WHITEHALL — After Whitehall mayor Steven Salter faced backlash at the city council meeting two weeks ago due to a May 30 incident between him and his neighbor Amy Josephson, dozens of White Lake community members came to Salter’s defense at Tuesday’s meeting.
“What I see is a man who shows up everyday for his community and what I want to know is where are the rest of you,” a Whitehall citizen said during public comment. “What are you doing daily to support us because what I’m hearing is that a few of you are latching onto and sensationalizing the story of a man who has been experiencing years of verbal and emotional abuse for your own personal gain. That’s reprehensible. There’s documented evidence that there has been years of pathological abuse from that woman to Steve and his family. I’m certainly not happy that things have escalated, but in the end I side with law enforcement on this, who made an arrest and that person was not Mr. Salter. My final question is this; what are those of you who are asking for his resignation doing because what I see is a man dedicated to his community, out here helping everyday and there’s not a peep from the rest of you, except to glom onto a story to justify your personal dislike of a man who, from what I see, actually gives a damn about this place.”
Councilwoman Debra Hillebrand, who called for Salter’s resignation two weeks ago, stood by her statements at the beginning of the meeting.
“Several have expressed their support and comments in letters,” councilwoman Debra Hillebrand said. “I don’t doubt their sincerity in their applause for his behavior outside of these incidents. All of the accolades though, in my opinion and those we’re hearing from, do not address the seriousness of this issue or excuse the violent behavior. I’ve continued to receive input from concerned citizens, several have asked me why I’m not doing more. To my knowledge the only thing we as council can do is to censure Salter and call for his resignation. To formally address this situation, I would like to make a motion that the mayor be censured for conduct that is damaging to the city council and ask that city council call for his resignation.”
Other public commenters expressed their distaste of how this has been addressed by the city and council members.
“Every year, myself, Tom, Steve and Leslie are a part of the 4th of July parade,” said Montague resident Cheryl Lohman, referring to her husband, Montague mayor Tom Lohman, and Salter’s wife Leslie. “Everytime I see them I say we are a part of the community or ‘common-unity.’ I just ask all of you and all of us as members of the White Lake community, to work together to bring common unity.”
After hearing the numerous comments and learning more about the altercation, Hillebrand redacted her statement and desire to censure Salter.
“It was my intent to talk about the situation and it felt to me that it wasn’t being talked about, and I’ve been told that it’s my fault,” Hillebrand said. “I do not condone violence to respond to this situation. There’s help that’s needed. I don’t want to condone the behavior, however, I would like to withdraw my motion. I would like it if council could work together and I appreciate you all coming to help us get on this path.”
Councilman Tom Ziemer also withdrew his motion to call for Salter to resign. Councilwoman Tanya Cabala and councilman Steve Sikkenga said had the motion moved forward, they would’ve voted against it as well.
“I’d like to point out that neither of the letters read at the last council meeting addressed the issue about aggressive behavior, aggressive temper, or acting out in violence,” councilman Scott Brown said. “I can say I’m very nervous about being in the same room as him and that he could lose his temper at any moment. I’m not saying that the lady who he got in the altercation with is a model citizen; she is not. But that doesn’t mean that violence is the answer. She obviously has some known substance use issues. If you’ve had a problem with this neighbor for years, you could always put up a fence. If you don’t like it, you can always move.”
City manager Scott Huebler said he is required by law to maintain privacy and said since this was not a city hall incident, they did not address it.
After further discussion at the meeting, concerns were vocalized about how Josephson is “being failed” by Muskegon County and that they are aware of, not being offered the help she needs for any possible substance use problems.
