HB 10-21-2021

Page 8 — Thursday, October 21, 2021 — The Hastings Banner

Barry County commissioners approve reports,

select canvassing board members, and OK grants

Rebecca Pierce
Editor
Barry County Commissioners voted
Tuesday to recommend appointing one
Democrat and one Republican member –
both incumbents – to the county’s Board of
Canvassers.
Each member’s term, which lasts four
years, starts on Nov. 1, 2021, and ends Oct.
31, 2025.
The canvassing board consists of four
members who are appointed by a majority of
the county commissioners serving; two mem-
bers elected from each of the two parties that
received the most votes cast for Secretary of
State in the last general election.
Terms are staggered so that the other two
members of the board – John
VanNieuwenhuyzen and Robert Price – have
terms that conclude on Oct. 31, 2023.

Established by the Constitution of the state

of Michigan in 1963, the Board of Canvassers

is responsible for canvassing and certifying

elections, inspecting ballot containers, con-

ducting recounts and resolving claims regard-

ing defective ballots or equipment.

The names of three nominees from each

party were submitted to County Clerk Pamela

Palmer, who then provided paper ballots to

each of the commissioners and their voting

was disclosed so as not to violate the Open

Meetings Act.

The nominees were: incumbent Anne

Richards, Elspeth Inglis and Kay Loftus for

the Democratic Party, as submitted by Olivia

Bennett, county Democratic committee;

chairwoman; and incumbent Patricia Walton,

Susan Vlietstra and Paul Humphrey, as sub-

mitted by Ben Geiger, chairman of the county

Republican committee.

Geiger asked commissioners if anyone

wanted to request that he recuse himself

because of his position as chairman of the

county Republican Party. When no one made

that request, he cast his ballot along with

other commissioners.

In the balloting, Commissioner Catherine

Getty cast a vote for Loftus, but all of the

other commissioners voted in favor of the

canvassing board incumbents, Richards and

Walton.

Then, in the voice vote to recommend the

incumbents, all supported the appointment of

Richards and Walton to serve on the board of

canvassers for terms that starts Nov. 1 and

ends Oct. 31, 2025.

In other business, commissioners recom-

mended:

• approval of the apportionment report for
  2021 as presented by Equalization Director
  Tim Vandermark;


• approval of the proposal for an Emergency
  Management Performance grant for fiscal
  year 2021, which will pay $41,378 of the
  county Emergency Management Coordinator
  Jim Yarger’s salary and benefits;


• approval of fiscal year 2022 grant for the
  Office of Community Corrections, which has
  a total authorized budget of $116,635, to pro-
  vide programs and services for the jail popu-
  lation, reducing the prison commitment rate
  and affects recidivism. The request was pre-
  pared by Specialty Courts Program Manager
  Tammi Price.


• the re-appointment of Matthew Rosser to
  serve on the Barry County Solid Waste
  Oversight Committee to represent the recy-
  cling industry for a three-year term that begins
  on Nov. 1, 2021, and ends on Oct. 31, 2024.

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Observers watch the proceedings from the gallery. (PHOTOS BY SCOTT HARMSEN)

County Administrator Michael Brown provides background on federal funding
opportunities for regional projects during Tuesday's committee meeting.

Commissioner Howard Gibson, on right, listens to direction from Chairman Ben
Geiger as he conducts the session.

Commissioner Catherine Getty offers

comments about the importance of trail

development and preservation in Barry

County.

Gary White of Nashville was among those who attended Tuesday's meeting and

criticized the board for its handling of issues of concern to citizens. Commissioner Jon

Smelker replied at the end of the meeting that the board may be able to address some

issues at their next session.

Commissioner Dave Jackson answers questions after the meeting.