Commissioners deny resolution to remove veterans liaison; tensions lead to law-firm retention

A motion to remove the county veterans liaison was denied by the Mackinac County Board of Commissioners on July 25 after public discussion and an exchange among commissioners and veterans advocates.

Commissioner Mike Patrick asked Veterans Committee Chair Dick Pershinske to explain concerns behind a proposed removal. Patrick said he believed Commissioner Jodi Kaiser had "caused harm" to the veterans office by discussing internal matters outside the courthouse and by implying wrongdoing. Multiple commissioners and an audience member, Mary Hobson, defended Commissioner Kaiser; Hobson told the board she feels Kaiser "is doing a good job."

Commissioner Corina Clark moved to deny the removal resolution; the motion passed with Clark, Chair Dan Litzner and Commissioner Judy St. Louis-Scott voting yes, Patrick voting no, and Kaiser abstaining. The board's action denied the proposal to remove the liaison rather than removing the person.

Separately, commissioners considered a veterans-service grant application and a resolution establishing a Department of Veteran Affairs Committee and its duties. Commissioner Kaiser moved to adopt that resolution as amended; the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Kaiser also reported the board retained the law firm Fahey, Schultz, Burzych & Rhodes to pursue legal action related to Veterans Committee matters. The retention and the public debate underscore ongoing tensions between at least one commissioner and members of the veterans committee, according to remarks made during the meeting.