Adoption Day Resolution
November 21, 2023
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Ottawa, Michigan, held at the Fillmore Street Complex in the Township of Olive, Michigan on the 21st day of November, 2023 at 8:00 o’clock a.m. local time.
PRESENT: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Douglas Zylstra, Jacob Bonnema, Allison Miedema, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Joe Moss.
It was moved by Commissioner Cosby and supported by Commissioner Miedema that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the State of Michigan recognizes the importance of giving children permanent, safe and loving families through adoption; and,
WHEREAS, more than 10,000 children are in the Michigan foster care system in 2023 and, of these approximately 250 children are awaiting adoption; and,
WHEREAS, to help these children find permanent, nurturing families, the 20th Circuit Court of Ottawa County will open its doors on Michigan Adoption Day, Tuesday, November 21, 2023, to finalize the adoptions of local children and join other organizations to celebrate all adoptions; and,
WHEREAS, this effort along with similar celebrations around the Country will offer children the chance to live with stable and loving families and encourage other dedicated individuals to make a powerful difference in the lives of children through adoption; and,
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; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all resolutions and parts of resolutions insofar as they conflict with this Resolution are hereby repealed.
YEAS: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Jacob Bonnema, Allison Miedema, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Joe Moss,
Douglas Zylstra,
NAYS: Commissioners:
Resolution Opposing State Control of Solar Siting
October 24, 2023
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Ottawa, Michigan, held at the Fillmore Street Complex in the Township of Olive, Michigan on the 24th day of October, 2023 at 8:00 AM local time.
PRESENT: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Douglas Zylstra, Jacob Bonnema, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss, Roger Bergman.
It was moved by Commissioner Roger Bergman and supported by Commissioner Roger Belknap that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, Executive Directive 2020-10 aims to achieve 100% carbon neutrality in Michigan by 2050; and
WHEREAS, industry leaders have pledged to reduce carbon emissions to help achieve this goal; and
WHEREAS, efforts to expand renewable energy projects will continue to increase in this state; and
WHEREAS, the governor has proposed the Michigan Public Service Commission be the sole regulating authority for solar and wind projects to expedite these efforts; and
WHEREAS, by granting the Michigan Public Service Commission this authority, local control will be preempted; and
WHEREAS, should local control be preempted, a county, township, city or village would be unable to determine the location, size, setback distance, decibel level or any other criteria for a solar or wind facility; and
WHEREAS, should local control be preempted, a county, township, city, or village would be unable to determine requirements for construction, operation, use, or maintenance of a solar or wind facility; and
WHEREAS, if a county already has a solar or wind policy, practice, regulation, rule or ordinance on record it would be null and void; and
WHEREAS, all other types of energy facilities, while regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission, must adhere to local zoning; and
WHEREAS, this proposal grants far more regulating authority to the Michigan Public Service Commission than for any other energy source; and
WHEREAS, the Michigan Association of Counties opposes any legislative action that may grant the Michigan Public Service Commission this power
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Ottawa County opposes the pre-emption of local control in solar and wind siting and zoning.
YEAS: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Jacob Bonnema, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger
Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss, Roger Bergman.
NAYS: Commissioners: Douglas Zylstra
Resolution on Childhood Vaccine Waivers for School and Childcare
August 22, 2023
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Ottawa, Michigan, held at the Fillmore Street Complex in the Township of Olive, Michigan on the 22nd day of August, 2023 at 6:30 PM local time.
PRESENT: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Douglas Zylstra, Jacob Bonnema, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss, Roger Bergman.
It was moved by Commissioner Miedema and supported by Commissioner Curran that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners ("Board") swore an oath to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan, which protect the natural, Godgiven rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These Constitutions not only guarantee these freedoms, they also protect and guard against government infringing on these rights; and
WHEREAS, the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects the rights of parents to make decisions concerning the care of their children and the right to make medical decisions on behalf of their children; and
WHEREAS, Michigan Revised School Code, MCL 380.10, affirms, “It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children;” and
WHEREAS, constitutional freedoms are not suspended in times of crisis or everyday life, at the whim of elected officials, unelected health officials, or for the benefit of government bureaucracy or private institutions; and
WHEREAS, Michigan law provides exemptions to childhood vaccine requirements for school and licensed childcare programs for medical, religious, or other reasons, as follows:
MCL 333.9215 Exemptions. (1) A child is exempt from the requirements of this part as to a specific immunization for any period of time as to which a physician certifies that a specific immunization is or may be detrimental to the child's health or is not appropriate. (2) A child is exempt from this part if a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of the child presents a written statement to the administrator of the child's school or operator of the group program to the effect that the requirements of this part cannot be met because of religious convictions or other objection to immunization; and
WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) enacted Administrative Rule 325.176 (12) on January 1, 2015, requiring parents or guardians who want a religious or philosophical exemption from one or more vaccines for their child(ren), to attend a vaccine education session at their local health department and obtain a state-issued certified waiver; and
WHEREAS, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health provides waiver appointments as established by MDHHS Administrative Rule; and
WHEREAS, the Board respects the right of parents to choose to vaccinate or to exempt their child from one or more vaccines, and acknowledges differing conclusions and practices exist within the medical community regarding the risk-benefit assessment of vaccines and communicable diseases; and
WHEREAS, the Board acknowledges individual genetic risks and contraindications exist regarding vaccines and medical interventions, and respects the right of parents and individuals to make personal medical decisions free of pressure and coercion; and
WHEREAS, the Board values the ethical standard of fully informed consent regarding both the risks and benefits of vaccines, to include full disclosure of ingredients, as well as the adverse effects of vaccines as reported to VAERS, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, established as the national safety surveillance program; and
WHEREAS, the Board respects the religious, moral, and ethical considerations of vaccines developed or manufactured using fetal cells from aborted infants, such as vaccines for chickenpox, rubella, hepatitis A, measles, mumps, rubella, and certain Covid-19 vaccines.
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 risks and the benefits of vaccines, a copy of vaccine package inserts, vaccine ingredients, and a link to VAERS data; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution shall be sent to Senators Mark Huizenga, Roger Victory, and Rick Outman, Representatives Nancy DeBoer, Luke Meerman, Brad Slagh, Rachelle Smit, and Greg VanWoerkom, and the Clerk of each county in the State of Michigan.
YEAS: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Jacob Bonnema, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel,
Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss.
NAYS: Commissioners: Douglas Zylstra, Roger Bergman. ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners: None.
Resolution to Protect Childhood Innocence
June 27, 2023
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Ottawa, Michigan, held at the Fillmore Street Complex in the Township of Olive, Michigan on the 27th day of June, 2023 at 6:30 PM local time.
PRESENT: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Douglas Zylstra, Jacob Bonnema, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss, Roger Bergman.
It was moved by Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea and supported by Commissioner Allison Miedema that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the future of Ottawa County relies on the health and well-being of its children and young people; and
WHEREAS, children are our greatest treasure and our most vulnerable population. We must always weigh the risk of harm to children in public policy decisions; and
WHEREAS, as Thomas Sowell expressed, “There are no perfect solutions, there are only tradeoffs,” and
WHEREAS, we value integrity and excellence and will not trade the innocence of children for other governmental goals: and
WHEREAS, protecting the innocence of children is an issue of concern for all adults; and
WHEREAS, adults and children are increasingly over-sexualized in our nation, state, and county; and
WHEREAS, Ottawa County has experienced an increase in criminal sexual assault cases, with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department investigating or reviewing 1050 criminal sexual conduct and child abuse cases in 2022, with 260 child victims referred to the Children’s Advocacy Center; and
WHEREAS, the exposure to and normalization of sexualized behaviors reduces children’s inhibitions and ability to protect themselves from the sexual advances of others; and
WHEREAS, children learn from observing and subsequently acting out the behaviors they have observed. Children who have observed sexualized behaviors or who have been the victim of sexual assault may act out with other children at home or school, which may lead to additional child victims; and
WHEREAS, the normalization of sexualized behaviors and content to children is not in the long-term interest of children or society. Wholesome, good, and honorable content and activities should be promoted to children instead. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners is committed to protecting the innocence of children, and to cultivating healthy children, families, communities, and institutions; and
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.
YEAS: Roger Belknap, Rebekah Curran, Gretchen Cosby, Jacob Bonnema, Sylvia Rhodea, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema,
Lucy Ebel, Joe Moss.
NAYS: Douglas Zylstra and Roger Bergman. ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners: None.
Constitutional County Resolution
May 23, 2023
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Ottawa, Michigan, held at the Fillmore Street Complex in the Township of Olive, Michigan on the 23rd day of May, 2023 at 6:30 PM local time.
PRESENT: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Douglas Zylstra, Jacob Bonnema, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss. ABSENT: Commissioners: Roger Bergman.
It was moved by Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea and supported by Commissioner Allison Miedema that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners ("Board") swore an oath to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan, which protect the natural, God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Constitutions guarantee freedom of religion, speech, and assembly, the right to bear arms, due process of law, as well as provide other protections; and
WHEREAS, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as part of the Bill of Rights, instructs that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"; and
WHEREAS, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms, affirming that "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed"; and
WHEREAS, Article I, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution (1963) provides that "Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state"; and
WHEREAS, the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "No person shall ... be deprived of Life, Liberty, or property, without due process of Law," and Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "...nor shall any State deprive any person of Life, Liberty, or property, without due process of Law"; and
WHEREAS, "The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects certain fundamental parental rights, including the right of parents to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children, to direct the upbringing and education of their children, the right to make medical decisions on behalf of their children, and, in conjunction with the First Amendment, to guide the religious future and education of their children"; and
WHEREAS, constitutional freedoms are not suspended in times of crisis or everyday Life, at the whim of elected officials, unelected health officials, or for the benefit of government bureaucracy or private institutions; and
WHEREAS, the people of Ottawa County overwhelmingly spoke with their vote to restore and protect the constitutional rights of the people as a first priority of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, as reflected in the county's new vision statement of "Where Freedom Rings"; and
WHEREAS, the Board is resolved to preserve freedom and constitutional rights in our beautiful county for future generations of all who Live here; and
WHEREAS, a "Constitutional County" is a place of refuge for a Law-abiding citizen in regards to the citizens' rights under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan; and
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 statute, 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; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board affirms its support for the Ottawa County Sheriff and the Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney acting in a constitutional manner and acknowledges and respects their respective oaths of office. The Board strongly encourages them to continuously act in a constitutional manner, as is consistent with their oath of office, and, in the exercise of their duties, not enforce any statute, Law, rule, order, or regulation that is contrary to the rights protected by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board respectfully requests that the Michigan Legislature, the United States Congress, and other agencies of the State and Federal government vigilantly preserve and protect these rights by rejecting the passage of or revoking any provision, statute, Law, rule, order or regulation that may infringe, have potential to infringe, or place any additional burdens on the rights of Law-abiding citizens; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution shall be sent to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Senators Mark Huizenga, Roger Victory, and Rick Outman, Michigan Representatives Nancy DeBoer, Luke Meerman, Brad Slagh, Rachelle Smit, and Greg VanWoerkom, U.S. Congressional Representatives Bill Huizenga, Hillary Scholten, and John Moolenaar, U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker, and Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney Lee Fisher; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a copy of this Resolution shall be sent to all Ottawa County department directors, to the Clerk of each county in the State of Michigan, the Michigan Senate, the Michigan House of Representatives, and the Michigan Association of Counties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a copy of this resolution shall be affixed to the wall of the board room of the Board as a promise to the people of Ottawa County and as a permanent reminder to elected officials and county employees that the constitutional rights of the people of Ottawa County shall be preserved and protected as the first priority.
YEAS: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Jacob Bonnema, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema,
Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel,
Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss.
NAYS: Commissioners: Douglas Zylstra. ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners: None.
Heroes of Freedom Resolution
May 23, 2023
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Ottawa, Michigan, held at the Fillmore Street Complex in the Township of Olive, Michigan on the 23rd day of May, 2023 at 6:30 PM local time.
PRESENT: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Douglas Zylstra, Jacob Bonnema, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss. ABSENT: Commissioners: Roger Bergman.
It was moved by Commissioner Allison Miedema and supported by Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, America is an exceptional nation made up of a beautiful people, who share a history of triumph over adversity; our freedom won through the sacrifice and blood of patriots, and our nation built on the strength of America’s founding documents; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States and our brave men and women have boldly protected the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nearly 250 years; and
WHEREAS, we stand in remembrance of those who fought and died to defend and protect us, so that we can all live in freedom, and we are forever indebted to these men and women who demonstrated the greatest love for our country and grieve with their families; and
WHEREAS, we recognize and honor the service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans and military families for what they have done and what they continue to do every day to support our great nation; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute to the next generation of Ottawa County citizens who serve in the United States Armed Forces— the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, and they continue a legacy of unyielding patriotism, and represent the best of America; and
WHEREAS, as Ronald Reagan expressed, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free;” and
WHEREAS, the people of Ottawa County have a deep love for America, and we are a people jealous for liberty, which is essential for protecting our communities and nation; and
WHEREAS, as reminded by John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them”;
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; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we join the contagious spirit of those who have dedicated and given their lives for freedom; and
BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED, at this moment of national importance, we commit to the defense of the rights and virtues of our nation and its founding, preserving freedom and hope for future generations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be sent to Michigan Senators Mark Huizenga, Roger Victory, and Rick Outman, Michigan Representatives Nancy DeBoer, Luke Meerman, Brad Slagh, Rachelle Smit, and Greg VanWoerkom, to the Clerk of each county in the State of Michigan, and all Ottawa County department directors.
YEAS: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Jacob Bonnema, Kyle Terpstra, Allison Miedema,
Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel,
Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss, Douglas Zylstra.
NAYS: Commissioners: None. ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners: None.