Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra delivers an important message to the community on the eve of national, state and local elections.
Read Hoekstra’s letter to the community below:
Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra (Supplied)
Dear Wyoming Public Schools Families and Community,
As we approach the upcoming national, state, and local elections, I want to highlight two important messages for our school community.
First and foremost, I encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote. This fundamental right is one of the most impactful ways we can shape our community, our state, and our nation. Voting not only allows us to have a voice in the decisions that affect us, but it also demonstrates to our children the value of civic engagement.
Secondly, as the election draws near and results unfold, it is vital that we, as a community, stay focused on our role as positive role models for our students. Regardless of the election’s outcome, our ongoing commitment must be to remain civil, respectful, and supportive of one another. Our actions and words will serve as powerful examples to our children on how to engage thoughtfully and constructively, even during challenging times.
Wyoming Public Schools is built on the strength of a supportive partnership between home and school. I am grateful for each of you and your dedication to fostering a positive environment for our students. Together, we can model the importance of kindness, empathy, and healthy discourse in all that we do.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support in helping us create a positive and respectful atmosphere within our schools and community.
Sincerely,
Craig Hoekstra
Superintendent
Wyoming Public Schools
WPS Superintendent Craig Hoekstra’s letter to the community (Courtesy, WPS)
The stadium will be designed as a multi-purpose, professional, high-performing venue driving economic growth and development in a vital urban district. It will become the home of professional soccer in West Michigan and also serve a broader community asset supporting youth, colleges and amateur clubs, according to the Grand Action 2.0 website. (Image Courtesy, Grand Action 2.0)
Kent County voters will have the opportunity to give the proposed new soccer stadium in downtown Grand Rapids an assist when they head to the polls on August 6.
Among the items on the ballot is a proposal to increase the tax rate for hotel rooms in Kent County. The current hotel tax rate for hotels and motels in Kent County is 5%. The proposal calls for a 3% raise in the hotel tax bringing it up to 8%. Combined with other state and local taxes, this would bring the total tax for a hotel room in Kent County to 18%.
The money raised from the increased hotel tax would be used for part of the construction costs of the proposed new downtown Grand Rapids soccer arena. The increased hotel tax revenue also will be used for improvements, enlargements, repairs and maintenance of existing stadiums, arenas and sports complexes downtown along with construction costs for any new projects including a possible new aquarium.
Stadium hinges on upcoming Aug. 6 vote
Passing the proposal to increase the hotel tax will be crucial in keeping the process of building a new soccer stadium in downtown Grand Rapids going.
“I’m not so sure we will have a soccer stadium and a soccer team coming in if this proposal fails,” said Josh Lunger, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. “Increasing the hotel tax is a big, big component of the funding for the new soccer stadium. This is a key part of it.”
Increasing the hotel tax will have ramifications that not only include the new soccer stadium.
“The new soccer stadium will have a huge impact on the community,” Lunger said. “It will create 100s of new jobs. The soccer stadium will keep the downtown area vibrant and growing. Passing the proposal will give the current generation an opportunity to leave their mark on the community like previous generations had the opportunity with the DeVos Convention Center and the VanAndel Arena.”
Proposed stadium planned near downtown YMCA and former Big Boy
The ball has already starting rolling on the proposed new soccer stadium. In March, the Grand Rapids City Planning Commission approved rezoning land for the stadium. The proposed stadium is planned to be built near Lake Michigan Drive and Winter Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids. This land is near the downtown YMCA and the former Big Boy restaurant.
A special land use request was submitted by Grand Action 2.0. Grand Action 2.0 is creating plans and securing funding for the stadium while the Grand Rapids Kent County Convention/Arena Authority will own and operate the new soccer stadium. Grand Action 2.0 is a not-for-profit economic development organization. Its primary mission is to identify downtown and adjacent neighborhood building and transformational capital-intensive projects, galvanize public opinion and support, leverage public/private investments and formulate and implement funding strategies including securing private sector funding in support of request for primary public sector funding.
$175 million estimated cost
The soccer stadium project is estimated to cost as much as $175 million, with $115 million in public money and a plan to raise $60 million from the private sector.
The stadium will be designed as a multi-purpose, professional, high-performing venue driving economic growth and development in a vital urban district. It will become the home of professional soccer in West Michigan and also serve a broader community asset supporting youth, colleges and amateur clubs.
The stadium will be flanked by an open plaza and space for pre-game gathering and easy entrance flow. It will include multi-levels of tiered seating, including suites, loge boxes, and options at various price points. It will have an open and active concourse that connects guests to the game.
The stadium site is intentionally embedded within a thriving urban network creating multi-season activation and use.
All this progress hinges on Kent County voters giving the okay to increase the hotel tax to provide funding for the project.
A major element that proponents of the hotel tax increase want the public to understand is that this proposal is not a millage.
“Not a millage … Not an increase in property taxes”
“This proposal just increases the hotel tax by 3%,” Lunger said. “It is not a millage. It is not an increase in property taxes. It is a small increase in the current motel/hotel tax paid in Kent County. This will not impact property taxes.”
The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) is also looking forward to the proposed 8,500-seat soccer stadium coming to fruition. The WMSC is already working with ASM Global to help formulate a booking policy for the new stadium.
The WMSC already puts on several regional tournaments in sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, softball, lacrosse, ice hockey, field hockey and rugby in the West Michigan area and is looking forward to the opportunity to host events at a new soccer stadium.
“It would be great to add a new facility to the downtown area to hold events at,” said Katy Tigchelaar, Vice President of Operations for the WMSC. “When people come to Grand Rapids who have never been here before they are blown away by what we have to offer. A new soccer stadium would be a great potential venue for us to bid on events to bring to Kent County.”
Kent County residents will have the opportunity to vote on several party nominations and millages in the Aug. 6 primary election.
On the ballot will be the renewal of the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage, which is funded by a 0.25 mill property tax increase. For example, the owner of a home valued at $300,000 will pay approximately $37.50 annually, or $3.13 per month.
If passed, the millage will run through 2030.
(Courtesy, FSK)
Think long-term investment
The Ready by Five millage is facilitated by First Steps Kent (FSK), an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to giving children access to the necessary policies, programs, and support systems to thrive and be developmentally on track when they start kindergarten, according to their website.
The economic impact of an early childhood millage can yield some results in the short-term, but long-term results are the true goal of the millage, according to Jennifer Headley-Nordman, President of First Steps Kent.
“Some of the research that we share is from economist James Heckman looking at longitudinal data,” said Headley-Nordman.
Results of the James Hekman study (Courtesy, FSK)
“If you make investments in early childhood later on when they are 18 and beyond, you begin to see improved graduation rates, lower incarceration, seeing individuals having better attainment in continued education or in the workforce.”
Ready by Five funds a wide range of early childhood programs, including services for expectant parents, play-and-learn groups, and intensive therapy for children grappling with behavioral health issues.
“For individual programs, returns can be anywhere from $3 to $7 for every $1 spent. You are getting more than double in return. If a child has additional needs and layers, services can return $12-$15,” said Headley-Nordman.
Pennies today can save thousands in the future
A child who receives help for early childhood delays at a young age can often overcome those delays more effectively than if they are addressed later in the school system.
“If you can remediate speech and language delays and improve fine motor skills when kids are young and eager to learn, they are less likely to need robust special education services that can be extremely expensive,” said Headley-Nordman.
Receiving help at an early age can save money in the future (Courtesy, FSK)
How the millage works
In order to receive funding through the Ready by Five millage, community programs are required to first submit data and receipts to FSK for review and approval.
“Our process is a reimbursement model,” Headley-Nordman said. “When organizations request funds, they spend their own money first, and then provide us receipts and evidence that they have spent money in accordance with how they said they would as part of the contract.”
2018 millage produces change
The Ready by Five millage was approved by Kent County voters in 2018, and its first class of kindergarteners have excelled due to that funding.
“We finally had a group of kids reach kindergarten, so we had a group of kids that received Ready by Five funds, and we are able to see there is positive momentum with the kids that did benefit from funding,” Headley-Nordman said.
Supporting the community
Some in Kent County may be hesitant to add more to their taxes, but Headley-Nordman urges them to think about the long-term benefits to the community when it comes to the Ready by Five millage.
Working together helps the entire community (Courtesy, FSK)
“Being able to share the cost of supporting programs and services that individuals in the community need for their children makes a lot of sense,” said Headley-Nordman. “If you look at this from an economic standpoint it allows those services to be low cost or free to everyone, not just for particular individuals that are benefiting from it.
“We all need help at one time or another. It’s who we are in Kent County. Kent County has a history that we all help each other out.”
First Steps Kent resources
FSK offers various resources and initiatives, and provides funding opportunities for early childhood programs and initiatives. FSK also seeks parent leaders to serve on its Resident Proposal Review Board.
Community members are encouraged to learn more about First Steps Kent, and sign up for updates, at firststepskent.org.
Learn more about the Ready by Five millage in this short WKTV Journal interview with Jennifer Headley-Nordman.
Incumbent Maurice H. Groce and candidate Lily Cheng-Schulting have advanced to the Nov. 7 general election for the Kentwood City Commission At-Large Seat.
Groce recieved 2,046 votes (48.11%), while Cheng-Schulting tallied 1,718 (40.40%). JaWhan A. Jackson (President of UAW Local 330) finished third with 479 votes (11.26%).
If a candidate received 50% of the vote, they would have secured the seat during the primary election. The overall turnout was 10.53% (4,267 votes).
Groce has been involved with the City of Kentwood since 2007, and a City Commissioner At-Large since getting appointed in 2018. (See his WKTV We the People video below.)
He is currently the academy liaison officer for the West Michigan Aviation Academy, and previously served as a vice president and branch manager for Mercantile Bank, and a financial planner for Prudential Financial.
Cheng-Schulting is the co-chair of the Kent County Progressive Caucus, vice chair of the Progressive Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party, and Founder and President of Disability A-TEAM of West Michigan. She’s also a Board Member At Large, Michigan Department of Education’s Special Education Advisory Committee. (See her WKTV We the People video below.)
The winner of this non-partisan Kentwood seat will serve a four-year term as commissioner At-Large.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
Along with the passage of the Wyoming Public Safety millage, districts in and around the cities of Wyoming and Kenwood also had positive outcomes on individual ballot proposals.
Kelloggsville Public Schools – non-residential operating millage
Kelloggsville Public Schools, which is in both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, was seeking a renewal of its non-residential (non-homestead) operating millage, would generates about $3.7 million or 13% of the district’s annual operating budget. The request was renewed for two more years with 544 to 340 in favor.
Kelloggsville Public Schools’ non-residential millage request was approved by voters for another two years.(WKTV)
“On behalf of the Board of Education, Kelloggsville Administration, and all of our staff members, we sincerely thank you for supporting this millage,” said Kelloggsville Assistant Superintendent Eric Alcorn to a letter to the community. “Your support demonstrates a commitment to our schools and the education of our students. We are fortunate to have such dedicated staff and community members who value education and understand the importance of investing in our schools.”
The money will be used for the day-to-day operations of the Kelloggsville schools such as staffing costs, instructional programs, instructional materials, transport and maintenance.
Grandville Public Schools – non-residential operating millage
Grandville Public Schools, which includes the Wyoming panhandle, also was seeking a renewal of its non-residential (non-homestead) operating millages. The proposal was for the 18-mills on non-homestead property plus one additional mlll, for a total of 19 mills, for four years.
GPS has had a “Headlee Rollback” for the past seven years, with its millage now 16.8 mills. The additional mill will offset up to one mill of Headlee Rollback and make up the different over the four years to keep the district as close to 18 mills as possible.
The proposal passed 3,422 to 2,112.
Caledonia Community Schools – supplement bond proposal
Caledonia Community Schools’ supplemental bond proposal for $61 million pasted by a small margin, 2,790 to 2,715. The funding will be used to complete the 2020 vision that voters approved a bond issue on in that same year. Due to construction costs, the district needed to seek the supplemental bond issue.
The funding will be used for construction of a new Dutton Elementary, football stadium renovations, repairing roofs, upgrading parking lots, and providing parking and youth athletic fields at Calplex.
“We want to thank the voters in our community for supporting this bond proposal,” said Dr. Dedrick Martin, superintendent of Caledonia Community Schools. “Our continued investment in our schools will help Caledonia stay competitive and enable our students to receive real-world, hands-on experiences in upgraded facilities so they can better compete in the global marketplace.”
The Caledonia School Bond, which is located south of the City of Kentwood, will not raise tax rates for residents. It is a fiscally responsible investment in which all funds will be available on CCS’ website to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently. All bond funds will be subject to regular independent audits to promote accountability and the best fiscal practices.
With Wyoming City Councilmember John Fitzgerald securing a state House of Representatives seat in the 2022 elections, it means there will be three new faces on the Wyoming City Council.
Fitzgerald, the Democratic candidate for the 83rd District, received 15,318 votes with Republican candidate Lisa DeKryger receiving 12,963 votes. He will be vacating his seat on the Wyoming City Council in order to fulfill his role as the 83rd District House Representative.
One of the tasks for the new Wyoming City Council, which will take office later this year, will be appointing a person to fill Fitzgerald’s seat.
At the November 2022 elections, residents did fill two vacant council member at-large seats and the first ward seat on the Wyoming City Council. Councilmember Sheldon DeKruger ran unopposed for the first ward seat. Three candidates sought the two council at-large seats. The top two vote getters for the race were Dr. Renee Hill, 12,045 votes, and Rob Arnoys, 10,462 votes. The third candidate, Robert Kilgo, received 8,600 votes.
US House of Representatives 3rd District
As predicted by many, Kent County flipped blue as Democratic candidate Hilary Scholten was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives Third District seat. She was about 40,000 votes ahead of the next candidate, which was Republican John Gibbs. For full election results, click here.
State House and Senate races
John Fitzgerald and who wife Kellie after voting in Tuesday’s midterms. (Courtesy, John Fitzgerald)
For the 29th State Senate Senate, which included both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Democratic incumbent Winnie Brinks secured she would be returning to Lansing with 59,400 votes. Republican candidate Tommy Brann received 39,115 votes.
In the state House of Representative races, Democratic candidate Phil Skaggs with 23,762 votes secured the 80th District seat over Republican Jeff Johnson, who received 18,441. The district includes all of the City of Kentwood.
In the 82nd District, which includes an eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, Democratic candidate Kristin Grant took the seat with 23,972 votes to Republican candidate Ryan Malinoski’s 7,945 votes.
As mentioned earlier in this article, Fitzgerald won the 83rd District seat, which covers most of Wyoming, with 15,318 votes to Republican candidate Lisa DeKryger’s 12,963 votes.
Kent County races
In the Kent County Commission races, all of the incumbents took back their seats:
7th District, which covers most of the City of Grandville and a portion of the City of Wyoming: Republican incumbent Stan Ponstein received 7,312 to Democratic challenger Sue Merrell’s 6,053.
8th District, which covers a portion of the City of Wyoming: Republican incumbent Dan Burrill received 7,383 votes to Democratic challenger Jennie Chatman’s 5,994.
9th District, which includes a southern portion of the City of Wyoming: Republican incumbent Matt Kallman received 9,801 votes to Democratic challenger Chip LaFleur’s 4,664.
10th District, which includes a southern portion of the City of Kentwood: Republican incumbent Emily Post Brieve received 7,977 votes to Democratic challenger Julie Humphrey’s 5,230.
12th District, which includes both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood: Democratic incumbent Moncia Sparks received 6,037 votes to Republican challenger Lee White’s 4,034.
13th District, which covers a large portion of the City of Kentood: Democratic incumbent Michelle McCloud received 7,054 votes to Republican challenger Tom McKelvy’s 4,769.
In the newly created 20th District which includes the northern portion of the City of Wyoming (mostly the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district), Democratic candidate Ivan Diaz will be the first to hold the seat as he received 3,565 votes to Republican candidate Elisa Rodriguez’s 1,977 votes.
School Boards of Education
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools: Josephine Coleman and Lynn D. Velthouse ran unopposed for two six-year terms on the school board.
Godwin Heights Public Schools: There were four candidates seeking two six-year terms on the board. The top vote getters were Kathy Crow DeYoung, 1,367 votes, and Megan Erskine, 1,048 votes. Colleen Anderson was the only candidate seeking one of the two partial terms that will end on Dec. 31, 2024. The board will fill the remaining position.
Grandville Public Schools: There were five candidates seeking two six-year terms. The top vote getters were Bob Wondergem, 6,203 votes, and Trent Joseph Taylor, 5884 votes.
Kelloggsville Public Schools: Crystal Reidzas and Gladys Townsend ran unopposed for two six-year term seats.
Kentwood Public Schools: There were four candidates seeking three four-year term seats. The top vote getters were Sylvia A. James, 12,917 votes; Kim Taboada-Arzate, 9,505 votes; and Pete Battey, 9,404 votes. Tanya Powell-May was running unopposed for the two-year term seat.
Wyoming Public Schools: Jeff Norton and Audrey L. Zapata. Norton ran unopposed for the two six-year term seats. Two candidates were running for the four-year seat ending in 2026 with Lisa Manley taking the seat with 6,330 votes.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 8. (Pxhere.com)
In only a few days, the mid-term elections will be taking place which means many residents will be heading to the polls.
For those heading to the polls to vote in-person, Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic reminds them that the state went though a redistricting. Some residents’ precincts or voting locations might have changed for that reason. Residents should have received a new voter information card from their municipality earlier this year.
Voters should review their voter card to make sure they are heading to the right voting location, Kasunic said.
Voters do not need their voter card to vote. The resident must be registered to vote. If a voter has a photo ID, such as a state ID or driver’s license, he/she should bring it with him/her. Those who do not have such an ID will sign the affidavit on the back of the application to vote.
The election worker will verify your information matches the details in the e-pollbook. Once verified, the voter will be issues a ballot.
On the City of Wyoming’s website, it does state that residents should leave any political material at home. This would include political hats, shirts, masks, or brochures. These items are considered campaigning and it is illegal within 100 feet of the precinct location.
Poll locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on day of the election, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Absentee Voting
It is past the time to get an absentee ballot in the mail. Residents may come to a city clerk’s office to get an absentee ballot. Registered voters have up until 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, to request an absentee ballot.
All absentee ballots must be returned to the person’s municipality by 8 p.m . Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Kasunic noted that those planning to mail their absentee ballot should have done so by Oct. 31. At this time, voters should hand-deliver their absentee ballot to the clerk’s office at the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during regular business hours or use the 24-hour drop boxes located at city hall and the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 44th St. SE.
Wyoming residents can also hand-deliver an absentee ballot to the clerk’s office at Wyoming City Hall 155 28th St. SW., or use Wyoming’s 24-hour drop off box also located at city hall.
Due to the 2018 changes in voting, residents are able to register to vote up to and on the day of election. In order to vote in a Michigan election, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen
18-years-old when you vote
Be a resident of Michigan when you register
Be a resident of the city or township for at least 30 days when you vote
Not currently be serving a sentence in jail or prison.
Residents registering to vote must bring proof of residency
Those registering on the day of the election may either get an absentee ballot and vote at the clerk’s office or drive to their designated polling location to vote.
Only those residents registering to vote or changing their address may request and receive an absentee ballot on the day of election.
Both clerk offices will be open Saturday
Both the Wyoming and Kentwood clerk offices will be open this Saturday to help with voting and absentee ballots.
The Kentwood city clerk’s office will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 pm. Saturday. Otherwise the Kentwood clerk’s office is open 7:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays; and 7:30 a.m. to noon Fridays.
The Wyoming city clerk’s office also will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The regular hours for the Wyoming clerk’s office is 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday and closed on Friday.
Both clerk offices will be open until 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
LANSING – When Gerald Ford became president in 1974, the nation was in agony.
His predecessor, Richard Nixon, had resigned from the Oval Office rather than face certain impeachment by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The previous year, the last American combat troops had withdrawn from Vietnam amid intense anti-war protests, dwindling trust in the federal government and the subsequent collapse of the corruption-riddled regime of U.S. ally South Vietnam.
Cover of “Clash: Presidents and the Press in Times of Crisis.” (Courtesy, Potomac Books)
Ford, the quiet Republican vice president from Grand Rapids, faced the challenge of helping the nation heal from the anguish of White House corruption and the trauma of a deeply unpopular war.
His first official act was to pardon Nixon, a decision that political analysts say doomed his chances of winning the presidency in his own right in 1976.
After that, Ford’s tenure in the White House was unspectacular as he wrestled with problems that are familiar to Americans today, such as high inflation, recession and international conflicts in Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere.
He endured no crises that rose to the level of creating major conflict with journalists and news organizations, unlike what the nation witnessed with presidents Donald Trump, Nixon and several others.
And thus Ford – the only president to come from Michigan – received only two brief references in Northwestern University journalism professor Jon Marshall’s new book, “Clash: Presidents and the Press in Times of Crisis” (Potomac Books, $36.95).
Bill Ballenger, the publisher of the political newsletter “Ballenger Report” and a former Republican state legislator, observed, “Generally speaking, I thought the press did a pretty good job covering Ford.”
“He wasn’t a polarizing personality by any means,” Ballenger said.
Ford had built good will with the press during his years as minority leader of the U.S. House, Ballenger said, and his selection as vice president was well received by the press.
“Ford had good connections in the traditional Washington press corps,” Ballenger said, and that’s where he turned to staff his press office rather than picking public relations practitioners or people who “were not really journalists, like you’ve seen in recent years.”
As president, he drew on veteran Michigan reporters, starting with Detroit News chief Washington correspondent Jerry terHorst, whom Ballenger described as “a big hitter in Michigan journalistic coverage.”
But a month later, terHorst, who also was from Grand Rapids, quit in protest of the Nixon pardon.
Ford then hired Detroiter Jack Hushen, also from the Detroit News, as deputy press secretary.
Ford’s approach to press relations contrasts vividly with Trump’s.
As Marshall wrote in the new book, “Through his presidency, Trump encouraged hostility toward journalists. He called them ‘dishonest,’ ‘disgusting’ and an ‘enemy of the people.’’
“He referred to negative but accurate stories about him as ‘fake news,’” Marshall wrote.
Relations between reporters and other presidents have been ragged as well, to say the least.
John Adams, for example, sent editors to jail, Abraham Lincoln let critical newspapers be closed and Woodrow Wilson used “misleading propaganda” to advocate going to war.
Nixon directed his first vice president – the convicted felon-to-be Spiro Agnew – to skewer the press as a “treacherous enemy.”
Gerald Ford of Grand Rapids is the only president from Michigan. (Courtesy, whitehouse.gov)
Bill Clinton’s clashes centered on his sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinski and Whitewater, the scandal involving his investments and financial dealings.
Marshall also detailed crisis-linked conflicts between the press and presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
What does it all mean?
Marshall wrote, “Since the founding of the United States, the relationship between presidents and the press has been inspiring and troubling, fragile and durable, pivotal and dysfunctional, often all at the same time.”
In Marshall’s view, “Although sometimes sloppy, partisan and sensationalistic, journalists have often courageously served the public while covering presidents despite formidable forces trying to stop them.”
And he warned of trouble signals for future Oval Office accountability to the citizenry.
“The truth about presidents may now be harder to know,” according to Marshall. “The declining economic health of the news business has weakened its ability to hold presidents accountable.”
Eric Freedman is the director of Capital News Service and a journalism professor at Michigan State University.
During the mid-term elections, every school district within Kent County has board positions that will be up for election.
School board positions are non-partisan with terms either being four or six years. Several of the districts in the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming have partial term seats open as well. This means that a former board member had to leave their seat before his/her term has expired.
Both Godwin Heights and Kelloggsville each have a partial term seat that has no candidates running. In those cases, the district’s school board may appoint someone to fill the seat after the election, usually after Dec. 31 when the seat has expired. School boards have 30 days to fill an open seat.
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools
The Godfrey Lee Public Schools has two candidates running unopposed for two six-year terms on its board of education. The candidates are Josephine Coleman and Lynn D. Velthouse. Both currently are on the board. Velthouse is serving as treasurer and Coleman is a trustee.
Godwin Heights Public Schools
In the Godwin Heights Public School district, there are four candidates seeking two six-year terms for the district’s board of education. Those candidates are Adam Burley, Kathy Crow DeYoung, Megan Erskine, and Lee Ann Platschorre. Burley and DeYoung were appointed to the board in 2021. Platschorre is currently serving as vice president and has been on the board since 1991.
Colleen Anderson is the only candidate seeking one of the two partial terms that end on Dec. 31, 2024. Anderson was appointed to the board to the board this year.
Grandville Public Schools
The Grandville Public Schools district area includes those living in Wyoming’s panhandle. In that district, there are five candidates seeking two six-year term seats. Those candidates are Erica Abel, Joe Steffes, Trent Joseph Taylor, Bob Wondergem, and Cameron Zbikowki.
Abel is a a teacher at Byron Center Public Schools and is a third generation Grandville graduate.
Steffes is a retired lieutenant from the Wyoming Police Department. He has had two children who graduated from Grandville Public Schools and has two children currently in the district.
Taylor is a 1989 graduate of Grandville High School and is a partner at Miller Canfield. Taylor has had one child graduate from Grandville in 2022 and has two in the high school.
Wondergem is the only incumbent running, having been on the board for 21 years. He has two children who have graduated from Grandville Public Schools.
Zbikowski is a 2004 Grandville graduate and a graduate of Grand Valley State University, He is currently studying for a his masters in public administration at GVSU and has served as a substitute teacher in Grandville Public Schools.
For more on the Grandville Public School Board candidates, click here.
Kelloggsville Public Schools
The Kelloggsville Public Schools has two candidates running unopposed for two six-year term seats and no one officially is listed for a partial term that ends in four years on Dec. 31, 2026.
The two candidates seeking the two six-year term seats are Crystal Reidzas and Gladys Townsend. Both Reidzans and Townsend are on the board serving as trustees.
Kentwood Public Schools
For the Kentwood Public Schools, there are three four-year term seats and one two-year term seat that ends on Dec. 31, 2024.
Four candidates are seeking the three four-year term seats. Those candidates are Pete Battey, Sylvia A. James, James Lewis Jr. and Kim Taboada-Arzate.
Battey is currently serving on the board as the treasurer. He is the director of resident engineering at Steelcase and has two children in Kentwood Public Schools.
James is currently on the board serving as a trustee. She is a senior human resources manager and has two children who have graduated from Kentwood Public Schools.
Website: None
Lewis is currently on the board serving as a trustee. He is in retail management and has one child attending Kentwood Public Schools.
Website: None
Taboada-Arzate is a life-long Kentwood resident and graduate of East Kentwood High School. She is a community advocate and caregiver who is the parent of four Kentwood Public School graduates.
Tanya Powell-May is running unopposed for the two-year term seat.
Wyoming Public Schools
For the Wyoming Pubic Schools, there are two seats for a six-year term and one seat to finish an existing term that ends on Dec. 31, 2026.
There are only two candidates running for the two open six-year term positions. Those candidates are Jeff Norton and Audrey L. Zapata. Norton is currently serving on the board as the secretary and Zapata is also serving on the board as a trustee.
Two candidates are running for the four-year seat ending in 2026. Those candidates are Andrew Hanselman and Lisa Manley.
For the November election, City of Wyoming residents will be voting on five Kent County Commission seats while the residents of the City of Kentwood will be voting on three.
There are a total of 21 commission seats, all of which are up for election this year. All the seats are for two-year terms with the four-year rotation set to start in 2024. Through the redistricting, two new districts have been added to the board, increasing the total number of districts from 19 to 21.
The new districts are District 20, which was designed to represent the Hispanic community and encompasses the northern portion of the City of Wyoming (the Godfrey Lee Public School district) and a southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids. The other district, District 21, covers the southeast corner of the county include the Village of Caledonia up past the Gerald R. Ford International Airport into Cascade Charter Township.
All candidates running for county commission seats in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood were given the opportunity to do a We the People, where candidates may share why they decided to run, a little about themselves, and the issues the candidate feels are important.
All votes, in-person and absentee, must be cast by Nov. 8. Absentee votes must be received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 8. Those voting in-person at the polls have from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to cast their vote. Remember to check your voter card or contact your local clerks office for you precinct since redistricting may have changed where you vote.
7th District Kent County Commission Seat
The 7th District encompasses most of the City of Grandville and a portion of the City of Wyoming with Burlingame Avenue, south of 28th Street is the eastern border and Wyoming Avenue, north of 28th Street, the eastern border. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Stan Ponstein (R) is facing first-time candidate Sue Merrell, (D).
Stan Ponstein
Ponstein has been on the Kent County Board of Commissioners since 2008 and was recently elected to serve as president of the board of Michigan Association of Counties. He works for Costco.
The 8th District is contained in the City of Wyoming and includes the area between Burlingame and Clyde Park avenues south of 28th Street as well as the city’s panhandle area. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Dan Burrill (R) is running for his second term on the Kent County Commission. He is facing challenger Jennie Chatman (D).
Dan Burrill
Before joining the Board of Kent County Commissioners, Burrill served on the Wyoming City Council. His occupation is a residential real estate and builder.
Chatman is the chair of the Michigan State Union Label & Services Trade Council.
Website: There is none.
9th District Kent County Commission Seat
The 9th District covers all of Byron Township and includes a section of the City of Wyoming between Clyde Park and Division avenues up to about Resurrection Life Cemetery, located north of 44th Street. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Matt Kallman (R) is facing challenger Chip LaFleur (D).
Matt Kallman (R)
Kallman is the vice president of a Software Products at Compliance Systems, Inc.
Through redistrict, the 10th District is all of Gaines Township and a portion of the City of Kentwood that is bordered by Division Avenue to the west, Eastern Avenue to the east and 56th Street to the north. For a map of the district, click here.
Running for the seat is incumbent Emily Post Brieve (R). She is facing first-time challenge Julie Humphreys (D).
Emily Post Brieve (R)
Brieve has been on the Kent County Board of Commissioners since 2014 and currently serves as vice chair. She currently helps manage her family’s small business, FastoolNow.com.
The 12th District encompasses a portion of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, which is mostly the Godwin Pubic Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Monica Sparks (D) is seeking her third term on the board. She faces challenger Lee White (R).
Monica Sparks (D)
Occupation: Small business owner
Why did you decide to run for this seat? I love my community and I am not running to just sit in an office, however, I am running to continue as a servant leader; making sure all people living in Kent County have access to quality services and opportunities for a optimal future. I will continue to advocate for Veterans, Seniors, Children, Families and Individuals that live, work or play in Kent County.
What are a couple of issues you would want to address if elected? If elected by the people, I will continue as a servant leader to make sure the people that live work and play in Kent county have a quality of life and access to resources to reach their full potential with opportunities and resources everyone can access.I will continue to advocate for Veterans, Seniors, Children, Families and Individuals that live, work or play in Kent County. My priorities as a Kent County Commission are Mental Health care, Veterans and Senior Services and Early Childhood Readiness, Foster care and Adoption as well as Agriculture / Food Security for the future.
Lee White is a graduate of East Kentwood high School and has served many community organizations such as SKRA baseball, Wyoming, Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Michigan Jaycess and the West Michigan Veterans Branch.
The 13th District covers most of the City of Kentwood except for Districts 10 and 12 cover. For a map of the district, click here.
Incumbent Michelle McCloud (D) is seeking her second term on the board. She faces challenger Tom McKelvy (R).
Michelle McCloud
McCloud is an assistant dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University and has volunteered with hospice, Meals-on-Wheels and on the board of directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kent County.
Why did you decide to run for this seat? This was an opportunity to continue to serve the residents of Kentwood and to make sure their voice is heard at the county level. I believe that the role of a leader is to amplify the voices of the citizens and to find ways to empower them to improve their communities and their lives. I’m running to ensure that government isn’t the answer to the problems, but a resource to empower and support the residents of our communities.
What are a couple of issues you would want to address if elected? There needs to be a focus county-wide on improving safety in our communities. We need the leaders at the Kent County Commission to mobilize community leaders, citizens, and organizations to work in unison to address the increase in crime that all of us are witnessing. I also want to see a focus on long-term strategies that will prepare our young adults to be ready for the jobs of the future so that Kent County stays attractive to our youth for decades to come.
The 20th District is a brand new commission seat. It covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming and a southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids. For a map of the district, click here.
The candidates are Ivan Diaz (D) and Eliza Rodriguez (R).
Ivan Diaz (D)
Diaz is a Grand Valley State University student who is from the Roosevelt Park neighborhood, which is represented by District 20.
The cities of Wyoming and Kentwood will join the cities of Grandville, East Grand Rapids, and the southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids in selecting the next 29th District State Senator.
Running for the seat is incumbent Winnie Brinks (D) and current State Rep. Tommy Brann (R).
Note: All candidates who are running in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood were invited to participate in the We the People videos, where candidates may talk about why they decided to run and the issues they want to address.
Tommy Brann (R)
Occupation: The current 77th State Representative, Brann has been a restaurant owner, Brann’s Steakhouse, for more than 50 years.
Why did you decide to run for this seat?
I decided to run because as an owner of a blue collar restaurant, I see and feel the struggles of my employees, customers, and neighbors. I want to address those struggles as your next state senator. I am good at this job. As a small business owner and a legislator, I know how to bring people together to solve the big problems we are facing. I know our district, I’ve lived and worked here my entire life. I know our values and I want to preserve and protect our way of life here in West Michigan.
What are a couple of issues you would want to address if elected?
I would like to address inflation, public safety, and the state budget. I know what it takes to manage a budget having done so for 51 years at my restaurant. As a state legislator for six years, I’ve managed that state budget being responsible with YOUR tax dollars. The state budget has a $5 billion surplus, the government is living too well. With rising costs, people need relief. I support measures to lower the income tax, increase the Earned Income Tax Credit, and suspend the gas tax. I also support fully funding the men and women of law enforcement. The nation is experiencing a crime wave. We need to defend our police and equip them with the training and resources needed to keep our communities safe.
Brinks has served in the state senate since 2018. Before that she, she served in the state House of Representatives for six years. She is graduate of Calvin College (now Calvin University), where she earned a bachelor’s in Spanish with a concentration in sociology. Before joining the state house, she was a caseworker for The Source, a non-profit employee support organization based in the City of Wyoming.
Wyoming City Council Member Kent Vanderwood was elected the city’s next mayor during the Aug. 2 primary election. Vanderwood received 56 percent of the casted votes. (Supplied)
At this week’s primary election, Wyoming voters determined the city’s next mayor, Kent Vanderwood.
“Normally in a primary, there is usually a narrowing of the number down for candidates but in our city charter there is a little asterisk to this in that if a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, they automatically win the seat,” said Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg.
Vanderwood took 56 percent of the casted votes in Aug. 2 primary, receiving 5,635 votes. Current mayor pro tem and candidate Sam Bolt received 3,033 votes and newcomer Cliff Tompkins had 1,144 votes.
Vanderwood, who current serves as a council member, said he was pleased with the results of the primary and sees this as an opportunity to prepare for the role of mayor.
“This gives me a lot of time to prepare as I will be able to meet with the current mayor, city staff, the city manager,” he said. “It gives me an opportunity to get oriented to the mayor duties.”
VandenBerg said turnout for the primary was about 22 percent of the city’s registered voters which was what her office was expecting.
“What was a surprise is that in the past we have seen more absentee ballots in an election and this year it was much more balanced,” she said.
For the Nov. 8 general election, Wyoming residents will be deciding between three candidates to fill two council member at-large seats, which are four-year terms. Those candidates are Rob Arnoys, Renee Hill and Robert Kilgo. Sheldon DeKryger is running unopposed for the first ward council seat.
VandenBerg said the elected officials, including mayor elect Vandenwood, would take office in the beginning of December.
Meijer loses to Gibbs
In the 3rd District U.S. House of Representatives, current Congressman Peter Meijer lost his bid for the Republican nomination which went to newcomer John Gibbs. Gibbs had 36,527 votes to Meijer’s 35,395 votes. Gibbs will face Democratic nominee Hillary Scholten in the Nov. 8 general election for the seat.
State House races
For the 80th District State House of Representatives, Democratic Phil Skaggs edged out Lily Chong-Schulting, 5,202 to 4,626 for the Democratic nomination. Skaggs will face Republican nominee Jeffrey Johnson in November.
For the 82nd District State House of Representatives, candidate Kristian Grant had the most votes, 3,884, in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination. Also seeking the nominations were Robert Womack, who received 3,821, and Salim Mohammed Al-Shatel, who received 1,301.
The Republican nomination for the 82nd District was between two candidates, Ryan Malinoski and William Alexander. Malinowski beat out Alexander, 2,640 to 1,527.
Malinowski and Grant will now face each other for the 82nd District House seat in the Nov. 8 general election.
In the 83rd District State House of Representatives, current Wyoming Councilmember John Fitzgerald won the Democratic nomination with 2,567 to Jose Flores’ 2,037 votes. Fitzgerald will now face Republican candidate Lisa DeKryger for the season in the November election.
Kent County Commission races
Current 10th District Kent County Commissioner Emily Post Brieve won the Republican nomination with 2,615 votes over her challenger Bill Hirsch, who received 2,127 votes. Brieve will face Democratic challenger Julie Humphrey in November.
In the 12th District Kent County Commission seat, Lee White won the Republican nomination with 1,135 votes over candidate Adam R. Palaces, who had 959 votes. Lee faces current commissioner and Democratic candidate Monica Sparks in November.
Tom McKelvy took the Republican nomination for the 13th District Kent County Commission seat. McKelvy has 1,591 votes to candidate Nick Prill’s 1,169. McKelvy will face Democratic candidate and current commissioner Michelle McCloud in the Nov. 8 general election.
Kentwood voters approved funding to improve the City’s parks, trails and recreational facilities and programming in the primary election Tuesday.
By WKTV Staff
Kentwood voters approved a permanent dedicated millage that will provide funding to improve the City’s parks, trails and recreational facilities and programming in the primary election Tuesday.
The measure passed with 6,005 yes votes, compared to 3,495 no votes (unofficial results).
Will generate approximately $2.3 million first year
The millage will be levied starting July 1, 2023, and is expected to generate approximately $2.3 million in the first year. In addition to the millage funds, the City will contribute up to $22 million through public and private sources for park, trail and recreation improvements outlined in its investment plan.
City leaders and staff will immediately begin planning projects based on the following tentative timeline:
All parks will receive improvements to address the most immediate needs within the first five years, with all remaining improvements completed within 10 years.
Trail improvements and construction planning will be prioritized in the first year, followed by ongoing trail repairs and expansion to enhance the trails for all users.
Construction of park amenities and a multigenerational community recreation center on the City campus will begin in the second year.
“Kentwood residents have spoken through this ballot proposal to invest in our parks, trails and recreation,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “We will ensure this millage will provide dedicated funding for needed repairs today and improvements, operations and maintenance of these invaluable amenities and services for generations to come.”
Kellogg Woods Park improvements will include restrooms, softball/baseball field, new sports fields, lighting and landscaping. (Courtesy)
The millage was recommended by parks advisory committees that included residents and other stakeholders, as well as extensive community engagement and an in-depth review of the City’s current parks, trails and programming, its projected growth and community needs.
The millage will support Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades and a variety of other improvements and developments, including:
Bowen Station Park: Restroom, playground equipment, signage, landscaping and other amenities.
Burgis Park: Trail and sidewalk improvements and a new drinking fountain.
City campus: Splash pad, playground, plaza, shelters, stage, event lawn, parking, restrooms and other amenities, transforming the area around City Hall into a community gathering space.
Community recreation center: Approximately 50,000 square feet of year-round indoor and multigenerational programming and recreation space on the City campus.
Covenant Park Phase 1: Trails, sports fields, event lawn, lighting and infrastructure to support future phases.
East Paris Nature Park: Trail improvements, signage and other amenities.
Home Acres Park: Skate park improvements, shade shelters, lighting, signage, landscaping and other amenities.
Jaycee Park: New restroom/program building, additional parking, disc golf improvements and other amenities.
Kellogg Woods Park: Restrooms, softball/baseball field improvements, new sports fields, lighting and landscaping.
Northeast Park: Restrooms, playground, splash pad, landscaping and other amenities.
Old Farm Park: Parking improvements, playground, shelter and other amenities.
Paris Park: Trail improvements and signage.
Pinewood Park: Splash pad improvements, pickleball courts, a new restroom, shade shelters, landscaping and other amenities.
Rondo Street Station Park: Playground, bicycle rack and repair center, signage, landscaping and other amenities.
Stanaback Park: Playground, parking improvements, signage, pickleball courts, landscaping and other amenities.
Stauffer Station Park: Kiosk, bicycle rack and repair center, signage, lighting, landscaping and other amenities.
Summerwood Park: Playground and landscaping.
Trails: Repairs, replacement and new connections.
Veterans Memorial Park: Shelter, additional parking and other amenities.
Updates on the construction process will be shared on the City’s website, social media pages and in its monthly eNewsletter.
Kentwood is home to 15 parks that cover more than 400 acres and more than 13 miles of non-motorized trails that are used year-round by residents and visitors. Numerous community events and more than 700 recreational programs are offered annually for people of all ages and abilities through the Parks and Recreation Department in the Kentwood Activities Center, on City campus and other locations.
More information about the Parks and Recreation Department is available at kentwood.us/parks.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
Through redistricting, there have been some changes for residents in both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming as they head to the polls for the primary vote.
All votes, in-person and absentee, must be cast by Aug. 2. Absentee votes must be received by 8 p.m. on Aug. 2. Those voting at the polls have from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to cast their vote. Remember to check your new voter card or contact your local clerk’s office for your precinct since redistricting may have changed where you vote.
A primary is when voters can indicate their preference for their party’s candidate. Therefore, a voter may only vote on either the Republican ticket or the Democratic ticket. A ballot where a voter has voted in both parties may be thrown out.
For the Kent County Commission, all the commission seats are up for re-election this year. The seats will be four-year terms.
In WKTV’s We the People, we only reach out to candidates who are running opposed for their party’s nomination. Out of the seven Kent County Commission seats representing the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, only three had more than one candidate running for a party nomination.
Note: In its We the People videos, WKTV invites all candidates to share why they decided to run and the issues the candidate feels are important. Below, are the candidates who participated.
10th District Kent County Commission Seat
Through redistricting, the 10th District is all of Gaines Township and a portion of the City of Kentwood that is bordered by Division Avenue to the west, Eastern Avenue to the east and 56th Street to the north.
Incumbent Emily Post Brieve is facing challenger Bill Hirsch for the Republican nomination for the 10th District.
Emily Post Brieve has been serving on the Kent County Commission since 2014.
Bill Hirsch is a longtime Kent County resident and farmer. He has served on the Kent County Commission in the past.
12th District Kent County Commission Seat
The 12th District encompasses a portion of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood. For a map of the district, click here.
Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination: Adam R. Palasek and Lee White.
Adam R. Palasek had no online platform.
Lee White is a graduate of East Kentwood High School and has served many community organizations such SKRA baseball, Wyoming, Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Michigan Jaycees and the West Michigan Veterans Branch.
13th District Kent County Commission Seat
The 13th District covers the remaining portion of the City of Kentwood. For a map of the district, click here.
The two candidates seeking the Republican nomination are Thomas McKelvey and Nick Prill.
Thomas McKelvey has lived in the City of Kentwood for 32 years. He is an educator and small business owner and a former Kentwood City Commissioner.
With less than two weeks remaining until the statewide primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 2, Michigan voters who have not returned their absentee ballot are encouraged to hand deliver it to a local drop box or their clerk’s office to avoid postal delays.
The City of Wyoming drop box (and usually drive-up) for absentee ballots. (WKTV)
“Drop boxes continue to be among the safe options that voters have to return their ballot securely this year, in addition to hand-delivering their ballot to their clerk’s office, voting early at their clerk’s office, or voting at their polling place on Election Day,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
Eligible residents who have not yet registered to vote can do so in person at their city or township clerk’s office now through 8 p.m. on Election Day. They also can request and submit an absentee ballot at the clerk’s office in the same trip. Citizens who still need to register must do so in person at their clerk’s office if they wish to vote in the August primary, as online and mail registration is not permitted within 14 days of an election.
Voters can check the status of their absentee application or ballot online at Michigan.gov/Vote or by contacting their local election clerk. Voters who already received an absentee ballot should complete it, sign the envelope and mail it or drop it off at their clerk’s office or drop box as soon as possible.
Citizens also can vote in person at their polling place on Election Day, Aug. 2. Polls will be open 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
City of Wyoming
City of Wyoming Clerk Kelli VandenBerg said the city has about 5,700 registered voters and her office is working to do the best to serve all of them for the election.
For absentee ballots, her office has seen an increase since the change was made in 2018. For elections, the city is seeing about 62 percent absentee ballots with about 38 percent voting in-person.
VandenBerg said the city has mailed out about 6,000 ballots with 2,400 having been returned.
“While right now mail is feeling OK, but as we get closer to election day, I will be getting more and more inclined to encourage voters to come visit us,” VandenBerg said. The city has a dropbox located at City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, or bring the ballot to the clerk’s office in city hall.
The clerk’s office also will be hosting a public voting test at 9 a.m. July 26 in the council chambers at city hall. Area residents can see how ballots are tabulated and the process for counting ballots.
City of Kentwood
If returning absentee ballots by mail, Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic recommends putting it in the mail by Monday, July 25 to ensure a timely delivery for the August election.
Residents also can hand-deliver absentee ballots to the Clerk’s Office at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during regular business hours or use one of the 24-hour drop boxes located outside City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, and the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.
The City Clerk’s Office, located in City Hall, will be open for voter registration and absentee ballot requests from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 30.
More information about the Aug. 2 election, absentee ballots and voter registration is available at kentwood.us/elections.
Michigan law regarding primary ballots requires voters to cast votes for only one party’s candidates. Votes for candidates in multiple parties on the same ballot will not be counted.
Absentee ballot request data shows more than 1.1 million Michigan citizens have now requested their ballots, and the vast majority have already received them. A side-by-side comparison of current absentee ballot request numbers, compared to the same time ahead of the 2018 statewide primary, is below. A breakdown of the numbers by jurisdiction is available online.
14 Days Before Election Day(July 18, 2022)
14 Days Before Election Day(July 23, 2018)
Number of Applications Received
1,167,369
588,909
Number of Ballots Issued
1,163,659
589,042*
Number of Ballots Returned
398,756
260,017
The Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/Vote provides important information for voters ahead of Election Day, including a sample ballot and information about how to use voting equipment, and how to contact your local clerk.
*The number of ballots issued is greater than the number of applications received as it represents all ballots issued, including replacement ballots for those who requested to spoil their first.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
Due to redistricting in the state, there have been several changes for House of Representatives and Senate races.
A primary is when voters can indicate their preference for their party’s candidate. Therefore, a voter may only vote on either the Republican ticket or the Democratic ticket. A ballot where a voter has voted in both parties will be thrown out.
All absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Aug. 2. In-person voters have from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to vote in their precinct. Make sure to check your current voter registration card or verify your precinct through your local clerk.
Note: In its We the People videos, WKTV invites all candidates to share why they decided to run and the issues the candidate feels are important. Below, are the candidates who participated.
80th State House of Representatives
For the State House, all of the City of Kentwood is now part of of the 80th District which includes Cascade and East Grand Rapids.
Two candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination: Lily Cheng-Schulting and Phil Skaggs.
Lily Cheng-Schulting is an attorney known for her disability rights advocacy. She is the founder of the Disability A-TEAM of West Michigan.
Phil Skaggs is currently the District 19 Kent County Commissioner serving southeastern Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids. He also was a city commissioner in East Grand Rapids for five years.
82nd District State House of Representatives
For the State House races, the City of Wyoming has been split between two districts. A portion of the City of Wyoming’s eastern border is part of the 82nd District, which falls in the Godwin Heights Public Schools area. For a map, click here.
Three candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination: Salim Mohammed Al-Shatel, Kristian Grant and Robert Womack.
Al-Shatel is a co-owner of My Barefoot Wedding, based in Spring Lake, and also a real estate investor.
Kristian Grant is born and raised in the Grand Rapids area and has spent the past 15 years in public service and community. She is a real estate developer and trustee on the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education.
Robert Womack is currently the District 17 Kent Count Commissioner serving the southeast side of Grand Rapids and is CEO of 102.5 FM The Ride.
Republican candidates
Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination, William Alexander and Ryan Malinowski.
William Alexander is born in Whitehall. He has lived in the Grand Rapids area for the last 28 years and is entrepreneur.
Most of the City of Wyoming will be part of the 83rd District. For a map, click here.
Two candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination, John Fitzgerald and Jose Flores.
John Fitzgerald is currently a Wyoming City Council member. He is a commercial insurance broker and has served on several community boards such as Ele’s Place West Michigan and The Clark Foundation Board.
Jose Flores is a former educator who currently serves on the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education. He also is the owner of La Familia Market.
29th State Senate
The 29th State Senate race, which includes both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming along with Grandville and East Grand Rapids, only has one candidate for each party nomination. The Republican candidate is Tommy Brann and the Democrat candidate is Winnie Brinks.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
With the announcement that current City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll will be retiring from civic duty at the end of this year, three candidates have entered the election to be the city’s next mayor.
Poll has served the city as mayor for the past 13 years. Looking to fill his seat are current Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt, resident Cliff Tompkins, and council member Kent Vanderwood.
Along with council duties of adopting city ordinances, appointing members to boards and commissions, and approving an annual city budget, the mayor also serves as the the official head of the city, representing the city at various government functions on a local, state and national basis. The mayor position, which is a four-year term, is voted on by all registered voters in the City of Wyoming.
For information on voting in the City of Wyoming, click here.
Sam Bolt
Occupation: A retired finical advisor
Why did you decide to run in the position of mayor of the City of Wyoming?: I am running for mayor because I am very concerned with the financial future of Wyoming and with the other two people who are running.
In 50 word or less, please list up to two issues you wish to focus on as mayor: If elected, public safety will be my number one goal. I also will work to continue our progress on the 28 West project, and bringing jobs to the 36th Street property.
Why did you decide to run in the position of mayor of the City of Wyoming?: Per his website, “One of the reasons that triggered me into candidacy is that I could not believe what I was hearing and reading in the news. Our systems has lost control and our law enforcement is being seriously victimized. This will be a priority of mine, to help stabilize our Public Safety and work hard to bring in greater resources for our city, including stronger outreach programs.”
In 50 words or less, please list up to two issues you wish to focus on as mayor: Per his We the People video, Tompkins states that he would focus on public safety along with working to bring an e-government that is a full-time technology government that offers an array of services when the Wyoming City Hall is physically closed.
Occupation: I am semi-retired from my consulting company where I am still a partner. The Timothy Group provides fundraising consulting to non-profit organizations.
Why did you decide to run in the position of mayor of the City of Wyoming: This is a position being vacated by Mayor Jack Poll, but this vacancy is not the sole reason I am running. While Wyoming remains one of the preeminent cities in West Michigan, much remains to do. Born and raised in West Michigan, I have served the City of Wyoming for more than 16 years as council member-at-large. Every decision that I have made while in that role has been a result of my love for the city and desire to create an environment of good paying jobs and economic opportunity for our citizens. These decisions have always been based on the need for Wyoming to have modern infrastructure, a balanced tax and zoning environment, stable housing, low crime and quality schools.
In 50 words or less, please list up to two issues you wish to focus on as mayor: Maintaining our fiscal stability as a city, keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe, and supporting new business growth to fuel the economy and create jobs are issues that matter to all of us, and they are what motivate me to help lead Wyoming the next four years as your mayor.
Kentwood residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming Aug. 2 millage for the city’s parks at three informational meet-ups set for June 20. (Supplied)
The City of Kentwood will host meetups in several city parks Monday, June 20, to provide information and answer questions about the upcoming millage proposal.
Each meetup will feature Parks and Recreation staff and commissioners ready to discuss the Aug. 2 ballot proposal. The events will take place 6-7 p.m. at three city parks:
Northeast Park, 1900 Middleground Drive SE
Pinewood Park, 1999 Wolfboro Drive SE
Stanaback Park, 3717 Whitebud Drive SE
Residents of all ages are welcome to attend. Ice cream and light refreshments will be available for those who participate.
“We’re looking forward to connecting with the community to discuss the future of Kentwood’s parks, trails and recreation,” said Kentwood Parks and Recreation Director Val Romeo. “Our team is ready to answer any questions residents may have about the millage proposal and our vision for the future.”
The August ballot proposal asks residents to consider a permanent dedicated millage of 1 mill that, if approved, will support the City’s parks, trails and recreational facilities and programming. It would fund improvements to all trails and parks, expand and enhance programming through increased capacity in space and staffing, and more.
A mill is 1/1000 of a dollar, or .001 cents. If a tax rate or millage rate is 1 mill, a resident is taxed .001 cents for every dollar, or $1 per $1,000 of the taxable value of the property. For example, for a residential home with a taxable value of $100,000, the cost of 1 mill would be $100 per year.
Kentwood is home to 15 parks that cover more than 400 acres and more than 13 miles of non-motorized trails that are used year-round by residents and visitors. Numerous community events and more than 700 recreational programs are offered annually for people of all ages and abilities through the Parks and Recreation Department.
More information on the proposed millage is available at kentwood.us/millage.
Voters turned down an income tax for the City of Wyoming.
Wyoming voters voted down a proposed income tax for the city while renewing a $24.9 million bond proposal for Wyoming Public Schools.
About 16 percent of the city’s 55,999 registered voters came out for the special election that was yesterday. The city had two proposals on the ballot. The first was an income tax that would be up to 1 percent for city residents and up to .5 percent for non-residents such as commuters who work in the city. In the second proposal, the city was seeking to reduce the city property tax by about 58 percent, from around 12 mills to 5. Both proposals had to pass to take effect.
The first proposal of an income tax was defeated by 6,055 no votes to 2,824 yes votes. The second proposal to reduce city property tax received 5,381 yes votes to 3,474 no votes. Because the two proposals were tied together, if one failed the other automatically failed as well.
The city estimated that the proposals would have generated about $6 million in revenue for the city. City Council said it planned to put $3.3 million toward its fire department to added 27 firefighters, doubling the current staffing from 27 to 54. About $2.1 million would have been used to add 13 police officers and a crime analyst to the city’s police department with the remaining $600,000 for capital improvement needs for the city’s parks.
The approved $24.9 million bond renewal will go toward renovations at Wyoming Junior High School.
Wyoming Public Schools
A purple and white message in both English and Spanish on the Wyoming Public Schools Facebook page thanked the district’s voters for renewing a $24.9 million bond. The money is earmarked for renovations at the Wyoming Junior High School, which is the oldest building in the district. Formerly Wyoming Park High School, the oldest portion of the building dates back to 1926. There were additions in 1957, 1959, and 1979.
About 16 percent of the district’s 27,188 votes came out with 2,066 voting yes and 1,930 voting no.
The approved bond will be added to about $11 million in renovations already planned for the school, including more than $3 million in major upgrades to Dan Heintzelman Fine Arts Center. The $11 million comes from a 2017 bond issue.
Renovations and improvements to the junior high to be funded by the bond renewal include: modern learning environments; new furnitures; an integrated technology; adequate lab spaces and equipment; improved air quality replacement of failing building systems (such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical) to become energy efficient and meet modern building codes; and site improvements to traffic flow, aging parking lots, and athletic facilities.
Work on the junior high, which is locate dat 2125 Wrenwood St. SW, is scheduled to start in the summer of 2023.
LANSING – Regardless of which candidates win the November election for Michigan’s congressional seats and which party secures control of Congress, two important changes will be visible on Capitol Hill in January with serious implications for the state’s national clout.
First, Michigan’s delegation will shrink by one seat – from 14 to 13 – due to redistricting.
That’s because Michigan’s population stagnated during the past decade while the population of other states grew. In total, seven states are each losing one seat, including neighboring Ohio, with their reallocation to states in the West and South.
That grim reality sets a messy stage for the second major change: the departure of at least three familiar faces.
U.S. House of Representatives: U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, Michigan’s longest-serving representative, will not run for another term.
Redistricting led U.S. Rep. Benda Lawrence, a liberal Democrat from Southfield, to retire rather than seek a fifth term. She’s the only African American in the Michigan delegation and a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee.
“As we have a new redistricting map, a new generation of leaders will step up,” Lawrence said in announcing her decision.
Redistricting also induced U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, the state’s longest-serving member, to withdraw from a contentious primary with fellow U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga of Zeeland. Redistricting put the two conservatives into the same district.
Upton, now in his 18th term, chaired the Energy and Commerce Committee when the GOP controlled the House.
But he faced a steep uphill battle to stay in Congress because of his vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Huizenga.
Announcing his retirement on the House floor, Upton said, “Even the best of stories has a last chapter.
“This is it for me. I’ve done the zillions of airline miles back and forth, have signed ‘Fred’ to over a million letters, cast more votes than anyone in this chamber while here and, by most accounts, have succeeded in making a difference accomplishing what I have set out to do with more unfinished work still yet to come.”
In suburban Detroit, liberal U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens of Rochester Hills and Andy Levin of Bloomfield Township are fighting each other in the Aug. 2 Democratic primary. Both chair subcommittees, Stevens in the Science, Space and Technology Committee and Levin in the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Only one will survive the primary.
Bill Ballenger, the publisher of the political newsletter “Ballenger Report” and a former state legislator and Cabinet member, said the changes will make it tougher for Michigan when it comes to federal appropriations, COVID relief and other aid from Washington.
U.S. House of Representatives: U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, will not seek a fifth term after redistricting.
“It’s got to hurt the state’s ability to leverage influence in the Congress in the state’s direction,” said Ballenger, who once ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House in a Republican primary.
He said the state’s clout is already much weaker than in the 1990s and early 2000s when the delegation contained long-serving members who chaired powerful committees and subcommittees, U.S. Reps. John Dingell of Trenton, Dale Kildee of Flint and John Conyers Jr. of Detroit.
Upton and Lawrence are far from alone in stepping down. As of April 6, 48 House members had announced they aren’t running again, according to Ballotpedia.org.
The average two-year election cycle sees 71 House members leaving, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service said in a recent report.
“Members leave for a variety of reasons,” the report said. “Those could include resignation, death or chamber action,” a reference to expulsion for misconduct. The number includes defeated incumbents and ones who opted to seek other offices.
In addition, there’s no guarantee that voters will return all the state’s other incumbents to Washington.
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Detroit and GOP Reps. John Moolenaar of Midland, Peter Meijer of Grand Rapids, Tim Walberg of Tipton and Lisa McClain of Romeo all face primary opponents.
Neither of the state’s Democratic senators, Debbie Stabenow of Lansing or Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township, are up for reelection this year.
Eric Freedman is professor of journalism and former associate dean of International Studies and Programs. During his 20-year newspaper career, he covered public affairs, environmental issues and legal affairs for newspapers in New York and Michigan, winning a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of a legislative corruption scandal. He teaches environmental journalism and serves as director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. He also teaches public affairs reporting, international journalism, feature writing and media law and serves as director of the school’s Capital News Service
Tomorrow, May 3, the residents of the City of Wyoming will be heading to the polls for two city proposals, an income tax and a reduction in city property taxes, while those in Wyoming Public Schools also are being asked to renew a $24.9 million bond proposal to renovate the Wyoming Junior High building.
The first of the two city proposals on the ballot is for an income tax that would be aup to 1 percent for city residents and up to .5 percent for non-residents such as commuters who work in the city. In the second proposal, the city is seeking to reduce the city property tax by about 58 percent, from around 12 mills to 5. Both proposals must pass to take effect.
According to city officials, the goal of the proposals is to build a more sustainable funding for the city and create equitably in sharing city expenses with those who use city services but do not live in the city while helping to reduce the cost to residents with the reduction in city property taxes.
If the two proposals pass, it would raise about an additional $6 million in funding from the city. The Wyoming City Council has said it would put $3.3 million toward its fire department, doubling the department’s current staffing from 27 to 54.
This would add about nine firefighters per shift and the city would be able to fully staff all four of its fire stations. Currently only two of the stations, Gezon and 36th Street, are fully staffed; however emergency calls are evenly distributed throughout the city, according to Fire Chief Brian Bennett. The city is broken into four fire districts with the busiest being the Division station, which is currently unmanned.
The department has the highest calls per firefighter in the area. Wyoming averages about 265 calls per firefighter with the City of Kentwood averaging around 121 while the City of Grand Rapids averages 123 calls per firefighter.
Koster said the city also has seen an increase in violent crime with calls requiring more than one officer to respond and resulting in less officers being available for traffic enforcement and neighborhood patrols.
“In 2020, when we received all the income from the parks and recreation millage, fees, and grants and then subtracted out all the expenses, we had about $30,000 left to roll into the fund balance for capital improvements,” Rebecca Rynbrandt, the city’s director of community services, said in a previous WKTV story.
According to school officials, the debt millage rate would remain the same at 5.65 mills, which is what it has been since 2016. Bond approval would not raise taxes, according to school officials.
Monies from the proposed bond millage will be combined with money set aside from the 2017 bond, which is about $11 million and includes $3 million for the Dan Heintzelman auditorium. If approved, renovations would include construction of a large two-story addition. The fine arts center would become a stand-alone building.
Voting
To check on your voting status and to see a sample ballot, visit mi.gov/vote. To vote in a city or school election, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the city or school district for at least 30 days, are 18 years or old, and are not serving a sentence in jail or prison. Following voter-approved election changes in 2018, Michigan residents now have the option to register in-person with the local clerk on election day. Once registered, each voter will have the choice to vote absentee or drive to the polling location to vote in person.
Those voting absentee must return the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 3. Ballots may be mailed or dropped off at the ballot drop box behind city hall or in-person at city hall until 8 p.m.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters should double check their precinct location, have photo ID, and should not wear or bring any political material to the precinct.
For more information on voice, visit the City of Wyoming website.
In November 2017, Wyoming Public Schools district voters approved a bond proposal which transformed Wyoming High School, and accomplished much needed modernization of other schools and district buildings.
Wyoming Public Schools high school building classroom after the 2017 bond funded improvements. (Supplied)
With those priority projects done, or set to be done this summer, the district is looking at more needed district infrastructure work, especially at Wyoming Junior High School, and not just needed upgrades but again “transforming” the educational setting for district students.
To do that, the district is seeking a bond renewal on the May 3, 2022, ballot which would allow it to gain additional funds while having no property tax increase over the current rate for district residents.
(District property tax payers could actually see a decrease in total property tax with passage May 3 of the City of Wyoming’s Proposals 1 & 2, which are the city’s proposed income tax and millage reduction proposals for funding of the Wyoming’s Police, Fire and Parks & Recreation Departments.)
Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra. (Supplied)
“If approved, the current (WPS bonding renewal) proposal would provide an additional $24.9 million for comprehensive renovations and the partial reconstruction of Wyoming Junior High School, a facility that has not seen major structural improvements in nearly forty-three years,” Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra said district informational material on the bond proposal. “And just like in 2017, if passed, this proposal will not raise the property tax rate above the current rate. The current millage rate (which has remained the same since 2016 and is currently lower than 14 of 20 Kent County school districts) would be extended into the future.”
The 2017 bond, according to Superintendent Hoekstra, “paved the way to remodel and reconstruct outdated buildings throughout the District; bring them up to code; and improve security, air quality, and technology.”
But with funds set aside from the 2017 bond approval, the district could only lightly renovate portions of the junior high.
“Having experienced the successful transformation of the High School, the District is asking the community to consider improvements to the Junior High as extensive as those made at Wyoming High School,” Hoekstra said.
Wyoming Public Schools photos of some of the problems with the junior high building. (Supplied)
Renovations and improvements to the junior high to be funded by the bond renewal include, according the district, modern learning environments, new furniture, and integrated technology; adequate lab spaces and equipment; improved air quality; replacement of failing building systems (such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical) to become energy efficient and meet modern building codes; and site improvements to traffic flow, aging parking lots, and athletic facilities.
To learn more about the 2022 bond proposal, and to see images of the work completed to date with funds from the 2017 bond, visit wyomingps2022.com.
According to ballot information from the Kent County Elections Office, the estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2023, is 0.94 ($0.94 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy.
How and when to vote on the bond renewal
All registered voters can either vote in person on Election Day or send in an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots became available March 19, and must be returned by May 3 at 8 p.m. You can request an absentee ballot by contacting the City Clerk’s Office online or by phone.
In-person voting will take place on May 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the polling location designated by the city. You will need to bring your voter ID.
If you’re not registered to vote, you have a few options to become registered to vote in this election: By mail on or before April 18; online at michigan.gov/vote on or before April 18; in person at the City of Wyoming City Clerk’s office through May 3.
Wyoming City Council will hold a special session tonight, Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m., to inform voters about the May 3 vote for Proposals 1 & 2, the city’s proposed income tax and property tax decrease proposals for funding of the Wyoming’s Police, Fire and Parks & Recreation Departments.
Watch it live on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on WKTV’s Comcast Channel 26 or on Facebook at the WKTV Community Media Facebook page.
The City of Kentwood’s Glow in the Park event. (City of Kentwood)
Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department program coordinator Katelyn Bush and one of her Adaptive Recreation participants at 2021 The Vibe event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Everybody bonds over food — at the Kentwood Farmers Market. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The finish line at the City of Kentwood’s Valentine’s Day Dash 5K in 2020. (City of Kentwood)
Dress up is encouraged at 2019’s Trunk or Treat in Kentwood. (Supplied)
The City of Kentwood announced Jan. 25 that it will ask residents in August to consider a permanent dedicated 1 mil millage that, if approved, would support the city’s parks, trails and recreational facilities and programming.
The millage would fund improvements to all trails and parks, as well as expand and enhance programming through increased capacity in space and staffing, according to the announcement. It also would fund the construction of a new multigenerational community recreation center and park amenities on the city campus, “transforming the area around City Hall into a community gathering space.
“Since celebrating Kentwood’s 50th anniversary in 2017, we’ve dedicated significant time and effort planning for the next 50 years of community growth through collaboration with our residents and other partners,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “Available parks and recreation funding has not kept pace with increased residential demand, delaying repairs for the community today and significantly limiting future improvements.
“If approved, this millage would provide a permanent sustainable funding source to improve, operate and maintain parks, trails, and other amenities and services for generations to come.”
The proposed millage of 1 mill was recommended by parks advisory committees that included residents and other stakeholders, as well as extensive community engagement and an in-depth review of the city’s current parks, trails and programming, its projected growth and community needs.
The advisory committees also recommended the city contribute additional funds up to $22 million from other public and private sources to make the needed improvements.
The committees’ comprehensive plan was presented Dec. 7 to the City Commission, which unanimously approved the millage ballot proposal for the Aug. 2 voting day.
Kentwood has 15 parks that cover more than 400 acres and more than 13 miles of non-motorized trails that are used year-round by residents and visitors.
Numerous community events and more than 700 recreational programs are offered annually for people of all ages and abilities through the Parks and Recreation Department in the Kentwood Activities Center at 355 48th St. SE, on the City Campus, and at other locations.
Specific parks and recreation projects
According to the announcement, the proposed millage would support Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades and a variety of other improvements and developments, including (listed by location and projects planned):
Bowen Station Park — Restroom, playground equipment, signage, landscaping and other amenities.
Burgis Park — Trail and sidewalk improvements and a new drinking fountain.
City Campus — Splash pad, playground, plaza, shelters, stage, event lawn, parking, restrooms and other amenities.
Community recreation center — Approximately 50,000 square feet of year-round indoor and multigenerational programming and recreation space on the City Campus.
Covenant Park Phase 1 — Trails, sports fields, event lawn, lighting and infrastructure to support future phases.
East Paris Nature Park — Trail improvements, signage and other amenities.
Home Acres Park —Skate park improvements, shade shelters, lighting, signage, landscaping and other amenities.
Jaycee Park — New restroom/program building, additional parking, disc golf improvements and other amenities.
Kellogg Woods Park — Restrooms, softball/baseball field improvements, new sports fields, lighting and landscaping.
Northeast Park — Restrooms, playground, splash pad, landscaping and other amenities.
Old Farm Park — Parking improvements, playground, shelter and other amenities.
Paris Park — Trail improvements and signage.
Pinewood Park — Splash pad improvements, pickleball courts, a new restroom, shade shelters, landscaping and other amenities.
Rondo Street Station Park — Playground, bicycle rack and repair center, signage, landscaping and other amenities.
Stanaback Park —Playground, parking improvements, signage, pickleball courts, landscaping and other amenities.
Stauffer Station Park — Kiosk, bicycle rack and repair center, signage, lighting, landscaping and other amenities.
Summerwood Park — Playground and landscaping.
Trails — Repairs, replacement and new connections.
Veterans Memorial Park — Shelter, additional parking and other amenities.
“Our extensive community engagement and planning process has shown our community needs have grown beyond available funding,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “This has been reaffirmed by increased use of our parks, trails and recreational offerings throughout the past two years.
“The Parks and Recreation Department has exhausted current general funds, including a parks millage that expired in 2013. We have been able to make improvements only through grant opportunities, which are becoming more and more difficult to acquire. New funding is critical to support our growing community needs.”
Details of timeline, millage
If approved, the millage would be levied starting July 1, 2023, with all parks set to receive improvements to address the most immediate needs within the first five years, with all remaining improvements completed within 10 years, according to the announcement.
Trail improvements and construction planning would be prioritized in the first year, followed by ongoing trail repairs and expansion to enhance the trails for all users.
Construction of the City Campus park amenities and community recreation center would begin in the second year.
As detailed in the city’s announcement, a mill is 1/1000 of a dollar, or .001 cents. If a tax rate or millage rate is 1 mill, a resident is taxed .001 cents for every dollar, or $1 per $1,000 of the taxable value of the property. For example, for a residential home with a taxable value of $100,000, the cost of 1 mill would be $100 per year.
Kent County veterans are served by many groups, including the Kent County Veterans Services and Michigan Veterans Homes at Grand Rapids. (Michigan Veterans Homes)
The Kent County Board of Commissioners’ Veterans Millage Renewal Subcommittee, led by City of Wyoming’s (District 8) commissioner Dan Burrill, held an initial meeting in December to discuss and begin action on a planned August 2022 countywide vote on the renewal of an existing Veterans Millage first passed in 2014.
The meeting included several local veterans groups but was focused on the work of the Kent County Veterans Services (KCVS) office and its associated Veterans Services Advisory Committee. The KVCS provides dedicated services to veterans of active United States military service and their dependents, with a current staff of nine full- or part-time employees under the direction of manager Martha Burkett and including six veterans who provide direct service and a contract Veteran Support Coordinator who is also a veteran.
A second meeting of the group was set for will be Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 1-3 p.m., in room 311 of the Kent County Administrative Building, downtown Grand Rapids, at 300 Monroe Avenue NW. (and not at the KCVS building on Fuller Avenue).
The meetings are open to the public, veterans and non-veterans alike, according to supplied material.
The decision to take the renewal request to the voters would eventually need to be approved by the Board of Commissioners.
In November 2014, Kent County voters approved a Dedicated Veterans Millage, an eight year, 0.05 mills tax that, at that time, would raise about $1 million a year and was estimated to cost the owner of a $200,000 home approximately $5 annually, according to the county website.
Due to several factors — including the 1978, voter-approved amendment to the Michigan Constitution which included a number of provisions related to state and local taxes and now commonly known as the Headlee Amendment — the actual tax collection decreased from 0.05 mills to 0.0482 in 2021.
Statewide, 51 of Michigan’s 83 counties posted a millage dedicated to veterans in 2020.
After a swearing-in ceremony this week, the City of Kentwood has two new commissioners on the City Commission, and welcomed back re-elected Mayor Stephen Kepley, Commissioner At-Large Betsy Artz, City Clerk Dan Kasunic and City Treasurer Laurie Sheldon.
Clarkston Morgan and Jessica Ann Tyson were sworn in as first-time city commissioners at the City Commission meeting Monday, Nov. 8, following their election Nov. 2. They were joined by the reelected officials, who also took the oath of office for their respective positions.
Morgan is now Ward 1 commissioner representing the western half of Kentwood and Tyson is Ward 2 commissioner representing the eastern half of the city. Each seat is a four-year term.
“We are pleased to welcome Clarkston and Jessica Ann to the City Commission,” Mayor Kepley said in supplied material. “Both are highly engaged, longtime residents who bring excellent leadership skills, business experience and community connections that will be invaluable as the City of Kentwood continues its mission of providing high-quality services to foster a thriving community for all.”
Mayor Kepley and Commissioner Artz each were re-elected for a third four-year term. They were first elected in 2013. Kasunic and Sheldon each were re-elected for a four-year term. Kasunic has served as clerk since 2000 and Sheldon has served as treasurer since 2013.
Meet the new commissioners
Morgan, a city resident since 2007, previously served the City of Kentwood as a planning commissioner, member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and member of the Arts Commission.
Commissioner Clarkston Morgan (City of Kentwood)
As the founder and CEO of Ambassador Consultants LLC, he has established strategic relationships between organizations and corporations that have resulted in mutually beneficial increases in market share and funds to benefit the quality of life for families in the community, according to a city announcement. He has also launched the nonprofit Career Proactiv to empower K-12 and college students to start their own entrepreneurial platform.
In addition, Morgan serves as vice president of the Michigan Chapter of the US Minority Contractors Association and chief operating officer of W4 Construction Group. He also is chairman of the African American Leadership Council for the Christian Alliance For Orphans, working alongside national adoption and foster agencies to empower African American families to adopt children.
Commissioner Jessica Ann Tyson (City of Kentwood)
A two-time governor appointee, Tyson actively serves the community as a member of several boards, including the City of Kentwood Economic Development Corporation, Kentwood Community Foundation and Better Business Bureau of West Michigan, according to the city announcement. She is a past board member of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
Tyson brings operational business and management experience to her city commissioner role. A multi-business owner, she serves as president and CEO of JA PR Group, Pink Lounge: Dry Salt Therapy, The Beastro (a company offering fresh cuisine for canines) and The Candied Yam, an area restaurant featuring Southern cuisine.
Over the years, Tyson has received many prestigious awards, including being recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women of West Michigan.
The City of Kentwood, in a city-wide vote, returned incumbent Mayor Stephen Kepley to the city’s “strong mayor” leadership position in voting Nov. 2 as he defeated challenger and current Ward 1 city commissioner Emily Bridson.
With 100 percent of City of Kentwood precincts counted, Kepley defeated Bridson, 4,321 to 2,992, according to final unofficial results supplied by the Kent County Elections Office. The vote total of 7,366 was 18.7 percent of the 39,460 registered voters in the city.
“Thank you to all the Kentwood residents and friends who came together to vote for unity in our community with experienced servant leadership. I am honored and humbled by your support,” Mayor Kepley said in a statement to WKTV. “Our work continues as we unify our incredibly diverse community so that all residents know they belong. I look forward to serving with the new city commission to continue to ensure a high quality of service is provided for all of our residents and business community.”
City of Kentwood mayoral candidate Emily Bridson, left, talks to a supporter at an election night event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Bridson, said she wishes the mayor the best and “hope he continues to move our city in a positive direction,” she said in a statement to WKTV.
“It has been an honor to serve as one of Kentwood City Commissioners and run for Mayor,” Bridson said. “Thank you to the residents that took the time to open their doors and share their vision for our city with me. Although my team and I hoped for a different outcome, we are proud of the work we have done and the goals for Kentwood that we have put forward.”
All City of Kentwood seats are for 4-year terms. The mayor, along with returning and new commissioners, will be sworn in on Monday, Nov. 8, at the regular City Commission meeting.
The City of Kentwood will have two new faces on the City Commission after voting Nov. 2, as Clarkston Morgan won the Ward 1 seat and Jessica Ann Tyson won the Ward 2 seat. But incumbent At-Large commissioner Betsy Artz was returned to the commission in city-wide voting — gaining the most voter support of any candidate running opposed for city positions.
All City of Kentwood seats are for 4-year terms. The returning and new commissioners will be sworn in on Monday, Nov. 8, at the regular City Commission meeting.
With 100 percent of City of Kentwood precincts counted, Artz defeated Leonica Riley Erwin, 4,505 to 2,511, according to final unofficial results supplied by the Kent County Elections Office. Artz was the top voter-getter in the entire city in contested elections, as Mayor Stephen Kepley gained 4,321 votes as he was re-elected to the position.
The city-wide vote total of 7,366 was 18.7 percent of the 39,460 registered voters in the city.
Newly elected City of Kentwood City Commissioner Clarkston Morgan, center, who won the Ward 1 election Nov. 2, talks to supporters at an election-night event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
With 100 percent of their respective ward precincts counted, Morgan defeated Meochia Nochi Thompson in Ward 1, 1,989 to 1,365, in a seat currently held by commissioner Emily Bridson. And Tyson defeated Dan VanderMolen in Ward 2, 2,120 to 1,360, in a seat currently held by commissioner Tom McKelvey.
Running uncontested in City of Kentwood elections were incumbent Treasurer Laurie Sheldon, and incumbent City Clerk Dan Kasunic. Sheldon gained 6,148 votes and Kasunic gained 6,177 in citywide voting.
At-Large Commissioner
Commissioner Artz thanked the Kentwood voters in a statement to WKTV, “I appreciate your support throughout this campaign, and at the polls.
“Our City now has a Commission that will work together to get things done,” she said. “It’s time to continue our work on improving and maintaining our Parks and Trails, providing the best in Public Safety to our community, and budgeting for the future. I am thrilled to be able to serve the City of Kentwood for another four years.”
Riley Erwin, in a statement to WKTV, said “The Kentwood voters have spoken. Congratulations to Betsy Artz and all of those elected last night.
“My campaign had two goals,” she continued. “The first was to increase voter turnout. The second was to increase awareness about issues important to residents that don’t feel empowered. Those goals were accomplished. I look forward to working with our city commissioners and other Kentwood leaders to ensure every resident can reach their full potential. I encourage my supporters to stay involved and continue to communicate their desires for affordable housing, supports for small businesses, and creating a more inclusive community. I would love to see more of you run for office or volunteer on a campaign committee. Participate in community forums and surveys. Make your voice heard.
“Last, I would like to thank my family for all of the love and support they have given me. I couldn’t have made it to the ballot without their encouragement and willingness to make sacrifices with me.”
Ward 1 Commissioner
Morgan addressed all “Kentwood families, business and community leaders,” in a statement to WKTV. “Thank you! I am more than honored to receive your vote of confidence as your City Servant Leader.
“I stand here on the shoulders of great past and present city leaders, but even more, YOU, our Kentwood community,” he said. “It’s our families, businesses, households of faith and community organizations that make our city great. I look forward to seeing Kentwood reach it’s greatest potential by serving WITH our community to provide all residents a better quality of life. God bless.”
Thompson, in a statement to WKTV, said “I am so blessed to have an opportunity to run this race for Commissioner. I thank God for the journey; all the wonderful neighbors I connected with.
“This became more than Community business, it became Kingdom business for me. I was able to teach, preach and encourage along the way. I even had the opportunity to lead someone to salvation. For me, it gets no better than that. I experienced people actually rejoicing because for the first time in a long time, they felt they mattered and were being seen and heard.
“I hope we continue striving toward a more connected Kentwood, where our neighborhood feels more like family and everyone is thriving, healthy and safe! Thank you Kentwood residents for even considering me to represent you. The journey was well worth it.”
Ward 2 Commissioner
Tyson, in a statement t o WKTV, said “The residents of Kentwood have spoken. I am honored and humbled that they took the time to vote for me.
“I look forward to representing Kentwood residents in Ward 2 for the next four years. To others who supported our campaign, I am thankful that you understand how passionate I am about my community. Your contributions proved to be invaluable. I am excited to spend more time listening to and helping our residents and city remain united and strong.”
VanderMolen, in a statement to WKTV, said “I want to express a heartfelt thanks to my family, friends, and supporters for helping make this campaign a reality. It’s truly amazing what people can accomplish when they come together. I also want to congratulate Jessica Ann Tyson on her impressive victory tonight.
“Like I’ve said before, we need to stop looking at politics as a zero sum game and instead realize that while we might have different ideas or priorities, we can all still work towards the same common good. I look forward to partnering with Jessica, and the rest of the city commission, to support the residents of Kentwood in any way I can going forward.”
Voters in the Kelloggsville Public Schools district approved a $11.3 million bond proposal Nov. 2 which will allow the district to build a S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) building at the high school as well as other building projects.
With 100 percent of school district precincts counted, in both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, the bond measure was passed 634-524, according to final unofficial results supplied by the Kent County Elections Office. The vote total of 1,256 was 13.4 percent of the 9,366 registered voters in the district.
The Kelloggsville Christian Reformed Church on 52nd Street was one of the polling places Nov. 2 as voters passed a Kelloggsville Public School bond measure. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“On behalf of the Kelloggsville Board of Education, staff and students, we want to thank our community for passing the bond,” Eric Alcorn, Kelloggsville Public Schools director of human resources,” said to WKTV. “Once completed, both areas will provide space and opportunity for our students to explore their interests and to enhance learning. We cannot thank our community enough for the support.”
The goal of the funding is to “provide opportunities for S.T.E.M., robotics, and business classes,” according to a statement on the district website. The additions “would expand opportunities for our students to explore technology through an updated media center, S.T.E.M. building, and (to) participate in our robotics program.”
Passage of the bond measure would not increase residential take above the current tax rate, also according to district supplied material, “it would simply continue with the existing debt levy.”
The funds from the bond measure will allow for the construction and addition of a S.T.E.M. building at the high school complex, a new media center at Southeast elementary, continue efforts to “provide and update safe and secure entrances” throughout the district, and well as technology upgrades to “enhance instruction.”
In addition to Kelloggsville High School, the district includes Kelloggsville Middle School, Southeast Kelloggsville Elementary, Central Kelloggsville Elementary, West Kelloggsville Elementary, Kelloggsville Virtual School and the Kelloggsville Early Childhood Learning Center.
The first Tuesday of November is election day with residents in both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming having candidates to consider as well as a $11.3 million bond proposal from Kelloggsville Public Schools.
Kentwood Elections
The City of Kentwood residents will be voting on several Kentwood City seats. The races that are contested are Mayor, 1st Ward Commissioner, 2nd Ward Commissioner, and a Commissioner-at-large seat. Click the links below for the candidates.
The City of Wyoming residents will be joining those in the northern Kent County communities to determine who will be the next state senator for the 28th District. Four candidates are vying for the spot left by Peter MacGregor who became the Kent County treasurer last year. Those candidates are Alex Avery (L), Keith Courtade (D), Theodore Gerrard (US Taxpayers), and Mark Huizenga (R). For more on the candidates, click here.
Kelloggsville Bond Propoal
Residents living in the Kelloggsville School District will be voting on a $11.3 million bond proposal that will allow the district to build a S.T.E.M. building at the high school as well as other building and technology projects. For more information on the bond proposal, click here.
Four candidates are seeking the the 28th District Senate seat in the fall election set for Nov. 2.
The seat was vacated by Peter MacGregor last year when he took over the position of Kent County treasurer. Four candidates have put their names in the ring for the seat: Libertarian Alex Avery, Democrat Keith Courtade, U.S. Taxpayers Theodore Gerrard, and Republican Mark Huizenga.
The 28th District of the State Senate includes the City of Wyoming as well as the cities of Walker, Rockford, and Cedar Springs, For a district map, click here.
The election will be open form 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Nov. 2. Those voting by absent ballot have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to complete the ballot and return it to the clerk’s office.
In its We the People videos, WKTV invites all candidates to share why they decided to run for the 28th District seat and issues the candidate feels are important. Below, are the candidates who participated.
Keith Courtade – Democrat
Occupation: Retired UAW Skills Trades
Why did you decide to run for the District 28 Senate seat?
I feel important things are going on and I have a passion for it. I have always had a passion for it and I want to help people. I’ve been a voice for the middle class and have a passion to help people.
What are the key issues you are focused on?
The biggest issue is the right to vote. I believe all people should have the right to vote. The next one, and the one closer to Michigan, is cleaning up and protecting our groundwater. I’ve seen firsthand what happened in Flint as I was working at the GM plant there at the time. More needs to be done to fix the problem not just in the in the Flint area but all of Michigan as contaminated groundwater is a statewide issue.
Theodore Gerrand – US Taxpayers
Occupation: Electrician
Why did you decided to run for the District 28 Senate seat?
I watched the two major parties, which are dragging us down, pushing us away from the congressional process and truth. I believe we need to get back to the truth and freedom.
What are the key issues you are focused on?
I believe we need to focus on education and that we need to break free of the U..S. Department of Education and return the course of school to teachers and parents. I think the STEM program is very exciting and we need to be pushing that out more to students. We have a huge group of people who will be retiring from the trades, about a 2 to 1 radio, so we need to be supporting new people to move into the trades.
Mark Huizenga – Republican
Occupation: The current 74th District State Representative, which covers Rockford, Cedar Springs, Algoma Township along with the cities of Walker and Grandville, Huizenga owns Mark Huizenga Systems Consulting, a consulting firm, and is the managing partner for Key Green Solutions, a software company.
Why did you decide to run for the District 28 Senate seat?
I have always been involved not because of the campaigns or the politics, but because I have been asked to. My past background includes serving the state and mayoral experience with the City of Walker. I offer transparent accountability and am known to respond to all questions. I also make a point of meeting with people and talking about the issues that impact them.
What are the key issues you are focused on?
Currently there is no formula for state funding of higher education with some institutions receiving more than others. I sit on the Higher Education Committee and have been working toward creating a more equability funding system. Other issues are mental health, especial in our schools and I have worked to help launch a new hotline through the Department of Health and Human Services. Also, we need to look at gun violence.
Voters in the Kelloggsville Public Schools district will be asked to approve an $11.3 million bond proposal on the Nov. 2 ballot which will allow the district to build a S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) building at the high school as well as other building projects.
Kelloggsville students would gain technology space and equipment. (Supplied)
“Our goal is to give our students an exceptional facility that will provide opportunities for S.T.E.M., robotics, and business classes,” according to a statement on the district website. The additions “would expand opportunities for our students to explore technology through an updated media center, S.T.E.M. building, and (to) participate in our robotics program.”
The last day to register to vote by mail for the November ballot is Oct. 18. See here for a map of the school district, which has voters in both Kentwood and Wyoming.
Passage of the bond measure would not increase residential take above the current tax rate, also according to district supplied material, “it would simply continue with the existing debt levy.”
The funds from the bond measure will allow for the construction and addition of a S.T.E.M. building at the high school complex, a new media center at Southeast elementary, continue efforts to “provide and update safe and secure entrances” throughout the district, and well as technology upgrades to “enhance instruction.”
In addition to Kelloggsville High School, the district includes Kelloggsville Middle School, Southeast Kelloggsville Elementary, Central Kelloggsville Elementary, West Kelloggsville Elementary, Kelloggsville Virtual School and the Kelloggsville Early Childhood Learning Center.
The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosted candidate forums for elections in the Wyoming and Kentwood area. Among them were the City of Kentwood City Commission At-large, Ward 1 and Ward 2 candidate forums. The forums were produced through the facilities of WKTV Community Media.
The At-large commission seat, one of two at-large seats, is voted upon by the entire City of Kentwood. Kentwood’s Ward 1, which also has two commissioners, includes voting Precincts 1-9, roughly the southwest areas of the city. Ward 2, which also has two commissioners, includes voting Precincts 10-18, roughly the east and northeast areas of the city. For a precinct and ward map, click here.
The non-partisan candidates for the At-large seat are incumbent Commissioner Betsy Artz and candidate Leonica Riley Erwin; candidates for the Ward 1 seat are Clarkston Morgan and Meochia Thompson (this is the seat currently held by Commissioner Emily Bridson, who is running for mayor); and candidates for Ward 2 are Jessica Ann Tyson and Dan VanderMolen (this is the seat currently held by Commissioner Tom McKelvey).
Note: Commissioner Artz and Mr. VanderMolen were not able to attend their respective forums.
To view the on-demand video replays of the forums, visit the following links:
The City of Kentwood City Commissioner candidate forums will air on WKTV cable television, Government 26. See the initial schedule of days and times below. Visit here for a WKTV Weekly Schedule of all programs.
They are also available on-demand at WKTVLive.org.
The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosted candidate forums for elections in the Wyoming and Kentwood area. Among them were the City of Kentwood Mayor Forum. The forums were produced through the facilities of WKTV Community Media.
The city’s mayoral seat is voted upon by the entire City of Kentwood. For a precinct and ward map, click here.
The non-partisan candidates are incumbent Mayor Stephen Kepley and current Ward 1 Commissioner Emily Bridson.
The City of Kentwood Mayor Forum is on-demand on WKTVLive.org. It will also be televised on local cable television on WKTV Government 26, beginning Thursday, Oct. 14 at 8:30 p.m., and continuing Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 16 at noon, and other dates. (Visit here for the WKTV cable channel schedule.)
For the Michigan Nov. 2 general election, WKTV’s We The People program invited participation from all candidates. If they participated, their videos are linked here. For those who did not participate, either a candidate-provided biography/issues statement, or simply their name is listed. All videos are 5-minutes or less devoted to the candidate, and were not edited in any way by WKTV.
The office of the Mayor of Kentwood is voted upon by all of the City of Kentwood.
The non-partisan candidates are incumbent Mayor Stephen Kepley and current Ward 1 Commissioner Emily Bridson.
Stephen Kepley – Incumbent
Occupation: Kentwood Mayor
Why did you decide to run for this position?
I’m called to serve my community. I am also the experienced candidate with 8 years as Mayor and 10 years as the Director of Engineering and Inspections. I know the intrinsic details of how the city operates and can continue to lead Kentwood to a bright future.
Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:
Public Safety is job 1 — The city’s main function is to protect people and property and thus I am not for defunding police. Kentwood is in need to increase our police and fire staff to serve a growing population.
Business and employment will always be high on my initiative list. I will continue to support businesses and local job creation. Kentwood will remain open for business under my administration.
A unified community having a high quality of life is very important to me and our community. I have spent many of my days building relationships and uniting people together. I will continue to use this office to improve the quality of life for our residents and build bridges through bonds of love and understanding to keep Kentwood a unified and strong community.
Emily Bridson — Candidate
Occupation: I resigned from my full-time job as an Operations Manager for Republic Services in December to best run for mayor. My current job is campaigning for Kentwood Mayor, and my part-time job is for Spectrum Health as a Patient Services Representative.
Why did you decide to run for this position?
My concern for my community drove me to attend my first Kentwood City Commission meeting in 2014. I stood up during the general comments as a resident to inquire about the level of crime occurring in my neighborhood. My attendance became regular, and I became a vocal and engaged participant. This led to my appointment on Parks and Recreation and the Planning commissions. After further educating myself on how local government works and accumulating a “to-do” list of the changes I wanted to see, I decided to put my knowledge and passion to work for the people of Kentwood by running to become a City Commissioner. I realized that I needed to be part of the change that I wanted to see in our community. Now, after serving as a City Commissioner, I am ready to continue my passion and work for the people of Kentwood as your next mayor. I would be honored to earn your vote for Mayor of Kentwood to ensure we have safe neighborhoods, recycling, trails, and the support small businesses need to build a thriving, vibrant community for all.
Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:
Public safety: Crime rates have been soaring over the last five years, and our community members deserve to feel safe in their homes. I am committed to working with public safety officials to reverse violent crimes and car break-ins. My relationship with our public safety officials is strong, which is why I am proudly endorsed by Kentwood Professional Firefighter’s L3174, and I look forward to continuing to grow such relations within our community between safety officials and residents to ensure a strong and safe Kentwood.
Sustainability: Kentwood residents have shared with me that they would like to see recycling services, trails, and green spaces. Ensuring access to clean drinking water and preserving our natural resources for our children and generations to come will also be central to my work as your mayor. I value the voices and needs within our community, and I will work to ensure that your needs are met by Kentwood becoming an environmental and sustainability leader.
Supporting small businesses and growing our local economy: Small businesses and entrepreneurs play crucial roles in Kentwood’s economy and culture. It is up to us to ensure they have the needed resources to survive the current climate and bounce back as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic. As your mayor, I will support local businesses throughout this time and beyond to allow Kentwood to be a place that entrepreneurs and employers seek out and strengthen our economy.
