Grand Traverse official flashes gun after resident mentions Proud Boys in online meeting
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A Grand Traverse County commissioner flashed a rifle during a virtual public meeting on Wednesday after a resident expressed her concern with the Proud Boys and northern Michigan gun culture.
During the meeting's public comment period, East Bay Township resident Keli MacIntosh spoke about Grand Traverse County as being a Second Amendment "sanctuary" and her worry about the encouragement of violence, citing the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as an example.
As she spoke, Ron Clous, vice chair for the board of commissioners, briefly got up from his seat and plopped back down, while holding a black rifle across his chest.
Clous quickly flashed the gun and set it down without saying anything.
Commission Chair Rob Hentschel can be seen laughing at Clous' actions as MacIntosh expressed her concerns and asked the commissioners to denounce the Proud Boys' behavior and violence.
Clous told the Record-Eagle in Traverse City that he showed off his gun after MacIntosh asked the group to condemn the Proud Boys.
“The only thing I know about them (Proud Boys) is when they came and spoke to us,” Clous said to the Record-Eagle. “They were probably the most respected folks that got up and talked (at the March meeting). They were decent guys and they treated us with respect.”
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League, the Proud Boys are a far-right, hate group with ties to islamophobia, anti-immigration attitudes, misogyny and white supremacy. However, the group has denied any connection to the racist "alt-right."
MacIntosh said to the Record-Eagle that she felt threatened when she saw Clous' gun.
During the meeting, MacIntosh spoke about her issues with a March 4 meeting where Grand Traverse County voted to protect the Second Amendment and to "oppose any enforcement or funding measures that would infringe on gun owners’ rights," according to the Traverse Ticker.
"It's really hard to tell the difference between the Proud Boys and the message they want through our state, (and) how that's different from what happened in Washington," MacIntosh said during the meeting. "I mean welcoming such a group and having that message go out has changed the environment in northern Michigan from a hunting culture to that of a gun culture."
Hentschel said he had no problem with Clous holding a gun during the meeting, he said to the Record-Eagle.
“I am not a member of Proud Boys,” Hentschel said during the meeting. “But I do know a few Proud Boys. I’ve met Black Proud Boys, I’ve met multiracial Puerto Rican Proud Boys and they inform me they also have gay Proud Boys. I don’t see how that’s a hate group.”
The board also passed another controversial resolution that allows people to ignore Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' pandemic orders.
"The Grand Traverse County Commission does not support the expenditure of any county funds for the purpose of arrest and prosecution of any person accused of violating MDHHS emergency orders regarding COVID-19," the resolution said. "And encourages the Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Department and the Grand Traverse County Prosecutor's Office to make this the lowest priority."
Although the resolution doesn't protect people against bigger legal consequences that could arise from ignoring statewide epidemic orders, the resolution allows individuals "to self-determine what is best for their own health, liberty and pursuit of happiness."
The resolution also said businesses can "use their own good judgement to operate in a manner which minimizes risk to patrons while protecting the health and welfare of their business, care for their employees, and the community."
Local officials in Baraga County, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, signed a similar resolution Jan. 11. The resolution said the county will no longer enforce COVID-19 restriction orders from the governor's office.
If restaurants in Baraga County or Grand Traverse County decide to offer dine-in services, or if businesses fail to enforce the statewide mask mandate, the state can issue hefty fines and suspend food service or liquor licenses.
The committee approved the resolution on a vote of 5-2. Commissioners Betsy Coffia and Bryce Hundley voted against the resolution. The next board of commissioners meeting will happen Feb. 3 through a livestream.
Contact Slone Terranella: STerranella@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @SloneTerranella.
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