Residents raise character and confidentiality concerns over newly appointed finance committee chair; commissioner responds

Several Ottawa County residents used the public-comment period at the Jan. 14 Finance and Administration Committee meeting to urge committee members to investigate the background and fitness of the person newly appointed to chair the committee.

Bruce Greenlee of Park Township cited what he described as past outbursts and repeated leaks of closed-session material to local media and said those patterns make him uncomfortable with the person serving in a leadership role over county finances. “There was, quite an emotional outburst, when there was, some involvement of a satanic person that was going to do an invocation,” Greenlee said, and he later added that “oftentimes there was information… talked about in closed sessions that somehow or other was leaked to local media personnel almost on a routine basis.”

Lori Burks of Georgetown Township urged elected officials to vet candidates using “character qualifications” and said she would be “uncomfortable knowing that the person that’s over this area, financial area, has potentially had some shady business dealings.” She said as a CPA she would expect and appreciate “some due diligence regarding the character of the individual.”

Sarah Westheist of Georgetown Township, citing resumes of two recently considered candidates, said the county “requires career professionals in key decision making positions” and urged leaders to “hire top talent.”

After public comment ended, a committee member who identified themself as a commissioner addressed the concerns and described two distinct, earlier civil matters now being discussed publicly. “I have maintained financial licenses for the last, I think I’m at 27 years now,” the commissioner said, adding that one earlier lawsuit named many people and “the suit never went anywhere,” and that another case involved the speaker’s father and did not include the speaker. The commissioner appealed for those remarks not to be conflated with their own record, saying, “I would appreciate going forward if you don't conflate my name with the wrongdoings of my father.”

None of the public commentators identified a specific legal charge against the appointed chair during the meeting, and the commissioner who spoke said neither of the past situations referenced involved criminal acts for themselves. Committee business proceeded after public comment concluded.

Ending: Committee members did not take further action during the meeting to investigate or remove the chair appointment; the meeting moved on to agenda votes and budget items.