The cast of the upcoming production of “And Then There Were None.”
By Josh Kennedy
WKTV Intern
Decades before Gillian Flynn wrote “Gone Girl” and long before Dennis Lehane penned “Shutter Island,” Agatha Christie wrote “And Then There Were None,” one of the best selling murder mysteries in history.
This story will be brought to stage Aug. 17-19 and 24-26 at the Shadblow Theater at the Jension Center for the Performing Arts, with many of the actors hail from Wyoming and Kentwood.
“And Then Where None,” original written in 1939, is a murder mystery that will keep the audience guessing until the final act. This psychological thriller follows a group of seemingly normal people who are invited to an island retreat by an eccentric millionaire. Once a gramophone announces the group’s sins to all the other occupants things start to get interesting and people start to disappear.
“I think to be able write like Agatha Christie, you would have to draw on the people around you in life,” said Director Kristin Tomlin. “And the characters in here, some of them are so much large than life, that you must think, she must know someone like that.”
Cathy Van Lopek portrays Emily Caroline Brent
This is fairly evident as the various cast members describe their characters. After all, who hasn’t run into someone like the fanatically religious spinster Emily Caroline Brent, portrayed by Wyoming resident Cathy Van Lopek.
“She is very judgmental about everybody she comes across,” Van Lopek said. “I don’t think there is a human being living on the Earth who meets her standards.”
Then there is the action-first, think-later Capt. Philip Lomard, played by David Cobb.
David Cope is Capt. Philip Lomard
“He’s the adventurer,” Cobb said. “The man of action. I think he is the first one who gets a little suspicious about everything.”
Also among the guests is former detective William Henry Blore. “He is not a very good detective,” said William Cope who plays Blore. “He is kind of incompetent and bites at every single red herring that is offered.”
The storyline itself — which is based off an old children’s rhyme — is a difficult one that very much intrigued the author.
“One thing she said about this play is that the idea of it was so challenging and so difficult to her she just had to do it,” Tomlin said. “She just had to try and write it.”
William Cope (right) is William Henry Blore
In fact, at first, no one wanted to produce the play version of Christie’s “And Then There Were None” because they insisted that the storyline wouldn’t work on stage and that people would laugh at it. In 2015, it was voted the World’s Favorite Christie story having been made into several movies with such groups as the Superman comics and “Family Guy” making parodies of it.
Who’s pulling the strings and who is just trying to stay alive? You’ll just have to catch the show, Aug. 17-26, to find out. Show times are 7:30 p.m Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at the Jension Center for the Performing Arts, 8375 20th Ave., Jenison. Tickets are $16.50/adult, $13/seniors who are 60 and older, and $8/students under 18.
In the latest segment of the WKTV Journal, we sit-down with Kentwood artist Meoshia Thomson who discusses the power of hugs, a key element in her 2018 ArtPrize submission.
We also take a sneak peek into the upcoming 28th Street Metro Cruise, which is set for Aug. 24 and 25 at Rogers Plaza and catch up with a group of Wyoming and Kentwood actors who are in one of Agatha Christie’s most famous plays, “And Then There Were None,” set to be performed at the Jension Center for Performing Arts.
Wyoming resident Chris Hall visits with us to talk about the Wyoming’s Community Development Committee, which serves as an advisory board to the Wyoming City Council on the federally-funded Community Block Development Grants. The committee has openings for Wyoming residents with Chris noting it is an excellent way to get involved with the Wyoming committee.
Lastly, we take a trip down memory lane with Wyoming History Commission member Bill Branz and WKTV Contributor Katey Batey as they talk about S&H Green Stamps.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, WKTV talks with Dr. Erwin Haas, a Kentwood resident and retired local medical internist. Haas is the Libertarian Party candidate for the Michigan State Senate’s 26th District seat. This November, Haas will face off with Republican primary winner Aric Nesbitt and Democrat Garnet Lewis. Haas ran campaigns for U.S. Congress in 2016 and 2014, as well as for Lieutenant Governor in 2010.
We will talk with him about what the Libertarian party is all about and why he continues to seek elected office.
Also on the episode, In Focus is Thomas Sinas, a partner in West Michigan’s Sinas Dramis Law Firm and an advocate for the Kent County Legal Assistance Center. Sinas has tried both civil and criminal cases, and has also lectured and authored numerous articles on trial practice and substantive law. We talk with him about the Legal Assistance Center, and misconceptions about legal services available in civil and criminal cases.
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 debuted on WKTV cable channels on Tuesday, Aug. 7, and aired again on Thursday, Aug. 7, also at 6:30 p.m., and will continue on the same days and times the week of Aug. 13. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
“Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about things.” — Kenneth Branagh, British actor
Celebrate Kentwood with all sorts of talent
Hannah Rose and the GravesTones. (Supplied)
Kentwood City Hall and the surrounding area will be buzzing with activity on Aug. 11 as the community’s Celebrate Kentwood event returns for a day of fun and celebration and music from both professionals and amateurs, as also returning to the annual festival will be Kentwood’s Got Talent. Modeled after the popular TV show, the talent competition will feature singers, dancers and other performers from the community. Show time is set for 7p.m. For more information, click here.
Tourist Association seeks help in photo contest judging
The West Michigan Tourist Association is inviting the public to vote on the Top 50 finalist photos in the West Michigan Photo Contest. The 2018 West Michigan Photo Contest received over 900 photo submissions showcasing West Michigan during the month of July, and WMTA has narrowed the entries down to the top 50 photos, which the public is invited to vote on to help select the winning photographs. To get the details, click here.
Go ahead; go all rubber ducky
The 31st Annual Rubber Ducky festival kicks off on Monday, Aug. 13 in Downtown Bellaire and runs through Sunday, Aug. 19. The festival features several week-long events, including Bay Area Big Band, Community Paddle Event, Commission on Aging Picnic and Car Show, Duck and Glow 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kiddie Dash, Corn Hole Tournament, Kids Activities, and Rubber Ducky Parade and Race. For more on the event, click here.
And today’s fun fact:
2,583
The total number of rubber ducks included in the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest collection of rubber ducks, as awarded to one Charlotte Lee in 2007 (according to a 2010 report). It is unclear if Ms. Lee was/is married.
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, standing, at an event at the Disabled American Veterans — William A. Smith #2 post in Kentwood. With her are, from left, veteran farmer Frank Corrando, DAV post president Steven Pruitt, businessman Mike Hyacinthe and GVSU veterans program director Tim Marroquin. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Michigan U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, in Kentwood at a Disabled American Veterans post and surrounded by veteran services leaders and advocates, today detailed her past, present and planned future legislative efforts in support of veterans.
Speaking at the DAV William A. Smith Jr. Chapter #2 building on Eastern Avenue, appropriately just a couple blocks from the City of Kentwood’s Veterans Memorial Park on 48th Street SE, she declined to specially name her Republican challenger in the fall, John James — also a veteran — but made clear why she feels she is a better choice for veterans and military members at the polls Nov. 6.
“First of all, I have lived in Michigan my whole life and my record speaks for itself, particularly related to veterans,” Sen. Stabenow said to WKTV. “Coming in (to the senate) in 2001, I made setting up out-patient healthcare clinics throughout the state a top priority. We did not have them in many places, in northern, western Michigan, so on. We now have 10 additional healthcare clinics as a result of that effort.
“I’ve gone on to develop a whole new area of support for our veterans coming home that want to go into farming or go back into farming. We now have a whole movement of farmer veterans in Michigan, the largest chapter in the country, where we are supporting those who want to go into, back into farming, with reduced crop insurance, reduced loans, and other support.”
One of the four persons speaking with Sen. Stabenow at the event was, in fact, Frank Corrado, a blueberry farmer from Bangor and U.S. Army veteran, who echoed the support Michigan’s veteran farmers have received from the senator.
“I have (also) been very involved with the G.I. Bill,” Sen. Stabenow continued. “And changing that to now include not only active duty (personal) but our (National) Guard and reserves. And to strengthen that. And now, with my legislation (in work), going forward even farther.”
Sen. Stabenow has recently co-introduced legislation to reform the veterans Transition Assistance Program.
Two of the other speakers at the event also voiced support of her work: Mike Hyacinthe, a U.S. Navy veteran, and Tim Marroquin, the director of the Veterans Upward Bound program at Grand Valley State University.
“This is a life-long mission for me,” Sen. Stabenow concluded. “It actually started when I was in the (Michigan) State House (of Representatives), when I took on the fight to get Agent Orange recognized, on behalf of Vietnam War veterans. At the time, that was not recognized as an outcome of the war and the healthcare services were not available.”
When pressed about her Republican opponent, James, boasting that his is both a veteran and a political outsider in contrast to Sen. Stabenow, the senator again declined any direct comparison — sort of.
“First of all, we need people who know how to get things done, and that is the bottom line,” she said. “It is not about talk. It is about getting things done, and I’ve gotten things done, and I am going to continue to stay focused on getting things done for the people of Michigan and certainly veterans are at the top of the list.”
Mosby’s Popcorn Palace owners Brian and Shave Mosby. (Photo: Michigan Radio)
By Lindsay Papciak
Community Writer
Each year, around 70 percent of popcorn consumed in the United States is sold in movie theaters. For gourmet popcorn business owner Brian Mosby, popcorn deserves more flavor attention than classic butter. He and his family opened Mosby’s Popcorn Palace in 2015. It is located at 6155 Kalamazoo Ave SE in Kentwood.
Besides being a family-favorite snack, Mosby got started in the gourmet popcorn industry in order to collaborate with other businesses within the family. One of these businesses is Bouncing Palace, an inflatable and game rental service which hosts mainly school and corporate events. Both give schools and organizations the opportunity to fundraise while benefitting the small business sector.
Lots of options available at Mosby’s Popcorn Palace.
“Grand Rapids is driven by small businesses,” Mosby said. “I think [Mosby’s Popcorn Palace] is what is missing from the community and it’s just fun.”
Mosby encourage newcomers of the shop to brave away from the classic butter and caramel and try favorites such as Frank’s Red Hot, red velvet, and even dill pickle. “Popcorn is a flavor vessel,” Mosby said. “We have recipes for about 100 flavors. There really is no rhyme or reason to our flavor thought process. We just have a little fun in the kitchen.”
Although all flavors are available upon request, Mosby’s rotates through flavors based on the categories of butter, kettle, caramel, candy, cheese & savory and premium. It is the goal to create a consistent product every time. “It’s a struggle sometimes, being here so many hours, meeting the demand of our growing business,” Mosby said. “Nothing else will be important if our taste isn’t spot-on”
Mosby believes popcorn was just the first step. “Our first two and a half years we wanted to make sure that [popcorn] would be something sustainable,” Mosby said. “We’re getting a following underneath our feet now so we want to start bringing in more products to our line.”
As a way to incorporate a nostalgia factor to the shop, selections of Faygo and Jones Soda have been added as popcorn pairings. Mosby is looking to add items like old-school candies and fudge. “We’re trying to create more of an experience,” he said.
You can find Mosby popcorn at local farmers markets. Just check their Facebook on locations.
Mosby’s is mainly fundraiser and event-driven, making appearances at GVSU sporting events, Girls on the Run, and Movies in the Park. With its continued growth, an online store just launched in March of this year. Mosby’s is looking to branch out and ramp up production to become state-known.
“We’re not going to mention the store just yet, but we have new retail opportunity that’s going to be kicking off in the fall,” Mosby said. “We have some shelves in some grocery stores. It’s exciting to take on the challenge of seeing what that production can look like how we can grow.”
To learn more about Mosby’s Popcorn, visit their website at mosbyspopcorn.com or contact at 616-260-6466.
The pending return of high school football and just completed local amateur boxing are both available as part of the August WKTV sports coverage offerings.
The high school football season is only a couple weeks away and WKTV’s coverage crew has its initial schedule, starting with opening night action at Godwin Heights High School as new head coach Brandon Kimble leads the Wolverines onto the field for the first time. (Don’t forget your sunglasses as the sun sets!)
WKTV will then be cover all the local football teams in the first six weeks, including Tri-Unity Christian’s 8-man football team, before we start covering the best game available in October.
The August football schedule includes: Thursday, Aug. 23: Hamilton at Godwin Heights; and Thursday, Aug. 30: Ashley at Tri-Unity Christian (8-man football at 5651 Gezon Court Wyoming.)
Youth boxing action was covered by the WKTV sports coverage crew. (Supplied/from previous event)
Until then, however, the recent Saturday Superstar Boxing will air on WKTV 25 on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 5 p.m. with a repeat on Sunday, Aug. 19, at noon.
These and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.
WKTV’s featured football games on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports weekly for complete feature broadcast schedules.
WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.
The complete local high school sports schedule through the end of the month is as follows:
The cities of Wyoming and Kentwood’s representation on the Kent County Commission will likely include a familiar face and a newcomer in the county’s 8th and 12th districts, respectively.
Incumbent 8th District commissioner Harold Voorhees won the Republican primary Tuesday, Aug. 7, and will likely be unopposed in the Nov. 6 general election. (There could be a write-in candidate on the ballot in the fall.)
In the 12th district, Republican Jill Martinez, who ran unopposed in the primary, will face off against Monica Sparks, who won the Democratic primary over a crowd field of candidates seeking to replace Harold Mast, who chose not to seek reelection.
For specific Kent County district borders, visit accesskent.com.
Election results, by the numbers
According to the Kent County election website at accesskent.com, following are the election results for each candidate for their entire voting district:
In the 8th District, which covers most of the City of Wyoming, from its western border, heading east, Voorhees won with 2,324 votes while Benjamin K. Franz gained 726.
In the 12th District, which covers the western portion of the City of Kentwood and the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, Martinez collected 1,786 votes in the Republican primary, and Sparks won the Democratic primary with 1,154 votes while Katy Steele Barone gained 492, Scott Urbanowski had 307 and Keith Courtade had 182.
Libby Walla, left, shown here with her father, Tom, and a teacher, received excellent services in the early childhood special education program run by GRPS, her mother says, but she feels it makes sense to transfer such programs to Kent ISD
“Libby was never given limits,” Walla said of her daughter’s two years there. “Everybody was just trying to help her work toward her potential.”
But as 19-year teacher in Rockford Public Schools, Walla says it’s a good move to transfer operation of early childhood and other center-based programs to Kent ISD, as the Grand Rapids Board of Education approved Monday, Aug. 6. The change should make program oversight more “cohesive” for students like Libby, who’s entering kindergarten in Rockford’s cognitive impaired program this fall, her mother said.
“The center-based programs are serving all the students in the ISD,” said Walla, a fifth-grade teacher at Lakes Elementary. “It only makes sense to have it be centered around the ISD (and that) responsibility is given to the ISD and all of the districts. It think it helps make every district be a little bit more invested in the center-based programs.”
That’s the aim of Kent ISD leaders who say they are ready to begin a seamless transition to taking over the center programs as of July 2019. The Grand Rapids school board voted 7-1 to discontinue by then operating the programs on behalf of all 20 Kent ISD school districts, currently serving 1,385 students with severe physical, mental and emotional needs. GRPS will continue serving its own special education students who don’t qualify for center programs.
More at the Table
Board members said the time is right to transfer the programs for the benefit of all students in Kent ISD while enabling GRPS to focus more intensively on the needs of its own students. The move makes GRPS part of collective decision-making with other districts rather than the primary overseer, proponents say.
Lincoln School student Olivia Taylor enacts a hand movement with classroom aide Marianne Cool
“GRPS is not walking away from the table, but there will be more people at the table with us,” said board Secretary Kristian Grant. “We’ve all admitted that we need some change. We need more resources, we need more staff for the students, and I’m voting thinking that that means more of that will come to the table when all of the districts are involved.”
Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal and board President Wendy Falb have said the idea has long been under discussion and wasn’t specifically prompted by recent criticism of the district’s special education program. The vast majority of intermediate districts around the state run such programs, they point out.
While expressing gratitude to GRPS for the “fantastic job” it has done over several decades, Kent ISD Superintendent Ron Caniff said he and the local superintendents support the decision.
“It was important for us to follow on this, not lead,” Caniff said. “If Grand Rapids Public were not supportive of the move, we would feel otherwise. Given their support and conversations we’ve had with superintendents, it’s something that we’re embracing, and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
A Time to Listen
They’ll begin by seeking input from parents, staff and others as part of a Kent ISD-funded review of center-based programs, commissioned this spring with consultant Beth Steenwyk. Listening sessions will be held Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 (see box), to help identify questions about the transition “so we can get to work on what those answers are,” Caniff said.
A big question is how the GRPS staff now working at the center programs will be hired by Kent ISD if they want to transfer, and how those who wish to remain with GRPS will be placed.
Of the 425 center program staff this year, 117 are teachers, while others are therapists, paraprofessionals and other specialists. Those who wish to follow their programs to Kent ISD will have the opportunity to apply, but it will not be an “automatic conversion,” Caniff said, acknowledging many questions must be addressed with GRPS officials and employee unions.
“Just generally, those jobs aren’t going away,” Caniff said. “Those are critical positions. We certainly are going to want to have experienced staff if they’re available in those positions and effective staff in those positions.”
While the pay scale for Kent ISD staff is generally higher than that of GRPS, it remains to be seen what that would mean for teachers and others hired by the ISD, said Mary Bouwense, president of the Grand Rapids Education Association. She said she has gotten many questions from members about pay, whether sick days would be honored, insurance and other issues, which the GREA will “demand to bargain over.”
“Those people are still our members and still under our contract,” said Bouwense, a former special education teacher. “We would want to make sure they get the best they can get in the transition.”
“Those (special education) teachers are in short supply. It will be in the ISD’s best interest to retain them,” said board President Wendy Falb.
Concerns about Transition
Bouwense said she hopes the transfer to Kent ISD will address some of the criticisms the GREA and parents have made about GRPS special education, which continued with half a dozen parents and former teachers who complained to the board Monday night.
Lincoln School student Larkadu Pow enjoys a happy moment with classroom aide Andrea Fisher
Board member Jose Flores, who cast the sole dissenting vote against the transfer, said he fears the perception that GRPS has done “a lousy job” contributed to a hasty decision.
“I just think we’re moving too fast. Without appropriate discussion I feel like we’re doing a disservice” to students, Flores said, insisting it would be “devastating” to them if they got different teachers or schools. Superintendent Neal pointed out most of the center program buildings are owned by Kent ISD, and has said GRPS is interested in renting out its own buildings housing center programs to the ISD.
Other board members argued it makes sense for Kent ISD to run the program, and for GRPS to concentrate more resources on preparing its in-district students for graduation, college and careers.
“This is what the ISD is set up to do, the things that individual school districts don’t have the capacity to do,” said trustee Tony Baker.
Program Origins
Board member Maureen Slade was a student at Grand Rapids Junior College in the late 1960s when a group of GRPS parents began a program at the college for children with Down syndrome. Classes were added over time for students with other disabilities, eventually forming the center programs run by GRPS – an exception to how most programs in the state are run, she said.
Slade worked in GRPS special education for 21 years, as a teacher, director and assistant superintendent, before becoming assistant superintendent for special education at the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, which ran the intermediate district’s center programs. Having worked under both models, she said it’s “in the best interest of those kids” for Kent ISD to run the program.
“The program’s grown, and it’s just right to put them at the ISD where they belong,” Slade said before Monday’s meeting. “If I hadn’t done it both ways I may not have recommended it. But I saw how well it worked at an ISD level when you’re representing all of the districts.”
GRPS and Kent ISD leaders say they’re committed to making as smooth a transition as possible for students and their relationships with staff.
“These families, these children have had a high-quality service,” Caniff said. “We’re very confident we can continue that high level of service.”
The City of Wyoming’s incumbent State Rep. Tommy Brann (R-77th District) and the City of Kentwood’s incumbent State Rep. Steve Johnson (R-72nd District) each cruised to easy victories in their respective Republican primaries in voting Tuesday, Aug. 7.
In state Senate primary voting, former state representative and ex-Gov. Rick Snyder cabinet member Aric Nesbitt won a three-way battle in the Republican primary for the State Senate 26th District seat, which represents Kentwood. Also, incumbent State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District), running unopposed for a seat which represents Wyoming, now knows who he will be opposed by on the Democratic side, retired public-school teacher Craig Beech.
Also now set for the Nov. 6 general election ballot is the two local U.S. Congressional races.
Incumbent Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-2nd District) will be opposed by Democrat Dr. Rob Davidson — no surprise as both were unopposed in the primary — in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched federal races in the state.
And incumbent Rep. Justin Amash (R-3rd District) will be opposed by Democrat Cathy Albro, who defeated Fred Wooden in the Democratic primary.
Election results, by the numbers
According to the Kent County election website at accesskent.com, following are the election results for each candidate for their entire voting district:
In the State House of Representatives Republican primary for the 77th District, which covers the City of Wyoming, Byron Township and a portion of Cutlerville (for a district map, click here), incumbent Rep. Brann totaled 8,974 while Jordan T. Oesch had 814. On the Democratic primary side, Dana Knight totaled 3,943 while Robert Van Kirk had 1,996. Unopposed Libertarian candidate Patty Malowney had 74 votes.
In the State House of Representatives Republican primary for the 72nd District, which covers the cities of Kentwood and Wayland, along with a portion of Cutlerville and the community of Dorr (for a district map, click here), Rep. Johnson totaled 5,971 while Jennifer Antel had 1,806. Unopposed Democratic candidate Ron Rraayer had 6,067 votes and Libertarian candidate Jamie Lewis had 52.
In the State Senate Republican primary for the 26th District, which includes the City of Kentwood along with all of Allegan and Van Buren counties (for a district map, click here), Nesbitt totaled 4,041 while Bob Genetski had 2,331 and Don Wickstra had 1,379. Unopposed Democratic candidate Garnet Lewis gained 6,101 votes and Libertarian candidate Erwin Haas gained 49.
In the State Senate Democratic primary for the 28th District, which includes the City of Wyoming as well as the cities of Walker, Rockford and Cedar Springs (for a district map, click here), Beech totaled 7,688 while Gidget Groendyk had 6,444 and Ryan Jeanette had 4,427. Unopposed Republican incumbent Sen. MacGregor had 30,476 votes and Libertarian candidate Nathan Hewer gained 224.
On the Federal election side, in the 2nd District, Rep. Huizenga totaled 14,219 votes while Democratic challenger Davidson had 12,445. In the 3rd District, Rep. Amash totaled 44,304 while Democrats Albro had 30,969 votes and Wooden had 14,808.
Tuesday was primary election day in Michigan. (Photo by Jeff Miller/UW-Madison)
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
Quote of the (Primary Election) Day
“Trust is not something that’s given because you win an election; it is something you have to earn.” — Tom Perez
Dead people should not vote
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, left, with new voting equipment.(Supplied/SOS office)
The Michigan Department of State recently detailed that as part of the state’s election security readiness, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and the state’s Bureau of Elections have cleared the state’s voting registration rolls of about 1.2 million names since 2011, including more than 500,000 dead people. To get the details, click here.
Some got talent; some …
Asamu Johnson and The Associates of The Blues. (Supplied)
Kentwood City Hall and the surrounding area will be buzzing with activity on Aug. 11 as the community’s Celebrate Kentwood event returns for a day of fun and celebration and music from both professionals and amateurs, as also returning to the annual festival will be Kentwood’s Got Talent. Modeled after the popular TV show, the talent competition will feature singers, dancers and other performers from the community. Show time is set for 7p.m. For more information, click here.
Give the gift of life, give blood
(U.S. Air National Guard photo)
Metro Health-University of Michigan Health will hold a blood drive Tuesday, Aug. 14, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Manistee Community Room of the Metro Health Professional Building at 2122 Health Dr., Wyoming. For more on the drive, click here.
And today’s fun fact(s):
38 and 10
Approximately 38 percent of the national population is eligible to donate, but annually less than 10 percent actually does. Each year, 4.5 million Americans would die without blood transfusions.
As Michigan voters go to the polls this week for primary elections, there will be nearly 200,000 fewer registered voters on the rolls in Kentwood, Wyoming and around the state as there were prior to the 2016 election.
The Michigan Department of State recently detailed that as part of the state’s election security readiness, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and the state’s Bureau of Elections have cleared the state’s voting registration rolls of about 1.2 million names since 2011, about 200,000 since 2016.
Call it voter “validation” or “scrubbing” or “purging,” the breakdown of the 1.2 million total, according to Johnson’s office, includes about 563,000 once-registered voters who have died, about 500,000 who moved within the state and re-registered, about 134,000 who moved out of state and have registered as voters elsewhere, and — Secretary Johnson specifically points out — “3,512 non-citizens”.
The Secretary of State and the Bureau of Elections Qualified Voter File upgrades are only part of a recent and ongoing voter security effort in the state, and WKTV has been covering those efforts.
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, left, with new voting equipment.(Supplied/SOS office)
As part of “continuous voter-list maintenance efforts, the Bureau of Elections and local clerks regularly scrub the voter list to remove ineligible voters,” Johnson has stated a press release from her office and in an op-ed submitted to other media. This includes “an upgraded Qualified Voter File system used by the Bureau of Elections and local clerks to maintain the state’s registered voter list and other election-related data.”
Not everybody gives the state Qualified Voter File system as glowing a review, however.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan questions the claim of the non-citizen voters purged and advocates for another way the state’s system could be made better — by citizen action rather than government action.
“I haven’t seen any proof to substantiate the claim that thousands of non-citizens were purged from the voting rolls,” Sharon Dolente, Voting Rights Strategist for the ACLU of Michigan, said to WKTV. “Between 2013 and the present, the Secretary has offered numbers ranging from 11 to 3,500, but absolutely no proof.
“Michigan (also) needs a failsafe system that allows an eligible voter to re-register if they were improperly purged,” Dolente said. “Same Day Registration would provide that failsafe. Voters will have a chance to implement this policy measure through the Promote the Vote initiative this fall.”
The “non-citizens” total is 0.3 percent of all voters scrubbed from the rolls and 0.05 percent of the total number of registered voters in Michigan, which is 7,387,689 as of July 28, according to Johnson’s office.
In brief, local city and township clerks, including the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, perform the actual scrubbing of registered voter files, as directed by the Secretary of State and the Bureau of Elections. The Kent County Clerk’s election division is not directly involved.
“Michigan’s Qualified Voter File (QVF) is maintained, and voters can only be added or removed, by the Secretary of State or Michigan’s municipal (280 city or 1,240 township) clerks throughout the state,” Robert J. Macomber, Chief Deputy County Clerk, said to WKTV. “A county clerk does not have the authority to remove voters from the QVF, even despite being the issuer of death certificates.
“While serving as the chief Elections Official of the county voting process, the County Clerk only serve as a pass-through with regards to the voter registration process. An individual may register to vote at their County Clerk’s office, but we forward that paperwork onto the local clerks, as they serve as the maintainer of the voter lists for their respective jurisdiction.”
Removal of voters who have died is a straight-forward process, and occurs if “the clerk receives or obtains information that the voter has died. (From) sources: QVF inbox notification; county clerk; death notices published in newspaper; personal knowledge,” as detailed in the elections manual.
Voters who moved out of state are removed after it is confirmed they have registered to vote using an out-of-state address that is newer than their Michigan home address and/or registration. But the removal of voters from Michigan voter rolls using the Interstate Crosscheck system takes time.
“All people believed to have moved away are sent mailings prior to the registration cancellation,” Fred Woodhams, spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office, said to WKTV. “The actual cancellation does not happen until two federal election cycles (Novembers in an even year) have occurred. If the person votes or updates their voter information in Michigan before the cancellation occurs, the cancellation process stops.”
The Interstate Crosscheck system is run by the Kansas Secretary of State, according to multiple media reports. Other states send in their voter data and Kansas processes it, then notifies them if there are any possible matches. Matches can occur when people move to a new state and register to vote without cancelling their previous registration. In 2017, 28 states participated and 7.2 million potential matches were identified.
Use of the system recently suffered a legal setback as a federal court in June blocked an Indiana voter registration law which would allow the state to immediately strike voters from the electoral rolls.
Voters who have moved within the state of Michigan and re-register can, however, be removed from old voter rolls immediately.
Removal can and will occur if “a voter who moves to a new jurisdiction within Michigan has his or her voter registration address change along with the address for the person’s driver’s license or state ID card,” Woodhams said. “In this case, we can be certain the person has moved out of one jurisdiction into another.”
The process of determining if a person is not a American citizen was not detailed by the Secretary of State’s office.
Also, Woodhams said there is no statistics kept on how many voters were scrubbed broken down by political party. Michigan does not require voters to choose a party when registering and “only presidential primary ballots ore differentiated by party … August primary voters are all issued one ballot that contains columns of candidates for the Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties. The voter marks the ballot only in the column for one of the parties.”
Various city leaders and local law enforcement were on hand for the official reading of the National Night Out proclamation at Consumers Energy this morning.
The annual morning event, which was at the Consumers Energy offices, 4000 Clay Ave., have officials and officers from Rockford, Walker, Grandville, Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Wyoming.
Wyoming Chief Kim Koster and Kentwood Chief Thomas Hillen
Kicking off at 5:30 a.m., Consumers Energy had two of its large trucks with buckets extended above U.S. 131 to help draw attention to the annual event. Consumers Energy employees were handing out light bulbs to those traveling down Clay Avenue.
For the 24th consecutive year, Consumers Energy has been recognized by the National Association of Town Watch as the recipient of “National Electric Utility Award” for its participation in National Night Out 2017. National Night Out promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. Area residents are encouraged to turn their porch light on and go out and meet their neighbors.
More activities will be taking place later this afternoon and evening in both the communities of Kentwood and Wyoming.
In Kentwood, the city’s big kick off will be at Woodland Mall from 3— 5 p.m. Residents will have to opportunity to met with Kentwood police and firefighters and get an up-close look at emergency vehicles. There will be a bicycle raffle and a special visit from McGruff the Crime Dog.
There is about 20 different neighborhood events taking place throughout the city, several of which will have a variety of entertainment. Those with special activities are:
• Christ Community Church, 2400 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 5— 7 p.m., will have water slides, games, food and beverages.
• Wingate Apartments, 3151 Wingate Dr. SE, 5— 7 p.m., will have a dunk tank and live music.
• South United Methodist Church, 4500 S. Division Ave., 6— 8 p.m, will have live music, a water slide, games, hot dogs, ice cream, snow cones and punch.
• Faith Church, 1412 44th St. SE, 6— 8 p.m., will have face painting, music, games, hot dogs, and pop.
Walker Mayor Mark Huizenga, Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, and Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss.
• Pentecostals of Kentwood, 2627 44th St. SE, 6—8 p.m., will have a bounce house, puppets, live music, games, food and beverages.
• St. Paul’s United Method Church and Forest Pointe Apartments, 3334 Breton Ave. SE, 6—8 p.m., will have lawn games, sidewalk chalk, basketball, food and beverages.
In Wyoming, the city’s big event is the National Night Out Concerts in the Park hosted by the Wyoming Enrichment Commission. The event starts at 6 p.m. with activities and at 7 p.m. Chief Kim Koster will make a short presentation and announcing the Yellow Brick Road, dueling pianos that will feature the music of Billy Joel and Elton John.
The City of Wyoming has about 15 neighborhood parties ranging from small gatherings to those with an arrange of activities. Those open to the public are:
• Oriole Park Neighborhood Watch will host an event at Oriole Park, which is located off of 40th Street, from 6—8 p.m.
• South Godwin Neighborhood Watch will host an event at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE., from 6—8 p.m.
• Grace University, 1011 Aldon St. SW, from 5—7 p.m.
Also near Kentwood Community Church will be the South Kent National Night Out event from 4—8 p.m.The event will include a number of emergency vehicles from several area departments, food and other activities. The event will have demonstrations by the K-9 Unit, vehicle extraction demonstrations, the Kent County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, children ID packets, a bounce house and dunk tank. The church is located at 1200 60th St. SE.
By Beth Clawson, Michigan State University Extension
Michigan is home to more than 1.3 million onsite wastewater treatment systems. Most are for single family homes that include a septic system. Indeed, the onsite wastewater treatment system including a septic tank and soil absorption field is the most common domestic wastewater treatment system in rural homes in the United States. In Michigan, it is estimated that 10 percent of these systems are in some level of malfunction or have failed.
Malfunctioning and failed onsite waste water systems make our ground and surface waters susceptible to fecal contamination. Several rivers in the Lower Peninsula have been tested during low-flow conditions and were found to contain genetic markers indicating the presence of human fecal matter. This contamination can come from leaky septic systems. Keeping septic systems in good repair can protect Michigan’s water quality.
Rural homes in Michigan include onsite wastewater systems that require regular maintenance. Maintenance and inspection of your system depends upon its size, the number of people that live in the home and what county you live in. Michigan is the last state to still adopt uniform onsite wastewater regulations. Lack of uniform statewide laws leaves regulation and inspection laws up to local officials through county health departments and districts. This means that rules for onside wastewater system laws vary between counties.
Most counties have a sale transfer ordinance requiring septic tank inspections but few have the same or similar size and installation regulations. Most ordinances cite the average of pumping and inspecting recommendation of every three years for a family of four. Many also require inspection of newly installed systems. None return a year or two later to ensure that the system is functioning properly.
An onsite wastewater system typically consists of three basic parts:
The drain waste pipes from the house into a septic tank;
The septic or settling tank, sometimes divided in half with a baffle; and
The dispersion box and soil absorption or drain field.
Waste water flows from the toilets, laundry and sinks in the home through the drain pipes to the septic tank. The septic tank, made of solid cast concrete (in most cases) has an inlet and an outlet for effluent. Once the waste enters the tank the solids settle to the bottom to decompose and become the sludge layer. Effluent water is in the middle and the lighter grease and soaps float to the top to create the scum layer. The effluent water flows out through a pipe to the drain field. Newer tanks sometimes contain a baffle creating a second settling area before water is released to the soil absorption field. Michigan State University Extension’s webpage on Septic systems gives more detail on this topic.
If the sludge is not pumped out on a regular basis then the layer gets thick allowing solids to flow into the drain field. This plugs and compacts in the drain tiles and the soil causing failure. Many times people think that this is a sign that the septic is full, and indeed it is but it is also a failure. Drain field failure requires soil removal and replacement and can become an expensive repair. This is one of the most common failures. Other common causes of septic failure include tanks collapsing from being driven or parked on; tree roots; excessive water from parties or heavy rains; pipes clogged from flushing items other than toilet paper such as, feminine products and personal sanitary wipes; biological processes stopped from over use of chlorine or antibiotic soaps.
If you are experiencing sewage waste backup into your house from your septic tank this may indicate a total blockage of the tank and drain field and could indicate a costly repair or replacement. Regular inspections and pumping can prevent expensive repairs later. Just as it is recommended to regularly inspect our cars and furnaces, we should also inspect and clean out our onsite waste water systems. The average recommendation is every three years for a typical family home with three bedrooms equipped with a 1000 gallon tank. It’s important to know the size of your septic tank.
Older homes may have smaller tanks. Smaller tanks need to be pumped more often. For example, if a three-bedroom home has a 900-gallon septic tank with six people living there, they should schedule their pumping for every one and one half to two years to avoid failure. If a home uses a garbage disposal, consider that they are increasing the amount of solids (pre-digestion) going into the tank. This home will require more frequent pumping.
Concrete, plastic and fiberglass tanks are not infallible, lots of things can cause the material to fail resulting in collapse. Inspectors look at the integrity of your system. Fractures caused by frost/freeze break up, ground heaves, earthquakes, manufacturer defect, burrowing animals, and tree roots all have an impact on our systems. Michigan DEQ does have a guide on subsurface onsite wastewater treatment systems but its recommendations are not enforceable by law. Michigan County Environmental Health departments have laws, consult your County for its recommendations for onsite waste water system maintenance.
For more in depth information the National Environmental Services Center, West Virginia University has a good publication that includes a time table in years for pumping recommendations at http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/ww/septic/pl_fall04.pdf.
If you want to learn more there are videos available: Click here for a short video (under five minutes) about onsite wastewater septic systems, or click here for a longer training video (about 110 minutes) about onsite wastewater septic systems.
For more information about and water quality contact Beth Clawson, MSU Extension Educator. To learn more about onsite waste water treatment septic tanks, contact Michigan State University Extension Natural Resources educators who are working across Michigan to provide water quality and septic tank maintenance educational programming and assistance. You can contact an educator through MSU Extension’s “Find an Expert” search tool using the keywords “Natural Resources Water Quality.”
The 26th District of the State Senate includes the City of Kentwood along with all of Allegan and Van Buren counties. For a district map, click here.
Three men are running in the Aug. 7 Republican primary. Two of them were term-limited out of State Representative positions then worked in public service at either the county or state level. Also running is a career dentist. The three are looking to replace the also term-limited Republican Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker. The eventual Republican Party primary winner will then face the lone Democratic candidate Garnet Lewis and Libertarian candidate Erwin Haas in the general election Nov. 6.
Note: Primary candidates are show in alphabetical order. Only seats with primary opposition were invited to participate in We The People at this time.
Name: Bob Genetski
Party: Candidate, Republican
Occupation: Allegan County Clerk and Register of Deeds (Former State Representative)
Why did you decide to run for the 26th District State Senate seat?
I was teaching high school in 2008, I was teaching at-risk students, and I saw how they and their families were effected by the terrible economy and the job-killing Michigan business tax, and I wanted to do something to do something to help those families. As I looked at it, Michigan has come a long way and improved greatly. However their is still a long ways to go. Our roads are crumbling, our infrastructure is crumbling and we have an auto insurance burden that forces a lot of our friends and neighbors to drive without auto insurance.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
We’ve got to improve the roads and we’ve got to do it without increasing the gas tax and registration fees. And we need to come up with an affordable automobile insurance solution, one that allows those drivers who are struggling economically to afford some sort of auto insurance so they are not breaking the law every time they get into their car.
Name: Aric Nesbitt
Party: Candidate, Republican
Occupation: Public Service. (Former cabinet member for Gov. Rick Snyder; former State Representative)
Why did you decide to run for the 26th District State Senate seat?
We need to defend Michigan’s comeback. Over the last eight years, through tax reform, through eliminating about 2,300 rules and regulations, eliminating the Michigan business tax, we have come a long way. We have created about 500,000 plus new jobs under Gov. Snyder and Republican leadership. After a lot of prayer with my wife, over the winter months, I decided we still have work to do.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
Protect Michigan’s comeback. Address the cost of car insurance. Double down on rebuilding our roads. We need to pay down our long-term debt — that is huge for our children and grandchildren.
Name: Don Wickstra
Party: Candidate, Republican
Occupation: Dentist
Why did you decide to run for the 26th District State Senate seat?
I read that our current state senator is term limited and I realized that there is an opportunity that would not normally be there. I have not been a political guy my whole life and I’ve not dreamed of this longer than four months. I read that and something clicked in my mind and I said ‘Maybe I could do that and maybe I could make a difference.” … I am not looking for a career. I have a career.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
I am not political and I do not have my own agenda. I have made a point of trying to avoid that (setting legislative priorities). … There are clearly some issues, as I go door-to-door and meet people. The car insurance issue is out there. Roads have been an ongoing issue. Schools are an issue. But I think it might be wrong for the people for me to show up with my agenda.
28th District State Senate
The 28th District of the State Senate includes the City of Wyoming as well as the cities of Walker, Rockford and Cedar Springs. For a district map, click here.
In the 28thDistrict State Senate race, there are three candidates facing off in the primary for the Democratic Party nomination. The winner will then face Republican incumbent Peter MacGregor and Libertarian candidate Nathan Hewer in the general election, Nov. 6.
Note: Primary candidates are show in alphabetical order. Only seats with primary opposition were invited to participate in We The People at this time.
Name: Craig Beech
Party: Challenger, Democrat
Occupation: Retired public-school teacher
Why did you decide to run for the 28thDistrict State Senate seat?
As a public-school teacher, I have been frustrated with government in the treatment of public education, especially the lack of perspective. I want to bring an insight into education, which is what is needed. I believe education is the foundation that provides to our middle class.
After the Parkland Stoneman Douglas High School shootings, I realized I was in the same spot and the same scenario I had been 10 times before and I had nothing to offer. I said to my students, I’m sorry. I failed you. The adults failed you because we have not tackled this problem. That was the straw that determined my future. I needed to take responsibility. America is a great country and the adults should be able to deal with this issue.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
I have four platforms: quality of public education, people before profits, protection of our national resources, and Michigan was recently rated by a non-partisan group as the last for government accountability and transparency and I want to change that.
Name: Gidget Groendyk
Party: Challenger, Democrat
Occupation: Works at Sears
Why did you decide to run for the 28thDistrict State Senate seat?
It started back in the last election. In Plainfield Township, the LGBTQ community didn’t have any rights. Through a series of events, it became apparent that for me to help make a change I needed to be more involved and decided to run for election.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
Transparency through government and government spending. I also want to look at equal pay, due process and legal assistant to immigrants, bullying and gun violence, and elderly rights.
Name: Ryan Jeanette
Party: Challenger, Democrat
Occupation: Student at Grand Rapids Community College
Why did you decide to run for the 28thDistrict State Senate seat?
Over a year ago, I realized there was a fundamental flaw in our government in that government no longer cares about the people it needs to care about the most. Looking around, in the last 30 years, people’s lives have not improved. We are not fighting and fixing the things that need to be fixed and that needs to be changed.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
I would like to look at fixing how we fund education. We need to find innovative ways to fix our infrastructure and this is not just for the highways and roadways, but our railways as well as they are important to our agricultural. I want to look at improving the health care systems and I am looking at several options. We also need to focus on the environment as well. We need to have more coordination between Michigan and other states on protection of our Great Lakes. Also, I want to change how our government is accountable to the people.
There were a number of new business openings this month with the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosting several ribbon cutting events.
Triune Financial
On July 19, Grand Rapids-based bookkeeping company triune Financial hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house. The business is located at 401 Hall St. SW in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood and also has received accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. For more information on Triune Financial, visit the company’s website.
Hungerford Nicholas CPAs + Advisors
On July 12, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony for the accounting firm of Hungerford Nicholas CPAs + Advisors for its newly renovated building. The accounting firm has been a part of the Greater Grand Rapids area for more than 75 years and is located at 2910 Lucerne Dr. SW. For more about Hungerford Nicholas CPAs + Advisors, visit the company’s website.
There are still a few days left to help area students get ready for school this fall by donating school supplies to the annual School Supply Santa campaign.
Set to wrap up on Aug. 8, School Supply Santa is actually the idea of Byron Center resident Denise Kooiker. In 2007, Kookier, a hair stylist, decided to hold a drive to collect school supplies when one of her clients told her about numerous families not being able to purchase backpacks, crayons, pencils, notebooks and other items that students need to start the school year.
Eleven years later, the program has grown, helping students in several school districts such as Kelloggsville, Godwin Heights, Wyoming, and Godfrey Lee. Now the organization collects boxes of school supplies that are distributed to the various schools.
There are numerous sites throughout the West Michigan area that are collecting items such at Kellogg Community Credit Union at the Metro Health Village and at its Patterson Avenue location; the YMCA Spartan location on Gezon Parkway; Byron Center’s South Harbor Church; Peach Wave along with several businesses in the Metro Health Village; For the Kids Gymnastics on 44th Street; and several local Starbucks. For a complete list of locations, visit the website, schoolsupplysanta.com.
Items that are needed are backpacks, crayons, colored pencils, dry erase markers, ear buds, folders, glue sticks, Post-it notes, Kleenex, pencils, markers, notebooks three-ring binders, and composition notebooks. Monetary donations also are accepted.
Members of The Salvation Army Kroc Center are encouraged to take advantage of a new offer this fall. All six-week programs in the fine arts will be discounted to only $5 for Kroc members when signing up before the early-bird deadline.
The new campaign is featured in the Kroc’s fall program guide, which is now available at GrKrocCenter.org. Interested non-members can sign up for a new membership for as little as $20 for a family of five (based on household income). Among the qualifying programs are classes in painting, clay sculpting, youth theater, and beginning ballet.
Non-members can enjoy discounts during the month of August as well. The Kroc Center will hold “Fine Art Fridays”on August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, where guests can receive 50% off each day pass by donating new, unopened art supplies like scissors, colored pencils, and watercolor paints.
“We are so excited to be expanding our fine arts programming this fall,” said Captain Bill Brutto, senior officer for The Salvation Army Kroc Center. “We know that our schools face many challenges that have reduced fine arts opportunities for kids, so we hope people will take advantage of these programs as we kick off the school year.”
Visit GrKrocCenter.org or call 616-588-7200 for more information.
Once again the communities of Kentwood and Wyoming will be participating in National Night Out — this year on Tuesday, Aug. 7 — where residents are encouraged to turn their porch light on and come out and meet their neighbors.
A nationwide movement started by the National Association of Town Watch in 1984, the annual event promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
“The City of Kentwood is committed to fostering a strong sense of community where neighbors look out for neighbors, which is what National Night Out is all about,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “The City’s police, firefighters, and entire leadership team encourage all to participate and to become active citizens in their neighborhoods.”
Various activities will be offered at several neighborhood National Night Out event.s
All residents have to do is turn their porch light on between 7— 10 p.m. to participate although many neighborhoods do much more hosting block parties that range from potlucks to an array of activities. Between the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood. there are about 35 different neighborhood parties taking place, most between 5— 8 p.m with local officers and firefighters attempting to make it to as many events as possible.
The day kicks off with Consumers Energy hosting an early morning event with both Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley there along with Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hilton and Wyoming Police Chief Kim Koster. The event also will be attended by officials from the Walker, Grandville and Grand Rapids communities as well as representatives from the Michigan State Police and the Kent County Sheriff’s Department.
Two large Consumers Energy trucks also will have buckets extended 75 feet above U.S. 131 to help draw attention to the event. which is from 5:30— 8 a.m. with a proclamation read at 7:15 a.m. Police and fire vehicles will line up in front of the Consumer Energy’s building at 4000 Clay Ave. SW.
City of Kentwood National Night Out Activities
The City of Kentwood will get its National Night Out activities started with an event at Woodland Mall from 3— 5 p.m. Residents will have to opportunity to met with Kentwood police and firefighters and get an up-close look at emergency vehicles. There will be a bicycle raffle and a special visit from McGruff the Crime Dog.
There is about 20 different neighborhood events taking place throughout the city, several of which will have a variety of entertainment. Those with special activities are:
• Christ Community Church, 2400 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 5— 7 p.m., will have water slides, games, food and beverages.
• Wingate Apartments, 3151 Wingate Dr. SE, 5— 7 p.m., will have a dunk tank and live music.
• South United Methodist Church, 4500 S. Division Ave., 6— 8 p.m, will have live music, a water slide, games, hot dogs, ice cream, snow cones and punch.
• Faith Church, 1412 44th St. SE, 6— 8 p.m., will have face painting, music, games, hot dogs, and pop.
• Pentecostals of Kentwood, 2627 44th St. SE, 6—8 p.m., will have a bounce house, puppets, live music, games, food and beverages.
• St. Paul’s United Method Church and Forest Pointe Apartments, 3334 Breton Ave. SE, 6—8 p.m., will have lawn games, sidewalk chalk, basketball, food and beverages.
“A strong alliance between citizens and law enforcement is necessary for achieving safer neighborhoods,” said Police Chief Tom Hillen. “Members of our department are always eager to connect with residents during National Night Out as it offers a great opportunity to build positive relationships and promote open communication.”
The City of Wyoming’s biggest National Night Out event is in conjunction with the Concerts in the Park series hosted by the Wyoming Community Enrichment Committee. There will be activities from 6—7 p.m. with Chief Koster making a presentation at 6:55 p.m. Then at 7 p.m. the Yellow Brick Road dueling pianos take over for a night of Billy Joel and Elton John music. The theme for the concert is super hero with everyone encouraged to dress as or where something from their favorite super hero.
The City of Wyoming has about 15 neighborhood parties ranging from small gatherings to those with an arrange of activities. Those open to the public are:
• Oriole Park Neighborhood Watch will host an event at Oriole Park, which is located off of 40th Street, from 6—8 p.m.
• South Godwin Neighborhood Watch will host an event at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE., from 6—8 p.m.
• Grace University, 1011 Aldon St. SW, from 5—7 p.m.
Kent County Sheriff’s National Night Out Activities
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department will be part of the South Kent National Night Out event from 4—8 p.m. at Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th Ave. SE.The event will include a number of emergency vehicles from several area departments, food and other activities. The event will have demonstrations by the K-9 Unit, vehicle extraction demonstrations, the Kent County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, children ID packets, a bounce house and dunk tank.
For more on the South Kent National Night Out event visit its Facebook page.
As part of its Parks Master Planning events, the City of Kentwood has scheduled an ice cream social today, Aug. 1, at Northeast Park from 6 to 8 p.m.
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
As part of The City of Kentwood continuing effort to seek public input for improving its Parks and Recreation Department programming through a series of Parks Master Planning events, the city has scheduled an ice cream social today, Aug. 1, at Northeast Park from 6 to 8 p.m.
Hosted by the city, the event will include complimentary ice cream for participants.
Residents of all ages will have the opportunity to help shape the future of Kentwood’s parks by sharing their ideas which will be used as a basis for future parks and recreation development.
“We welcome all residents and park users to join us at these events to help plan our parks,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied information. “We want to know what improvements the community wants to see. These events offer the perfect platform to share stories and insights as we begin to transform our parks.”
Following the event at Northeast Park, other opportunities for input will be offered during other upcoming community events including the Celebrate Kentwood gathering on Aug. 11, and the End of Summer Food Truck Festival on Sept. 15.
The City of Kentwood announced today that Kalamazoo Avenue from 52nd Street to 60th Street is slated to be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2 while the road receives a joint repair treatment.
The MSU Extension Master Gardener Program changes lives. Committed to improving the quality of life in Michigan through horticulture-based volunteerism and beautifying communities throughout the state, the program provides instruction in basic, research-based horticulture science to motivated and active gardeners through an adult (18 years or older) educational program offered by MSU Extension. More info here.
We’ve been fed alternative facts: There is no such thing as multi-tasking. You’re not doing two things at once, you’re switching back and forth. And if you have three or four or five things going, your performance suffers.
Kentwood’s Kalamazoo Avenue from 52nd Street to 60th Street to be closed Aug. 2.
City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood announced today that Kalamazoo Avenue from 52nd Street to 60th Street is slated to be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2 while the road receives a joint repair treatment.
A detour route will be posted. Traffic delays should be anticipated.
The work is part of the City of Kentwood’s ongoing commitment to road repair and maintenance. Kentwood maintains the highest-rated major street network in Kent County according to data compiled by the Grand Valley Metro Council in its 2017 Regional Pavement Condition Survey Report.
For more information regarding Kentwood summer road projects, visit www.kentwood.us.
At last month’s Board of Commissioners meeting, several community members and representatives of Movimiento Cosecha GR shared concerns about a contract between the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division, commonly known as ICE. Unfortunately, the meeting was temporarily suspended due to an interruption in the public comment process.
Representatives from the Administrator’s Office have invited Movimiento Cosecha GR leaders to meet about their concerns and hope to speak with them directly.
The Commission is committed to hearing public comments as it is an important element of our democracy that allows people to communicate directly with their government officials. In order to make sure all residents have an ability to participate, several years ago various rules were established that apply to everyone.
Since the June meeting of the Board of Commissioners, there have been several questions raised in the community about the ICE Contract with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, including what the contract entails and the role of the Sheriff and Board of Commissioners. We believe it is important for the public to know the following:
Sheriff policy and practice
Sheriff deputies do not make arrests on civil immigration charges. The Sheriff decided years ago not to seek the required, special authority to make these types of arrests.
Sheriff’s Department staff members working at the jail make no determinations regarding the validity of an arrest or the appropriateness of charges. They work to treat every inmate in a humane manner, with high levels of respect.
When an individual is arrested for an alleged criminal act and taken to Kent County Correctional Facility, fingerprints are submitted to the State and Federal government. Submission of fingerprints is not optional for the Sheriff Department or any local law enforcement agency – with or without an ICE contract. State and Federal laws require correctional facilities to fingerprint all individuals and send those prints to both databases to confirm their identification. When the FBI receives these prints, the Secure Communities Program (www.ice.gov/secure-communities) requires prints be shared with the Department of Homeland Security. It is this interplay between the FBI and Homeland Security that can trigger action by ICE.
In 2017, the Kent County Correctional Facility processed 23,455 people. In less than 0.8 percent of those arrests – 185 individuals – ICE submitted paperwork to detain individuals with immigration infractions that could, upon conviction, result in the individual serving jail time.
The scope of services under the ICE contract signed by the Sheriff in August 2012 is very limited, and includes:
The provision of temporary secure housing for persons who are facing federal immigration charges detained by and under the authority of the federal government at a current rate of $85 per day.
It also limits the housing of individuals held under the authority of the federal government to no more than 72 hours to make sure the federal government either takes custody of the individuals being held or removes the hold, so they can be released.
Board of Commissioners’ role
The Board of Commissioners has no direct oversight of or control over this agreement.
The Sheriff is a Michigan constitutionally-elected official, and pursuant to state law, the Sheriff has the authority to enter into and manage the contract because state law provides the office of County Sheriff with significant latitude in running the jail. The Board is prepared to receive comment on the contract and can facilitate discussion on the topic, but it does not have legal authority to either terminate or renew the agreement.
The concerns expressed by Movimiento Cosecha GR about the separation of families arise from Federal immigration law and the activities of Federal agencies including ICE. Federal immigration law can only be changed by federal lawmakers. Neither the County Board of Commissioners nor the County Sheriff can control or change these laws.
According to educational experts, 80 percent of learning is visual. So if a child can’t see well, he can’t learn. Yet most young children don’t get their vision screened until they have problems learning or paying attention in school, which maybe too late. Unless vision problems are detected early and corrected, those problems may become permanent by age seven.
On Wednesday, Aug. 1, the Wyoming Lions Club will be hosting a free vision screening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m at the Byron Community Ministries, 8250 Byron Creek Dr. SW.
The goal of the screening is to determine if glasses are needed. There are no age restrictions. Parents and families are invited to bring their children to Byron Center community Ministries for vision screening to make they are on the way to learning in the fall.
For more information about the screening, visit 616-881-3012.
The Lions Club is an international non-political service organization established originally in 1916 in Chicago, Illinois by Melvin Jones. In 1925, the organization accepted Helen Keller’s challenge to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Since then, The Lions Club work has included sight-related programs such as collecting old glasses for redistribution to those less fortunate.
Kentwood City Hall and the surrounding area will be buzzing with activity on Aug. 11 as the community’s Celebrate Kentwood event returns for a day of fun and celebration.
This year’s festival will be one jam-packed day of events at City Hall and the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch featuring family-friendly activities, local food vendors, community booths, a beer garden and live music.
Also returning to the annual festival will be the classic car show and Kentwood’s Got Talent. Modeled after the popular TV show, the talent competition will feature singers, dancers and other performers from the community.
“The 50th Anniversary Celebrate Kentwood festival was such a great event that the fun, food, and entertainment will return on Aug. 11,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “All of West Michigan is welcome to join as we enjoy the diverse culture and talent that makes Kentwood a desired place to work and raise a family.”
The day will rev up at 9 a.m. with the classic car show, featuring dozens of antique, classic and one-of-a-kind cars. Also kicking off the day will be a myriad of local vendors at the Kentwood Farmers Market, offering fresh produce, popcorn, cheese, honey and more.
A variety of family-friendly attractions will be on-site from noon to 4 p.m. There will be inflatables for kids to climb, and carnival games to enjoy, among other kid-friendly activities.
A previous Kentwood’s Got talent contestant. (WKTV)
Featured talent from around West Michigan will take the stage at noon for Kentwood’s Got Talent. The winner will receive a $500 cash prize. Contestants will have up to five minutes to wow the judges with their talents. The show begins at noon and is free and open to the public.
Food trucks will gather behind City Hall at 11 a.m. to offer a variety of savory and sweet snacks and beverages. Community booths from all over West Michigan will also line the streets. A beer garden will be open to adults 21 and older from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Live music will be featured on the main stage throughout the evening. The lineup includes: 2:30-4 p.m., Allie Garland & Awesome Sauce; 4:30-5:30 p.m., Hannah Rose and the GravesTones; 6-7:30 p.m., Asamu Johnson and The Associates of The Blues; and 8-10 p.m., Avalon Cutts-Jones Music.
Celebrate Kentwood’s presenting sponsor is DTE Energy Foundation. Platinum level sponsors are Macatawa Bank and NN Mobile Solutions. A full list of sponsors is available online.
The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking volunteers for Celebrate Kentwood. There are also openings for the car show and for community booths. Sign-up information and a timeline of events can be found online here.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, WKTV brings you two topics on the Aug. 7 primary ballot — City of Wyoming funding for its police and fire departments through its public safety special millage, and the City of Kentwood’s Republican voters selecting a candidate to run for the Michigan State Senate seat currently held by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker.
The City of Wyoming is requesting to renew its existing public safety millage on the Aug. 7 primary ballot. Millage renewal approval would provide a permanent annual collection of 1.25 mills for the operation, maintenance and administration of city police and fire services. Discussing the details of the request is City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Chief Kim Koster, Wyoming Public Safety Director.
Also on the episode, In Focus is the only one of the three candidates in the Republican primary for 26th State Senate district, which includes the City of Kentwood, without history in state government. Don Wickstra is a Hamilton dentist and political novice, and while he is chairman of the Heath Township Planning Commission he admits to being,“ a name you probably haven’t read in news stories.”
In Focus host Ken Norris brings you Wickstra’s story, in his own words.
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 debuted on WKTV cable channels on Tuesday, July 24, and will again air on Thursday, July 26, also at 6:30 p.m., and will continue on the same days and times the week of July 30. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
The Crane Wives are set to take the stage on Kentwood City Hall’s lawn as part of the Kentwood Summer Concert Series on Thursday, July 26 at 7 p.m.
Made up of band members Dan Rickabus, Emilee Petersmark, Ben Zito and Kate Pillsbury, The Crane Wives got their start while attending college at Grand Valley State University. Though the band has changed its sound over the years, listeners can expect to hear the mix of folk and indie pop in their music that gives them their unique sound.
“In Japanese folklore, the crane wife is a bird disguised as a woman who spins fine silks from her own feathers, until her identity is discovered,” according to the band’s website. “The Crane Wives spin fine songs from whole cloth, and you will never want the melodies to leave your head.”
After making recent tour stops throughout the country, the band will be returning home to play for the crowds that gave them their start.
“It’s special when we play back home,” Pillsbury told the WKTV Journal. “We’re incredibly thankful to the West Michigan community for being supportive of our art.”
Concert goers can expect to hear songs like “Here I Am”, which explores social injustices people face in urban communities. Listeners can also expect to hear songs from all four albums of the band’s seven-year career.
In addition to a variety of music, the Kentwood concerts offer a variety of food trucks at each concert offering food and beverages for purchase. Concert-goers are also encouraged to bring a blanket or their chair and are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.
The Kentwood Summer Concert Series offers free outdoor concerts until August. The final concert will provide music from Blue Soul Express on Aug. 2 at Kentwood City Hall located at 4900 Breton Road SE.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced that a special evening series of programs will take place this summer at the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium. (Supplied)
Fun in Space: Learn more about the night sky, rain or shine
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced that a special evening series of programs will take place this summer at the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium.
Community activities: Swing dance for all in downtown GR
Enjoy free swing dancing at Rosa Park Circle this summer while listening to live music! Every Tuesday through October. Fun for all ages. Lessons are offered during the first half hour.
WKTV YouTube Videos: Looking for something to do nearby?
West Michigan Tourist Association’s Jeremy Witt sits down with WKTV to talk about fun, educational adventures West Michigan residents can enjoy this summer.
Michigan voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 7, with several local primary races on the ballot, among them is the Republican nomination for 26th District State Senate seat currently held by Sen. Tonya Shuitmaker, who is facing term limits. The district includes the City of Kentwood. WKTV has what you need to know about the three-way race between, in alphabetic order, Bob Genetski, Aric Nesbitt and Don Wickstra.
Genetski served the Michigan House of Representatives from 2009 through 2014, when he was elected as Allegan County Clerk. He has a bachelors degree from Auburn University and a masters in education from Grand Valley State University. He and his family live in Saugatuck. Genetski is both a one-time public school teacher and was named one of the Michigan House’s most conservative elected officials.
Nesbitt describes himself as a public servant, having served three terms as a state representative before, most recently, as a member of Gov. Rick Snyder’s cabinet, serving as the lottery commissioner. He earned a B.A. in Economics from Hillsdale College and a Masters in International Business from Norwegian School of Economics. He lives near Lawton with his wife, Trisha, down the road from his family’s farm.
Wickstra, an Hamilton dentist and political novice, is a graduate of Hope College and Loyola University Dental School, and he and his wife Lynn are grandparents who have been married for 42 years. Outside of being the chairman of the Heath Township Planning Commission, he admits to being, quote, “a name you probably haven’t read in news stories.”
Teacher Carol Kersjes, center top, in a learning activity with children at Ken-O-Sha Early Childhood, one of the Special Education center programs operated by GRPS
After decades of providing special-education services to students throughout Kent County, the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education will soon decide whether to turn those programs over to Kent ISD.
The school board plans to vote Aug. 6 on a recommendation by Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal to transfer operation of the center-based programs that serve nearly 1,400 students from all 20 school districts within Kent ISD. Serving students with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder and severe physical and emotional impairments, the programs are run by GRPS on behalf of all the districts within Kent ISD.
At a work session on Monday, Neal told board members she would like their approval to transfer the 11 center-based programs to Kent ISD by July of 2019. Doing so would benefit both students in GRPS and those from the 19 other districts, she said.
“We have done a wonderful job, in my opinion,” Neal told the board, but added, “I do believe it is time for us to look at another option that will serve in the best interest of our children.”
The move would allow GRPS to represent its own 480 center-program students as part of a greater whole and also broaden oversight to all Kent ISD districts, she said, calling the proposal “a natural progression” of the district’s Transformation Plan.
“It gives everyone a collective voice,” she said. “Whether it’s Grand Rapids or Rockford or East Grand Rapids, we all get one vote.” In a statement sent to GRPS staff and stakeholders, she said the transfer “will ensure greater access, inclusion, and a more direct, vested interest from all twenty districts in center-based special education programming.”
While not predicting how the board will vote, President Wendy Falb said she is receptive to the proposal.
“It makes sense that GRPS focus on their core business, first and foremost … the students of GRPS who live in our district,” Falb said.
Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal, left, discusses her proposal with board members including President Wendy Falb, center, and Secretary Kristian Grant
Follows Program Review, Criticism
The transfer would affect 425 GRPS teachers, therapists and others who staff the center programs. Mary Bouwense, president of the Grand Rapids Education Association, told MLive that staff members’ seniority should be honored and their salary and benefits not be shortchanged if the transition is made.
The proposal follows months of criticism of GRPS special education programs, not just the center programs, by teachers and parents. With board support, Neal has said the vast majority of the criticisms are false, and that valid points have already been or are being addressed.
It also comes amid an independent review of the center programs commissioned by the Kent ISD superintendents in response to the concerns. GRPS conducted its own internal program review last year, which recommended the district review its operation of the center programs. The review found the majority of such programming around the state is provided by intermediate districts, and that GRPS is unique in contracting with Kent ISD and the 19 other local districts.
The recommendation to transfer center programs is not specifically in response to the protests, although those may have “accelerated” an idea that has long been discussed by Neal and others, Falb said. While the board has questions to address, she said she “didn’t hear any strong opposition” at the work session.
“The big question is making sure we’re doing our fiduciary responsibility for the children, whether that’s going to be addressed by the ISD,” Falb said.
She said the proposal makes sense to her, even though it wouldn’t be to the district’s financial advantage. Officials are still calculating the exact costs, but Neal said the district would lose over $1 million in indirect revenue for running the program. Center programs are funded by state and federal dollars, a countywide millage and per-student tuition from districts, said Chief Financial Officer Larry Oberst.
“The deeper engagement across the county makes a lot of sense to me, when everybody’s got kind of an equal buy-in,” Falb said.
Concerns to Retain Teachers
Kent ISD leaders are respecting the GRPS decision-making process, but are prepared to work with the district to ensure a “seamless transition” if the board decides to turn over the program, said Kent ISD Superintendent Ron Caniff.
“Those children are entitled to those services, and their parents have every right to expect those services to be delivered at a high level,” Caniff said. “We’re committed to that if that is the determination.”
Caniff said he has informally discussed the idea with Neal for “quite some time,” prior to the protests, and was not surprised by the proposal. The timing is “advantageous,” he said, in that if GRPS does transfer the program, the review being conducted by consultant Beth Steenwyk would be expanded to help with the transition. Among questions to be answered would be how to handle contractual issues with GRPS teachers and staff in the center programs, he said.
“I would expect if those staff members chose to come our way that there would be opportunity for that to happen,” Caniff said. “But they may not want to, they may decide to stay in the Grand Rapids system.”
Falb and other board members said they hope most teachers and staff would remain with the program — and be well compensated — so that the level of services would remain as good as or better than it is now. Neal and others praised the quality of the staff, which includes 117 teachers, and said they would work collaboratively with Kent ISD to retain those who want to continue.
“We want our staff to have a job,” said Sharron Pitts, GRPS assistant superintendent of human resources. “And we want the students to have the teachers and staff that they have been exposed to and have worked with for these years. We know that they’re good folks.”
Community members, parents and staff gathered for the dedication of Pine Grove Learning Center in 2009. This is just one of the Special Education center programs operated by Grand Rapids Public Schools on behalf of students across the region.
Committed to Quality
Leaders said they’re confident students would continue to receive high-quality services if Kent ISD takes over the center program.
“I am extremely confident, just because I know the caliber of services that the ISD operates. I know my colleagues from the other 19 districts,” said LaMore, the GRPS special education executive director. “But because we’ve done things for so long, the same way, local districts tend to not get involved in the programming. This is an opportunity for all of us to look differently at how we’re in service to our kids.”
Neal expressed confidence services to students would be as good or better if run by Kent ISD, noting many program requirements are dictated by law.
“The superintendents, the ISD, they care for kids just like we do,” she said afterward. “We’re all trying to do what’s right and what’s best for kids.”
Regardless of what the board decides, Caniff said GRPS has been a national leader in special education and that he is “grateful to them for the high quality of service they’ve provided all these years. There’s been cases where families have moved into Kent County because of these services Grand Rapids has provided. A lot of pride there, a tradition of excellence.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
June 2018 marks another record-breaking month at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA), going down as the busiest June in the airport’s history and setting the pace for what could be another historical passenger year.
June passenger numbers were up 17.5-percent year-over-year; resulting in the busiest June ever, and marking the first time GFIA has served more than a quarter-million passengers in the month of June.
At the end of the first half of 2018, GFIA is more than halfway to the three million passenger mark, having served a total of 1,593,356 passengers. Overall, 2018 passenger totals at GFIA are up 15- percent versus 2017.
“Summer in West Michigan is in full swing and we are noticing it at the Ford Airport,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport President & CEO Jim Gill. “Not only are we seeing record-breaking passenger numbers, but we are seeing new faces and new travelers who maybe haven’t flown in a while or in the past had chosen to fly out of larger airports. With six airlines, 25 nonstop cities served, and over 120 daily flights we are giving passengers more options at affordable fares, and they are utilizing our airport – the easiest choice around.”
June 2017 saw 240,761 passengers, while June 2018 topped that in serving 282,863 – the second largest increase ever for the month of June. Each month of 2018 has resulted in record-breaking passenger numbers, and the Ford Airport is coming off a 2017 that saw over 2.8 million passengers – the fifth straight year of record growth. GFIA has seen growth in 59 of the past 66 months.
“Our airline partners continue to invest here and are adding more service through the summer with more routes, and larger aircraft to accommodate our growing passenger traffic,” said Gill. “We expect the record numbers and trends to continue in the busy summer months as West Michiganders visit the world, and as the world visits our beautiful West Michigan region.”
The upcoming summer is expected to be the busiest summer in the history of U.S. air travel, according to trade group Airlines for America (A4A). The group estimates that over 246 million passengers will fly in the U.S. between June 1 and August 31, 2018. Historically low fares and a strong economy are noted for aiding in that forecasted record-breaking summer travel period.
Because of the increases both nationally and at GFIA, those traveling are advised to arrive at the airport at least 90-120 minutes before their flight. Updated security screening information, tips on what to pack/not pack, and more are listed at www.tsa.gov
GFIA has invested in new facilities to accommodate the growing traffic by recently completing Phase One of the Gateway Transformation Project – an upgrade in space, retail, food and beverage, restrooms, finishes, amenities, and customer service offerings. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which centralized and combined security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport. Construction also included new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, pre and post security business centers, a military welcome center, kids play areas, and much more.
Phase Two of the Gateway Transformation Project is slated to begin in Fall 2018 with construction taking place at the airline ticket counters, baggage claim area, and ‘front of house’ area.
“As we continue to grow in traffic it is imperative that our facilities keep up with our passenger demand,” said Gill. “Our passengers keep coming back because we listen to their wants and needs, and as they do we will continue to do our part to improve our amenities, technology, customer service and infrastructure. We are excited to see what the future holds, and we hope to add more growth in the years to come.”
While the Michigan Department of State has recently been touting the state’s election security readiness, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and the state’s Bureau of Elections which she oversees recently announced that it would be hiring an outside firm to conduct the state’s first “extensive security-related review” of cybersecurity readiness.
The news of the planned cybersecurity review was first announced in late June when the state included in its 2018-19 budget $535,000 in state money to match a federal grant and making available a total of $11.2 million for enhanced election security.
“Regarding the $11.2 million in new state and federal money for election security,” Fred Woodhams, Michigan Secretary of State’s Office spokesperson, said in an email to WKTV. “The Bureau of Elections is seeking to hire an experienced firm with election administration and cybersecurity expertise to perform the security review with at least initial findings expected to be reported before the November general election.”
The outside firm will “conduct a security review of state, county and local election-related systems to identify potential vulnerabilities and methods to mitigate them,” he said. “The work will be the first time such an extensive security-related review will be performed but that is just the start of our plans to use the new money for election upgrades over the next few years.”
Currently, the state’s Chief Security Officer, housed in the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, oversees the state’s IT systems and has an office devoted to cybersecurity, according to Woodhams.
The Chief Security Officer “office works closely with our elections and IT staff,” Woodhams said. “The state has long-standing efforts to protect systems from malicious activity. In addition to those efforts, the new money will be allow us to hire an outside firm to search for vulnerabilities to the systems of the state and also local communities. It will be the first time that part has been done.”
The cybersecurity threat to local elections is an on-going debate in Washington, D.C., but the overall threat was made clear in February of this year when a Congressional Task Force on Election Security reported “Russia’s unprecedented assault on the country’s elections in 2016 – including targeting 21 states’ voting systems – exposed serious national security vulnerabilities to our election infrastructure – which includes voting machines and voter registration databases.”
There is no evidence that Michigan’s voting system was compromised by any entity in 2016.
“We are very confident in the state’s elections systems,” Woodhams said, “due to, among other reasons, the extensive and redundant accuracy and integrity practices that include a weeks-long, thorough canvassing process that verifies each precinct’s results, and ballot and voter numbers to make sure everything adds up.”
Voting machines in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood were upgraded last year. (Supplied)
Woodhams also pointed out the many election upgrades Secretary Johnson and the Bureau of Elections have put in place for the 2018 election cycle, including all new next-generation election equipment used in all 1,520 cities and townships, expanded cybersecurity training for local election administrators and post-election audits that include ballot validation.
Woodhams’ remarks echo a statement by Secretary Johnson, in previous Department of State press release, regarding why the state’s voters should be confident in election security.
“Most importantly, every voter across Michigan still will use a good, old-fashioned paper ballot to mark their choices,” Secretary Johnson said. “Then they’ll feed the ballot into a new next-generation voting machine designed with security in mind. But buying all new election equipment isn’t all we’ve done to safeguard our election system.
“We carefully reviewed and improved our systems, and we’ll be putting $11 million of federal security grants toward further strengthening them against attack. Plus, we’re adding required cybersecurity training to our local clerk education programs.”
After Kent County installed new voting machines in time for last year’s fall election, the Aug. 7 primary will be the first statewide election in which every city and township will use all new voting equipment that includes optical-scan ballot tabulators, accessible voting devices for voters with disabilities, and new election-management and reporting software.
Recent Wyoming High School graduate Zayveon Hymon and sophomore Xavier Bailey are spending 20 hours a week this summer working on various repair and maintenance projects (courtesy photo)
Zayveon Hymon and Xavier Bailey are spending the summer as construction crew members, working on minor repairs, major projects and gaining valuable experience to carry with them as they move on to college and careers.
They are learning and using the tools of the trade 20 hours a week and building their résumés with Dale Cross, owner of Wyoming-based Sarge Construction.
“We fix up anything that’s broken,” Zayveon said. “I feel like I could fix a whole house.”
Sophomore Xavier Bailey works on a screen during his job with Sarge Construction (courtesy photo)
Along with developing on-the-job work skills, Zayveon, who graduated from Wyoming High School in May and Xavier, a sophomore, are using what they’ve learned through Teen Outreach — a leadership program they attended all school year at Wyoming High School — in real employment.
Teen Outreach, which meets weekly during the school year, has three components: life-skills development; job placement and community service. Julian Goodson, youth development specialist for Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, a program through Bethany Christian Services, has taught the class since 2013.
Job placement is a major incentive for getting students to attend, Goodson said.
“The summer job component was the hook. All the other stuff is what they are getting out of it: the ability to learn how to network, public speak. When they came in here they might not have had any experience, but now they have three or four things to put on their résumé.”
Teen Outreach extends into the Summer Youth Employment Program, which connects students to summer jobs. Students are also working at Goodwill Industries, Bethany Christian Services and Wyoming Public Schools. While they said their primary goal is to earn money, they concede that having work, community service and school experience is a huge deal too.
“It gives me money, and it gives me experience for future jobs so I can make more money,” said Cecilia Medina, a Wyoming Middle College student who just completed her senior year in high school and is working at Goodwill this summer. She said she’s learned about professional behavior and expectations, and brings those with her to her job
Xavier Bailey moves soil (courtesy photo)
Show up, Do the Work, Keep your Future in Mind
Zayveon, who graduated in May and is attending Olivet Nazarene University in the fall, said he’s learned public speaking and how to meet expectations in the workforce through Teen Outreach, and by working with Cross.
“The job seems like the golden ticket for the class,” Zayveon said. “The job is a plus, but you learn way more than that.”
The Wyoming students also completed a community service project in early June tied to jobs and careers. They hosted a career day at Madison Place in Grand Rapids with representatives from several companies and career fields who networked with students involved in other Teen Outreach programs.
Cross said Zayveon and Xavier are gaining a lot of hands-on experience working with him. They start each day by picking up materials at hardware stores, and then are off to different sites to help with city inspections, work on plumbing and electrical, even repair decking and foundations. They will develop a sense of areas they could specialize in, Cross said.
Zaveon said he plans to study business management and accounting, and eventually own a contracting or construction business.
The students are good workers, Cross said, always asking what they can do next and lending a helping hand.
Those are skills they’ve learned by practicing them: show up, do the work and keep your future in mind, Zayveon said.
“We step up. That’s what we do.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Kentwood: City continues extensive effort to gain public input on parks
The City of Kentwood continues to seek public input for improving its Parks and Recreation Department programming as part of a series of Parks Master Planning events. The next in the series will take place Thursday, July 19, at the City of Kentwood Summer Concert series concert, but there are several other opportunities as well.
Wyoming and Kentwood: Calvin College works in Plaster Creek watershed
Calvin Students at Plaster Creek (Photo by Amanda Impens)
The environmental project is in collaboration with the Plaster Creek Stewards, with a group of Calvin faculty, staff, and students have been working over a decade on the restoration of the Plaster Creek watershed, which includes both cities.
WKTV on YouTube: Wyoming Public Safety millage informational discussion
The City of Wyoming’s request to renew its existing public safety millage on the Aug. 7 primary ballot. Millage renewal approval would provide a permanent annual collection of 1.25 mills for the operation, maintenance and administration of city police and fire services. Discussion the request is City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Chief Kim Koster, Wyoming Public Safety Director.
Michigan voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 7, with several local primary races on the ballot, among them is the Republican nomination for 72nd District State House seat. WKTV has what you need to know about the race between incumbent Rep. Steve Johnson and challenger Jennifer Antel.
Rep. Johnson is completing his first term representing the 72nd District, which includes Kentwood as part a far-flung district including portions of Kent and Allegan counties. He lives in Wayland Township, is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and readily identifies himself as a Christian conservative.
Antel is currently a Wayland City Councilor and has served 13 years on the council, currently as Mayor Pro Tem. She has a Masters in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University, has worked as the Downtown Development Director for the City of Otsego, and Assistant to the City Manager in the City of Kalamazoo. She is a mother of five, and is a guest teacher and track coach at Wayland Union Schools.
