EDITOR:

There have been many questions brought up by the public at county commission meetings that have gone unanswered. Here are a few:

1. The commission approved an easement change request for Rory Mattson affecting the public 1,400 acre Cornell Forest. The DNR notified Chairman Moyle that this easement change violates the terms of the grant used to purchase the property, putting the county at risk of having to repay the $956,200 grant funds. Why would you approve a change that comes at such a great risk to the county?

2. Over an 11-year period, Rory Mattson, on behalf of the conservation district, charged Delta County nearly $500,000 in administrative fees. In 2011 a $3,500 fee was charged and every year it increased until 2018 to a fee of $75,000 (a 2000% increase). In 2022 that fee was $72,114.09. Then, in December 2022, Mr. Mattson was issued bonus checks in the amount of $10,096, $11,762, and $7,000 (among others). Those checks were signed by both Mr. Mattson and Commissioner Peterson. Who approved these administrative fee increases and bonuses, and where is that documented?

3. During the 6/13/22 Airport Advisory board meeting, Moyle made a motion to “use a different company for our PFC audits going forward” due to the negligence of the audit company resulting in the suspension of the PFC grant program at the airport. The PFC grant has been on the agenda 11 times since 2020. Why did you claim to know nothing about the state of the PFC program, and why did you fail to brief the new manager on this issue?

4. Our community continues to request virtual access and participation in our county government. What would it cost the county to reinstate Zoom access?

5. Chairman Moyle continues to push for the county’s primary legal counsel to shift from prosecutor Wickman to Attorney Scott Graham. Here are the facts: Attorney Wickman was elected by the people of this county. It is common practice in the state of Michigan to have the prosecuting attorney act as primary counsel for the county. Prosecutor Wickman has expressed desire, competence and ability to perform this role. “Our prosecutor did a lot of good stuff for us. She did what we asked her to do.”– as you stated to TV6. Attorney Graham lives downstate, has represented Moyle’s family personally. The board has spent many hours discussing this at the meetings. In what instances were Prosecutor Wickman’s services inadequate?

6. Why hasn’t an assistant been hired for the veterans office, as promised?

7. Why hasn’t the courthouse received additional security equipment, as promised?

8. What is the state of the ethics committee, and can you please put me in touch?

Whitney Maloney

Gladstone