“I am owed a public apology.”
Ottawa County commissioner elect John Teeples says he did not call county administrator finalist Jim Lower and persuade him to withdraw himself from consideration.
“You publicly blamed me for intimidating Lower into withdrawing his candidacy. I never reached out or called Jim Lower.”
Teeples addressed the board the day after commissioner Allison Miedema read a letter, she claimed Lower wrote explaining why he was no longer interested in the administrator job
“He began receiving intimidating phone calls from John Teeples.”
“In fact, he called me he wanted to know if his job was secure once the new commission was sworn into office.”
Assurance Teeples says he could not give. When new board members take control from the current conservative majority in January he says they will likely interview administrator candidates.
“Where community members would actually participate in the selection of our next county administrator.”
Current board chair Joe Moss did not apologize for blaming Teeples for the withdrawal of their one remaining administrator finalist.
“It is unfortunate to find someone who feels he must withdraw due to the intimidation he received.”
“Mr. Chair you blame me and others for you no longer having a candidate for county administrator. But we are not to blame you are. Many of us asked you to hold off on the hiring process but for whatever reason our outreach for collaboration has been rejected and dismissed.
