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GT Commissioners Take Up “Censure” Discussion What are we going to do about this? What is the right thing to do about this?” - Commissioner Darryl Nelson
February 3, 2021
Some elected officials hope to end a chapter that’s taken up a lot of time in recent weeks – by discussing a resolution to censure one of their own.
Grand Traverse County Commissioners were discussing a resolution to censure Vice Chairman Ron Clous. Clous stood up during public comment about the Second Amendment during the January 20th meeting, left the frame and then came back holding a gun. It caused Chairman Rob Hentschel to chuckle. Clous held the firearm sideways in his lap for a few seconds, then put it down.
Credit Grand Traverse County
The Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners didn t punish Board Vice Chair Ron Clous Wednesday for pulling out a gun during a constituent s comments last month.
The constituent was asking the board to condemn the Proud Boys, a far-right group with a history of violence, who had attended a prior meeting.
Wednesday the county board considered a resolution of censure for Clous, but disagreements over what the move would have meant ultimately led to a split vote, effectively killing it. Somebody had mentioned [.] censure is a form of the commission apologizing for some actions. I for one do not believe in apologizing myself for someone else s actions, commissioner Brad Jewett said, adding that he believes Clous did nothing illegal.
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7:18
IPR s Max Johnston has more on the latest controversy for the Grand Traverse County Board.
The current resolution largely was not well received. Most callers said it didn’t go far enough. Many demanded formal apologies and resignations from Clous and Hentschel, as detailed in a letter to the board submitted by Traverse City Attorney Michael Naughton. It has 1,400 signatures.
County resident TJ Andrews called the resolution weak and unapologetic.
“It doesn’t even acknowledge let alone attempt to rectify the harm that’s been caused to our community by these actions,” she said.
Several other residents called into the virtual meeting to say the incident had been blown out of proportion and to defend Clous and Hentshcel.
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County Commissioner Ron Clous held the rifle up briefly, smiling at the camera, before setting it down without a word (Grand Traverse County)
A Michigan county commissioner is facing calls to resign after he pulled out a rifle at a virtual public meeting after a woman asked the Michigan Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners to denounce the Proud Boys. Resident Keli MacIntosh was expressing concerns about members of the right-wing militant group speaking about gun rights at a meeting back in March when Grand Traverse County Commissioner Ron Clous flashed the gun in response, the Record-Eagle reported.