Highlights
Meeting highlights—Day 6 of Adeline Hambley’s removal hearing
Two and a half hours, three motions, and a good faith step by the Board of Commissioners sum up Day 6.
Highlights—Michigan Adoption Day in Ottawa County, “giving thanks for families”
"We do not need to know the beginning of a child’s story to change the ending." —Judge Paul Kraus, 20th Circuit Court, Family Division.
Meeting highlights—Ottawa Food: just the facts
Lisa Uganski, from the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, showed up at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Inadvertently, she shed the light of truth on what Ottawa Food is and why two seasonal programs suddenly are suspended. Attending his first board meeting as the new Deputy Director, Ben Wetmore brought facts about Ottawa Food, countering the misinformation local media continues to dole out to the Ottawa County citizens.
November 7, 2023 election highlights—City positions, school bonds, BLP, and Jamestown public library
27% of Ottawa County residents made their voices heard in the November 7, 2023 election. Citizens of Coopersville, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Holland, Hudsonville, Jamestown, and Zeeland made their way to the polls on Tuesday to exercise their right to vote.
Meeting highlights—Day two of Adeline Hambley’s termination hearing
Ten hours, two witnesses, 500 pages, commissioner discussion, and the first round of public comment—day two of Adeline Hambley’s termination hearing is on the books.
Meeting highlights—Day one of special hearing for removal of health officer, Adeline Hambley
October 24, 2023, started as any other Board of Commissioners meeting would, with the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The difference was that the room was set up like a courtroom. After listening to the first eight witnesses from the defense, one might wonder whom the hearing was for, Administrator John Gibbs or Adeline Hambley.
Meeting highlights—Zylstra adds to the agenda, special meeting request moves Health Director hearing, Nate Kelly’s paperwork has been submitted
Commissioner Doug Zylstra motioned for a special meeting to remove Interim Health Director Adeline Hambley, then voted no on the special meeting.
Meeting highlights—FY24 budget passes, Zylstra brings a flurry of motions, Early Voting Agreement passes with unanimous vote
After many weeks of local and national media attempts to emotionally blackmail people into thinking the Public Health Department would close, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners passed the FY24 General Appropriations Act (FY24 budget)—which notably has the second highest Public Health Department budget in 15 years.
Meeting highlights—FY24 budget passes in committee, CMH staffing concerns, fewer foster homes, more Medicaid recipients
The Health & Human Services Committee, Talent & Recruitment Committee, and Finance & Administration Committee filled the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners' time on Tuesday, September 19th.
Meeting highlights—public hearing on FY24 budget, Bergman makes a motion, Early Voting Agreement postponed
Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting once again brought out public comments, misinformation, and Bergman’s disparagement of certain Ottawa County voters.
Meeting highlights—Hambley under oath, Health Dept budget, Belknap replaces Bonnema, early voting staffing
The Board of Commissioners’ Finance and Administration Committee meeting had a lot of information, many questions answered, and an outbreak in the audience from a known local activist.
