Hello LWVNLM members from Emmet County,
This is the first time the LWVNLM BOD has issued an action alert with regards to local government. Please consider the following information as a concerned citizen. The Emmet County Commissioners represent all of us and it can help their proceedings if they know citizens are paying attention. This is of particular concern with regards to the LWVUS position on health care, among other issues related to healthy representative government.
The Emmet County Commission has four new commissioners. At last week’s organizational meeting Rich Ginop was chosen to be chairperson in a 4-3 vote.
Of concern is that as soon as he took the chair, Mr. Ginop presented a prewritten slate of committee appointments for 2023 that he had prepared with no input from the 3 in the minority. This is a radical departure in procedure from previous chairpersons, who always sought input and discussion from the entire board, before votes were taken and final decisions were made.
Key committee appointments were given to select members in the majority. Others were given appointments in which they have no interest and/or are unable to serve due to scheduling conflicts, and one was removed from the Board of Health. Emmet County will now be represented on the Board of Health by two new commissioners who have voiced active opposition to the mission of the health department in the mold of the current BOH members from Antrim, Otsego, and Charlevoix Counties.
The first regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be held on Monday, January 9 at 6:00PM in the Board of Commissioners room at the county building. Please consider attending if you can as a concerned citizen.
Thank you,
LWVNLM BOD