Residents and commissioners clash over presence of white supremacist groups during Livingston County public comment

A prolonged public‑comment period at the Livingston County Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 24 featured repeated testimony about alleged increases in neo‑Nazi and white‑supremacist activity and sharp pushback from other residents who said the county is being unfairly characterized.

Several residents told the board they feel less safe and want stronger action from county officials and law enforcement. Edwin Hansen Meyer of Hamburg Township said he has lived in the county for more than 34 years and that he has seen “a definite increase” in activity by hate groups and would like to know what the commission plans to do. “I’d like to see as much of this that can be averted as possible,” he said on the record.

Tanya Hansen Meyer, who said she is the granddaughter of a German mother who lived through World War II, told commissioners she is emotionally affected by reports of neo‑Nazi behavior and said she is considering whether she should leave the county because she does not feel safe after 34 years in Livingston County.

Other speakers described specific incidents and urged official responses. A SAGE member identified as Tanya (last…