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Community leaders and clinicians urge board to appoint Steve Fair to Community Mental Health board; board names Stephen Fair and Kyle Schwiekic
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Summary
Multiple community leaders, clinicians and clients spoke in favor of Stephen (Steve) Fair for the St. Clair County Community Mental Health board; the board's ballot later produced majority votes resulting in appointments including Stephen Fair and Kyle Schwiekic.
Dozens of residents, clinicians and community leaders spoke during public comment at the March 19, 2026 St. Clair County Board of Commissioners meeting to support Stephen (Steve) Fair’s appointment to the St. Clair County Community Mental Health (CMH) board.
Speakers who identified themselves and endorsed Fair included Robert Tolles, a retired county probation officer and former director of Huron House ("I hope you'll consider Steve this evening"), Joshua Ladoux, director of Renewal Christian Counseling Center ("I see his heart, his character"), Michelle Briggs, a CPA and fractional CFO for Renewal ("I've watched him grow this company really well"), Jerome Hess, a psychiatric nurse practitioner ("Steve has demonstrated fiscal stewardship"), and others who said they had worked with Fair and vouched for his clinical and managerial experience. Several speakers noted Renewal Christian Counseling Center’s growth and client volume as evidence of Fair’s leadership.
Steve Fair addressed the commissioners and described his 55 years living in the county and his experience serving clients and running a private practice. He asked the board to consider the letters of support and testimony submitted on his behalf. "I am eager to serve this community that I have lived in for all of my 55 years," he said.
Following public comment, the board conducted ballots for CMH vacancies. A majority vote resulted in the selection of Stephen Fair and Kyle Schwiekic to fill the open posts on the CMH board; the clerk announced the results during the meeting.
Why it matters: Appointments to the Community Mental Health board influence governance of mental-health service delivery and oversight of county-contracted providers. Public testimony emphasized clinical experience, fiscal stewardship and local ties as reasons for appointment.
Next steps: The board completed the ballots and recorded results; appointed members will assume their duties per the county's appointment process.
