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Residents and sheriff raise social media and data center concerns; commissioner urges code of conduct
Summary
Public commenters and the sheriff raised concerns about social media posts by an appointed ZBA member and potential water contamination from proposed data centers. Commissioner Teunessen urged the Board to consider a social media code of conduct for appointed members.
Shelly Lake of Irving Township addressed the Board to raise concerns about Larry Osborne, an appointed member of the County Zoning Board of Appeals. Lake provided photocopies of Facebook screenshots and read a letter asking the Board to enter the posts into the record; she said the posts included comments about herself, Representative Smit and Sheriff Leaf, and stated she publicly supports local clerks while arguing the election integrity issue in Michigan is not their fault.
Separately, Sheriff Leaf updated the Board on operations at the Barry County Fair and expressed concerns about proposed data centers and potential water contamination. Commissioner Bob Teunessen suggested the Board develop a social media code of conduct for individuals serving on county boards and commissions, including an expectation-setting process and a potential removal procedure for appointed members who violate the policy. Chair David Jackson agreed the Board should consider a code while emphasizing it must not infringe on free speech rights.
The minutes record the concerns and the suggestion to consider a resolution but do not show formal direction to draft a code or any vote on such a policy.
