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Ottawa Co. board promotes deputy county administrator to interim administrator

Jacob Bonnema, member the Ottawa County, Mich., Board of Commissioners, speaks during a meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, in West Olive, Mich.
Kristen Norman/AP
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FR171985 AP
Jacob Bonnema, member the Ottawa County, Mich., Board of Commissioners, speaks during a meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, in West Olive, Mich.

The decision, which many oppose, was made during last week’s meeting. There was no meeting this week

“Mr. Wetmore absolutely should not be elevated to a position of authority.”

Resident Rebecca Patrick does not think deputy county administrator Ben Wetmore should be Ottawa County’s interim administrator. Neither does Bonnie Scholten.

”Put a long time county employee in place as interim until a new board can be seated.”

New board members elected next month will take office at the end of the year, but board chair Joe Moss appointing an interim administrator can’t wait.

“You don’t just go 3, 4 ,5 weeks not appointing someone.”

Previous interim administrator Jon Anderson, hired when the board fired administrator John Gibbs, resigned this month. Wetmore has been deputy for just under a year. Resident Don Zimmer says Wetmore is connected to conservative web sites like Project Veritas;

“A far right group.”

“Notorious for propagating disinformation.”

The conservative majority on the board not only promoted Wetmore to interim administrator, over the objection of commissioner Jacob Bonnema, they gave him absolute power to fire hire and discipline employees.

“It is inconceivable we are giving that level of control to an interim administrator.”

“The county administrator is the final authority for decisions. Welcome Ben as interim county administrator.”

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