[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6677670,"mediaKeyId","2171861-ae1f708c2532f17a9836a1881cb9ec97","parentId",2171861,"title","Residents urge county action on guardianship and probate oversight, cite alleged abuses in Macomb proceedings","audioSeconds",443,"startMs",3629000,"endMs",4072000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171861-ae1f708c2532f17a9836a1881cb9ec97&start=3629&end=4072","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171861-ae1f708c2532f17a9836a1881cb9ec97/thumbnail_3629000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6677670/Macomb-County/Michigan/Residents-urge-county-action-on-guardianship-and-probate-oversight-cite-alleged-abuses-in-Macomb-proceedings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677670-2054c2464586ed908df0db9ef6bc2f58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184004&Signature=lBM0u-aycDiCaq9cH29nXIQgpodQMudRnNL8tgUu9aot5UAaeAvA2EkHuSnay~VtHV1eGoeHUi5DC6p0sY5b5Ir3CYKLhtZRwfv9uQ8yPdP5nuJWUaIdbsRHFk6xvhT9tZTsUAW2WRI6tAAjyyRsw9AdCAUiobeHfjkT-kyaL5ZPxgZPuHI4z7HmJ41przijwkeJ~-YP2SoJdl7FKWoBaFdRirlSjqxtrZNtaQtyM3bPRZMSvh29d26oHS~B-bi8shJduXKkDoOMSBjRydvZzx9KNezVRqjGiYB0O2lA~miYKkisFvPfvTLPztQE~SuziT5D00DnZbFMYRRGKZ0lsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Macomb County","date","2025-01-25T05:15:34.087Z","article","Several members of the public used the Jan. 23 Macomb County Board of Commissioners meeting to press elected officials for action on alleged problems in local probate and guardianship practices, asking the board to recommend reforms to protect vulnerable adults and their families.

Speakers including Ted Scarborough and national advocate Jody White described individual cases they characterize as predatory guardianship, alleging forced nursing-home placements, sale of property without meaningful consent and excessive attorney and guardian fees. They asked the board to consider measures such as mandatory oversight of court-appointed guardians and guardian ad litems, protections for advocates and family members from retaliation, review of probate funding and transparent grievance procedures.

What speakers requested: Scarborough urged the board to use its oversight and policy channels to seek reforms — including mandatory oversight of billings and activities of court officers, prevention of forced separations of vulnerable adults without due process, and a transparent complaint process. Jody White said she had encountered obstacles when trying to visit residents in care and described what she characterized as retaliation against advocates who raise concerns.

Complaints about local response: Speakers said they had reported concerns to law enforcement and prosecutorial offices with little apparent redress, and they referenced communications with state officials. One speaker said a cease-and-desist letter was issued in response to a complaint rather than an investigation. Those asking for reforms said they want the board to convene a Government Policy Committee meeting with victims and advocates to review the issues and consider recommendations.

Board response and context: Commissioners did not take immediate formal action on the requests during the Jan. 23 meeting; the items were raised during the public participation portion of the agenda. Commissioners routinely may refer public comment requests to committees or staff for follow-up. Speakers asked explicitly that the board consider steps that would increase oversight and accountability in probate court operations and court-appointed representatives.

Ending: Those raising the issue said they would continue to press for legislative and administrative changes and asked the board to schedule committee consideration so the matter could be reviewed in more detail.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 23, 2025 BOC - Full Board","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment at the Jan. 23 Macomb County commission meeting, several residents and advocates described alleged abuses in local probate and guardianship proceedings and urged the county to pursue oversight reforms and protections for vulnerable adults and their advocates.","taxTitle","Macomb County, Michigan","taxId",2831,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677674,"Votes at a glance: Macomb County board approves committee recommendations, resolutions and parks master plan",2387,316000,2703000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171861-ae1f708c2532f17a9836a1881cb9ec97&start=316&end=2703","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171861-ae1f708c2532f17a9836a1881cb9ec97/thumbnail_316000.jpg","/articles/6677674/Macomb-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Macomb-County-board-approves-committee-recommendations-resolutions-and-parks-master-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677674-f2a1050c807738a183675f3c23a7734e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184004&Signature=WB0Dr~q6XDFx3KMEYiRmVjX8DKObL3zXz~WKcA-VbrhE1kSS~ikzoVHgQviqD9qPhb8n7Z6PvXuuiEihPfgnPemuloZidvR5ebW8WhST0Rw3pd8rKLzjPCwqFNhqmtf5uVSKmTKLwl15kcU~ugFRy~ygrs5cDPCFFoodzpfwwU7eFkNF0GlA3UToihRbNB3DsAZ0AMVyGxZnkDBoAj~LnA8xB1vknZwvqbs8-0e~nFhxm5u7lMCQzVJEfMabN47BrBD7xSfFUAdquSsu2cc0lAgOavb~vejBPcBsSYm2-xR09fb7xKMSM-MTRuYK2GIwZeS5lMlhlJ3XR2y0MrjC-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Macomb County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 23 approved a slate of committee recommendations and resolutions, including the county’s 2025–2029 comprehensive parks and natural resources master plan, with most motions passing unanimously.

Key outcomes

- Internal Services Committee items (11 a–d): Approved, motion passed 12-0.
- Health and Human Services Committee items (12 a–c): Approved, motion passed 12-0.
- Government Oversight Committee: Concurred with a settlement agreement in Macomb County Circuit Court case no. 2024-00818; motion passed 11-0 as recorded.
- Public Services Committee items (14 a–e): Approved, motion passed 12-0.
- Records and Public Safety Committee items (15 a–e): Approved, motion passed 12-0.
- Resolutions (16 a–g), including 16g: Approval of the 2025–2029 comprehensive parks and natural resources master plan; motion passed 12-0. The board noted the addition of District 1 Commissioner Kenneth Goike’s name to the plan document.

Why it matters: The committee approvals advance purchasing, personnel, service and capital recommendations into final county action and keep planned projects and agreements moving. Adoption of the five-year parks and natural resources master plan sets priorities and a planning framework for parks projects and investments countywide.

Public hearing: The board opened and closed a public hearing on the 2025–2029 parks master plan at about 3:07 p.m. with no public speakers recorded for the hearing.

Votes and record: Most motions were approved without discussion; the settlement agreement noted by the government oversight committee was recorded as passing 11-0. All other listed committee recommendations and resolutions were recorded as passing 12-0.

Ending: The board moved on to administrative updates and public participation after the package of committee recommendations and resolutions were adopted.","At its Jan. 23 meeting the Macomb County Board of Commissioners approved multiple committee recommendations, a court settlement concurrence and a 2025–2029 parks and natural resources master plan, mostly by unanimous votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677680,"Macomb commissioners honor Don Brown and appoint Kenneth Goike to fill District 1 vacancy",125,2205000,2330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171861-ae1f708c2532f17a9836a1881cb9ec97&start=2205&end=2330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171861-ae1f708c2532f17a9836a1881cb9ec97/thumbnail_2205000.jpg","/articles/6677680/Macomb-County/Michigan/Macomb-commissioners-honor-Don-Brown-and-appoint-Kenneth-Goike-to-fill-District-1-vacancy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677680-be3ad104395e4ebaf17fc113935acd46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184004&Signature=YPLZxuhq~tVekDGfQ~2qUEDWVgKnycQ-4THiPUNoT0kUhkyKBf2YEZDmcnUMohEBCig7ZZlXS0SOAH~NaVfcmghUATjYUHu5f2L7i1NWjI66UK8644tbK0tSkEgiLVFy~eGxnDseP1UxJc4pTTr-CCphGPFK4ORCsUrdfw6PW5pCSauXPVRQmE6steb0iJswIuOh2l9bOljoKccfE2pAY4MvniH~Wrmo93qkdmbXQ43Rg4zm2Srjpsm27OIFMWmAtvXxggUPFK718jUq8LppAAIhdLdSBzYZeYuVS-gSKmv102gYzQvnzOGR9Jo9jdiPwnYjiCFSDaJOc~Z~CWJ2Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Macomb County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 23 appointed Kenneth (Ken) Goike to fill the District 1 vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Don Brown, voting 12-0 to approve the appointment for the partial term through certification of a special election.

The board conducted a roll call after interviews of 15 applicants for the seat, then named Goike the winner by majority. The motion to appoint was made and supported on the record; the final vote was recorded as 12-0 in favor.

Why it matters: The appointment fills a seat that commissioners described as central to county leadership. Brown, who resigned his commission seat earlier this month to accept a role in the county’s public works office, received extended public remarks and a proclamation acknowledging his years of service.

Commissioners who spoke in praise of Brown described him as a longtime mentor and county leader who worked across districts. Commissioner Lucido called Brown “a mentor, a friend,” and several commissioners noted Brown’s consistent presence at community events and committee work across the county. Former Commissioner Brown told colleagues he would continue working with county residents from his new position in public works and said he planned to assist commissioners with constituent needs in their districts.

After the vote, Goike thanked the board for its confidence and said he would not let them down, calling Brown’s tenure “good footsteps” to follow. He said he looked forward to building relationships across districts and continuing “one mission, one team.”

The board’s appointment process: Chair Joe Sabatini thanked all 15 applicants and noted the range of applicants — former commissioners, trustees and community leaders — who applied for the vacancy. The board’s announcement said the appointee will serve a partial term until the county certifies a special election to fill the seat permanently.

The vote and next steps: The board approved the appointment 12-0. Commissioners noted they would shortly process the formal paperwork for the appointment and asked staff to proceed with administrative steps associated with seating the new commissioner.

Ending: The board concluded the appointment item and moved on to other agenda business, including committee recommendations and resolutions that were also approved at the Jan. 23 meeting.","The Macomb County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 23 appointed Kenneth Goike to fill the District 1 seat vacated by Don Brown, who received tributes from colleagues and said he will continue serving the county in the public works office.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge county action on guardianship and probate oversight, cite alleged abuses in Macomb proceedings

Votes at a glance: Macomb County board approves committee recommendations, resolutions and parks master plan

Macomb commissioners honor Don Brown and appoint Kenneth Goike to fill District 1 vacancy