The Oceana County Council on Aging (OCCOA) Board of Directors faced another tense public comment at their latest meeting, held Oct. 28. Seven Oceana County residents voiced their concerns over the board and administration’s direction, behavior and finances, supported by over a dozen more in the audience.
The finances of OCCOA were a main topic of discussion, with commenters listing offenses such as a significant wage gap between administrator and “frontline” workers. Many attendees had taken it upon themselves to review the organization’s financial reports, only to state that they found the results vague, unclear and misleading. Several noted that when considering the yearly millage, which reportedly covers 80 percent of OCCOA’s funding, the confusion is concerning.
Sara Kraner, an RN who formerly worked for OCCOA, asked, “What assurances do we have that our $1.4 million public dollars are being used wisely, in good faith, and for the purpose they were so generously awarded?”
According to Susan Stace, “A nonprofit that asks for the community’s trust must first be trustworthy itself. That means open books, fair wages and leadership that welcomes questions instead of silencing them.”
Mary Lulich, who served on the OCCOA Board of Directors four years ago, recalled how the last millage was won by a “narrower margin” than it has in the past and called for “a renewal of trust, of leadership integrity and of the mission to serve Oceana County’s aging community with dignity and respect… We the people, the taxpayers, govern the board… as citizens, taxpayers and stakeholders, we have both the right and the responsibility to ensure that the Oceana County Council on Aging operates with transparency, fiscal responsibility and integrity.”
Retired RN and The United Way volunteer Susan Cerka was recently let go as a volunteer of Our Friends House adult day services before being served a no-trespassing order. Cerka was disallowed from attending the meeting by judicial order, so her statement was presented by Travey Carollo. According to Cerka's statement, she was “personally intimidated by an out-of-control OCCOA administrative staff, physically battered by a male administrative staff, served with a 'Letter of No Trespass'... [which was shared] to State Police, County Sheriff, and County Prosecuting Attorney, and developed medically documented shingles due to emotional duress…” However, she also wrote that she will “gladly call all these actions for good if they prevent another victim from being subjected to this organization’s dysfunction and abusive actions, especially our seniors and caregivers.”
Mary Sloan, who has been campaigning for accountability of OCCOA at previous board of directors meetings as well as to the county board of commissioners, attended with her husband, Clair, a client at Our Friends House. Sloan shared a letter she’d recently received from OCCOA detailing the code of conduct for visitors - which was dated Oct. 21, 2025 - and requesting her signature acknowledging she had read and understood the consequences she faced should she have another “incident.” According to Clair, who also spoke at public comment, not signing the letter would jeopardize his continued service from Our Friends House.
Said Sloan, “This letter read like a reprimand from an employer. I am not a salaried employee of OCCOA. I am not on your payroll. OCCOA on the other hand, in the amount of nearly $39,000 for three-plus years, is on my payroll.”
She likewise informed the board that she and Clair will be taking a break from Our Friends House to “explore what is best for Clair’s emotional, mental and physical health.”
Following public comment, the board was slated for a presentation of their financial report and 2026 budget. While a hard copy of the financial report was provided for board members, it was not presented, nor were questions taken, as Treasurer Frank Doll had recently resigned from the role and was absent from the meeting.
Neither could the 2026 budget be reviewed, as Associate and Finance Director Kay Butcher had yet to finish it, citing personal delays. Butcher said she planned to provide the budget to the board by the end of the week.
The board voted unanimously to receive the financial report, regardless.
The OCCOA Board of Directors also saw some rearrangement of roles within the board. Jon Bowen and Emma Kirwin were approved for another three-year term each, while President Ron Rash saw the end of his second term. Rash was replaced as president by Doug Bacon, with Lori Suttner taking on the vice president position Bacon left behind. Pam Czurak replaced Frank Doll as board treasurer.
Oceana County Undersheriff Ryan Schiller was also present at the board meeting, and the Echo obtained a statement from him, regarding his attendance there, earlier this week, "The sheriff's office was asked to attend, simply to be present, as there were a number of individuals who were clearly unhappy with the OCCOA board. I did have very brief contact with (OCCOA Executive Director) Stephanie Moore after I arrived that day. I was not asked in any way shape or form to prevent any media from attending. The sheriff's office has appreciated a very positive relationship with the OCCOA over the years. We try to be supportive of a number of our para-government organizations and help where we can. With regard to Susan Cerka, I again had a very brief interaction with her prior to the meeting. Ms. Cerka was polite and not confrontational. We are very often requested to be at community meetings if there is anticipated conflict, so this is nothing out of the ordinary."
The next Board of Directors meeting is set for Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Attendees asked for confirmation on the time and place and were told by the board that it will be 1:30 p.m. at the OCCOA facility.
