FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2007

CONTACT:
Carmella Sabaugh 586-469-7939
William Seaman 586-463-6305
Rich Robinson 517-482-7198

ONLINE BIRTH CERTIFICATE SYSTEM “THWARTING TERRORISM”
GETS NATIONAL AWARD

Macomb County Clerk / Register of Deeds Carmella Sabaugh today received a national award for a first-in-the-nation security solution preventing document fraud and improving customer service. Since last year, designated SSA staff may verify a Macomb County birth certificate’s authenticity via a secure Internet service. This program is estimated by the SSA to save $257,000 over the first five years. The National Association of Counties ("NACo") recognized Macomb County for Sabaugh’s program entitled, “Birth Certificates Verification via Internet Reduces SSA Paperwork, Thwarts Terrorism.”

"We found a way to use technology to prevent fraud and save money for taxpayers," said Sabaugh. "The Social Security Administration was open to the idea and acted quickly and efficiently to implement it."

"Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh’s program could be a model for the nation," said Social Security Administration District Manager William Seaman. "This is an example of national and local government working together to solve a problem and save money."

This week Sabaugh also received awards for her program letting students learn and earn as election inspectors and for posting county and local campaign finance documents on the Internet and improving compliance.

“This is well-deserved recognition. The move to put county and local campaign finance data online is a big step forward in making Macomb County government more transparent,” said Rich Robinson of the nonpartisan Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a campaign finance watchdog group.

Sabaugh has also received other NACo awards, including for:

• Creating PPO Assistance Center to help victims of abuse (1999),
• Sponsoring Campaign Finance Workshops to explain campaign finance rules (2000),
• Sponsoring Vital Records Informational Seminars (2005),
• Using computerized bar codes to efficiently process juror information (2005),
• Posting public circuit court case index and docket entries on the Internet (2005),
• County Offers Free SMART Bus Rides to Jurors (2005) and
• Countywide Library Materials Personally Delivered to Jurors Via Internet Request (2006).

Each year the National Association of Counties issues awards for good county government, including “achievement awards.” The purpose of the awards is to nationally recognize county programs that enhance services, improve county management or promote intergovernmental coordination.

“My staff and I are working to modernize the office and improve customer service,” said Sabaugh. “Winning awards is nice, but the important thing is for the public to get good service.”

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