, ADA-compliant vehicles, and new on-demand “Go-2” ride services. He discus...

In this episode of Muskegon County at Work , host DJ Hilson sits down with Emily Morgenstern, Community Coordinator for the Muskegon Police Department, to explore how community engagement is transforming local public safety. A lifelong Muskegon native, Emily shares her journey from the Chamber of Commerce to public service and explains how her role bridges the gap between residents and law enforce...

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson sits down with Sarah Wilson , Treasurer for the City of Muskegon, to demystify how local government handles money—from property taxes to water bills—and how every dollar collected supports essential community services. Wilson shares her journey from private-sector accounting to public service, explaining the unique satisfac...

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson interviews Dawson Romanosky, a lifelong Muskegon resident and automotive professional who now manages the City of Muskegon’s fleet of over 550 vehicles and pieces of equipment. From police cars and plow trucks to bulldozers and utility vehicles, Dawson oversees maintenance, replacement, and budgeting to keep city operations...

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson interviews Deborah Santiago Sweet , Community Engagement and Communications Specialist for the City of Muskegon. Deborah shares her passion for public service, rooted in a family legacy of community involvement, and highlights her unique role in building collaboration across city departments. She explains how initiatives li...

In this episode of Muskegon Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson sits down with Detective Sergeant Nick Vander Molen of the Michigan State Police to explore his journey from Allendale native to leader of the Muskegon Major Case Team. Vander Molen shares insights into the intensive state police recruit school, his early assignments, and the collaborative formation of Muskegon’s Major Case Initia...

On this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson interviews City of Muskegon Director of Development Services Jake Eckholm about how vision-driven public service is fueling local progress—linking housing as economic development , diversified job growth, and small-business support across the city’s commercial corridors. Eckholm explains the city’s infill and mixed-income h...

Debbie Hillebrand, a Pennsylvania native who now runs the Lewis House Bed & Breakfast in Whitehall, shares her journey from business owner to city council member in this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work . After falling in love with the community’s walkability, natural beauty, and vibrant arts scene, she decided to run for council as a way to give back. Debbie discusses the lea...

In this episode of Muskegon Municipalities At Work , host DJ Hilson interviews Tom Lohman, the four-term mayor of Montague, Michigan, to discuss the intricacies of small-town governance. Mayor Lohman shares his journey from Clay Banks Township to leading Montague, emphasizing the balance between preserving the town’s quaint, close-knit atmosphere and promoting sustainable growth through affordable...

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities At Work , host DJ Hilson sits down with Norton Shores Mayor Gary Nelund for a candid, in-depth conversation on local government leadership, community service, and the evolution of public policy. Mayor Nelund reflects on his 15+ years in office, highlighting the importance of collaboration, fiscal responsibility, and resident-focused amenities. From...

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities At Work , host DJ Hilson interviews Amelia Isitian, operations supervisor at the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, about her journey from earning an environmental engineering degree in Turkey to leading wastewater operations back in her hometown. Amelia highlights the center’s critical role in regional sustainability, handling wastewater fr...

In this in-depth episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , DJ Hilson interviews Amy Campanelli, Director of the Muskegon County Public Defender’s Office, who shares her powerful journey from leading reform efforts in Cook County to implementing holistic defense in Muskegon. Campanelli discusses her passion for treating clients as whole people, not just cases—emphasizing trauma-informed l...

In this heartwarming episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson interviews longtime public servant Saquetta Chatman, whose decades of experience and unwavering dedication embody the spirit of community service. From her early days at the Muskegon County Courthouse to her current role as the front-line face of the Norton Shores Police Department, Saquetta shares her passion...

In this inspiring episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , hosted by DJ Hilson, Sharonda Carson, Director of Community and Neighborhood Services for the City of Muskegon, shares her passionate journey of serving her hometown. Born and raised in Muskegon, Sharonda discusses how her department supports residents through vital programs like lead abatement, home repairs, senior services fun...

Discover the real stories behind Muskegon County’s first responders and law enforcement in this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities At Work . Join us as we sit down with Lieutenant Austin Aamodt of the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department to learn about his journey into law enforcement, the specialized roles of the Emergency Response Team , and how this multijurisdictional team works to keep...

In this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities At Work , host DJ Hilson sits down with Rebecca St. Clair, At-Large Commissioner and Vice Mayor of the City of Muskegon, for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation on the vital roles local government plays in building a stronger, more connected community. Learn how Muskegon is addressing the national housing crisis with innovative strategies, fo...

Discover how Muskegon’s Parks and Recreation Department is transforming community life in this episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work . Host DJ Hilson interviews Kyle Karczeswkii, Muskegon’s Parks and Rec Director, who shares his journey from Florida to Michigan and the department’s mission to create safe, engaging, and inclusive outdoor spaces for residents of all ages. From teen fishi...

In this heartfelt episode of Muskegon County Municipalities at Work , host DJ Hilson sits down with retiring Whitehall Police Chief Roger Squires to reflect on his remarkable 46-year law enforcement career. From his small-town Michigan roots to transformative leadership in Whitehall, Chief Squires shares the lessons, challenges, and triumphs that shaped his approach to public safety, community ser...

With over 30 years of service, Tim Kozal, Safety Director for the City of Muskegon, stands as a guardian of public well-being, bringing unmatched expertise, leadership, and integrity to every facet of community safety. A seasoned professional in emergency management, law enforcement coordination, and public policy, he has consistently championed proactive strategies that protect lives, streamline...

Susan Newhof serves the City of Montague as an elected council person and is proud to tell you why. She reveals a personal satisfaction that comes from serving her city. Her respect for local involvement is inspiring. This overview of how the Montague City Council functions is a study in cooperation and goodwill. You will learn a lot about what a city council does.

Jim Petrie oversees the daily operations of the City of Muskegon water treatment facility to ensure the safe and efficient purification of drinking water for the community. With a strong background in environmental science and water treatment processes, he leads a team of technicians and operators, manages system maintenance schedules, and monitors regulatory compliance to meet state and federal q...