Letters to the Editor

Being a normal Republican these days must be difficult

Wearing the yoke of Republicanism can’t be easy. Many people became Republicans because they were social or fiscal conservatives and wanted a strong military and less regulation. Those people had a compelling reason to pull the "R" lever in the voting booth. It is different now. The Republican Party's guiding principles should give today's conservatives a rash.

Republicans no longer hold conservative values or policies. Yes, a few senators and representatives may have proposals, but ever since the former president ignored the Republican platform, the party has failed to set new objectives, focusing instead on grievances. They are no longer the party of Reagan and Lincoln, but of Trump, a man so scandal-ridden that his daily antics no longer shock us, a man now potentially plagued by a dozen civil and criminal trials, an amoral man, but their man nonetheless.

What are the policies being pursued by the Republican-led House right now — not nasty remarks about immigration and Hunter Biden’s laptop, but policies that move us forward? There are none. Following President Biden’s State of the Union speech, Gov. Huckabee had a perfect opportunity to outline the party’s objectives, but she focused on name-calling and policies without details. Republicans had four years to replace Obamacare, pass an infrastructure bill, or build a wall. All talk.

West Michigan Republicans go to church on Sunday, but spend Monday through Saturday defending/accepting a party attractive to White Nationalists, Neo-Nazis and insurrectionists, along with the previous president, whose former administration eventually wrote memoirs, each describing him as a narcissistic villain. Today’s Republicans would have angrily described Lincoln’s emancipation as government overreach, and Florida’s governor would have made the word "slavery" illegal for teachers to utter as he banned books that printed it. This is not conservatism. Like Liz Cheney, conservatives must look elsewhere.

Richard Kamischke

Grand Haven Township

Thank you, Sentinel, for your Ottawa Impact coverage

Let’s take a moment to convey regard and gratitude to Sarah Leach, executive editor of The Holland Sentinel. Among her many other responsibilities, including herding the cats that are the Sentinel’s columnists, Ms. Leach has tirelessly covered the misadventures of the Ottawa Impact Christian Nationalists in West Michigan — beginning with their ascension to public office in early January.

Some will slander her reportage as political, those same who believe a smattering of votes constitutes a mandate, but such talk is nothing more than the bleating of the unwittingly exposed. Her work catalogs their work, and they know that visibility of such a breadth and depth is like sunlight to a vampire. It’s fatal.

Any close reading of Leach’s work reveals it to be professional and objective. If bias is alleged, it will be found in the quotes and/or opinions of those interviewed. If misinformation is present, it will be plainly attributable to others. If baseless assertions and star chamber decisions are made, they will emanate from Ottawa Impact commissioners (and their acolytes).

This is what journalism is supposed to look like. Thanks to Sarah Leach for her efforts on everyone’s behalf.

Richard Wolfe

Park Township

Ottawa Integrity PAC backs Hambley in legal action

Ottawa Integrity PAC supports Adeline Hambley in her legal action against seven Ottawa Impact-backed Ottawa County commissioners.

The head health officer of Ottawa County filed a lawsuit in Ottawa County Circuit Court on Feb. 13 against the county and individually against seven newly elected commissioners involved in her demotion to "interim" director of the Ottawa County Department of Public Health. In the complaint, Hambley also states that commissioners and newly hired County Administrator John Gibbs interfered with her ability to do her job.

Hambley has worked for Ottawa County for more than 18 years. She was selected by the former board of commissioners and approved by the state of Michigan for the top health officer position in 2022 because of her experience, qualifications and exemplary work for OCDPH. She was demoted during a Jan. 3 commission meeting when the county's administrator and legal counsel were also replaced in an unexpected vote.

Also at the Jan. 3 meeting, the commission voted to hire Nathanial Kelly to replace Hambley. To date, Kelly’s qualifications have not been submitted to the state for approval, which is required by state law. We believe the attempted hire of Kelly is politically motivated, violates standard hiring procedures and endangers the public health of all citizens of Ottawa County by putting forth an inexperienced and unqualified candidate for such a crucial role.

Hambly should be allowed to perform her duties unhindered by political actors. The health of Ottawa County residents depends upon it. Ottawa County’s fiscal health is also at stake as taxpayers foot the bills for lawsuits arising from commissioners’ flagrant disregard of normal governing procedures. Kallman Legal Group, hand-picked by Ottawa Impact and lacking experience representing county government, will benefit as they bill for their legal defense of the Ottawa-Impact-backed majority’s actions.

Ottawa Integrity PAC is a nonpartisan political action committee founded to foster democracy and democratic solutions; promote honesty, transparency and insight; preserve the dignity of individuals and families; and protect the natural resources of Ottawa County. For more information, OttawaIntegrity.org.

Kim Nagy

Interim Executive Director, Ottawa Integrity PAC

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Letters: Being a normal Republican these days must be difficult