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Commissioner Keranen raises complaints about December meeting; Anderson acknowledges criticizing his motion
Summary
Commissioner Joel Keranen pressed the board about conduct at the Dec. meeting — citing a 12-year-old who was laughed at and being told to 'f* off' — and Commissioner Glenn Anderson acknowledged telling Keranen he 'did not have guts to make the Motion' while denying he called him a coward. Chairman Tom Tikkanen said he would monitor future meetings more closely.
At the Jan. 5 Houghton County Board of Commissioners work session, Commissioner Joel Keranen said he had three questions about the board’s December meeting, citing incidents he said should have prompted action.
Keranen listed the items he raised: why nothing was done when a 12-year-old was laughed at for reading a Bible verse; why nothing was done when, he said, the last person told him to "f* off"; and whether procedures for how commissioners interact have changed. Keranen also referenced Commissioner Glenn Anderson’s earlier remark that Keranen lacked the courage to make a motion.
Commissioner Glenn Anderson acknowledged telling Keranen he "did not have guts to make the Motion," but the record indicates Anderson said he did not call Keranen a coward and that he agreed bad comments were made. Chairman Tom Tikkanen said he would pay closer attention at future meetings. Commissioner Gretchen Janssen said there was a large audience at the December meeting and that the sheriff maintained safety; public commenter Faith Morrison said she heard the bad comment but felt the meeting was handled properly.
The board did not take formal disciplinary action during the work session. Chairman Tikkanen also described the Dec. resolution discussed by the public as outside the proper scope for county government and called it disruptive.
