Tag Archives: Sheldon DeKryger

We the People: Election Results

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By WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic was spot on with his prediction of 50 percent voter turnout for the Nov. 6 general election.

 

All across the state, there was record turnout at the polls with the state indicating that the numbers could break previous records set in the early 1980s. The City of Kentwood had a 57.2 percent voter turnout with 20,509 of the 35,865 registered voters casting their vote in the mid-term elections. The City of Wyoming has a 53.5 percent turnout with 26,961 of its registered 50,378 voters coming to the polls.

 

The Democrats swept away the state’s top three spots, Governor, state Attorney General, and Secretary of State. Both incumbent Bill Huizenga (R), for the 2nd District of the U.S. House of Representatives, and incumbent Justin Amash (R), for the 3rd District of the U.S. House of Representatives, were able to retain their seats by narrow margins. For complete statewide results, click here.

 

Here is the outcome of the local races:

 

Incumbent Sheldon DeKryger when he took the oath of office earlier this year. DeKryger retained his seat for another four years.

City of Wyoming

The only contested race for the City of Wyoming was the 1st Ward seat with incumbent Sheldon DeKryger and challenger Pete Ricketson both vying for the seat. The race was fairly close with DeKryger only having a 300-vote lead for most of the night. A 2 a.m., DeKryger said he got a text stating he had retained his seat with almost a 500-vote lead over Ricketson. The vote count was 3,220 to 2,709.

 

“I’m really excited that the residents spoke out in my favor,” DeKryger said in a Wednesday morning phone interview. “I am looking forward to representing the people and being their voice on the city council.”

 

DeKryger, who was appointed to the seat earlier this year after longtime Councilor Bill Ver Hurst stepped down due to health concerns, said he enjoyed getting out and talking to residents, discussing all that is happening within the city.

 

“It is a exciting time for the City of Wyoming,” DeKryger said. “There is a lot of great things going on in our city.”

 

The rest of the candidates, Mayor Jack Poll, and Councilors-at-large Kent Vanderwood and Sam Bolt, ran unopposed.

 

Democrat Monica Sparks will take over the 12th District seat from Harold Mast who did not seek re-election.

Kent County Board of Commission

 

With the announcement that incumbent Harold Mast would not seek re-election, there were a lot of people who threw their hat into the ring for the District 12 seat, which covers a portion of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. Early in the evening, with only 15 percent of the county election results having been reported, Democrat Monica Sparks was leading by more than 1,100 votes over Republican candidate Jill Martinez. Sparks hung on to that lead the rest of the night beating out Martinez 5,393 to 4,171.

 

“It feels amazing,” Sparks said last night as she celebrated with supporters. “What pulled me through was my faith, my family and my friends.

 

“I just felt it was the right thing for me to do. It is a right time and for the right reasons. It is just meant to be.”

 

In the rest of the Kent County Commission races, the incumbents defeated any challengers. According to the Kent County election results:

 

District 7
Incumbent Stan Ponstein (R) 6,439
Challenger Mike Johnson (D) 5,072

 

District 8
Incumbent Harold Voorhees (R) 9,199

 

District 9
Incumbent Matt Kallman (R) 9,725
Challenger Bob Smith (D) 5,037

 

District 10
Incumbent Emily Brieve (R) 10,801

 

District 12
Challenger Monica Sparks (D) 5,393
Challenger Jill Martinez (R) 4,171
Challenger Charolette Aikens (Green) 312

 

District 13
Incumbent Betsy Melton (D) 7,504
Challenger Jessica Ann Tyson (R) 5,817

 

Republican Aric Nesbitt is the new 26th District State Senator.

State Senate

A Republican incumbent and a Republican with a history of state government service will be representing Wyoming and Kentwood in Lansing next year. In the 26th District of the State Senate, which includes the City of Kentwood along with all of Allegan and Van Buren counties, Republican Aric, who has been a state representative and served in Gov. Rick Snyder’s cabinet, will replace term-limited Republican Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker. In the 8th District of the State Senate, which includes the City of Wyoming as well as the cities of Walker, Rockford and Cedar Springs, Republican incumbent Peter MacGregor finished with a strong lead over his challengers.

The results are:

 

26th District

Challenger Aric Nesbitt (R) 61,509

Challenger Garrett Lewis (D) 43,293

Erwin Haas (L) 2,374

Robert M. Alway (Green) 1,153

 

28th District
Incumbent Peter MacGregor (R) 68,744
Challenger Craig Beach (R) 45,937
Challenger Nathan Hewer (L) 3,059

 

State House of Representative

 

Both incumbents for the 72nd District, which covers a portion of the City of Kentwood, Cutlerville, and parts of Allegan County, and the 77th District, which covers a portion of Wyoming, Byron Center, and Cutlerville, retained their seats. The results are:

 

72nd District

Incumbent Steve Johnson (R) 21,373

Challenger Ron Draayer (D) 17,271

Challenger Jamie Lewis (L) 1,184

 

77th District

Incumbent Tommy Brann (R) 22,514

Challenger Dana Knight (D) 13,820

Patty Malowney (L) 866

Brandon Hoezee (US Taxpayers) 398

 

We the People: City of Wyoming Council Candidates

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WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

For the Wyoming City Council, there is only one seat contested out of the four seats on the Nov. 6 ballot.

 

Mayor Jack Poll is seeking his third term as the city’s mayor. He is running unopposed for the seat. Also running unopposed are Sam Bolt and Kent Vanderwood, both who are seeking re-election as council members at large.

 

For the city’s 1st Ward Councilor seat, incumbent Sheldon DeKryger will face candidate Pete Rickertson. DeKryger was appointed in March to fill the 1st Ward seat when longtime council member Bill VerHulst announced he would not be seeking re-election and stepped down from the council due to health concerns.

 

The city’s 1st Ward Wyoming’s encompasses Precincts 1 – 9. That area covers most of the eastern edge of the city which is Clyde Park Avenue to Eastern Avenue north of 36th Street and from Burlingame Avenue to Eastern Avenue south of 36th Street.

 

https://youtu.be/AxFQDq_eOis

 

Sheldon DeKryger – Incumbent

 

Occupation: Residential home builder

 

Why did you decide to run for the Wyoming City Council Ward 1 seat?

 

My wife and I believe in servant leadership, that is why our family has spent the last 20 years serving others in our community, school, and church. I believe the next step in serving my community is being the people’s voice on the Wyoming City Council. That is why when Bill Verhulst retired I applied for the position and was appointed last March. I would like to continue the great work the City is doing now.

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

 

Public Safety- I believe the Police and Fire departments need the tools and equipment necessary to do their jobs. The city needs to maintain the current funding levels to keep our community safe and protected.

 

Pro Business- I want to work on getting good manufacturing businesses in the Site 36 property. It would bring in hundreds of well paying jobs and be great for our city.

 

Financial Sustainability – I believe the city needs to live within its means. We also need to keep taxes low and bring funds back to our city from Lansing.

 

https://youtu.be/PpBNGO-QqGk

 

Pete Ricketson – Candidate

 

Occupation: Bus Driver

 

Why did decide to seek election to the Wyoming City Council Ward 1 seat?

 

Well for one thing, I saw how the city council influenced things with The Rapids. I see how things could be for public transportation and how as I looked into the city, I was appalled to see thousands of dollars being wasted. The majority are putting there own interested above the people who elected them. For that reason, I believe there is a huge disconnect between the actions of the city council and the will of the people. 

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

 

I think we need to overhaul how we use our resources as a city, stopping unnecessary spending. I would like to see us bring back things for our community such as the Fourth of July parade or perhaps, create a Taste of Wyoming at Lamar Park.

New Wyoming city councilor, local medical expert on latest WKTV Journal: In Focus

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WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus is Sheldon DeKryger, the City of Wyoming’s newest city councilor, who talks about his efforts of service to the city was and why becoming a councilor was the right thing for him to do at this time in his life.

 

DeKryger was appointed recently to fill the 1st Ward seat vacated by the resignation of Bill Ver Hulst. The ward covers most of the eastern edge of the city. He is no stranger to the city, or city governance. He and his family have lived in Wyoming for more than 20 years, and he has served on the city’s Construction Board of Appeals for nine years. He studied at Calvin College, and he owns and manages a custom home building company, Sheldon DeKryger Builder.

 

Also on the episode, In Focus is Dr. John Mulder, M.D., a hospice and palliative care physician, and medical director of the Grand Rapids based Holland Home senior health care provider. He is nationally recognized in his field, so much so that earlier this year he testified before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee as part of discussions on a national crisis focused on opioid pain medications. He is also the director of the Trillium Institute, a Western Michigan group focused on improving the quality of life, all the way through the end of life.

 

 

The entire episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

The episode will debuted on WKTV cable channels on Tuesday, May 29, and will again air on Thursday, May 31, also at 6:30 p.m., and will continue on the same days and times the week of June 4. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

 

Wyoming resident Sheldon DeKryger appointed to fill 1st Ward Council seat

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Newly appointed 1st Ward Commissioner Sheldon DeKryger takes the oath of office presented by Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg. DeKryger’s family looks on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The members of the Wyoming City Council openly admitted they had a tough decision between two potential candidates for the city’s open council seat but by the end of last night’s special meeting, the council made the unanimous decision to appoint business owner Sheldon DeKryger.

 

DeKryger will fill the 1st Ward Commission seat vacated by Bill Ver Hulst due to his resignation earlier this month. The appointment is through November when the seat is up for election.

 

“Looking over the resumes we received here, I said to my wife, we can’t go wrong with either one of them,” said Mayor Pro Ten Sam Bolt during discussions on the candidates, which were DeKryger and business owner and 18-year Wyoming resident Jennifer Franson.

 

Regardless of who was selected, Council member Dan Burrill said during the meeting, he hoped that both would continue to stay involved in the community.

 

DeKryger and his family have lived in Wyoming since 1995. He has three children attending Tri Unity Christian School, where he has been a board member for the past five years and was the building site coordinator for a recent addition at the school located on Wilson Avenue. He has one son attending Western Michigan University. He is a member of Resurrection Life Church, where he serves as a deacon and has been involved in the Powerhouse Ministry, an inner city Sunday school program that would set up at different sites in Wyoming, Kentwood, and the Grand Rapids area providing Bible lessons for local children.

 

DeKryger has a degree in economics from Calvin College and he currently owns and manages a residential building company that is based in Wyoming. According to DeKryger he got into construction due to his father-in-law and has enjoyed the field. He has served on the city’s Construction Board of Appeals for the last nine years.

 

He will serve out the remainder of the term which expires this fall at which time he plans to run for the seat.

 

“This is something that I have been taking about and my wife and I have gone back and remember a conversation I had with a person from six years ago,” DeKryger said during the his interview at the special meeting. “…we were talking about the city council back then and I  don’t even know what seat it was for, but it was ‘hey, have you ever thought about running for City Council’ and it planted a seed and it is something that I’ve always wanted to do.

 

“I knew there was going to be opportunities this year so at that point I filed my paperwork. I was going to run this fall in the November election and the reason that I am here today is things got speed up and if I am running in November there is no reason I shouldn’t be sitting at this table hoping you guys will listen to me and try to get this appointment.”

 

DeKryger currently is the only candidate who has filed for the 1st Ward seat for the upcoming election. That area covers most of the eastern edge of the city which is Clyde Park Avenue to Eastern Avenue north of 36th Street and from Burlingame Avenue to Eastern Avenue south of 36th Street.

 

Beside’s the 1st Ward seat, two council member-at-large seats, currently held by Kent Vanderwood and Sam Bolt, and the mayor’s seat, currently held by Jack Poll, are up for election. Vanderwood, Bolt and Poll said they all plan to run for re-election for their current positions.

 

Those interested in running for any of the council or mayor seats need to file with the Wyoming City’s clerk office by 4 p.m. April 24. The clerk’s office is located in the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. Candidate packets are available at the front desk.

Wyoming City Council set to interview two for open seat on council

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The Wyoming City Council is scheduled to interview and select a resident of the city’s First Ward to fill a vacated seat on the council Monday, March 26. WKTV will be broadcasting the interviews and swearing in of the new council member on WKTV Channel 26.

 

The special meeting is set to start at 5 p.m. with the interview of Jennifer Franson. The interview session will be about 30 minutes followed by a 10-minute break and the second interview with Sheldon DeKryger will take place at 5:40 p.m.

 

After the second interview, there will be a short discussion session with the council scheduled to selected one of the two candidates to fill the seat. The candidate is scheduled to be sworn in that night, said City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg.

 

William VerHulst

In January, William VerHulst announced he would not be seeking re-election to his 1st Ward seat due to health concerns. His current term is up in the fall. About a month later, he sent in his resignation from the council. With the vacancy, the council is obligated to fill the seat, VandenBerg. said. The person selected at Monday night’s special meeting will serve in the seat until November when the term expires.

 

Whoever is elected in November will then take over the seat. Any candidate seeking the 1st Ward seat must live in Wyoming’s 1st Ward. That area covers most of the eastern edge of the city which is Clyde Park Avenue to Eastern Avenue north of 36th Street and from Burlingame Avenue to Eastern Avenue south of 36th Street.

 

VandenBerg said that currently only DeKryger has filed a petition seeking to be on the ballot for the vacated seat. She added that several packets have been taken out. For the August primary, Aug. 7, and the general election, Nov. 6, the city will have several council seats up for election. Beside’s VerHulst’s 1st Ward seat, two council-member at large seats, currently held by Kent Vanderwood and Sam Bolt, and the mayor’s seat, currently held by Jack Poll, are up for election. Vanderwood, Bolt and Poll said they all plan to run for re-election for their current positions.

 

Those interested in running for any of the council or mayor seats need to file with the Wyoming City’s clerk office by 4 p.m. April 24. The clerk’s office is located in the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. Candidate packets are available at the front desk.