Tag Archives: Mayor

As of Dec. 5, it is officially Mayor Vanderwood

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Hard News,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg administers the oath of office to Kent Vanderwood, who is the city’s newest mayor. (WKTV)

Kent Vanderwood admitted that the most challenging thing over the past four months has been reminding people that he was the mayor elect — not the mayor.

That all changed at the Dec. 5 Wyoming City Council meeting when Vanderwood took the oath office, officially becoming the city’s mayor.

“It is with thankfulness and humility that I accept this gavel tonight and with it the privilege of serving this community and leading the council for the next four years,” Vanderwood said in a prepared statement he read. “It was not something that I anticipated happening but when the circumstances made it abundantly clear that I should run, I accepted the challenge and have not looked back.”

Dignities, such as Kentwood City Commissioner Betsy Artz and Wyoming Kentwood Chamber of Commerce Keith Morgan, along with friends, family, residents and city staff watched as Vanderwood along with Renne Hill and Sheldon DeKryger took the oath of office to serving on the city council.

Hill was one of two candidates elected to the councilor-at-large seats. Rob Annoys, the other candidate, was not able to attend Monday night due to a work conflict and will be sworn in later, according Vanderwood. Both Hill and Arnoys are new to the council.

DeKryger was elected to his second term to the first ward council seat. He ran unopposed in the November election.

Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg shakes hands with the city’s newest council member, Renee Hill. (WKTV)
First Ward Council member Sheldon DeKryger takes the oath of office. (WKTV)

Vanderwood’s first action as mayor was to recognize the contributions of former Mayor Jack Poll and Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt for their years of service to the city. Both Poll and Bolt retired from the council. Vanderwood then lead the council through the process of electing Third Ward Council member Rob Postema as mayor pro tem.

Another of the council’s first actions will be to appoint a resident to fill John Fitzgerald’s councilor-at-large seat, Vanderwood said. Fitzgerald will be serving the City of Wyoming as one of the newest member of the state’s House of Representatives.

Mayor Kent Vanderwood with newly elected (by the city council) Mayor Pro Tem Robert Postema. (WKTV)

The appointment will be until 2024 when the seat is up for election. Applicants for Fitzgerald’s council seat must have lived in the city for two years. Those interested in applying to fill the seat may pick up an application from the clerk’s office, which is located at city hall, 1155 28th St. SW. Applications for filling the seat will be accepted through Dec. 21. Council will review all applications and interview candidates before making an appointment in January.

In his speech, Vanderwood stated when he campaigned he promised to focus on three main areas: maintaining the city’s financial stability which means maintaining a healthy fund balance and preserving the city’s high bond ratings while keeping citizens’ taxes as low as possible. He also would make public safety a top priority by funding the police, fire and first responders, and continue to support the economic growth of the city.

“I intend to follow through on these goals starting tonight but I will need the support of the council, the city staff, and all of our great citizens,” he said. “My promise to you tonight is that I will serve honorably and my very, very best to both fulfill the oath I took early tonight and work with you to meet these goals.”

  • Mayor Kent Vanderwood thanks former Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt for his years of service to the city. (WKTV)
  • New Councilor Renee Hill talks to re-elected First Ward Councilor Sheldon DeKryger during a break at the Dec. 5 Wyoming City Council meeting. (WKTV)
  • Mayor Kent Vanderwood (third from right) with his family. (WKTV)
  • Mayor Kent Vanderwood looks his new seat on the Wyoming City Council Monday, Dec. 5. (WKTV)

Wyoming elects Vanderwood as its next mayor

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Election, Hard News, Our Cities, , , , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

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.

For complete primary election results for the entire county, visit the Kent County Clerk’s office’s election results page.

Three mayoral candidates to be narrowed to two in August primary

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Election, , , , ,

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.

Website: electsambolt.com

Cliff Tompkins

Occupation: Owner of Hair by Cliff

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.

Website: tompkinsformayor.org

Kent Vanderwood

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.

Website: vanderwood4mayor.com

Three seek Wyoming mayor position along county and state candidates

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Our Cities, We The People, West Michigan, , , , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Tuesday, April 19, was the last day for candidates to file for the upcoming fall elections with the residents of both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming have several new faces, and a few familiar ones, to consider for federal, state, and local government positions.

City of Wyoming

Wyoming City Hall. (WKTV)

With Mayor Jack Poll’s announcement that he would be retiring at the end of his term, three candidates have put their hats in the ring for the City of Wyoming’s mayor position, which is a nonpartisan four-year seat. Two of the candidates are long-time council members, Kent Vanderwood and current Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt and the third is a newcomer, Cliff Tompkins, who owns the Wyoming business Hair by Cliff.

The top two candidates from the Aug. 2 primary will face off in the Nov. 8 general election. Also in November, Wyoming residents will be selecting two Council Members at Large, four-year terms, from three candidates, Robert A. Arnoys, Renee Hill, and Robert Kilgo. First Ward Council Member Sheldon DeKryer is running unopposed for his four-year term.

City of Kentwood

While there are no City of Kentwood seats open for this year’s election cycle, the city is seeking a permanent recreation and trails millage of one mill in the Aug. 2 primary. If levied, the additional 1.0 mill is estimated to raise $2,345,537 in the first calendar year of the levy.

Kent County Commissioners

The Kent County Board of Commissioners (from a 2019 meeting). (Supplied/Kent County)

Like the federal and state governments, the Kent County Board of Commissioners also completed a redistricting.

The redistricting adds two new district to Kent County for a total of 21 districts. One of those new districts, District 20, would encompass the norther portion of the City of Wyoming (Godfrey-Lee Public Schools area) along with some southern portions of the City of Grand Rapids, such as Roosevelt Park, Black Hills, and Burton Heights. It has been indicated by officials that the goal was to create a largely Hispanic district (the area is more than 50 percent Hispanic) to provide a voice to the county commission of the area’s largest minority group.

There are five candidates vying for the 20th District spot, two Democrats and three Republicans. The Democrats are Ivan Diaz and Charles Howe. The Republicans are Elisa Rodriguez, Alan Bolter, and Walter Bujak.

Other Kent County Districts that will be on the Aug. 2 Primary will be the 10th District, which through redistricting now includes a portion of the City of Kentwood, will be Republicans Emily Post Brieve (incumbent) and Bill Hirsch. The winner of the Republican race will face Democrat Julie Humphreys in November.

In the 12th District, Republicans Lee White and Adam R. Palasek will face off in the primary with the winner then moving on to face Democrat Monica Sparks (incumbent) in November.

The other Kent County district races within the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood have only one Democrat and Republican which means all those races will go straight to the November ballot. Those districts are:

7th District, which includes a western portion of Wyoming along with Grandville. Candidates: Republican Stan Ponstein (incumbent) and Democrat Sue Merrell.

8th District, which covers most of Wyoming. Candidates: Republican Dan Burrill (incumbent) and Democrat Jennie Chatman.

9th District, which includes a portion of southern Wyoming along with all of Byron Center. Candidates: Republican Matt Kallman (incumbent) and Democrat Chip LaFleur.

For a look at the district map of state and county, click here.


State House of Representatives and Senate

Both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will be under the 29th District for the state Senate. (Supplied)

Redistricting has changed both the state’s Senate and House of Representative seats for the two cities.

For the Senate, both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood will be part of the 29th District state Senate seat which also includes Grandville and East Grand Rapids along with portions of Grand Rapids Township and Grand Rapids east of the Grand River and south of Fulton Street. Two Republicans have put in their names, Tommy Brann, who is terming out this year from the 77th District state House seat, and Andrew Kroll. The winner of the Aug. 2 primary will face Democratic incumbent Winnie Brinks in November.

For the state House, the City of Wyoming is split between two districts. Most of the City of Wyoming will be part of the 83rd District along with a north portion of Grand Rapids (the Roosevelt Park area) and the Cutlerville area. There are three Democrats and one Republican vying for the seat. In the Aug. 2 primary, the Democrats, John Fitzgerald, Jose Flores, and Keith Courtade will compete to advance to the November election, where the winner will then run against Republican Lisa DeKryger.

A portion of the eastern border of Wyoming is part of the 82nd District of the House of Representatives. There are three Democrats and two Republicans seeking nomination in the Aug. 2 primary. The Democrats are Salim Mohammed Al-Shatel, Kristian Grant, and Robert Womack. The Republicans are William Alexander and Ryan Malinoski.

The City of Kentwood will join Cascade and East Grand Rapids for the 80th District House of Representative seat. Two Democrats will be competing in the Aug. 2 primary, Lily Cheng-Schulting and Phil Skaggs. The winner will then run against Republican Jeffrey Johnson in the Nov. 8 election.

Voter Information

For more information on voter registration, absentee ballots, voting locations and how to apply to be an election worker in Kentwood, visit kentwood.us/elections or contact the City Clerk’s Office at elections@kentwood.us or 616-698-9610.

In Wyoming, visit click here or contact the City Clerk’s office at clerk_info@wyomingmi.gov or call 616-530-7296.

More election information is available at michigan.gov/vote.

Photo of the Week: She had a passion for Wyoming

Citizen Journalism, , ,

As March is Women’s History Month, WKTV is celebrating some of the women leaders from the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming.

When Carol Sheets heard that Metro Health was looking for a new home in the early 2000s, Sheets made a phone call to hospital officials and proposed the City of Wyoming. The rest is history.

Sheets served on the City Council from 1993 – 2009, the last four years as the city’s first and only female mayor. During her tenure, she saw the city go through some of its roughest times, the lost of Celebrating Wyoming and the closing of Rogers Department Store and the GM Manufacturing Plant on 36th Street. Still she proved unwavering to her dedication to the city she loved, serving as its advocate and making those calls to bring organizations in. Sheets died in 2013. She was 69.

Former mayor appointed to fill vacancy on Kentwood City Commission

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, , , , ,

Former Kentwood mayors Richard Clanton, Jerry DeRuiter, and Bill Hardiman; former mayor Richard Root’s wife Karleen, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kelley, and first mayor Peter Lambert’s son Richard at the Kentwood’s 50th kick off celebration in February.

Former Kentwood Mayor and City Commissioner Richard Clanton has been appointed by the Kentwood city Commission to fill a commissioner-at-large vacancy.

On Tuesday, April 11, the City Commission voted for the appointment of Clanton to fill the vacant commission seat through November 2019. Sixteen residents were interviewed for the opening, which arose in February with the resignation of Steven Redmond.

“Richard brings to the Commission a wealth of knowledge and experience having served as mayor and city commissioner,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley.  “We are thankful for his continued willingness to serve the residents of Kentwood and look forward to his continued leadership.”

Richard Clanton

Clanton served as mayor of Kentwood from 2012 to 2013, completing the term of Richard L. Root, who died in 2012. Prior to his position as mayor, Clanton served on the city commission from 2001 to 2012. He currently is the chief executive officer of United Methodist Community House and previously worked at Loeks Theatres Inc., YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids and Sears, Roebuck & Co.

“It is a great pleasure to have been chosen to serve the City of Kentwood again,” said Clanton. “With more than 20 years of service in the community as a commissioner and mayor, I appreciate yet another opportunity to serve our residents.”

Active in the community, Clanton has served on a variety of city boards and commissions including the finance committee, Kentwood Economic Development Corporation and capital improvement program, which he chaired. He has also served as the chairman and trustee of the Michigan Municipal League Region III.

Clanton has also volunteered with Boys Scouts of America, Junior Achievement, Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Rotary.

A Promise Made and A Promise Kept

Local Faces, Our Cities, ,

Richard Clanton deserves our Thanks!

Mayor Clanton
Photo WKTV

By Jamie Hawkins

KENTWOOD, MICH. — Richard Clanton made a promise. A promise to follow through predecessor Richard Root’s term in the hopes of making Kentwood a better place through his eyes, and the eyes of the late Richard Root. A promise made and a promise kept.

Mayor Clanton took office Tuesday June 5, 2012, just four days before Root‘s passing after a long and exhausting battle with cancer.

“I decided I would offer myself up so as not to run against the other commissioners in the next election,” said Clanton with a look of remembrance in his eyes. His notion to not run for the 2013 mayoral term played a significant role in Root’s and his commissioner’s choosing of who to finish the term.

He recalled on the day of the request during his visit at Root’s home in Kentwood. Root hoped for a commissioner to take his place, a friend who he and the commissioners believed would finish his term in his absence. Clanton graciously accepted, setting aside his aspirations to run for the next term.

“I gave him my word,” said Clanton. “I’ve lived up to it, the city is in decent shape, and I think I’ve done my job well.”

According to the city’s official website, Kentwood is rated the fastest growing city in Michigan and 5th best city in the state.

Clanton worked on several projects in his 18-month term, including signing off on the Silver Line bus transit, but none as memorable as those involving hands-on work with the city’s residents.

With a smile on his face and a look of nostalgia, Clanton told the story of rebuilding Pinewood Park which was burnt down in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day in 2012. Dozens of residents volunteered to help rebuild, showing the city’s charitable colors in a time of need.

Of all his contributions, however, Clanton reminisces on the naming of the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch Public Library as one of his greatest projects.

“Getting the library named after Rick Root was a big thing,” said Clanton.

A promise made and a promise kept indeed.

Clanton spent nine years at Kentwood City Hall as mayor pro tempore before taking his term, assisting the mayor in any and all legislative and, sometimes, administrative duties for the commission. He spent four years as a member and CEO of the United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids and will be returning to the organization with anxious excitement.

Will you miss it? “A little bit,” said Clanton, “but I’m excited to return to UMCH.”

An election will be held in November with candidates Stephen Kepley and Sharon Brinks running for office. This is the first time an incumbent will not be taking over as mayor.

Clanton is considering running for a position in the state house or city council in 2016, but his time in city hall will not be forgotten.

He just announced his intentions to lead United Community Methodist House (UMCH) as its Chief Executive Officer full-time immediately following November 11th. “The opportunity to serve was a special and bittersweet one,” Clanton concluded.