Ottawa County commissioners have appointed a former longtime sheriff as the county’s latest interim administrator in a split vote. The vote for Gary Rosema accentuated the noticeable division between five new commissioners elected in November and four commissioners tied to the ultra-conservative political platform Ottawa Impact.

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

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has selected the new interim county administrator. (Jan. 7, 2025) Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has promised she will introduce a bill “ASAP” to back President-elect Trump’s idea to rename the Gulf of Mexico.

Ottawa County commissioners could vote Tuesday, Jan. 7, on whether to appoint Gary Rosema, a former Ottawa County sheriff, to the vacant interim administrator's role.