Latest News
Meeting highlights—Financial report, Insurance Authority update, unrestricted funds
On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Ottawa County received financial updates. Most commissioners arrived ready for the meeting. Others arrived uninformed and unprepared, wasting taxpayer dollars.
After years of using the county to advance public health power and activism, Marcia Mansaray has thrown her hat into the political square
On March 27, 2024, Ottawa County Deputy Health Director Marcia Mansaray added her name to the list of candidates.
Ottawa County Board votes Jon Anderson as Interim Administrator
"One of my primary goals is to build relationships with the Board of Commissioners, the employees of Ottawa County, as well as the residents." —Interim Administrator Jon Anderson
Meeting highlights—Discussion on real estate point-of-sale, Ottawa Food, and Public Health Fund Balance
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the Health & Human Services Committee had actual discussion on items instead of mere updates from programs as was the norm during the past five years. During the discussion there was a lack of decorum by two Ottawa County employees.
In some Michigan districts, the line between parents and school has blurred
School policies are attempting to push parents out.
Meeting highlights—Update on County finances, Interim Administrator, Treasury, and 20th Circuit Court
“Ottawa County is an amazing place with wonderful people, great jobs, low unemployment, economic growth, strong churches, striving communities, and people who love freedom.” —Chairman Joe Moss
Meeting highlights—Continuation of the Special Meeting regarding John Gibbs
At the Special Meeting on February 29, 2024, just a few days after a letter of complaints was sent to County Administrator John Gibbs’ attorney, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted to terminate Gibbs’ contract.
Meeting highlights—Mediation brings to a close the case of Hambley v Ottawa County
The Board of Commissioners met on February 26, 2024, to hold mediation for Hambley v Ottawa County.
Vote tomorrow in the Presidential Primary
“We do not have a government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” —Thomas Jefferson
Meeting highlights—Special Meeting regarding Administrator John Gibbs
“Government officials must serve and implement the will of the people at the direction of the duly elected Board of Commissioners, because we live in a constitutional republic.” —Chairman Joe Moss
The collapse of leftist media
The news media has been in a free fall for decades. But recently the complete collapse seems close.
Pseudonyms and the debate over the Constitution
The Center for the Study of the American Constitution at the University of Wisconsin explains, “Pseudonyms were used for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it was felt that the avoidance of authors’ names concentrated attention on the issues, not on the personalities of the authors.”
Time to vote in the Presidential Primary
“Elections belong to the People. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” —Abraham Lincoln
Meeting highlights—Drama brought by the Left, plus three department reports and words from courageous leaders
Committee meetings have been short and drama-free since the beginning of January. But drama was brought back into the boardroom by the Leftists in attendance at the Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Board of Commissioners meeting.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—Part Three
In May 2022, within the span of just 14 minutes, the previous Ottawa County Board of Commissioners spent $39,742,630 of the ARPA funds on lost revenue. The resulting benefits, they claimed, would be flexibility in spending the funds as they would like, more time to spend the funds, and a lessening of reporting requirements.
Press Release—Ottawa County Sheriff announces retirement
After 44 years of service in law enforcement, Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker is retiring.
Meeting highlights—State of the County
“I would like to say thank you to the people of Ottawa County, who took decisive action to defend their piece of America in 2022—to protect individual freedoms, parental rights, and freedom of religion and conscience. Also, thank you to the staff of the County, who day in and day out are working for The People of our community. And thank you to the commissioners for their service as representatives. To the public, we are humbled to work for The People in our Constitutional Republic.” —Chairman Joe Moss, January 30, 2024
Veterans leave a war, but war never leaves a veteran
“Veterans make up about 4% of Ottawa County’s population and account for 24% of suicide deaths.” —Press Release: "Proposal to Expand Ottawa County Department of Veterans Affairs"
Meeting highlights—Three meetings getting County work done in under two hours
January 23, 2024, consisted of three committee meetings. The Strategic Planning Committee laid down a foundational plan for both the near and distant future, the Health & Human Services Committee had multiple department updates, and the Talent & Recruitment Committee got their job done in under ten minutes.
Highlights—Hambley hearing: The $4 million lie
“Big victory for the people. Truth prevailed on Friday,” Commissioner Joe Moss commented on "The Justin Barclay Show," Monday, January 22, 2024.
Meeting Highlights—The first regular session of the year for the Board of Commissioners
2024 began without fanfare for the Board of Commissioners at the January 16, 2024 meeting. Agenda items focused on new budget software, committee adjustments, the hiring of outside counsel, and annual reports.
The local church and the sacred cow of politics
Many pastors believe in the myth of neutrality.
Michigan Legislature looking to impede parental rights
In 1993, Michigan became the most homeschool-friendly state in the nation. But, the state would like that to change.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—Part Two
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners chose to use $39,742,630 of the ARPA funds for lost revenue. But, according to the January 25, 2022 and May 24, 2022 Board minutes, the Board only approved $31,712,572 in public meetings.
