WEST OLIVE, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jan. 10, 2023) – The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on Tuesday, just a week after a shakeup approved by new conservative members received lots of attention.
The meeting drew an overflow and sometimes contentious crowd. Forty-two speakers addressed the board, some applauding its recent moves and some very critical, questioning what they called a lack of transparency. Last week, the commissioners backed by conservative political action committee Ottawa Impact approved several last-minute agenda items, including firing John Shay as county administrator, installing John Gibbs in the office, replacing the county’s top health officer and closing the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department. Commissioners also voted to change the county’s motto from “Where You Belong” to “Where Freedom Rings.”
The day after the shakeup, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office said it was looking into the commission’s actions.
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