The next Charlevoix County Commissioners Meeting is Thursday, November 12, 9:30am, 13513 Division Street, Charlevoix
Observer Corp volunteer, Carole Shane has witnessed some concern with transparency and the handling of the DHHS committee appointment. Members in Charlevoix County are encouraged to attend the next meeting,
“I am concerned about the optics and lack of transparency apparent in the way the board made this appointment. I think the action may be a violation of the Open Meetings act. Following are my observations and opinions based on those observations:
The board made the decision to replace an experienced chairperson person with a novice with no discussion whatsoever of the relative merits of the two candidates.
The motion (made by Robert Jess) was made in a barely audible voice, using only the candidate’s first name.
Other board members quickly seconded and voted yes, without a moment’s hesitation.
I believe there was a predetermined decision made either by way of a quorum, outside of the official meeting or by way of a Daisy Chain mechanism.
I suspect the board was caught off guard when Xavier Cavagnaro did not appear at the 10/14 meeting to introduce himself and make his “pitch” for the appointment as expected. Regardless, they proceeded with the appointment as planned.
My articles provoked some interest and concern by readers who likely contacted their commissioners with negative feedback.
Robert Jess attempted to cover his tracks by putting the appointment back on the agenda at the next meeting, putting Cavagnaro’s pitch on the record and then declaring that indeed, the appointment made was the correct choice.”
These are articles she has written to the Boyne Citizen explaining her observations:
Sheriff Vondra offered county administrator position
By Carole Shane
Sheriff Chuck Vondra may soon become the administrator of Charlevoix County. Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to extend a conditional offer of employment to Vondra, who was one of three candidates interviewed by the board at a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 12.
Vondra has been performing the county administrator duties since he was named interim administrator in July, following the resignation of Kevin Shepard. Vondra will have to resign his position as sheriff if and when he is officially under contract as administrator.
If Vondra accepts the conditional offer, contract negotiations will get underway with the county’s Civil Counsel Peter Wendling assisting.
The two other candidates interviewing for the position were James Dyer and Kent Ellis.
Commissioners unanimously voted to approve Xavier Cavagnaro of East Jordan to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Committee. The other applicant for the position was current DHHS committee chairperson Mary Jason, whose term expires this year.
The appointment, which will replace Jason with a newcomer, was made without discussion.
Jason, a former teacher with an advanced degree in educational leadership, is a life-long resident of Charlevoix County with a decades-long resume of service on numerous boards and committees. Her application indicated extensive experience in almost all areas listed as relevant to the position. Jason indicated that “Yes” she has read the board bylaws that are available on the county website.
Cavagnaro listed no relevant experience for the position, stated “No” in answer to the question regarding having read the board bylaws, indicating that he “couldn’t find them.” He stated that he wants to be “more engaged in the county politically” and “bring young, fresh ideas” as his reasons for seeking the appointment to the board.
Cavagnaro’s LinkedIn profile indicates that he is the campus coordinator with Turning Point USA, Michigan Virtual Academy in East Jordan. His work experience is listed as busser and host with two years of experience at the Terrace Inn and 1911 Restaurant in Petoskey.
Christopher Kraemer of East Jordan was appointed to the Commission on Aging Advisory Committee. There were no other applicants for that position.
In other business, the board agreed to move their Nov. 11 meeting to Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m. in observance of Veterans Day.
Commissioner comments during the meeting included:
Ann-Marie Conway’s announcement that Bergmann Center is looking for a volunteer bookkeeper.
Josh Chamberlain’s report that financial information regarding the Six Mile Lake Special Assessment District is disappointingly incomplete.
Bob Jess’s report that routing the Boyne City to Charlevoix “bike trail” from the north side of Boyne City Road to the south side (crossing over in the area of Quarterline Road) would likely result in significant cost savings.
Resolutions passed unanimously included:
Amendment to the Grandvue MERS Defined Benefit Contribution Plan and the Grandvue 457 Retirement Plan
Retiree Healthcare Benefit for employees hired prior to 1993
Whiting Hall roof replacement
Probate and Family Court restoration program restitution grant
MDOT master agreement
County Board decides not to reconsider DHHS committee appointment; Vondra is still negotiating for admin position
By Carole Shane, cjshane@charter.net
Newly appointed DHHS committee member Xavier Cavagnaro introduced himself to the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners during the public comment period of their meeting Wednesday evening. Cavagnaro acknowledged that his appointment over the incumbent committee chairperson, Mary Jason, has raised questions and concerns, and he wished to clarify his interest in the position.
Cavagnaro explained that Commissioner Josh Chamberlain had made him aware of the opening and encouraged him to apply. Cavagnaro further explained that Chamberlain, who is the board’s liaison to the DHHS committee, has described concerns about the transparency of some of the committee’s actions.
Specifically, he mentioned a letter or letters expressing dissatisfaction, signed by 12 employees of the Grandvue Medical Care Facility, was sent to the committee without adequate response. Cavagnaro stated that 15 employees of Grandvue resigned their positions on the same day and are now working at Meadowbrook, a medical care facility in Antrim County.
In an interview following the meeting, Cavagnaro acknowledged that he has not read the above mentioned letter and has no knowledge of any wrong-doing by management at Grandvue or by the DHHS committee members.
Later in the meeting, when the DHHS committee appointment was addressed as an agenda item, Commissioner Bob Jess stated that he had originally planned a move to re-vote on the appointment, but after hearing Cavagnaro’s comments, he reconsidered and did not make a motion to reconsider the issue. Jess thanked Cavagnaro for coming to the meeting, and stated that any concerns he had about the appointment have been eased.
In other business at Wednesday’s meeting, Sheriff Chuck Vondra reported that he and his labor representative are meeting on Monday in anticipation of negotiating a contract for the county administrator position with the county’s legal counsel.
Vondra has been serving as interim county administrator for several months, and the County Board offered Vondra a conditional offer of employment for the position on October 14th.