John Tunison
@johntunison
Grand Rapids Press reporter, crime and courts.
ID: 23631549
http://www.mlive.com/grandrapids 10-03-2009 18:46:56
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Commissioner Joe Moss, a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Gibbs, wanted to send the issue (settlement) back to the Ottawa County Insurance Authority for further negotiations. He called it a "very bad deal" and apparently has seen numbers. Grand Rapids Press
The agreement is to pay Gibbs $190,000, rescind his termination and allow him to resign. Grand Rapids Press
Commissioner Wenzel is reading a letter from Gretchen Cosby, former commissioner. Cosby objects to the settlement. Grand Rapids Press
Cosby says the county has a strong case it can win, according to her letter. Grand Rapids Press Says the proposed settlement lacks accountability for Gibbs.
Commissioner Bonnema says the allegations Moss made against Gibbs aren't up to court standards. Grand Rapids Press
Moss says the problem is that Gibbs wants to both be paid and have the termination wiped from his record. Grand Rapids Press
Commissioner Brugger says he wants it in the rear view mirror Grand Rapids Press
Commissioner Teeples says the termination was not documented the way it should have been. Grand Rapids Press
Commissioner Teeples says settling is a way to stop the bleeding, to cut the county's losses. Grand Rapids Press
Rhodea says the process of terminating Gibbs was painful. He was a friend to many. Grand Rapids Press
Says Gibbs' behavior in hiring Epperson was the straw that broke the camel's back. But there was other behavior as well, she says. Grand Rapids Press
"He absolutely had lost the confidence of most of the board," Rhodea says of Gibbs. Grand Rapids Press
Commissioner Rhodea says she doesn't want to reward bad behavior. Grand Rapids Press
"WE need to make a practical decision for the sake of this community," Commission Teeples says. Grand Rapids Press
Teeples says the litigation attorney is recommending they accept the settlment. Grand Rapids Press
Rally in Grand Rapids after mistrial in Christopher Schurr murder trial Grand Rapids Press
Note from the rally Grand Rapids Press
More from rally Grand Rapids Press