Headline: mlive, 7/18/2025
John Tunison reports:
New leadership took over the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners six months ago, upending a far-right group’s often tumultuous reign.
The voting power once borne by commissioners tied to the ultra-conservative group Ottawa Impact is gone.
But for those who thought the county’s government would now be free from controversy, their utopian dream hasn’t materialized.
Instead, on many issues, the 11-member board has evolved into two voting blocs -- the remaining four Ottawa Impact commissioners and the other seven commissioners.
The split has led to divisiveness on topics that include diversity, equity and inclusion; developer tax incentives for housing projects; and accepting certain federal grants.
Timeline of dysfunction in county government:
July 2025
June 2025
Ottawa County Commission moves to the next iteration of hiring process for new administrator. (6/14)
April 2025
February 2025
What's next for far-right Ottawa Impact: More "Leave It To Beaver" pro-family values, apparently. (2/1)
January 2025
Far-right Ottawa Impact leftovers on county commission love to sit on their asses and cause trouble. (1/9)
December 2024
First it was Ottawa Impact, now it's bird flu. Don't know which is worse! (12/25)
November 2024
Just 44 days left until far-right incompetent leadership of Ottawa County Commission comes to an end. (11/23)
October 2024
Dear Ottawa County voters: Now is your chance to dump that incompetent clown Joe Moss. Vote smart! (10/21)
September 2024
August 2024
From burst to bust: (8/12)
Far-right Ottawa Impact incumbent Roger Belknap loses to moderate Republican by 15 percentage points. (8/7)
2024 primary election Ottawa County Commission: Far-right Ottawa Impact incumbent Gretchen Crosby gets crush by moderate Republican. (8/7)
July 2024
Far-right Ottawa Impact member Roger Belknap too busy applying clown make-up to talk with news media. (7/27)
Former Ottawa County administrator looks for payback against far-right conservative Ottawa Impact. (7/27)
Far-right Ottawa Impact member Kendra Wenzel too busy applying clown make-up to talk with news media. (7/25)
June 2024
Newly elected commissioner fights back against Ottawa County Commission clown show leadership. (6/22)
May 2024
Voters in Ottawa County Michigan would be wise to show Joe Moss the door in August primary election. (5/17)
April 2024
"Who is that clown on the Ottawa County Board?" asks mlive. (4.6)
March 2024.
Trump fanboy gets the hook. (3/2)
February 2024
Chris Vander Sys challenges Ottawa Impact whackjob Gretchen Cosby for seat on Michigan's Ottawa County Board. (2/21)Former Ottawa County Board commissioner hopes to win seat back from far-right Ottawa Impact whackjob. (2/20)
January 2024
2023
As its population increases, Ottawa County Michigan voters find less to like about a hardcore GOP. (11/5)
2022
Homophobic voters in Michigan town give master class in how to cut off your nose to spite your face. (11/22)
Dear Jamestown Charter Township Michigan residents, A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone. Best, Retiring Guy. (7/25)
Greetings from Trump's America: Ottawa County, Michigan, which is not as Trumpy, or as red, as it used to be. (7/22)