Returning commissioners Joe Moss, Sylvia Rhodea and Allison Miedema voiced concerns that Rosema would re-hire former corporation council Doug Van Essen.

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners got into a heated debate Tuesday morning as they looked to the future. Former Ottawa County Sheriff Gary Rosema was selected as interim county administrator with a 7-4 vote.

Ottawa County commissioners on Tuesday, Jan. 7 appointed Gary Rosema as the interim county administrator. Rosema is the fourth county administrator in the last 11 months.

WEST OLIVE, Mich. (WOOD) — The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has selected the new interim county administrator. In a 7 to 4 vote on Tuesday, commissioners selected former Ottawa County Sheriff Gary Rosema as interim county administrator.

Former Sheriff Gary Rosema was appointed as interim county administrator by Ottawa County Board of Commissioners with a 7 to 4 vote amidst political shifts.

As the board chose a former longtime county sheriff to fill the post, ideological friction amongst the new commission was palpable.

Moments after being elected the Ottawa County Board chair, John Teeples told county employees that he hopes to “restore the reputation” of Ottawa County government. “I am sorry for what many of you had to endure over the last two years,

The jury trial for Mark Dykema has been scheduled for March 18, 2025. Dykema, 39, is accused of attempting to photograph or videotape up a woman's skirt, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Dykema was arraigned in September 2024 in 58th District Court before Judge Juanita Bocanegra. His bond was set at $10,000 and posted.