Charlevoix County Cronyism

The Charlevoix County Commission Did What?!?

So here’s the deal. I must come out full force on this. I can’t help it. Manners be damned. This is much too important to ignore, or excuse, as I believe it shows the depths to which our county government has sunk.

Our previous county prosecutor, John Jarema, voted out of office after numerous allegations, charges, and lawsuits, including sexual harassment, defamation, retaliation, deprivation of free speech, deprivation of liberty and intentional interference with contractual relations, has been resurrected - with the explicit help of the board of commissioners.

At the November 9, 2016 commission meeting, it was simply stunning to see the entire board approve the very same John Jarema that had caused so much shame to be cast upon our county, installed as attorney for the indigent, as part of the legal consortium under contract with the county.

A look at the opinion of the Petoskey News-Review of November 10, 2016, will help to show the disappointment in Northern Michigan with the cronyism rampant in Charlevoix County government.

There are many questions that arise concerning this issue such as:

Since the cost to settle the last lawsuit filed against Mr. Jarema was not disclosed, and in another suit, this one filed against the county by Mr. Jarema, was settled for $50,000, what is the justification for the decision to allow him to be added to the consortium?

How is it that a person that has caused such harm to the county’s reputation could be considered for any position with Charlevoix County in any capacity?

Why didn’t the county commission consider any other attorney or put the matter out for bids?

Why does the county commission insist on sticking with bad policy until forced to concede by suit at great cost to taxpayers?