OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jul. 23, 2025) – Another vestige of the changes made in Ottawa County government over the past two years has been removed.
During Tuesday night’s monthly Board of Commissioners business meeting at the Fillmore Street complex in West Olive, a proposal to, “approve the elimination of the Ottawa County motto of ‘Where Freedom Rings'” passed by a 7-4 margin.
Board chairman John Teeples of Jenison explained what led to placing this matter for consideration at this time.
District 11 Commissioner Allison Miedema of Marne was among members of the Ottawa Impact-influenced board majority that changed the slogan from “Where You Belong” to epitomize the agenda when assuming leadership of the governing panel.
District 2 Commissioner Jordan Jorritsma of Holland put the motto debate in perspective.
An effort to change the motto to “In God We Trust,” put forward by District 5 Commissioner and former Board Chairman Joe Moss of Hudsonville failed, and for the moment, Ottawa County has no motto. Moss, Miedema, District 8’s Sylvia Rhodea (R-Allendale) and District 6’s Kendra Wenzel (R-Hudsonville), all of whom were part of the previous board majority, voted no on the motto removal.
In addition, the county board extended the current employment agreement with retired Sheriff Gary Rosema to continue serving as interim administrator through December 1st. He had initially agreed in January to a term through June 30th, but agreed to stay on after a search for a permanent operational leader ended last month without success. Another search began last week.
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