Letters to the Editor: Holland needs new leadership after deceptive land swap deal

Holland needs new leadership after deceptive land swap deal

A little over a month ago, I wrote about the mistake our city council was making by asking for a “yes" vote on May 2.

In the end, council got its way through deception and astute political maneuvering. I say “deception” because while they promised an open, honest discussion, they designed a process that provided very little in terms of either “open” or “honest” talks. They shepherded the process to the conclusion they intended when we started this process five years ago.

We should have openly discussed the three projects that made it through the request for proposal stage to accurately gauge what the citizens of Holland wanted. Instead, they ignored the conversations that abounded at the charities, which had two sides.

Every group I worked with had two distinct desires for this project. First, we all wanted accessible, usable green space on this 17-acre parcel. Second, the one thing no one wanted was more condo development. The May 2 proposal went directly against both of these points. Council maneuvered the vote onto the historically lightest voter turnout day available and gave us as short a lead time announcement that the law allowed. Good politics, lousy policy.

Council won and now is awaiting its “30 pieces of silver” for mortgaging the city’s future, to greed and over-development. We are trading 17 acres of irreplaceable waterfront property for less than four. Council has failed us and every one of them should be replaced by new members who will commit to having an actual dialogue with us.

That dialogue needs to be led by people (not politicians) who are willing to commit to regular meetings in OUR neighborhoods, and not expect that we squeeze our concerns into their open mic at the Wednesday meetings. Since I was raised to believe that to make a change, you need to step up and be part of that change, I chose to get involved and petition to be on the fall ballot as a candidate for mayor. I have gathered the required signatures and turned them in, but the city charter’s residency requirement has been used to block me from the ballot. Apparently living in the city for the past 25 years isn’t long enough!

I was also raised with the notion that life places obstacles in our path to test our resolve. I resolve to campaign this summer as a write-in candidate. If you are interested in knowing more about this, visit my website at BME4Mayor.com

Let’s open our council to all perspectives.

Brian M. Everitt

Holland

Ottawa Impact actions nothing like Christ's teachings

I cringe and my heart aches every time I read something describing Ottawa Impact as a Christian-based movement or hear them claiming to be doing what they are doing because of their Christian beliefs. I have been a follower of Christ for well over 70 years and the Christ I follow, the Christ of the Bible, taught nothing like the OI people are pushing. Jesus said love God and love people. In fact, Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die for us. Are the actions of Ottawa Impact reflecting Christ’s love?

To eliminate programs whose goal is to make all people feel loved and included is not showing Christ’s love. To take a stance that says "my freedom" is more important than doing what is reasonable to protect other people’s health does not reflect the love of Christ. To hate those who are doing their job to help and protect people to the extent that they fire (or attempt to fire) them, or to castigate them in public for doing a nationally recognized excellent job is not what Christ said when he said "love your enemies." To operate behind closed doors, to restrict open discussion and to not allow or consider opposing opinions does not reflect the freedoms this country was founded on.

Ottawa Impact, there is no place in a civilized (Christian) society for the agenda, attitude and tactics that you are employing. You have a right to your opinions but do not claim that you have a mandate, and that you represent the majority of the people in Ottawa County — you do not. But, more importantly, please, please do not say you are doing it in the name of Christ. I think Christ weeps over your actions and would call them out as he did to the Pharisees in his day. Jesus said love God above all and your neighbor as yourself.

Jim Deur

Zeeland

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Sentinel has given Ottawa Impact members multiple requests for comment, which have never received any response.

Ottawa Impact not being given a fair shake

I am writing in regard to The Sentinel’s coverage of the current Ottawa County commission.

I am very much open to legitimate criticism of the activities and behavior of the commissioners. That being said, since the last election, every article I have read in The Sentinel dealing with matters pertaining to the commission has been exceptionally biased.

Ottawa Impact commissioners are subject to scathing criticism, but are never given a voice by The Sentinel to present their side of the issues, and respond to the charges leveled against them. It’s possible that some of what the Ottawa Impact folks have done could be justifiably condemned, but a responsible news source should be presenting all sides, so that the general public can develop a clear understanding of what’s going on, and make informed decisions.

The one-sided treatment by The Sentinel has gotten so bad, and so blatant, that when I come to an article about the Ottawa County commission (which is frequently on the front page), I no longer read it. In my mind, The Sentinel has forfeited all credibility when it comes to this topic. I’m wondering if this is truly the attitude and response that The Sentinel wishes to foster amongst its readership.

Marshall E. Rutz

Holland

Should the county have the final say over what laws we should follow?

Dear Ottawa County residents,

Just prior to the upcoming Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 23, Board Chairman Joe Moss posted a Facebook message that indicated the board would consider a resolution to subvert recently passed gun laws and make Ottawa County a constitutional county, which was approved. The board is trying to pick which elements of the constitutions they plan to follow and/or are setting themselves up to become the supreme ruler in Ottawa County.

Please reach out to your commissioner through email, text, phone calls to let them know your position. Should the county commission be able to determine which laws, rules or decisions made by a higher authority they want to follow? What implications will this have beyond gun rights? What are the benefits and consequences of this approach?

You can read Moss's full message, which he posted on Wednesday, May 17, on his “Joe Moss for Ottawa County Commissioner” page.

Commissioner contact information is posted on the county’s website: miottawa.org > Departments > Board of Commissioners > Meeting Agendas & Minutes.

Adrea Hill

Holland Township

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Letters: Holland needs new leadership after deceptive land swap deal