In Lucas County every penny counts and Communist County Commissioner Pete Gerken is wasting our tax dollars that could have been used to pay for county roads, sheriffs or safety. Instead he is denying $70,000 to fit his personal politics! This is crazy, if Pete Gerken feels that way let him pay that money back to us himself!
Demand Pete Gerken to Pay back $70,000 I.C.E. Grant he lost for Lucas County!
We The People DEMAND Pete Gerken pay us back the money HE lost!
To: Lucas County Residents, Taxpayers, and Elected Officials
We, the undersigned citizens of Lucas County, stand united in calling for County Commissioner Pete Gerken to be held financially accountable for the loss of approximately $70,000 in federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / ICE grant funding that would have directly benefited public safety in Lucas County.
Background
In late 2025, Lucas County unanimously accepted a federal DHS grant (Operation Stonegarden) worth roughly $70,000, intended to support law enforcement patrols and safety efforts in western Lucas County at no cost to taxpayers.
On January 13, 2026, Commissioner Pete Gerken, along with another commissioner, voted to rescind the grant entirely, rejecting the funding after publicly comparing ICE and Border Patrol to a “terrorist group.” This reckless political grandstanding resulted in the loss of real dollars meant to protect our community.
Why This Matters to Lucas County
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$70,000 in taxpayer-supported federal funding was thrown away
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Public safety resources were reduced for ideological reasons
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Lucas County’s credibility for future federal grants was damaged
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Local families and neighborhoods pay the price, not politicians
This was not symbolic money. This was real funding meant to help law enforcement do their jobs.
Accountability Matters
Elected officials are free to hold personal political opinions but they are not free to waste public resources without consequences.
If Potty Mouth Pete wants to curse I.C.E. and play politics, he can do it on his own time and with his own mouth! He owes the citizens of Lucas County $70,000!
Lucas County taxpayers should not foot the bill for ideological stunts!
Our Demands
We respectfully demand the following:
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Pete Gerken repay or otherwise make whole the $70,000 lost to Lucas County
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Full transparency into the decision-making process that led to rejecting the grant
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Safeguards to prevent future grant losses caused by political activism rather than public interest
Conclusion
This petition is not about party politics it’s about responsibility, public safety, and respect for taxpayers. When an elected official’s actions directly cost the county tens of thousands of dollars, accountability is required.
Lucas County deserves leadership that puts people before politics.
Sign this petition if you agree that Pete Gerken must repay the $70,000 lost ICE grant to Lucas County.
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