According to Michigan planning enabling act, “The legislative body may remove a member of the planning commission for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office upon written charges and after a public hearing.” This is a high bar intended to prevent powerful special interests or the County Board itself from influencing the nonpolitical planning commission. The planning commission makes technical recommendations to the county board when considering planning and zoning matters.

Despite this strict prohibition against removing a commissioner for lesser charges, on April 1, 2025, the County board considered removing AJ Kern for missing a meeting while home sick. Yes, according to the chair of the planning commission, missing a meeting due to illness rises to the level of nonfeasance–it does not.

Fortunately, AJ received positive news yesterday with the County attorney, outside counsel and MSU extension agent in agreement that the motion to remove did not carry and that AJ rightfully remains secretary of the planning commission. Unfortunately, news outlets have incorrectly reported otherwise, so the County needs to take responsibility, publicly setting the record straight.

But that seems unlikely. County staff are now trying to resurrect the dead issue and hold a “do-over” like a 5th grade dodgeball game.

But why is it a planning commission of six other men must remove her, not satisfied to argue matters on their merits and vote. What is the danger of her mere presence on this Planning commission, outnumbered by the men 6 to 1?

Simply, she has and continues to reveal their disregard for the basic underpinnings of municipal law and order in Michigan, the open meeting act, county ordinance, bylaws and planning and zoning enabling acts.

If there is any doubt that her revelations are well founded, consider the County’s reaction to them :

• All planned PC meetings since Jan. 14 , were canceled, unable to raise a quorum, due to improperly appointed “members”.

• The County Board changed the rules for appointing planning commissioners so, ignoring PC bylaws, installation of cronies can continue unabated.

• The County Board held a sham initiation pretending to “ratify” previously appointed planning commissioners under these new rules.

• Effectively the County zoning department has been out of business since January 14th.

It’s time for Keweenaw County to abandon the witch hunt, start playing by the rules, and get back to work.

John Kern

Keweenaw County