“To let freedom ring or not let freedom ring”
Resident Gin Greenlee thinks it’s a mistake for the board to abandon the “Where Freedom Rings” motto.
“Every commissioner needs to stand up and let freedom ring.”
But resident John Scheid thinks no motto is better than “Where Freedom Rings”.
“To me they are code words not to include or invite me and others to participate actively in the life of this county.”
When they took control of the board in 2023, newly elected commissioners connected to the conservative group Ottawa Impact changed the county motto from “Where You Belong,” which they say has DEI implications, to the slogan “Where Freedom Rings.” But that conservative majority was not reelected in November, and current board chair John Teeples says their motto needs to go too.
“The motto has come to stand for exclusion, intolerance and mistreatment of people.”
Former board chair and Ottawa Impact leader Joe Moss suggested:
“Our nations motto in place of our current motto. If you don’t know it, it is “In God We Trust.”
But that proposal failed and commissioner Jordan Jorritsma says he is fine with none of the above.
"I think we get just as far having no motto as having to pick one or the other.”
