Katherine Speaking at the Local Government Accountability Forum in Hastings, MI 060822, presenting on Individual Liberties v Government Authority (or lack thereof).
“In order to retain your rights, you need to know your rights.”
#RestoreFreedom #MoreFreedomLessGovernment #LocalGovernmentAccountabilityForum #LGAF #Constitution #ConstitutionMatters #KnowYourRights #GetInvolved #ItStartsLocal #Local #Government #Accountability
Ottawa County administrator finalist interview to be held in public
Following an extensive national search, a selection committee is recommending that the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners move forward with a familiar candidate, John Shay, for consideration as the next County Administrator. Shay is currently serving as the Interim County Administrator and has been in the role of Deputy County Administrator since 2018. As part of its regular meeting, the Board will be conducting a Public Interview Session on March 24 at 5PM with Shay. The interview will be held in the Board Room located at 12220 Fillmore Street in West Olive. The public is invited to submit potential interview questions via MIOttawa.org. On March 24, residents can watch the interview unfold live online or in person.
There were 36 applicants for the post of County Administrator. Four of those applicants were interviewed for the position. The selection committee for the County Administrator included outgoing Board Chair, Roger Bergman, current Board Chair, Matthew Fenske, and current Vice Chair, Allen Dannenberg plus citizen representative from each of the four county quadrants. Those individuals were Monica Verplank, northwest; Michelle Fare, southeast; Jose Gomez, northeast; and Jennifer Owens, southwest.
Given our discussion in this week’s Restore Freedom Weekly episode, this week’s #GetInvolved Challenge is:
Search your municipality website – charter, ordinances, committees/boards, meetings, minutes, officers/officials
From Joe Moss, Founder of OttawaImpact.com
We received a court date for the lawsuit against Ottawa County!
You can read the request for summary disposition by clicking here.
Take Personal Action!
Our message is reaching thousands of engaged, conservative citizens in Ottawa County. We need your help!
Ottawa Impact is 100% volunteer, and our team appreciates the opportunity to serve Ottawa County. It is truly a blessing – yet, it comes with many financial expenses.
If 50% of the people receiving this email take personal action right now by donating $25 or more, we will be able to fund our anticipated operational expenses for next year!
| Donate Any Amount! |
Why is Ottawa Impact Involved?
Everything we do is focused on restoring and protecting your personal freedoms.
Michigan citizens are guaranteed a Constitutional Republic form of representative government. An unelected, unaccountable Health Director and Legal Counsel must not be allowed to rule all the people.
The Board of Commissioners must not be allowed to abdicate their duty and authority.
Michigan parents have a protected interest in their children’s care, custody, and education, and a fundamental right to make related decisions.
This “liberty interest” of parents is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by courts, and is specially protected by the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.
We will continue fighting for these rights, because the government will not stop trying to usurp them.
What’s Next?
Please donate and invite your friends to become a member so they can stay up-to-date on local issues, unified action steps, and vetted candidates committed to freedom.
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
From Joe Moss, Founder of OttawaImpact.com
Elected officials, bureaucrats, and schools have forgotten their place.
As reflected in Virginia yesterday, PARENTS WILL take back America for their children.
The policies and positions of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners and the Health Department will not be tolerated or forgotten by Ottawa County parents.
During the last 20 months, the County Commissioners have drawn praise from the Democrat Party, which also supports harsh enforcement of public health orders, and Critical Race Theory, under the guise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Enough is enough.
At the primary election of August 2, 2022, PARENTS WILL bring change to the Republican-led Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, and in November, to local school boards.
New leaders will stand boldly for the people, as Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin has promised to do in Virginia. Parents will not tolerate harmful, divisive teachings or the tyrannical treatment of their children. As author, speaker, and parental rights advocate Allie Beth Stuckey said last night:
Parents need a seat at the table to keep government in its rightful place. I’m happy to announce that Ottawa Impact PAC has been vetting candidates for the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. These new, vibrant, electable men and women are stepping forward to give a voice to parents and families! It is amazing to see the foundations God has laid and who He is moving into position.
Who are we vetting? Parents and citizens with courage and backbone, from a variety of backgrounds, including business, education, social work, parental rights advocacy, and more!
Stay tuned for announcements and updates! |
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
From Joe Moss, Founder of OttawaImpact.com
The generous people of Ottawa County have helped the Legal Fund raise $52,195 to support the parents who filed a legal complaint against the Ottawa County Commissioners and Health Department. Thank you!! (This is 52% of our goal.) We will share more updates as they are available.
Please share this update with your family and friends, and let them know how the Ottawa County leadership views the mask mandate as harmless:
Your friends and family can stay up-to-date on local issues by becoming a member of Ottawa Impact. Government overreach must be challenged. Ottawa County needs new leaders, for new times, for liberty! Redistricting Action Item
We have one final opportunity to make an impact on the state level with the “independent” redistricting commission. The redistricting commission is tasked with drawing new lines every 10 years.
This is an important issue because several of the maps divide Ottawa County into three federal congressional districts for no logical reason. This would negatively impact our representation in Washington D.C. by splitting up Ottawa County. The commission does not have anyone from West Michigan on it, so please let them hear your voices.
This Friday, the commission will be holding a public comment meeting in Grand Rapids at the DeVos Place (in the Steelcase Ballroom). The meetings are 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Four ways to make an impact:
1. Write a quick comment to support map 201. This map keeps Ottawa County together and does not try to lump communities like Hudsonville with Grand Rapids. Click here to make a positive comment on this map. 2. Write a quick comment thanking Redistricting Commissioner Lange for listening to us and keeping Ottawa County whole in her map. Click here to map a positive comment on Commissioner Lange’s Map. 3. Submit a longer written comment in the Michigan portal. Ottawa County should be kept together because of the economic, manufacturing, and agricultural ties that make our community a unique community of interest. Click here to submit a written comment. 4. For the maximum impact, speak in-person or via phone/Zoom tomorrow! From my understanding, those who attend in-person will be able to speak first, then individuals who join via phone/Zoom. Each speaker will have 90 seconds. Location: DeVos Place in Grand Rapids Thank you to those who have already stepped up to help make an impact with redistricting. Together we have mobilized hundreds of people to be involved! Our voice and our community matters. Let’s finish strong and tell the redistricting commission to keep Ottawa County together. This is what Unified Political Action is all about. [Posted by Lori DeVries] |
From Joe Moss, Founder of OttawaImpact.com
The Legal Fund has raised $49,955 to support the lawsuit against the Ottawa County Commissioners and Health Department.
The leaders in Ottawa County are committed to keeping our kids masked. They are ignoring the facts that adults who wanted the shots have had time to get them, and the risk to children of hospitalization and/or death is essentially zero, as reported by the county itself. Even the CDC recognizes that:
“Most children with [the virus] have mild symptoms or they may have no symptoms at all.”
If you donate $45 right now, you will help us reach the halfway point of $50,000!
Please keep in mind how the Ottawa County leadership views the mask mandate:
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[Posted by Lori DeVries]
From Joe Moss, Founder of OttawaImpact.com
Ottawa County responded to the lawsuit. You can see their response and other updates on the website.
It all boils down to this:
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Concerning Questions
Ottawa County reported on September 29:
Does this look like “imminent danger” to pre-K through sixth grade students? No!
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[Posted by Lori DeVries]
You are invited! Ottawa Impact is sponsoring an event two weeks from today.
Speakers are flying in from around the country to present an important message to Ottawa Impact members and our community.
Topics: Critical race theory, social justice, and the Gospel
Dates: October 22-23, 2021 (Friday evening & Saturday)
Location: Community Church, Zeeland, MI
Tickets are limited!
Please register ASAP to reserve your spot.
| Register Now |
Click the image to view more details.
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[Posted by Lori DeVries]
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:
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!
| Join Us |
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)
| Read Public Act 87 of 2021 on 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:
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.
| 1. Join Ottawa Impact! |
| 2. Support the Lawsuit |
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:
| Resolutions for Me, Not for Thee |
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]
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health was sued yesterday for exceeding their authority.
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The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners was also named in the suit.
This lawsuit is related to the mask mandate of August 20, 2021. (Click the image to read the complaint.)
Ottawa Impact has been raising money to help the people of Ottawa County defend themselves and restore freedom!
The Ottawa Impact Legal Fund is designed for lawsuits just like this one. We support citizens defending their freedoms.
| Donate to the Legal Fund |
Please donate any amount to help restore freedom in Ottawa County!
[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.
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!
| Submit Public Comment |
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!
You can see the new rules on the Board of Commissioners’ website: https://www.miottawa.org/ 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.
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[Posted by Lori DeVries]
Are you getting involved with your county commissioners? Are you going to meetings and making sure that your commissioners do all that is within their power to protect your rights from being infringed? …
Did you see what Ottawa Impact is offering? Here is their FB post: https://www.facebook.com/ottawaimpact/posts/181950034040191
These are their words:
“Parents!
We have been listening!
We have been a part of your struggles!
We have been at your school board meetings and we’ve heard your grievances and deep, heartfelt concerns for your children and their education.
As parents, we are with you!
Ottawa Impact is committed to excellence and integrity in education for Ottawa County’s children!
With the help of our generous sponsors, we are bringing in nationally known speaker, Alex Newman, for you!
Come discover WHY our schools are in distress, HOW it started and WHAT we can do about it.
Alex knows more about the subject of education, then almost anyone around. Nationally known, multi-lingual, and contributing journalist for Epoch Times.
Coming soon to West Michigan on two separate nights.
Alex’s message is urgent: If we want to restore America and protect religious freedom, we need to take back education because the public school system is destroying our children-mentally, physically, spiritually academically, and morally.
Mark your calendars for
Wednesday September 15 6:30 pm, Holland
Thursday, September 16 7:00 pm Grand Rapids
And a Special Pastors Lunch with Alex at NOON on September 16 in Holland. Free! We want you to invite your pastors to this luncheon, RSVP by 9/7
RSVP at EVENT LINK BELOW
https://ottawaimpact.com/events“
#RestoreFreedom #MoreFreedomLessGovernment #KnowYourRights #ConstitutionMatters
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
From Joe Moss, Founder of Ottawa Impact:
Did you hear Ottawa Impact PAC launched Ottawa Precall?
No matter what district you live in, here is why precall impacts you:
So… if the MAJORITY supports ending the draconian mandates by any lawful means… why aren’t they taking action?
After 1,000 people attended the last board meeting on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, we thought the commissioners would take immediate action to rectify the situation. They did not.
A week has passed. We the People must do “everything in our power” to end the mandates, since the commissioners will not. This means increasing the pressure, by whatever means appropriate and lawful, on the commissioners.
That is why every person in Ottawa County should sign the precall, no matter what district you live in – to help hold the commissioners accountable.
| Ottawa Precall |
Seize the opportunity to tip the scales of justice back towards the people. Put the commissioners in a position to choose between protecting your freedom or losing their job.
For Liberty,
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
NOTE: Realizing this post is late notice, check out OttawaImpact.com to get connected for future events in Ottawa County.
Trying to find ways to get involved?
Check out what Ottawa County is doing!
“Want to get off the bench but don’t know how? This is going to be a great event with ways you can get involved to make a difference in your community! #ottawaimpact #getoffthebench”
#GovernmentOfThePeopleByThePeopleAndForThePeople
#RestoreFreedom #ConstitutionMatters #MoreFreedomLessGovernment
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
With Constitutional Attorney Katherine Henry serving as Georgetown Township Trustee, Township Board Meetings are always full of lively debate! 030821 Following the Constitution shouldn’t be so controversial!
Always a lively debate when Katherine Henry served as Georgetown Township Trustee in Michigan! Who knew the Constitution was so controversial?
#RestoreFreedom
#MoreFreedomLessGovernment
#CivicDuty
#GetInvolved
Georgetown Township, Michigan board meeting. Some municipalities have city councils; the townships in Michigan have Township Boards. This is a meeting of the Georgetown Township Board while Constitutional Attorney Katherine Henry served on it as a Trustee.
For details go here: https://ottawagrassroots.com
#RestoreFreedom
#MoreFreedomLessGovernment
Help us continue our education and advocacy efforts by donating at: restorefreedomkh.com/shop-donate/
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
View entire document here> Letter to 2nd District Caucus PDF
I have been asked about the legality of holding the 2nd District Caucus (where officers are elected) by Zoom next week. Since the interests involved go to the very heart of our constitutional proclamation that “All political power is inherent in the people” (Const 1963 Art I Sec 1), it is imperative that everyone understand the laws and Constitution in this regard. Indeed, with our constitutional republic on the brink of collapse, our best defense is arming the politically active with knowledge of what our constitution and laws require. Not only does holding our district caucuses in person comply with our state and federal constitutions, but also the Open Meetings Act (even as amended in October 2020), the MDHHS Orders, and the 2021 Michigan Republican Party Rules for County and State Conventions.
