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Resident criticizes commissioners' appointment of Fred Benzie, cites social-media posts
Summary
A Marquette County resident urged the board to reconsider appointing Fred Benzie to a commission vacancy, alleging past social-media posts the resident described as anti-transgender and anti-immigrant; commissioners responded by noting the application process and public-comment opportunities.
At the meeting's second public-comment period, Jennifer Figler of Gwinn spoke against the commission's appointment of Fred Benzie, urging the board to ensure appointees "are prepared to serve every member of our community with fairness, dignity, and respect." Figler said Benzie's social-media posts included anti-transgender, anti-immigrant and anti-poverty sentiments and that removing those posts after his selection "does not resolve this community's underlying concerns."
Commissioners responded to the public comment by noting that they reviewed applicants' resumes and that the public can speak prior to votes during the appointment process. Chairperson Gross and others thanked residents for their input and said the board considered all applications. No formal reconsideration motion was made during the meeting.
Figler's remarks are part of a public-record challenge to the appointment process; commissioners emphasized the application review process and public-comment windows but did not take immediate action to rescind or revisit the appointment during the session.
