OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, June 28, 2023) – The turbulent current term of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners took another turn on Tuesday evening.
During the scheduled biweekly business session, the governing panel, on a 6-5 vote, approved a resolution that censured first-term Republican Commissioner Jacob Bonnema of Zeeland. It stems from a public confrontation, during the March 14th meeting, that Bonnema had with Administrator John Gibbs. Bonnema then, in an email to the county’s Human Resources Director, requested an investigation into Mr. Gibbs for claims of harassment, threats, intimidation, insubordination, and indecent conduct. Director Marcie VerBeek told the board that, as a result of the investigation, it was determined that the claim was unfounded, the charges raised were not sustained, and the evidence gathered during the investigation did not substantiate the claim of harassment.
In discussion before the vote, Bonnema said that all this stemmed from a lack of communication.
Fellow first-term Commissioner Rebekah Curran of Jenison was among the five who voted no.
Board Vice-Chairwoman Sylvia Rhodea of Allendale was among the majority who approved the resolution.
Last week, the Ottawa County Republican Party voted to censure Bonnema over this matter, and the board’s resolution, asks that Bonnema be stripped of all his committee assignments through the end of the year. Board Chairman Joe Moss of Hudsonville will have the final decision on the matter.
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