Facebook is down, and so are mask mandates in other counties.

Ottawa Impact is online, and since we rely on email to communicate directly with Impacters like yourself, we can still share the latest news.

However, since the governor signed Public Act 87, health departments covering the following counties have removed their mask mandates:

1. Allegan
2. Barry
3. Branch
4. Berrien
5. Dickinson
6. Eaton
7. Hillsdale
8. Iron
9. St. Joseph

Public pressure is a major factor in these decisions. County officials also cited Section 1222 (4) of Public Act 87:

If a local health officer has an emergency order under section 2453 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.2453, in effect as of October 1, 2021, the funds appropriated in part 1 for essential local public health services are unappropriated.

Section 250 of Public Act 87 states:

The director or a local health officer shall not issue or enforce any orders or other directives that require an individual in this state who is under the age of 18 to wear a face mask or face covering.

During last week’s county commissioner meeting, Corporation Counsel Doug Van Essen said:

“This is Lansing intermurals. It really doesn’t affect us directly, the question is, would we get our check?”

Mr. Van Essen also commented:

“The burden … is on the Legislature. They would have to sue … to compel the un-appropriation of their appropriation to Ottawa County.”

“If we don’t get our check, I’ll let you know, because it’s a blatant violation of our rights.”

We have repeatedly been told that Ottawa County must follow the law. However, in the current situation, is Mr. Van Essen advising Ottawa County not to follow a law passed by the Michigan Legislature and signed by Governor Whitmer? 

If other counties revoked their mask mandates, citing Public Act 87, why isn’t Ottawa County?

Ottawa Impact’s mission is to preserve and protect the individual rights of people in Ottawa County – from any and all violations!

We are building an unstoppable movement for FREEDOM in Ottawa County. Our members are passionate about protecting We The People from “blatant violations” of our individual rights. Please join us and make your voice heard!

[Posted by Lori DeVries]

 The Michigan Legislature included the following language in the budget that was signed yesterday by the governor:

“The director or a local health officer shall not issue or enforce any orders or other directives that require an individual in this state who is under the age of 18 to wear a face mask or face covering.” (mi.gov)

YES, Ottawa County commissioners, on advice from Corporation Counsel Doug Van Essen, confirmed they will disregard the prohibition on forced masking in Public Act 87, risk state funding, and uphold the forced Mask Order on young students.

Reports are circulating that the following counties are lifting their mask orders:

• Allegan County
• Berrien County
• Ionia County

This is why the lawsuit filed against Ottawa County is so important! The rule of law must be followed. The lawsuit challenges the authority Ottawa County claims it has to issue mandates.

Ottawa County’s disregard for the Michigan Legislature casts more doubt on whether or not they are concerned with following the rule of law.

[Posted by Lori DeVries]

From OttawaImpact.com

The first Action Item on the Agenda for the upcoming Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting this Thursday, September 30, at 1:30 PM includes:

“Suggested Motion: To approve and authorize the Board Chairperson and Clerk/Register to sign the Resolution Supporting Passage of Legislation to Adopt 4-Year Terms for County Commissioners.”

On July 27, 2021, following two months of repeated requests from citizens to sign the Resolution to Restore Freedom, the commissioners instead approved a proposed “Policy on Resolutions” which prohibits the commissioners from taking up resolutions on issues where it does not have authority.

The length of county commissioners’ terms is NOT an issue over which the Board of Commissioners has statutory authority, but it IS an issue in which they have PERSONAL INTEREST.

What is the recent history of the county commissioners with resolutions? Click here to read more:

With four-year terms for county commissioners being considered in the Michigan Legislature, it’s becoming more important than ever that Ottawa County has people with courage and conviction elected to serve in these positions.

[Posted by Lori DeVries]

From Joe Moss, Founder of Ottawa Impact (OttawaImpact.com):

We have big announcements coming soon, so we wanted to get this request out beforehand.

Sometimes we find simple, concrete ways for Impacters to take action, and that is what this email is all about!

The new “Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission” just released maps for West Michigan. They are tasked with drawing new district lines.

1. They split Ottawa County into THREE Congressional Districts instead of one.
2. They put Georgetown Township with Kent County!
3. The current draft dilutes Ottawa’s unified voice. 

If the redistricting commission splits up Ottawa, that will undermine our long-term impact. (Side note, Kent County was not split up…)

Please take a few moments to submit written comments to the commission so they can hear your voice!

You can write something like: 

Title: Ottawa County Belongs Together!

Message: As a resident of Ottawa County, the fastest-growing county in Michigan, I believe we need to keep our community of interest intact. Please do not split up Ottawa into different districts. Please keep our local communities, especially Georgetown Township, within one district for Ottawa County! This makes sense and ensures we can be represented fairly.

This issue touches every person living in Ottawa County, right now and for years to come, so please make your voice heard.

[Posted by Lori DeVries]

From Joe Moss, Founder of Ottawa Impact (OttawaImpact.com)

Ottawa County residents are now BANNED from entering the County building during commissioner meetings UNLESS they are giving public comment (or using the restroom), and even then it’s limited to approximately 50 residents at a time in a waiting room.

Everyone MUST stay outside, according to the rules.

After giving public comment, residents will be EJECTED from the building.

Are these protocols helpful? Are they consistent with the Open Meetings Act? Is cutting off people from their own local government a good idea?

Please donate to the Ottawa Impact Legal Fund!

Donate to the Legal Fund ​ You can see the new rules on the Board of Commissioners’ website: https://www.miottawa.org/Departments/BOC/​ In case they delete the rules, you can see a backup copy here. If you want to attend the next Board of Commissioners meeting, Ottawa Impact PAC announced an event called “Precall & Pizza” on Tuesday. You can learn more on the Ottawa Precall website by clicking here. Stand firm for freedom! Focus on your family, faith, and work – and keep moving FORWARD.

[Posted by Lori DeVries]