By DEBRA HAIGHT
ST. JOSEPH – A lot can change in a year. Few people were aware of the coming COVID-19 pandemic threat in January, 2020. Back then, Berrien County Commissioners were being asked to approve a Second Amendment Sanctuary County resolution.
County commissioners looked back at that discussion at their organizational meeting last week. Berrien County was one of many Michigan counties asked to approve similar Second Amendment Sanctuary County resolutions last year.
The movement was embraced by a number of counties in the state who named themselves Second Amendment Sanctuary Counties. In addition, a resolution to make Michigan a Second Amendment Sanctuary State was also introduced in the legislature but never saw final action.
Proponents both here and around the state urged counties to pass resolutions supporting the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms in light of moves by Virginia and other states to curtail those rights and enact gun control measures. People on the other side argued that such resolutions were not needed.
The issue was a controversial one for nearly two months. People packed the county board’s meeting room in the Administration Center in St. Joseph and also sent many emails and letters in support and in opposition to the measure.
In the end, Berrien County commissioners approved a resolution re-affirming commissioners’ oaths to uphold the state and federal constitutions. Commissioners said then that it was beyond the county’s purview to tell not only the county sheriff and county prosecutor but also state and federal officials what to do and what is or isn’t constitutional.
Last week, County Board Chairman Mac Elliott reminded fellow commissioners about that discussion and what everyone learned from it. The Second Amendment Sanctuary discussion was the last controversial issue the county board addressed before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns began.
“11 months ago we were dealing with the sanctuary county discussions, we were packed,” Elliott noted. “It will be a while before we have packed house again. Things have changed dramatically since that mid February meeting in 2020.”
Elliott said the whole discussion ended up being a positive. “Everyone left with a good feeling although they had different feelings,” he added. “People were able to share opinions and I think they headed out door feeling better than when they came in.”
Board Vice-Chairman Ezra Scott concurred. He noted that the discussion resulted in people listening to each other despite differing opinions.
“The meetings about the Second Amendment were packed with pro Second Amendment and those against,” he said. “We came together as one, we listened diligently. I know both sides left meeting feeling very good about the county board. Kudos to all of us working together and acting as one.”
Last week’s meeting featured the re-election of Elliott and Scott as the board’s chairman and vice-chairman. Elliott has been chairman the last two years and will remain so for the next two years. Scott has been the vice-chairman for the last year, his new term is for one year.
Elliott represents the Buchanan and Berrien Springs area. He has served on the board for the last 10 years as well 10 years previously in the 1990s. Scott represents the New Buffalo area and Harbor Country.
The organizational meeting also featured Elliott making committee assignments for the coming year.
Commissioner Robert Harrison is the new chairman of the personnel and human services committee. He replaces Bill Chickering who retired from the board in December. Members of that committee are commissioners Rayonte Bell and Dave Vollrath. Bell was elected to the county board in November.
Commissioner Jim Curran will continue as the chairman of the administration committee. Members of that committee are Don Meeks, Michael Majerek and Julie Wuerfel. Wuerfel is also new to the county board.
The other standing committee is the one on finance. Commissioner Mamie Yarbrough will stay on as the chairwoman of that committee. Members of that committee are Teri Freehling, Jon Hinkelman and Scott.
In other annual moves, Elliott reappointed Freehling as the parliamentarian, Curran as the sergeant at arms and Yarbrough as the chaplain.
Assignments to other non county boards and organizations were expected to be made at this week’s meeting. Wuerfel did indicate that she would like to be a representative to the Michigan Association of Counties.
Annual bylaws and rules were adopted for the 2021 year. Meeting dates were approved on an interim basis. The county board will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays during the year except for fifth Thursdays and holidays. Meetings are currently virtual and are available on the county’s YouTube channel.
Commissioners expressed interest in holding night meetings at locations around the county during the spring, summer and fall but setting those dates was put off in light of current pandemic meeting size restrictions.
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