Commissioners satisfied with Health Department’s role in grant program

Berrien County Commissioners have seen no evidence to support a claim made by a Benton Harbor City Commissioner that the county health department misused federal grant money for a lead abatement program.

“I think the answer is that the allegations were unfounded,” Commissioner Jim Curran said. “Anytime someone makes accusations against a county department — especially if it is a criminal matter — it needs to be investigated. I think they (the health department) did a good and thorough job responding to the accusations and I am glad they weren’t involved in anything like that.”

The situation arose at a September county commissioners meeting when Benton Harbor City Commissioner Duane Seats accused the health department of misusing $2 million in grant money .

The grant money was for a 2010 lead abatement program designed to reduce the risk of children coming into contact with lead in Berrien County homes. One-hundred and twenty four homes, mostly in Benton Harbor, were selected by the health department for lead remediation work.

Seats alleged that some of the work was done at vacant lots.

A subsequent investigation found that Seats had based his claims using addresses from the wrong list of homes.

Health department officials photographed each home where the lead work was done, showing that the homes all exist.

“The charges are completely and utterly false,” said Rick Johansen, medical director of the health department.

After Seats made his accusations, the county commissioners asked for letters from any residents who knew of problems with the program.

County Administrator Bill Wolf said the commissioners received two anonymous letters, which were forwarded to the health department for follow up.

“In regards to the allegations, they were proven to be totally erroneous based on the wrong list,” Wolf said.