WKTV Staff
The Kent County Board of Commissioners has 19 districts of which six represent portions of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. Of those six districts, two have unopposed candidates. Here are those seeking to represent Wyoming and Kentwood residents at the county level.
7th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 7th District Kent County Commissioner race Republican incumbent Stan Ponstein, of Grandville, will be facing off against Democrat challenger Mike Johnson, of Wyoming. The 7th District covers most of the City of Grandville and the northern portion of the City of Wyoming, most of which is in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district. For specific borders, visit accesskent.com.
https://youtu.be/95Z2c70vH8o
Mike Johnson – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Pharmacist tech in-patient at Mercy Health Hospital
Why did you decide to seek election to the 7th District Kent County Commission Seat?
I decided to run because of President Donald Trump’s attacks on the Hispanic community, how local hispanics are treated, and because of my experiences in Arizona with ADOT in that every citizen was required to have a state ID so law enforcement could verify identity, but it was mostly being used against minorities. I also noticed there was no LGBTQ representatives sitting on any of your local boards.
If elected what issues would you want to take a look at?
I would like to center focus on schools in financial need. Godfrey Lee being one of them. I would like to bring back a second Kent County Health Department because our population needs it or expand on our current health department. Obviously putting pressure on to end the contract with ICE and work with local law enforcement to develop ongoing cultural sensitivity trainings. Also, if it should pass, to fairly regulate district facilities in regards to marijuana distribution.
https://youtu.be/gvaHqfxgxh8
Stan Ponstein – Incumbent (R)
Occupation: Works for Costco Wholesale
Why did you decide to run for re-election to the 7th District Kent County Commission Seat?
Since being re-elected last year, I was elected to the Michigan Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. I believe it is so important for Kent County to have a voice on the state level since so much of our money is funded through the federal and the state.
What are the issues you see for the county in the next couple of years?
It is the things that occur everyday. Money is always a concern and there is never enough but it is how we use it and the priorities we set. Since I was elected the opioid epidemic has exploded and in the last year, the PFAS issue exploded. West Nile has also reappeared. To clean up the PFAS will probably take a lot of resources and the one thing we have discovered is we are not alone in that there are counties across the country dealing with the PFAS issue. So it is the day-to-day issues that you have to be prepared to deal with. The sheriff department and the health department make up most of our budget. So having placed the right people in the right place with the right support is something we need to focus on.
8th District Kent County Commissioner
The 8th District Kent County Commission covers the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, including the pan handle. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Harold Voorhees – Incumbent (R)
Harold Voorhees is the incumbent for the 8th District and he is running unopposed for the Nov. 6 election.
9th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 9th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican incumbent Matt Kallman is being challenged by Democrat candidate Bob Smith. Both are from Byron Center. The 9th District is all of Byron Center and a southern portion of the City of Wyoming east of Burlingame Avenue and west of Clyde Park Avenue to 36th Street and a portion that goes from north of 40th Street to Division Avenue. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
https://youtu.be/1HYzq1LoPNM
Bob Smith – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Factory Worker
Why did you decide to seek election to the 9th District Kent County Commissioner seat?
I was getting more involved with local politics, through the UAW CAP (Citizenship and Legislative Committee, most often referred to as the Community Action Program, or CAP), and started to take part in the Kent County Democratic Party meetings. … People started suggesting to me that I should run for something. … I starting thinking what would I do with that office should I get it.
If elected, what issue(s) would you immediately want to focus on and why?
I would want to get First Steps (Kent) expanded.(The program deals with early childhood services.) I think that is a great program. We also need to expand veterans services. Kent County is a pretty big county with a lot of rural area that our busing system does not reach out to. So we have one place where all the veterans services are centered, downtown, which isn’t very helpful. … I would definitely want to invest more in that.
Matt Kallman – Incumbent (R)
Occupation: Software
Why did decide to run of re-election for the 9th District Kent County Commissioner seat?
I love representing the people of my part of Wyoming and Byron Center on the Board. Kent County is a well run organization and I enjoy being able to learn and work with my colleagues to make sure it stays that way. I also think having someone with a technical background on the Board is important as we make numerous significant IT investments to better serve the people of Kent County.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
I want to continue to ensure that Kent County makes good budget decisions. We are in good financial shape due to a long history of wise management of our resources. Generally, I want to bring my perspective from a younger, more tech-savvy generation to the Board to make sure we are considering long term decisions with a good mix of perspectives.
10th District Kent County Commissioner
The 10th District Kent County Commissioner seat covers Gaines Township and the southern half of Caledonia Township. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Emily P. Brieve – Incumbent
Emily P. Brieve, of Caledonia, is the incumbent for the 10th District and she is running unopposed in the Nov. 6 election.
12th District Kent County Commissioner
With the announcement that incumbent Harold Mast would not be seeking another term, the 12th District Kent County Commissioner race features three new faces, Republican Jill Martinez, Democrat Monica Sparks, and Green Party Charlotte Aikens. The District 12 Kent County Commissioner seat covers the western portion of the City of Kentwood and the eastern portion of the city of Wyoming. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
https://youtu.be/ZdF6wxLDoBk
Charlotte Aikens – Candidate (G)
Occupation: Register Nurse for nine years, in the health care field for 12 years.
Why did you decide to seek election to the 12th District Kent County Commission seat?
I got interested more than a year ago and the issues that got me to enter were deciding where the money goes and health care.
If elected what issues would you want to take a look at?
The ICE contact is a big deal. I know a lot of immigrant families, so I know the process and how hard it is to try and bring family members into the country. It can take years. Most families don’t understand the process to get their families. They live in fear. they just want to be a family, to live, to work, and to pay their taxes like the rest of us. I am not certain what the solutions are but I want to be part of the solution.
https://youtu.be/xgJMjDVvkOo
Jill Martinez
Occupation: Healthcare Management
Why did you decided to seek election to the 12th District Kent County Commissioner seat?
This community has so much to offer, community and sporting events, local businesses and great people, and it continues to flourish. I love my community and want to play my part in seeing that we continue to thrive. Growing up, my family emphasized a strong work ethic and service to others and those lessons have stayed with me.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
As I meet with residents, it is clear that they want a county that protects its seniors and veterans, safeguards essential services, keeps our community safe and supports all taxpayers. Our seniors and veterans have given a lot to our community and we need to give back to them. By safeguarding essential services, we can secure the care and central resources they need to survive. A successful county is a safe county. I will support officers and give them the funding they need to protect you and your families. I will also support new measures that will contribute to our safe community.
https://youtu.be/vwCbB_5CDTA
Monica Sparks
13th District Kent County Commissioner
For the 13th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican candidate Jessica Ann Tyson is challenging Democrat incumbent Betsy Melton. Both are from Kentwood. The Kent County Commission District 13 covers the eastern portion of the City of Kentwood. For specific boarders, visit.accesskent.com.
Betsy Melton – Incumbent (D)
Occupation: Retired registered nurse
Why did you decide to seek re-election to the 13th District Kent Count Commissioner seat?
During my first two years, I have learned a lot about what is to be on the Board of Commissioners and there was a lot more to it then I knew. I decided to run again because I wanted to provide my community with the experience I have gained during those two years. Also there are some items that I would have been working on that I would like to see through. That and I am very, very passionate about my City of Kentwood and feel very honored to be be able to represent the city at the county level.
If re-elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
Certainly one of them is the PFAS problem in Kent County. Also the opioid crisis is something that we have been addressing and will need to continue to address. Farmland preservation is another area that we certainly have been talking about. Lastly, if I have two more years, I would like to somehow affect a positive wave in how we look at issues that is much more unified and much less partisan.
https://youtu.be/gZfHKVgeoNE
Jessica Ann Tyson – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Business Owner
Why did you decide to run for the 13th District Kent County Commission seat?
Because I believe a good representative of the community has to be immersed and very engaged in the community. I believe in giving back to the community that has given me so much.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
I feel we need to work on our roads and I will work with county and state officials to invest in our infrastructure. Also I want to focus on the health care crisis. We need to find ways to help with such issues as mental health and the opioid crisis.
All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.
