CHARLES CITY | Floyd County Supervisor Mark Kuhn is asking Dennis Sanvig to resign as chairman of the County Veterans Affairs Commission.
In a letter he read during Monday’s Board of Supervisors workshop session, Kuhn stated he is stepping down from his role as the liaison between the supervisors and the commission, which he called “the first step toward compromise.”
He said he hopes this move will help resolve the ongoing controversy over Sanvig.
One recent outcome of the controversy is the resignation of VA commissioner Marlene Stirling, who stated in her resignation letter dated Sept. 1, “I will have no more dealings with him,” referring to Sanvig.
Kuhn said it is apparent he and Sanvig have “personal issues” that prevent them from working cooperatively.
He said he has objected to Sanvig’s decision to not allow public input on commission agenda items as they are being discussed.
“While it is within his discretionary authority to do so according to Robert’s Rules of Order, it sends entirely the wrong message to veterans who have served our country and defended our freedoms,” Kuhn said.
A petition with 245 signatures was presented to the Board of Supervisors last month asking for Sanvig’s removal as a veterans affairs commissioner.
Those who presented the petition claimed Sanvig is unwilling to follow guidelines set by the state and has had veterans who didn’t agree with him thrown out of commission meetings.
The supervisors already have removed two members of the commission this year: Ron Munshower and Sandra Paul.
They were removed after another commissioner, Steve Merrill, who had recently resigned, filed a complaint in March with the Iowa Public Information Board, alleging they violated the state’s open meetings law. The board has not yet made a ruling on the complaint.
Roy Schwickerath, chairman of the Floyd County Board of Supervisors, said Monday the code of Iowa states a commission member can only be removed by the supervisors for neglect of duty or committing maladministration.
Kuhn said although he plans to offer a motion at Tuesday’s regular Board of Supervisors meeting asking for Sanvig to step down as chairman, that motion would allow Sanvig to remain as a member of the commission.
Denny Hull and Art White, who were among those who presented the petition to have Sanvig removed from the commission, were at Monday’s supervisors workshop. They both said they were OK with Sanvig resigning as chairman but staying on as a commission member.
Kuhn also expressed his regret over the resignation of Stirling, who the supervisors appointed to the commission in April.
In her letter of resignation, Stirling said that Sanvig told her in an email that her attitude and actions were unbecoming to the position of veterans affairs commissioner.
She claimed his email further stated, “I’m asking you to please assist and not hinder this process and the transition that is taking place. If you don’t know the issues or the history of the issues, please discuss your concerns with me prior to making comments in our public meetings.”
Stirling’s letter states this is “only a sliver of his rantings that went on for three pages. I find his email insulting and his behavior disturbing, totally unwarranted and unacceptable; frankly creepy.”
Kuhn said she has known Stirling, an Air Force veteran, for more than 20 years. He noted she is a leader in her community and a person of “impeccable character and integrity” who deserves better than to be targeted by Sanvig.
He said all members of the commission have the right to express their concerns openly at commission meetings without fear of accusation from each other.
Sanvig, who the supervisors appointed to the commission earlier this year to replace Merrill, was not at Monday’s meeting and did not return a call from the Globe Gazette seeking comment.
Merrill, who was at the meeting, told the Globe Gazette the supervisors can’t force Sanvig to step down as the chairman of the commission. He said only the other members of the commission can remove him from that post because they are the ones who named him chairman.
During the meeting, Merrill accused Kuhn of inciting veterans against Sanvig.
He said he is embarrassed by the conduct of some of his fellow veterans, as well as by Kuhn.
“Respect is earned,” he told Kuhn. “I respect your position, but I do not respect you.”
