By K.D. Norris
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.
