GENESEE COUNTY- A new chair of the Genesee County Commissioners was voted in last week after last month’s resignation of previous chair, Mark Young. The commission voted in vice chair, Domonique Clemons to take over as chair for the remainder of Young’s term in 2022. Which leaves a vacancy to be filled within the next 30 days.
There are claims Chair Mark Young resigned due to sexual harassment of another commissioner.
The commission voted 5 times without having a majority vote between the top two applicants, Linda Hoff and James Avery. If the commission is not able to make a decision within the 30-day allotment, it will go to a public election.
During public interviews before the commission, Linda Hoff stated she is an independent and James Avery democrat when asked their party affiliation.
According to her social media, Linda Hoff does support vaccinations and the arrest of anyone that attended the protest in D.C. on January 6th.
James Avery, the other potential applicant has ties with Commissioner Bryant Nolden and are both members of Omega Psi Phi, which is a brotherhood similar to the Masons. We’re not saying this is illegal, but Avery seemed to have been prepared for the questions asked by Commissioner Bryant and others during his interview.
James Avery’s wife, Holly, a teacher we reported about recently at for singling out white people and Trump supporters in her classroom. She is also a liaison for Grand Blanc High’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program.
Commissioner Shaun Shumaker (District 6) argued against the vote, as commissioners had just received applicant information December 30 and had their meeting January 5th.
Also on the agenda, AFSCME contracts are up for a vote on increases in pay for Lieutenants and Captains, mobile meal drivers, and drain maintenance employees. Part of the negotiations include up to a one-time payment of $7500 per employee.
Not to mention, the board will vote as part of the negotiation contracts with AFSCME to remove Lincoln’s Birthday and added Juneteenth to the list of paid holidays for Genesee County employees. 
Commissioner Shaun Shumaker (District 6) argued against the vote, as commissioners had just received the applicant information December 30 and had their meeting on January 5th between work and holiday schedules.
The next Genesee County Commissioners meeting will be on January 12th, 9am at the Willard P. Harris Auditorium 1101 Beach Street Flint, MI 48502.