The rationale given echoes President Ford's excuse for the Nixon pardon. Failure to hold elected officials accountable only encourages others to act poorly knowing that they will face no consequences.

Our county functions best when commissioners are truthful with one another and with the public. Transparency and ethical conduct aren’t partisan issues—they’re foundational to good governance.

Joe Moss began lying on his first day on the board, even to his fellow OI commissioners. He had corporate counsel make false accusations in court. He misrepresented HR counsel to his fellow commissioners about the buyout packages in closed door sessions. Letting him off the hook is not acceptable.

I contacted my Commissioner, Josh Brugger, and expressed my disappointment in him voting against transparency. His name is tarnished by the accusation against him. He could have shown us that he is interested in transparency and accountability by voting to proceed with the investigation.

Ottawa Impact, lead by Moss when he was the Chair, has caused harm to our democracy and incurred millions of dollars wasted by Moss’s direction. He must be held accountable. To ignore it, means it will happen again by someone like him in the future.

Lies and deliberate misrepresenting the facts in a private sector business setting would have consequences. A liar on staff breeds distrust with co-workers. Deception does not do well for the Corporation and Brand. The private sector and HR department would not reward lies and deception with continued employment.

I petitions Ottawa County, MI Board of Commissioners Ethics Reminder

For the truth