Page 8 — Thursday, October 7, 2021 — The Hastings Banner
Smelker told fellow commissioners that
the county needs a resolution “with some
teeth,” so that, “if a mask mandate came
back, we can withhold the funds.”
The argument comes down to individual
liberty vs. protecting the public health, he
said.
During the commissioners’ discussion of
Smelker’s proposal, which was supported
by Howard Gibson, Catherine Getty men-
tioned that “a big segment of the popula-
tion” is afraid to speak out.
Some residents have told her they support
a mask mandate, she said, but they have
been bullied and threatened on the internet.
“I’m not against parents sending their
children to school with masks,” Smelker
replied, “I just don’t agree with the man-
date.”
Finally, in a 6-1 vote, commissioners
agreed that Geiger would develop the lan-
guage of the resolution, which they will then
vote on during their regular board meeting
next week. Getty offered the lone dissent.
Geiger praised Getty’s courage in striving
to represent those constituents who have
been intimidated by the behavior of some
citizens who have shouted and threatened
others.
At Tuesday’s meeting, several citizens
such as Pat and Keara Hilton of Middleville,
said they hold Scrimger responsible and
have demanded she be fired. Others, such as
Adam Heikkila of Battle Creek and Gary
White of Nashville, pointedly criticized
Geiger for his handling of the issue.
Their demands came to a head during the
Sept. 23 health board meeting at Leason
Sharpe Hall in the Barry Enrichment Center
when Heikkila, during public comment,
declared that he was making a citizen’s
arrest. That brought the meeting to a halt
when Sheriff Dar Leaf, acting city Police
Chief Dale Boulter and Prosecutor Julie
Nakfoor Pratt showed up and conferred
about the situation.
Leaf later suggested that Heikkila should
apologize to Scrimger.
Geiger said during the county meeting
Tuesday that Scrimger has been unfairly
vilified for doing her job, which is to protect
public health, Chairman Ben Geiger said.
“If you’re a person who prays, pray for
her (Scrimger). Her job is very tough. She
has a good heart.”
Other Barry County residents who have
asked commissioners to act against
Scrimger, also deplored Heikkila’s action.
Larry Bass of Hastings, who asked com-
missioners for a vote of no-confidence in
the health department, told them it makes no
sense to continue as part of that department
and encouraged them to take action to sepa-
rate from it.
But Bass concluded by expressing his
embarrassment and outrage about what hap-
pened to conclude the Feb. 23 health depart-
ment meeting, when proceedings were
“hijacked” by the outrageous attempt of a
citizen’s arrest.
“I was embarrassed as a Barry County
resident at how the BEDHD meeting ended,”
he wrote in an email to The Banner. “That
type of conduct and false accusations were
totally out of line.”
The action to make a citizen’s arrest
received some statewide notoriety, prompt-
ing comment from Dr. Howard Markel, a
former pediatrician and director of the
University of Michigan’s Center for the
History of Medicine, who told Bridge
Michigan, “It’s crazy. It’s unprofessional. I
wish these people – if they pull this kind of
nonsense – will just go home.”
Markel added, “If I could give advice to
the county official: Be brave, and please do
the right thing by your constituents.
“And if they do try to lower your funding,
rest assured, you’ll have many colleagues,
including myself, behind you to fight tooth
and nail because that’s ridiculous.”
On Tuesday, the audience filled the Barry
County ommission chambers on the mezza-
nine of the historic courthouse, but meeting
decorum did not approach the raucous
nature of the Sept. 23 session.
Geiger kept speakers to a 3-minute limit
and, when they began to raise their voices,
he asked them to show restraint.
One citizen, Jack Miner of Hastings,
thanked commissioners for their service.
“To say the last two weeks have been diffi-
cult would be an understatement,” he wrote
in a letter to the board. “Please remember
you are not alone. You are our neighbors,
our friends and our leaders. We have trusted
you with our votes and the management of
the affairs of our beloved Barry County. For
some, that confidence has been shaken.
Miner urged the board to find a solution
to the problems now threatening the coun-
ty’s ability to operate in an acceptable fash-ion. “This chaos cannot continue,” he wrote.
“Do not let the boisterous minority drown
out the rights of the majority to the orderly
governance of their county.”
The majority of speakers who addressed
the commissioners only want what they per-
ceive is best for their families, friends and
the county, he said.
“Know that you are not alone; there are
thousands of people that voted for you. We
continue to have faith in and trust you.”
On Tuesday, Heikkila also addressed the
board twice and, the first time, he was cau-
tioned by Geiger when he raised his voice.
Several posse members were stationed in
the chambers during the session and walked
with Heikkila out of the room when he con-
cluded his first comments. He returned later
to watch proceedings from the audience.
Boulter confirmed Wednesday that his
department is reviewing what happened
during that meeting to see if any law
enforcement action should be recommended
to the prosecutor.
Another question that has been raised is
whether Scrimger should have been sworn
in, taking an oath of office, when she was
hired for the post of health officer.
Leaf told The Banner that one of his
marine officers had not been duly sworn
into office earlier this year and, as a result,one of the citations issued by that officer
had to be rescinded.
The question being raised is whether the
requirement for an officer to be sworn
would apply to Scrimger.
The sheriff said Wednesday that he
received 200 petitions requesting that his
office look into whether the health officer is
required to take an oath of office. An attor-
ney representing the Michigan Department
of Health and Human Services said that
most health officers are exempt from this,
unless a local unit of government has its
own requirement.
Leaf said his department has received 200
petitions asking them to look into this mat-
ter so his department is pursuing it. One
problem, however, is the volume of investi-
gations his department is handling right
now.
His department put a probe of the
November election on hold when a missing
persons report took precedence. Leaf said
they were planning this week to use a heli-
copter in the search for Lane Rosland of
Hastings, who has been missing since Sept.
27.
Now, with questions about whether
Scrimger should be required to take an oath
of office, he could not say when any of these
investigations are likely to come to fruition.In exchange for the planned murder of his
wife, Nelson Replogle used the internet to
transmit a payment of the virtual currency
Bitcoin in the value of $17,583 in U.S. cur-
rency, court documents show.
In a five-page affidavit filed with the U.S.
District Court, FBI Special Agent Clay
Anderson said he received information April
20 about a possible murder-for-hire plot
from the BBC representatives. They said the
target of the plot was Ann Replogle, and
provided her name and address. It’s not
clear from court documents how the BBC
representatives obtained the information
they provided to the FBI.
“The Knoxville FBI contacted the Knox
County Sheriff’s office and advised them of
the threat. The Knox County Sheriff’s office
sent deputies to the residence of the victim
to verify her well-being. In addition, the
Knoxville FBI sent special agents and task
force officers to conduct an interview of the
victim and any other residents at the loca-
tion,” Anderson said in the affidavit.
Both Nelson and Ann Replogle were at
home when agents and task force officers
arrived. They both said they could not think
of anyone who would want to harm Ann.
Agents then interviewed Nelson
Replogle alone; he told them he did not
solicit his wife’s murder nor could he
think of anyone who would, according to
the affidavit.
Anderson said he contacted the BBC
representatives who had provided the tip,
and was told they had information that a
payment was made with the understanding
that an unknown person would kill Ann
Replogle as she took her pet to a local vet-
erinarian for an appointment.
“The information provided was very spe-
cific about date, time, vehicle make, model
and color,” Anderson said in the affidavit.
“The payment for the murder of the victim
was made using the virtual currency
Bitcoin, and the date and time of the trans-
action, as well as the receiving Bitcoin
wallet, was provided.”
The FBI provided a blockchain analysis
of the Bitcoin transaction and, from that,
agents were able to determine that the
Bitcoin wallets used to pay were CoinBase
wallets. Investigators then went to work,
subpoenaing CoinBase for records pertain-
ing to the transaction, citing a threat-to-life
situation.
“The information provided by CoinBase
shows Replogle listed as the owner of the
account and shows the transaction between
Replogle and whomever is behind the mur-
der-for-hire website. In addition, CoinBase
provided the registration information to
include photo identification and photos of
the suspect,” Anderson said in the affidavit.
CoinBase provided connection logs that
showed “multiple” internet protocol con-
nections, the last one being April 20.
Further investigation disclosed that the
IP address involved with the CoinBase
wallet was associated with Replogle’s
AT&T account at his home, court records
showed.
The CoinBase subpoena further showed
that Replogle paid for the Bitcoin out of a
personal savings account at First Horizon
Bank in Knoxville, an account to which his
wife did not have access. Law enforcement
contacted the bank seeking information,
which “corroborated the information from
CoinBase,” Anderson said in the affidavit.
Shortly after that information was con-
firmed, Replogle was arrested.
The Replogles moved from Michigan to
Knoxville in 2018, after both had retired
from their teaching jobs.
Nelson Replogle, who was working part-
time while drawing a pension from his
teaching job, did not have any criminal
history prior to his arrest, court records
show.MURDER, continued from page 1 ––––––
tennis teams. She also has taken part in Link
Crew, Impact Team, student council and
National Honor Society.
Barnes, who enjoys painting and drawing
in her downtime, has competed on the soccer,
volleyball and basketball teams. She also has
been involved with 4-H and the Key Club.
Bond has participated in basketball, cross
country, soccer, Interact Club, Key Club and
student council.
English has played volleyball, softball,
basketball and golf. Outside of athletics, she
is a member of the National Honor Society,
Key Club and Impact Team.
Teed has participated in basketball, crosscountry, track and the marching band drum-
line. She received All-State honors in track
after placing fifth in the 100-meter hurdle race.
Fish plays tuba in the band. He said his
favorite memory from high school is finish-
ing in first place at the Otsego Marching
Band Invitational.
Perez has been a member of the tennis and
golf teams. He also has been an active mem-
ber in the theater and choir programs at the
high school. He played Col. Mustard in the
high school’s production of “Clue.”
Russell is a on the football and basketball
teams. A running back, Russell is shooting for
the career rushing record at the high school.A clarinet player, Smalley has been a part
of the jazz band, steel band and pit orchestra
throughout high school. He currently is the
clarinet section leader. He has played on the
baseball team since freshman year and is a
member of the Key Club.
Winegar is a captain on the football team.
Outside of school, he likes to spend time
weightlifting, snowboarding, fishing and
hunting.
Seven retired Hastings staff members will
share the title of grand marshals in Friday’s
parade: Marty Buehler, Barb Henry, Steve
Hoke, Steve Laubaugh, Lissie Letot, Angela
Stanton and Shelly Winegar.HASTINGS, continued from page 1 –––––––––––––––––––––––––
state, we’re within their territory,” she said.
But Fekkes said it’s not feasible for Barry
County residents to go to a shelter in Battle
Creek, and that is part of the reason commu-
nity leaders here decided to create Green
Gables Haven 18 years ago.
“The residents of Barry County were not
going to Calhoun County to receive ser-
vices,” Fekkes said. “It was people from a
rural area going to an urban area, it’s children
leaving their schools, which is some of their
only comfort when their life is in shambles.”
“We’re taking victims and families ...
away from maybe their own safe connection
because now they’re leaving Barry County,”
she added. “We’re taking away their medical
providers, I mean everything that’s known to
them ... and what we found is there might
have been two or three people a year, if we
were lucky, [going to Calhoun County.]”
This year’s grant has already been decided,
and Green Gables can’t appeal the decision,
but Bergeron said she will keep trying in the
future.
“I’m going to be continuing to apply forthis grant annually,” Bergeron said. “I’m not
giving up.”
But she does worry about what the loss of
funding may mean for the shelter, especially
if it is unable to get the grant again.
“I worry about the victims of domestic
violence, our current clients and the ones that
will reach out for help going forward,”
Bergeron said. “I have had so many people
approach me in my 14 years here, saying ‘I
wish you were here when I needed help,’ or
‘Green Gables Haven saved my life’... I have
a great concern for this community if Green
Gables Haven isn’t here.”
In the past few weeks, local organizations
have stepped up to help the shelter.
Barry Community Foundation committed
$125,000 to help Green Gables, and Barry
County United Way allocated an extra
$25,000, to help the shelter bridge the gap in
funding.
“The Barry County United Way Board of
Directors and Allocations committee has pro-
vided support to Green Gables Haven since
the doors have been open,” United WayExecutive Director Lani Forbes said. “Green
Gables Haven is an integral part of emergen-
cy shelter in Barry County.”
“Green Gables Haven is a very unique
resource for Barry County,” United Way
Board Chair Matt Goebel added. “Our donors
are very willing to assist those in need to deal
with domestic violence. Keeping their doors
open is paramount to the safety and success
of many families.”
“Wonderful, beautiful Barry County is
wrapping its arms around us and helping us,”
Fekkes said. “You’ve got to love this commu-
nity, because when there is a need, there
always seems to be people who can step up
and fulfill an immediate need.”
Bergeron said the funding from the Barry
Community Foundation and United Way are
a temporary bandage to keep the shelter open
until it can find a long-term solution.
“We can’t sustain if the Band-Aid doesn’t
get fixed,” Bergeron said.
In the meantime, the shelter is seeking
other grant opportunities and planning fund-
raising initiatives for later this year.GREEN, continued from page 1 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BUDGET, continued
from page 1
Barry County Administrator Michael Brown advises the county commissioners on updating the county’s 2014 strategic plan. (Photo by Rebecca Pierce)Chairman Ben Geiger listens to com-
ments from commissioners during
Tuesday's committee meeting.