Pages

Monday, April 23, 2018

Public Deserves Answers From Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office In Spring Lake Township Clerk Sign Thefts









The following is a letter to the Grand Haven Tribune:

Last fall, I published a story on my website, West Michigan Politics, revealing Spring Lake
Township Clerk Carolyn Boersma and her husband Tim were facing possible criminal charges after being caught on camera stealing political yard signs. Police also found signs in Carolyn's vehicle.

The Tribune picked up on my report, but wasted an absurd amount of print focusing on a picture I used of Boersma with a former Council member instead of actually asking pertinent questions regarding the sign theft and Boersma's involvement. (See "A Simple Misunderstanding?" 9/12/17)

The Tribune subsequently published an immensely disappointing, completely outlandish editorial accusing me of using "alternative facts" and peddling "fake news." ( See "A Sign Of The Times?" 9/15/17)

Nothing could be further from the truth. I recently submitted a Freedom Of Information Act request to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department and obtained the police report related to this incident.

The report proves my website's reporting was completely accurate, the source was correct, and the Tribune's cheap shots were in fact "fake news." 

The OCSD requested criminal larceny charges against Carolyn and Tim Boersma on September 13th, but were mysteriously rebuked by Ottawa County Prosecutor Ron Frantz's office.

Boersma and her husband repeatedly stole signs, in direct violation of Spring Lake Township's ordinance regarding the process for sign removal. (Spoiler alert: Snagging them out of a yard repeatedly is not the policy!) 

If you or I had done this, we would have undoubtedly been charged. Why was Boersma allowed to skate free? 

When prosecutors pick favorites and cover up for politicians and local power players, faith in our justice system erodes. 

Ottawa County residents deserve answers in this case, perhaps now the Tribune can stop attacking me, and focus on the real issue at hand.

_________________________________________________________________
Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
Facebook
Twitter

1 comment: