Meeting highlights—Bend Area Open Space and summer safety
Following the Fourth of July weekend, the Planning and Policy Committee listened to ways to increase community recreation and protection.
Meeting highlights—Crockery Lake agreement and Administrator search
At the June 24, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioners voted to spend money on legal fees rather than water restoration.
Meeting highlights—And then there was one
The Board of Commissions met June 12, 2025, for a Special Meeting that was originally intended for interviewing the five remaining County Administrator candidates. However, only one remained.
Meeting highlights—Five County Administrator candidates move forward with no commissioner discussion
A Special Meeting was called June 4, 2025, for the Board of Commissioners to review and consider applicants for the position of County Administrator.
Meeting highlights—Storm damage report, plus the Trump Administration’s effects on the county
The Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to hear how Ottawa County weathered the storm and to determine how federal efficiencies and stances will guide policies.
Meeting highlights—Committee meetings spotlight wasteful grants and taxpayer burdens
Board members discuss lowering taxes and the true meaning of fiscal responsibility during committee meetings.
Meeting highlights—Heroes celebrated, Robert’s Rules amended, and Board rejects Campbell litigation
During the Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioners shared different opinions on corporate handouts, freedom of speech, and the local power plant.
Meeting highlights—Planning & Policy Committee discusses Campbell Plant, logo etiquette, and measles
The Planning and Policy committee met on April 10, 2025, to hash through differing opinions on what it means to protect and stand up for constituents.
Meeting highlights—Unexpected discussions and a lesson in Robert’s Rules
The March 25, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting was a night of the unexpected. Several Republican commissioners voted to appoint former Democrat candidates to open board seats and a grant was approved from a DEI-supporting NGO.
Meeting highlights—Planning and Policy Committee reviews parks and broadband
Supporting county parks and improving internet reach, just a couple of the ways commissioners are working to better Ottawa County.
Meeting highlights—Campbell Plant resolution presented, Crockery questioned, Counsel replaced
Commissioners express support for delaying the Campbell Plant closure.
Meeting highlights—Action taken on controversial contract and Gibbs’ settlement
It was a meeting where seats were shuffled, lines were drawn, and the settlement was exposed.
Meeting highlights—Board Rules finalized
Unlike last week’s almost 10-hour meeting to determine Board Rules, the January 14, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting completed the discussion and the vote to put in place the amended Board Rules—and it happened in just about an hour.
Meeting highlights—Organizational Meeting continues
Part 2 of the Organizational Meeting continued for nearly 10 hours with robust discussion and appointment of an Interim County Administrator.
Meeting highlights—First Board Meeting of 2025
The 2025–2028 Board of Commissioners is sworn into office.
Meeting highlights—Search for County Administrator sabotaged
Top County Administrator candidate withdraws due to intimidation.
Deeds, Not Words
"It's about taking care of folks, and that's what we're going to do." —Jason Schenkel, Ottawa County Veterans Affairs Director
If elected, multiple candidates could make decisions that influence what children read
Sexualized and pornographic content in public schools has become the norm—to include gender identity, heterosexual and homosexual relations, sex between children, beastiality, violence and rape, and pedophilia—and many are pushing parents to accept this assault on their children’s innocence.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is dying
"Divisive, political, and social issues don't belong in the workplace and work is NOT your soapbox to discuss what kind of sex you prefer to have." —Robby Starbuck
Know what your money is funding
Many consumers want to support companies they can believe in, but it’s not always easy to get that information.
Byron Center school board adopts the Biden-Harris Title IX
In a 4–3 vote, the Byron Center Public Schools Board of Education took away basic rights: the right for girls to have privacy and safe spaces, the right for girls to compete exclusively with students of their same gender, and the right of teachers and staff to speak truth.
Meeting highlights—Recovery Court anniversary celebration, commissioner causes confusion, and the 2024 Ottawa County Apportionment Report
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Board of Commissioners received an update on the 20th anniversary celebration for Ottawa County Recovery Court. With a little manufactured confusion in the middle, the meeting ended smoothly with the 2024 Ottawa County Apportionment Report and a couple of updates.
$35 trillion in debt
“I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependance for continued freedom. And, to preserve their independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.” — Thomas Jefferson, 1816
Meeting highlights—FY2025 Budget Resolution and Executive Transition Committee Resolution
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the Board of Commissioners passed the FY2025 Budget, minus a $900,000 Covid grant, and moved forward on the search for a permanent County Administrator by passing the Executive Transition Committee Resolution.
