Tag Archives: Vote

Kent District Library to ask voters for one-year millage on Aug. 6 ballot to bridge 2025 funding gap

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By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


In November 2023, Kent County voters approved a 15-year renewal millage for the award-winning Kent District Library system. However, the approved ballot language does not give KDL the authority to assess the new millage until December 2025, resulting in a one-year funding gap.

KDL will ask voters to consider a one-year nonrenewable millage at a rate of 1.1 mills on the Aug. 6 ballot that, if approved, will support the system’s 2025 operations.

Gap millage details

The gap millage is at the same rate property owners pay now, and there is no overlap with any other KDL millage.

If approved, the millage will generate $27.6 million, which will cover the expense of physical and digital collections, employees, programs and events, tech tutoring and other library services, rent and other expenses in 2025.

KDL Outreach and Programming Specialist Susan Erhardt reads to children (Courtesy, KDL)

The average homeowner in the KDL service area would pay $145.75 annually for access to its broad array of services – or about $2.80 per week, less than the cost of most cups of coffee, which is the same as what they are paying now.

“More than 90% of KDL’s operating costs are paid by millage dollars,” KDL Executive Director Lance Werner said. “An issue with the 2023 millage dates occurred inadvertently and has resulted in our need to go back to voters for a one-year millage to fill this funding gap. There’s no overlap and no double-dipping.

“If the gap ballot question does not pass voter approval in this election cycle, KDL will be forced to make substantive cuts to our team, hours, branches, services and programs in 2025.”

If passed, the millage will be used for KDL operating costs (Courtesy, Sophia Rolfe)

The millage will be levied Dec. 1, 2024 to fund 2025 library operations until the 15-year renewal millage can be accessed in December 2025.

This is a one-time request to bridge the funding gap in 2025. KDL will not ask for a renewal of this millage.

How KDL serves the community

KDL serves more than 440,000 residents in 27 municipalities through 20 branches, an Express Library, a bookmobile, its main service center, 5,000-plus annual in-person programs and a host of patron-focused services, from in-branch printer/Wi-Fi access and loanable mobile hot spots to early literacy initiatives and an extensive assortment of talking books and Braille resources.

KDL Grandville Branch Library Jocelyn talks with a patron about book selections (Courtesy, KDL)

Early literacy and education partnerships are a cornerstone of KDL service for the community. KDL has a long-standing tradition inspiring students to continue their learning through the summer. In addition to helping students and their families directly, KDL provides a wide array of resources to teachers, which can be found online here.

KDL’s collection is comprised of more than 700,000 physical items and 15.6 million digital items. These include books, e-books, apps, magazines, movies, television programs, audio books, video courses, video games, music, online databases, research materials and at-home learning materials, as well as access to statewide materials and collections.

KDL works to provide a variety of resources and materials for the community (Courtesy, KDL)

In 2023, total circulation rose 8% to more than 7.6 million while public computer usage grew 18% and Wi-Fi usage grew 6%. KDL is in the top 50 libraries worldwide for OverDrive digital circulation.

Known for family-friendly programs, KDL offers more than 6,400 programs and outreach events each year, from popular baby/toddler/preschool storytimes, learning labs and craft classes to book clubs, concerts and special activities.

The system employs more than 340 people and receives 5,900-plus hours annually from more than 650 volunteers.

Resource links

“KDL remains committed to fostering a lifelong love of reading, learning and critical thinking,” Werner said. “Funding from this millage is critical in order for us to continue to operate and provide resources for all in our community throughout 2025.”

More information on the one-year millage proposal and a millage calculator can be found here.

More information on KDL and the services and resources they offer can be found here.

Kent District Library to ask voters for millage renewal at lower rate

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The KDL millage offers a lower rate and immediate savings (Courtesy, KDL)

By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

On Nov. 7, Kent County residents in the Kent District Library service area will be asked to consider renewing the millage that funds its operations for another 15 years.

A lower millage rate and immediate savings

KDL works to save residents money while offering a variety of programs and services (Courtesy, KDL)

KDL is asking voters to consider a new, lower rate of 1.1 mills, which reflects a reduction of 10.9% off KDL’s current millage rate of 1.2355 mills. Taxpayers will see immediate savings as the KDL Board has committed to lowering the millage rate effective Jan. 1, 2024.

“Kent District Library is able to lower its millage because we are part of a thriving and growing community where new taxable real estate has produced more revenue,” said KDL Executive Director Lance Werner.

“As good stewards of your tax dollars, we can reduce the millage while still continuing offer our current slate of programs and services,” Werner continued. “The reduced rate will allow us to add new materials, programs, events and services as we have always done.

“If voters reject the millage, though, we would be forced to close our doors since the majority of our funding – approximately 90% – comes from millage dollars.”

How the millage will help KDL serve you

KDL serves residents in 27 municipalities through 20 branches, a bookmobile, its main service center, 5,000-plus annual in-person programs and a host of patron-focused services, from in-branch printer/Wi-Fi access and loanable mobile hot spots to early literacy initiatives and an extensive collection of talking books and Braille resources.

KDL is a multi-award-winning public library service (Courtesy, KDL)

If approved, the millage will generate $26.6 million in its first year, which will cover the expense of physical and digital collections, employees, programs and events, tech tutoring and other library services, rent and other expenses. The new millage will expire Dec. 31, 2039.

If approved, the lower millage will save taxpayers $3.1 million annually or $46.5 million over its life. With the new lower rate, the average homeowner in the KDL service area will pay $145.75 annually for access to library services – or $2.80 per week, less than the cost of most cups of coffee.

How KDL helps you save

KDL exists to further all people and is an open and welcoming hub for everyone. Last year, the award-winning library system logged more than 2.1 million interactions with patrons, including branch visits, event participation and virtual program attendance. KDL has nearly 140,000 patrons, adding 20,395 new card holders last year.

KDL Millage (Courtesy, KDL)

In 2022, KDL saved individual library users an average of $1,348 in value for physical and digital items they would otherwise have had to purchase. During that same period, library users saved $85.2 million by checking out physical materials and digital items.

KDL’s collection is extensive, with more than 700,000 physical items and 15.6 million digital items. These include books, e-books, apps, magazines, movies, television programs, audio books, video courses, video games, music, online databases, research materials and at-home learning materials, as well as access to statewide materials and collections. In 2022, total circulation rose 6% to more than 7.1 million while computer and Wi-Fi usage grew 26%.

Known for its family-friendly programs, KDL offers more than 5,600 programs and outreach events each year. Baby/toddler/preschool story times, learning labs and craft classes, book clubs, concerts, and special activity and interest groups are all part of KDL’s outreach.

Program and outreach attendance grew more than 61% in 2022.

A leader among libraries

KDL employs 346 people and receives more than 4,000 hours annually from more than 500 volunteers. KDL is governed by a board of trustees who are appointed by the Kent County Board of Commissioners for four-year terms and represent various geographic regions of the county.

Recognized as a leader among libraries, KDL has won numerous awards and accolades for its collections, programs, services and team.

Kentwood students hope to ‘make that change’ by encouraging people to vote

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East Kentwood students are hoping to help make change at this year’s election by helping people register to vote. (Photo by 2015 Tim Evanson (CC BY-SA 2.0))

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Recognizing that real change begins at the voting booth, a group of East Kentwood High School students have banded together to host a voter registration drive July 14 – 17.

“With all that has been going on in our community and nationally, there are many students from East Kentwood High School who have been very vocal about their desire to see change,” said Andrew Love, a 2020 East Kentwood High School graduate and one of the voter registration drive organizers.

Love’s friend, Litzey Ramos, another 2020 East Kentwood graduate, had been part of the school’s American Political Thought (APT) class. As part of the class requirements, each student is required to complete a final project and Ramos had decided to host a voter registration day during the school’s lunch periods.

“Then school got closed due to COVID, so she wasn’t able to do the project,” Love said.

Through a discussion between Ramos, Love, and friends, the group decided that the project was a good idea and began looking at whether they could host a voter registration event over the summer.

“We kind of pulled this together in a week,” Love said. “We knew many of the students would be heading off to college soon, so we did not want to wait too long. Plus we wanted to make sure that people were registered for the primary election.”

Residents have until July 20 to register at any office such as the Secretary of State or local clerk or at a voter registration event such as the one hosted by the East Kentwood students. From July 21 to the Aug. 4 Primary election, residents may only register at their local clerk’s office and must have proof of ID with them.

Love said the group began to look for a large parking lot where they could set up a drive thru registration event so as to abide by social distancing guidelines. Since he worked for Celebration Cinema South, Love asked his manager about using the parking lot there since the cinema is currently not open due to COVID.

A resident would drive in and be handed a clip board to fillout the voter registration. Students would be on hand to answer questions. All registrations would be collected and given to a League of Women’s Voter representative who will deliver the items to the downtown clerk’s office.

“So hopefully people would be registered to vote in time for the primary,” Love said.

At the same time, Love said students will be helping with absentee registration. Residents have until July 31 at 5 p.m. to request a mailed absentee ballot. An absentee ballot can be returned up to 8 p.m. on Aug 4 to the person’s local clerk’s office.

The registration event is open to any person eligible to vote. A person must be 18 or older by the day of the election to vote. Love said they wanted to open it to any graduating student as well as to anyone in the community needing help to register.

“Litzey and her family have a connection to the Hispanic community and they are working to let people know about this opportunity,” he said. “Our goal is to get as many people as possible registered.”

We Have Teeth and We Vote!

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By Regina Salmi, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

 

Signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Medicare provides health care coverage to seniors and individuals with disabilities. For most older adults, it is a benefit they have been paying for their entire working lives. Medicare insures older adults have basic healthcare coverage. Many older adults are surprised to discover though, that dental care is not a benefit included in Medicare coverage. There is a campaign underfoot to change this.

 

The original version of Medicare included oral health, but like all bills, in order to become law Medicare went through several revisions. The thought at the time was that a majority of Americans lost all of their teeth by age 65, so dental care was unimportant. Today, thanks to better oral health and fluoridated water, many of us are holding onto our teeth for our entire lives. The ability to care for our teeth is integral to healthy aging.

 

Our mouths have a direct impact on our health. Tooth decay or loss directly affects our ability to take in proper nutrition. The ability to eat and swallow are imperative to maintaining good health as we age. Maintaining adequate nutrition is often key to remaining independent. A decline in oral health also affects our self-esteem and willingness to communicate, leading to social isolation and loneliness. Poor oral health can also have a negative impact on our general physical health. Periodontal disease has been shown to affect blood glucose levels in people with diabetes and has recently been associated with cardiovascular disease. Receiving basic oral health services helps prevent these outcomes.

 

Led by Oral Health America, Demand Medicare Dental is a national campaign to improve oral health (and overall health) for older adults by adding a dental care benefit to Medicare. Right now, they are working in several states and partnering with local organizations to raise awareness of the issue and to encourage legislators to begin having the conversation about including dental benefits in Medicare. Demand Dental Care has recently partnered with Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and the Tri-County AAA in Lansing to bring their Brush Brigade to local events, asking people interested in this issue to sign their name on a toothbrush, which will be delivered to legislators this fall. It is important for lawmakers to know this issue is important to their constituents.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about their efforts or volunteering for the campaign, you can visit their website at www.DemandMedicareDental.org. On the website, you can also choose to send your legislator a toothbrush to let them know – “I Have Teeth and I Vote!”

Snapshots: News you need to know from Wyoming and Kentwood

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WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

Here’s what’s happening this week…

Corpse Flower set to bloom — and stink — at Meijer Gardens

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will bloom of a rare Amorphophallus titanum, commonly known as a corpse flower, a bloom 18 years in the making.

 

 

GRandJazzFest seeks volunteers for August event

GRandJazzFest presented by the DTE Energy Foundation seeks volunteers to help at the festival Aug. 18 and 19 at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Bicycling Dos and Don’ts

Summertime and kids on bikes go hand in hand. Here’s how to keep your kids safe.

 

 

 

 

Election Day: Get out the VOTE, get deals and freebies

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vote-marcos-pizzaAs if there already weren’t several good reasons to vote in this election, some restaurants and companies are upping the ante with freebies and deals. The catch? You really do have to vote and you have show your “I Voted” sticker to prove it.

 

Here’s a sampling:

 

Marco’s Pizza: “Vote for Marco’s” on Election Day and get a voucher for a free, medium one-topping pizza. 2355 Health Dr. SW, Wyoming.

 

Bob Evans: Use this coupon and get 30 percent off your entire dine-in or carryout order. 6565 Kalamazoo SE, Gaines Township.

 

7-Eleven: You’ll have to use the 7-Eleven mobile app to cash in on this deal, but a free cup of coffee is worth the trouble. At participating 7-Eleven locations.

 

Firehouse Subs: Wear your “I Voted” sticker and get a free medium drink at participating Firehouse Subs locations.

krispykreme

 

Chuck E. Cheese: Get a free personal size pepperoni pizza with any pizza purchase on Election Day with this coupon code.

 

Krispy Kreme: Get a free doughnut when you show your “I Voted” sticker. At participating Krispy Kreme locations.

 

Uber: New Uber riders get $20 off with the code “VOTETODAY.” As part of Uber’s ongoing campaign to encourage users to vote, Uber is teaming up with Google to launch a special in-app feature on November 8th that will help you locate your polling location and then seamlessly request a ride with just a push of a button.

 

Deals, freebies or not… just get out there and VOTE!

“Voting! Making It Count” mini exhibit opens at Grand Rapids Public Museum

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This cane was from a Gerald Ford Republican Party Presidential campaign that took place in Grand Rapids 1976. The handle says "For President" and the year "76t." The cane was owned by Henry J. Danielski, a World War II veteran of the 82 Airborne Division and an old friend of Gerald Ford's from when they grew up in Grand Rapids together. Danielski ran into Ford at a campaign event where he was limping due to a long-term war injury. Ford gave him this cane to help him walk. Danielski's son later donated the cane to the Grand Rapids Pubic Museum.
This cane was from a Gerald Ford Republican Party Presidential campaign that took place in Grand Rapids 1976. The handle says “For President” and the year “76t.” The cane was owned by Henry J. Danielski, a World War II veteran of the 82 Airborne Division and an old friend of Gerald Ford’s from when they grew up in Grand Rapids together. Danielski ran into Ford at a campaign event where he was limping due to a long-term war injury. Ford gave him this cane to help him walk. Danielski’s son later donated the cane to the Grand Rapids Pubic Museum.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today the new mini exhibit Voting! Making it Count will open Oct. 1. Tying into the 2016 presidential election, this exhibit will showcase voting related artifacts of the GRPM Collections from the 1800s through the present day.

 

Voting MachineVoting! Making it Count will display a historical timeline of voting machines beginning with a wooden voting box that was used in the 1890s by the Grand Rapids Typographical Union, continuing with a standard voting machine that utilized levers for votes invented in 1898 and used through the 1960s, a ballot container from the 1930s and 1940s used by the 1st Ward 9th Precinct in Grand Rapids, a Douglas Collapsible Voting Booth used from 1945 until the 1960s  in Grand Rapids, and a CES Votomatic Electronic Voting Machine that was used in the 2000 presidential election.

 

Other artifacts in this exhibit will include bumper stickers and buttons from various U.S. presidential elections, a Gerald R. Ford Presidential campaign cane, and campaign gloves, gavels and tags.

 

Admission to the mini exhibit Voting! Making it Count will be included with general admission to GRPM. This exhibit will be on display from Oct. 1 – Nov. 13, 2016, coinciding with the 2016 Presidential Election taking place on Tuesday, November 8.

 

The GRPM continuously showcases several mini-exhibitions, or pop-up exhibits, each year. They are modeled after pop-up stores, and are intended to be shorter in duration, tie into national and current events and showcase the GRPM’s Collections on a routine basis to the community. For further details, visit grpm.org.