Anti-abortion resolution approved by Ottawa County commissioners in split vote

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Ottawa County commissioners Tuesday approved a resolution “to promote life” in an 8-2 vote.

Commissioners passed the largely symbolic resolution after board Chair Joe Moss and Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea on April 18 released a draft that spoke about the “unspeakable harm to women” and the pre-born following the now-overturned Roe v. Wade decision.

Both Moss and Rhodea are members of the ultra-conservative political platform known as Ottawa Impact. The group gained a majority on the board in January 2023.

As written, the resolution approved Tuesday, April 23 “encourages individuals and communities to promote life, support women in making a choice for life, protect the preborn, provide resources for expectant mothers, and support organizations, which assist mothers and fathers with life affirming decisions in unplanned pregnancies, and adopt and foster children, ensuring every child is valued, loved and protected.”

The wording was altered from the earlier version released by Moss that included language to prohibit using county staff or resources to provide for an abortion or to give transportation for an abortion.

That language was gone from the updated resolution, which simply noted the board “recognizes the county health department does not provide abortions or transportation to abortion services.”

Commissioners Doug Zylstra and Roger Bergman voted against the measure.

“This resolution has no business being on our agenda,” said Bergman, who worried it could spur legal action against the county.

Zylstra said he didn’t want to vote yes on something that would “further split the community.”

At least two commissioners gave personal accounts as to why they voted in favor of the resolution.

Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea said the issue was “near and dear” to her heart. She is a parent to an adopted son, and she said his birth mother “chose life for him.”

Commissioner Rebekah Curran shared that she was pregnant as a 19-year-old.

“My daughter is 25 (now). Life was very important to me. I knew that if I took any other option, or if I had an abortion, that I would be ending her life.”

During a public comment period, one person questioned whether the document would affect any services provided through Ottawa County employee health care coverage.

Ottawa County Chair Joe Moss later said the updated resolution would not have any impact.

A handful of people in the audience spoke both for and against the measure.

Karen Obits of Spring Lake said the resolution fails to recognize the “intrinsic value” of women of child-bearing age.

“I also fail to see this resolution as anything but a toothless proclamation designed to pander for votes and an unnecessary distraction unrelated to good governance,” she said.