As a result of the 2022 election, Ottawa County witnessed something different in 2023—elected officials with spines who stood strong for the Republican Party platform, who meant what they signed in the contract to the people of Ottawa County, and—even more unprecedented—who kept their campaign promises.

This awakening frightened local activist media, the Progressive Left, and Establishment Republicans so much that many of the residents in Ottawa County would be hard-pressed to find information on all the good the Board has done since January 3, 2023.

“THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, we honor the fallen, thank our veterans, and the men and women currently serving in the armed forces for their sacrifice and service to our great nation from the time of America’s birth and into the future, and we are indebted to America’s heroes of freedom…”

• The Heroes of Freedom Resolution passed 10–0 on May 23, 2023

• Commissioner Roger Bergman was absent

“THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board declares Ottawa County, Michigan to be a ‘Constitutional County’ and resolves to protect the individual freedoms of the people of Ottawa County, as outlined in the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan, to include freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, the right to keep and bear arms, and the right to due process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board will not authorize or appropriate funds, resources, employees, agencies, contractors, buildings, or offices for the purpose of enforcing any statue, Law, rule, order or regulation that restricts the rights of any Law-abiding citizen affirmed by the United States Constitution, nor be used to aid any state or federal agency in infringing or restricting such rights…”

• The Ottawa County Board not only protected our 2nd Amendment rights and our full constitutional rights, but also protected our tax dollars from restricting those rights

• The Constitutional County Resolution passed 9–1 on May 23, 2023

• Democrat Commissioner Doug Zylstra voted no and Commissioner Roger Bergman was absent

“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, no county staff or resources shall be allocated to activities, programs, events, content, or institutions which support, normalize, or encourage the sexualization of children and youth; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board encourages individuals and communities to promote the good and the honorable to children rather than the normalization of sexual behaviors, protecting the health and wellbeing of our children and the future of our county.”

• The Progressive Left and activist media implied that this resolution was about the Board trying to control parents, but in reality it was about not using county tax dollars to support events such as pride festivals and “family friendly” drag queen shows

• This resolution came after the Board found out that the county Health Department was involved with Grand Valley State University’s Kinky Sex Ed Week and the Grand Haven Pride Festival, where a “family friendly” drag queen event happened in the public square

• The Resolution to Protect Childhood Innocence passed 9–2 on June 27, 2023

• Commissioners Roger Bergman and Doug Zylstra voted against protecting children’s innocence

“NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners respects the individual freedoms and parental rights of the people of Ottawa County to make choices regarding childhood vaccines; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board recommends that Ottawa County promotion of vaccines for school and licensed childcare programs include full and accurate information regarding available exemptions and waivers from vaccine requirements; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board recommends that vaccine waiver sessions include information on both the risk and the benefits of vaccines, a copy of vaccine package inserts, vaccine ingredients, and a link to VAERS data…”

• The Ottawa County Health Department continues to push vaccines on parents

• A vaccine waiver is an option for parents who choose not to vaccinate

• With this resolution, the Board is standing for parental rights and recommends the Health Department do the same

• The Resolution on Childhood Vaccine Waivers for School and Childcare passed 9–2 on August 22, 2023

• Commissioners Bergman and Zylstra voted against the resolution

“NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim November 21, 2023 as Michigan Adoption Day in Ottawa County, and in so doing, urge all citizens to join in a national effort to raise awareness about the importance of adoption…”

• The Adoption Day Resolution passed 7–0 on November 21, 2023

• Commissioners Sylvia Rhodea, Roger Bergman, and Rebekah Curran were absent. The District 6 seat was vacated at the time of the vote.

• Rhodea was absent from the vote in order to be in attendance at the courthouse to read the resolution for the Adoption Day ceremony

Local activist media would make citizens think that the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has gotten nothing done this year due to drama. But, the county operations function normally every day, we’re investing in broadband, our parks continue to expand and flourish, and Ottawa maintains a Triple-A (AAA) bond rating.

• The Department of Strategic Impact has been working for years to create a countywide broadband strategy, hoping to help those in the county who have no/limited access

• On December 12, 2023, the Board of Commissioners was on a time crunch to get the contract signed and sent in before the December 31, 2023 deadline. Corporate Counsel and 123 Net still were finalizing contract information during the meeting, but everyone got it done.

• In the works since 2016, Ottawa County was supposed to be one of the first counties in Michigan to receive body cams. However, the Sheriff’s department never received the money it needed.

• Sheriff Steve Kempker recently told Talk of the Town he was thankful that the Board has supported his efforts to upgrade, most notably with the body cams. Kempker expects the body cams to be rolled out sometime in 2024.

• Upon hearing the need for outreach to and increased services for veterans and their families, the Board voted to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs and hire a director

• The Ottawa County veterans deserve more than status quo

We the People must encourage all elected officials to work on behalf of The People.

As we look forward to 2024, we at Simply American encourage the citizens of Ottawa County to FORTIFY and HOLD FAST. Stand strong for a county with great conservative values and always focus on truth. Ignore the chaos of the activists who would take those things if they could.

Hold fast to your faith, your family, and your freedom.

Ottawa is a beautiful county with a bright future.

Happy New Year!