WEST OLIVE, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jan. 25, 2023) – The Ottawa County Administration Building was filled with people on Tuesday night.
However, most of those attending or those reporting were not greatly interested in the items of business that the county board addressed at its biweekly session. They wanted to vent their feelings about the actions the relatively-new panel undertook three weeks ago when it dismissed the county administrator, abolished the department of diversity, equality and inclusion, changed the county motto, and retained a Lansing law firm, all with an suddenness that has sparked an investigation into whether the board had violated Michigan’s Open Meetings Act.
While not directly addressing the remarks from over 60 persons who strode up to the podium for public comment during the two and a half hour meeting, Board Vice Chair and Ottawa Impact co-founder Sylvia Rhodea spoke for her new colleagues in expressing appreciation for county staff during this first month in office.
What the board did approve was a park services agreement with Port Sheldon Township, a renewal of the interlocal prosecution agreement with Allegan County, some staffing adjustments, and a regional hazard mitigation plan with Kent County and Grand Rapids.
The next meeting is on February 16th.
Citizens: Keep pushing these people to do the right thing. News media needs to stay on this story. Michigan AG needs to investigate. A large number of people “lost” what they voted for. Ottawa county’s own George Santos?
I am happy with the new board and their decisions. No more ‘woke agenda’, ‘cancel culture’, ‘liberalism’. Keep America free!
The cult of disinformation reigns supreme. I think there is a small, hard core group of voters who snuck up on most voters who never look past the R vs D. They are now trying desperately to look like a majority. I founded the “Ottawa Objects” Facebook group because the new “majority” is dangerous. I am now a part of an even larger coalition. https://www.webelong-oc.org/
The board’s first action was to skirt the law and to deceive people, even among their own. They knew they had to have a majority and strike quickly because a true majority of voters, even in deep red Ottawa County, would never support what they want to do if the people actually knew what it was. Classic Republicans are always the first victims of the radical right. Time to wake up our sleepy Republican electorate before it’s too late.
Our group is journalist friendly. Come find me and I will do your show, and maybe bring along some other of our leaders. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3243789522554006/?ref=share_group_link