We the People 2022: Kent County Commission Seats

For the November election, City of Wyoming residents will be voting on five Kent County Commission seats while the residents of the City of Kentwood will be voting on three.

There are a total of 21 commission seats, all of which are up for election this year. All the seats are for two-year terms with the four-year rotation set to start in 2024. Through the redistricting, two new districts have been added to the board, increasing the total number of districts from 19 to 21.

The new districts are District 20, which was designed to represent the Hispanic community and encompasses the northern portion of the City of Wyoming (the Godfrey Lee Public School district) and a southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids. The other district, District 21, covers the southeast corner of the county include the Village of Caledonia up past the Gerald R. Ford International Airport into Cascade Charter Township.

All candidates running for county commission seats in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood were given the opportunity to do a We the People, where candidates may share why they decided to run, a little about themselves, and the issues the candidate feels are important.

All votes, in-person and absentee, must be cast by Nov. 8. Absentee votes must be received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 8. Those voting in-person at the polls have from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to cast their vote. Remember to check your voter card or contact your local clerks office for you precinct since redistricting may have changed where you vote.

7th District Kent County Commission Seat

The 7th District encompasses most of the City of Grandville and a portion of the City of Wyoming with Burlingame Avenue, south of 28th Street is the eastern border and Wyoming Avenue, north of 28th Street, the eastern border. For a map of the district, click here.

Incumbent Stan Ponstein (R) is facing first-time candidate Sue Merrell, (D).

Stan Ponstein

Ponstein has been on the Kent County Board of Commissioners since 2008 and was recently elected to serve as president of the board of Michigan Association of Counties. He works for Costco.

Website: https://www.stanponstein.com

Sue Merrell

Merrell is retired from the Grand Rapids Press, where she worked for two decades.

Website: https://electsuemerrell.blogspot.com/

8th District Kent County Commission Seat

The 8th District is contained in the City of Wyoming and includes the area between Burlingame and Clyde Park avenues south of 28th Street as well as the city’s panhandle area. For a map of the district, click here.

Incumbent Dan Burrill (R) is running for his second term on the Kent County Commission. He is facing challenger Jennie Chatman (D).

Dan Burrill

Before joining the Board of Kent County Commissioners, Burrill served on the Wyoming City Council. His occupation is a residential real estate and builder.

Website: https://www.danburrillforkent.com

Jennie Chatman (D)

Chatman is the chair of the Michigan State Union Label & Services Trade Council.

Website: There is none.

9th District Kent County Commission Seat

The 9th District covers all of Byron Township and includes a section of the City of Wyoming between Clyde Park and Division avenues up to about Resurrection Life Cemetery, located north of 44th Street. For a map of the district, click here.

Incumbent Matt Kallman (R) is facing challenger Chip LaFleur (D).

Matt Kallman (R)

Kallman is the vice president of a Software Products at Compliance Systems, Inc.

Website: http://www.mattkallman.com

Chip LaFleur (D)

LaFleur is a marketing professional.

Website: There is none.

10th District Kent County Commission Seat

Through redistrict, the 10th District is all of Gaines Township and a portion of the City of Kentwood that is bordered by Division Avenue to the west, Eastern Avenue to the east and 56th Street to the north. For a map of the district, click here.

Running for the seat is incumbent Emily Post Brieve (R). She is facing first-time challenge Julie Humphreys (D).

Emily Post Brieve (R)

Brieve has been on the Kent County Board of Commissioners since 2014 and currently serves as vice chair. She currently helps manage her family’s small business, FastoolNow.com.

Website: https://emilypostbrieve.com

Julie Humphreys

Website: https://www.facebook.com/kentcommissiondistrict10

12th District Kent County Commission Seat

The 12th District encompasses a portion of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, which is mostly the Godwin Pubic Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools. For a map of the district, click here.

Incumbent Monica Sparks (D) is seeking her third term on the board. She faces challenger Lee White (R).

Monica Sparks (D)

Occupation: Small business owner

Why did you decide to run for this seat? I love my community and I am not running to just sit in an office, however, I am running to continue as a servant leader; making sure all people living in Kent County have access to quality services and opportunities for a optimal future. I will continue to advocate for Veterans, Seniors, Children, Families and Individuals that live, work or play in Kent County.

What are a couple of issues you would want to address if elected? If elected by the people, I will continue as a servant leader to make sure the people that live work and play in Kent county have a quality of life and access to resources to reach their full potential with opportunities and resources everyone can access. I will continue to advocate for Veterans, Seniors, Children, Families and Individuals that live, work or play in Kent County. My priorities as a Kent County Commission are Mental Health care, Veterans and Senior Services and Early Childhood Readiness, Foster care and Adoption as well as Agriculture / Food Security for the future.

Website: https://monicasparks.com

Lee White (R)

Lee White is a graduate of East Kentwood high School and has served many community organizations such as SKRA baseball, Wyoming, Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Michigan Jaycess and the West Michigan Veterans Branch.

Website: https://www.leewhiteforcommissioner.com

13th District Kent County Commission Seat

The 13th District covers most of the City of Kentwood except for Districts 10 and 12 cover. For a map of the district, click here.

Incumbent Michelle McCloud (D) is seeking her second term on the board. She faces challenger Tom McKelvy (R).

Michelle McCloud

McCloud is an assistant dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University and has volunteered with hospice, Meals-on-Wheels and on the board of directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kent County.

Website: www.michellemccloud.com

Tom McKelvy

Occupation: President of a Small Business

Why did you decide to run for this seat? This was an opportunity to continue to serve the residents of Kentwood and to make sure their voice is heard at the county level. I believe that the role of a leader is to amplify the voices of the citizens and to find ways to empower them to improve their communities and their lives. I’m running to ensure that government isn’t the answer to the problems, but a resource to empower and support the residents of our communities.

What are a couple of issues you would want to address if elected? There needs to be a focus county-wide on improving safety in our communities. We need the leaders at the Kent County Commission to mobilize community leaders, citizens, and organizations to work in unison to address the increase in crime that all of us are witnessing. I also want to see a focus on long-term strategies that will prepare our young adults to be ready for the jobs of the future so that Kent County stays attractive to our youth for decades to come.

Website: https://www.mckelvey4commissioner.com

20th District Kent County Commission Seat

The 20th District is a brand new commission seat. It covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming and a southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids. For a map of the district, click here.

The candidates are Ivan Diaz (D) and Eliza Rodriguez (R).