Tag Archives: 8th District Kent County Commission

We the People 2018: Kent County Commission Candidates

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WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

The Kent County Board of Commissioners has 19 districts of which six represent portions of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. Of those six districts, two have unopposed candidates. Here are those seeking to represent Wyoming and Kentwood residents at the county level.

 

7th District Kent County Commissioner

 

In the 7th District Kent County Commissioner race Republican incumbent Stan Ponstein, of Grandville, will be facing off against Democrat challenger Mike Johnson, of Wyoming. The 7th District covers most of the City of Grandville and the northern portion of the City of Wyoming, most of which is in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district. For specific borders, visit accesskent.com.

 

 

Mike Johnson – Candidate (D)

 

Occupation: Pharmacist tech in-patient at Mercy Health Hospital

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the 7th District Kent County Commission Seat? 

 

I decided to run because of President Donald Trump’s attacks on the Hispanic community, how local hispanics are treated, and because of my experiences in Arizona with ADOT in that every citizen was required to have a state ID so law enforcement could verify identity, but it was mostly being used against minorities. I also noticed there was no LGBTQ representatives sitting on any of your local boards.

 

If elected what issues would you want to take a look at?

 

I would like to center focus on schools in financial need. Godfrey Lee being one of them. I would like to bring back a second Kent County Health Department because our population needs it or expand on our current health department. Obviously putting pressure on to end the contract with ICE and work with local law enforcement to develop ongoing cultural sensitivity trainings. Also, if it should pass, to fairly regulate district facilities in regards to marijuana distribution. 

 

 

Stan Ponstein – Incumbent (R)

 

Occupation: Works for Costco Wholesale

 

Why did you decide to run for re-election to the 7th District Kent County Commission Seat?

 

Since being re-elected last year, I was elected to the Michigan Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. I believe it is so important for Kent County to have a voice on the state level since so much of our money is funded through the federal and the state. 

 

What are the issues you see for the county in the next couple of years? 

 

It is the things that occur everyday. Money is always a concern and there is never enough but it is how we use it and the priorities we set. Since I was elected the opioid epidemic has exploded and in the last year, the PFAS issue exploded. West Nile has also reappeared. To clean up the PFAS will probably take a lot of resources and the one thing we have discovered is we are not alone in that there are counties across the country dealing with the PFAS issue. So it is the day-to-day issues that you have to be prepared to deal with. The sheriff department and the health department make up most of our budget. So having placed the right people in the right place with the right support is something we need to focus on.

 

 

8th District Kent County Commissioner

 

The 8th District Kent County Commission covers the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, including the pan handle.  For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

Harold Voorhees – Incumbent (R)

 

Harold Voorhees is the incumbent for the 8th District and he is running unopposed for the Nov. 6 election.

 

 

9th District Kent County Commissioner

 

In the 9th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican incumbent Matt Kallman is being challenged by Democrat candidate Bob Smith. Both are from Byron Center. The 9th District is all of Byron Center and a southern portion of the City of Wyoming east of Burlingame Avenue and west of Clyde Park Avenue to 36th Street and a portion that goes from north of 40th Street to Division Avenue. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

Bob Smith – Candidate (D)

 

Occupation: Factory Worker

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the 9th District Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

I was getting more involved with local politics, through the UAW CAP (Citizenship and Legislative Committee, most often referred to as the Community Action Program, or CAP), and started to take part in the Kent County Democratic Party meetings. … People started suggesting to me that I should run for something. … I starting thinking what would I do with that office should I get it.

 

If elected, what issue(s) would you immediately want to focus on and why?

 

I would want to get First Steps (Kent) expanded.(The program deals with early childhood services.) I think that is a great program. We also need to expand veterans services. Kent County is a pretty big county with a lot of rural area that our busing system does not reach out to. So we have one place where all the veterans services are centered, downtown, which isn’t very helpful. … I would definitely want to invest more in that.

 

Matt Kallman – Incumbent (R)

 

Occupation: Software

 

Why did decide to run of re-election for the 9th District Kent County Commissioner seat?

I love representing the people of my part of Wyoming and Byron Center on the Board.  Kent County is a well run organization and I enjoy being able to learn and work with my colleagues to make sure it stays that way.  I also think having someone with a technical background on the Board is important as we make numerous significant IT investments to better serve the people of Kent County.

 

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

I want to continue to ensure that Kent County makes good budget decisions.   We are in good financial shape due to a long history of wise management of our resources.   Generally, I want to bring my perspective from a younger, more tech-savvy generation to the Board to make sure we are considering long term decisions with a good mix of perspectives.

 

10th District Kent County Commissioner

 

The 10th District Kent County Commissioner seat covers Gaines Township and the southern half of Caledonia Township. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

Emily P. Brieve – Incumbent

 

Emily P. Brieve, of Caledonia, is the incumbent for the 10th District and she is running unopposed in the Nov. 6 election.

 

 

12th District Kent County Commissioner

 

With the announcement that incumbent Harold Mast would not be seeking another term, the 12th District Kent County Commissioner race features three new faces, Republican Jill Martinez, Democrat Monica Sparks, and Green Party Charlotte Aikens. The District 12 Kent County Commissioner seat covers the western portion of the City of Kentwood and the eastern portion of the city of Wyoming. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

 

Charlotte Aikens – Candidate (G)

 

Occupation: Register Nurse for nine years, in the health care field for 12 years.

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the 12th District Kent County Commission seat? 

 

I got interested more than a year ago and the issues that got me to enter were deciding where the money goes and health care.

 

If elected what issues would you want to take a look at?

 

The ICE contact is a big deal. I know a lot of immigrant families, so I know the process and how hard it is to try and bring family members into the country. It can take years. Most families don’t understand the process to get their families. They live in fear. they just want to be a family, to live, to work, and to pay their taxes like the rest of us. I am not certain what the solutions are but I want to be part of the solution.

 

 

Jill Martinez

 

Occupation: Healthcare Management

 

Why did you decided to seek election to the 12th District Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

This community has so much to offer, community and sporting events, local businesses and great people, and it continues to flourish. I love my community and want to play my part in seeing that we continue to thrive. Growing up, my family emphasized a strong work ethic and service to others and those lessons have stayed with me.  

 

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

 

As I meet with residents, it is clear that they want a county that protects its seniors and veterans, safeguards essential services, keeps our community safe and supports all taxpayers.  Our seniors and veterans have given a lot to our community and we need to give back to them. By safeguarding essential services, we can secure the care and central resources they need to survive. A successful county is a safe county. I will support officers and give them the funding they need to protect you and your families. I will also support new measures that will contribute to our safe community. 

 

 

Monica Sparks

 

Occupation: Small Business Owner and Real Estate Broker

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the 12the District Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

I am running to be an advocate to help protect the services of families, individuals, children and those with special needs, and especially our seniors and veterans living in Kent County.

 

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

 

There are many isssues that affect citizens in Kent County. I will start with Mental Health Services, if we do not have strong healthy minds we cannot have strong  healthy communities! Also our Veteran’s Services and Senior Services are a priority. Kent County Seniors or Veterans should never be abandoned. Everyone deserves to have an address, so fair affordable housing is an important issue to tackle. Quality of life in Kent County is important to me.

 

13th District Kent County Commissioner

 

For the 13th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican candidate Jessica Ann Tyson is challenging Democrat incumbent Betsy Melton. Both are from Kentwood. The Kent County Commission District 13 covers the eastern portion of the City of Kentwood. For specific boarders, visit.accesskent.com.

 

Betsy Melton – Incumbent (D)

 

Occupation: Retired registered nurse

 

Why did you decide to seek re-election to the 13th District Kent Count Commissioner seat?

 

During my first two years, I have learned a lot about what is to be on the Board of Commissioners and there was a lot more to it then I knew. I decided to run again because I wanted to provide my community with the experience I have gained during those two years. Also there are some items that I would have been working on that I would like to see through. That and I am very, very passionate about my City of Kentwood and feel very honored to be be able to represent the city at the county level.

 

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

 

Certainly one of them is the PFAS problem in Kent County. Also the opioid crisis is something that we have been addressing and will need to continue to address. Farmland preservation is another area that we certainly have been talking about. Lastly, if I have two  more years, I would like to somehow affect a positive wave in how we look at issues that is much more unified and much less partisan.

 

 

Jessica Ann Tyson – Candidate (R)

 

Occupation: Business Owner

 

Why did you decide to run for the 13th District Kent County Commission seat?

 

Because I believe a good representative of the community has to be immersed and very engaged in the community. I believe in giving back to the community that has given me so much.

 

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

 

I feel we need to work on our roads and I will work with county and state officials to invest in our infrastructure. Also I want to focus on the health care crisis. We need to find ways to help with such issues as mental health and the opioid crisis.

 

 

All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.

 

Local County Commission voting results for Wyoming, Kentwood representatives

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By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

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.

 

We the People 2018 Primary: Kent County Commission Candidates

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While all the seats for the Kent County Commission are up for election, there are only a few with more than one candidate seeking a specific party’s spot for the general election. In Michigan’s primary, you may only vote for candidates in one party. The primary election is Aug. 7.

 

8thDistrict Kent County Commissioner

 

Kent County Commissioner District 8 covers most of the City of Wyoming, from its western border, heading east. For specific borders, visit accesskent.com.

 

There are only the two Republican candidates on the ballot for the 8thDistrict Kent County Commissioner seat. The candidate who wins the primary will run unopposed in the general election on Nov. 6.

 

 

Name: Benjamin K. Franz

 

Party: Challenger, Republican

 

Occupation: Leasing agent for Byron Lakes Apartments

 

Why did you decide to run for the 8thDistrict Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

I really love this area and where it is headed and I do feel that things are pretty good. Everything is booming and we have had a lot of competent people leading the way. I don’t want to lose that. So, I decided to challenge myself because I really wanted to give back to this place I fell in love with.

 

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

 

Being that I don’t have a l long resume into this, I want to talk and review meticulously before approval to any issues. I am elected official who actually speaks to the people. So I want to sit and talk to the residents and let the people tell me which issues are important to them.

 

 

Name: Harold Voorhees

 

Party: Incumbent, Republican

 

Occupation: Cookies Unique, president and owner

 

Why did you decide to run for re-election for the 8thDistrict Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

Because I enjoy public service. I also I think I am needed as we transition with new leadership and there is still work to be done.

 

If re-elected, what issues do you want to focus on?

 

I will be focusing on the financial area. We have a triple A bond rating and I want to see that the county maintains that. I also know that the people work hard for their tax dollars and I want to assure them that those tax dollars are working for them.

 

 

12thDistrict Kent County Commissioner

 

The 12th District Kent County Commissioner seat covers the western portion of the City of Kentwood and the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming. For specific borders, visit accesskent.com.

 

 

With Harold Mast’s announcement that he would not seek re-election, several candidates have put their names on the ballot for the 12thDistrict Kent County Commissioner seat. There are four Democrats seeking the Democratic Party spot. Whoever wins the primary will face Republican Jill Martinez in the general election on Nov. 6.

 

 

Name: Katy Steele Barone

 

Party: Candidate, Democrat

 

Occupation: An office manager by trade, but I’m not working right now.

 

Why did you decide to run for the 12thDistrict Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

To amplify the voices of the working class and to instill confidence and interest (in county government).

 

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

In general, healthcare, immigration, clean water, and infrastructure.

 

 

Name: Keith Courtade

 

Party: Candidate, Democrat

 

Occupation: Works for GM

 

Why did you decide to run for the 12thDistrict County Commissioner seat?

 

I have a real passion for this and I miss not being able to represent and serve the people of Kent County. When I served as a Kent County Commissioner, I was a voice for the working families, the middles class, the poor and senior citizens – all the residents. I brought a commitment to fiscal responsibility, tax fairness and open government.

 

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

 

I will put jobs first, working to find jobs and retaining laid-off workers; ease family burdens by helping them cope with the demands of caring for family members who are disabled; keep parks affordable by opposing park and recreation fees so no Kent County families would be priced out of county activities; push for local first purchasing to keep our tax dollars with local businesses; and defend the senior millage.

 

 

Name: Monica Sparks

 

Party: Candidate, Democrat

 

Occupation: Small business owner

 

Why did you decide to run for the 12thDistrict County Commissioner seat?

 

So, in March of this year, I was selected as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal. I know that with influence it is not something you use for yourself but others. I filed in March, like the next day. I decided to run because I want to see that we have continuous services. We need to make sure that such services as mental health continue because a healthy mind leads to a healthy community.

 

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

 

Mental health services is one along with fair affordable housing. People say there is only so much land, but there are other options such as there are a number of abandoned buildings that we could tap into for fair housing services. Also, having a father who is a Korean war veteran and received the Purple Heart, making sure our veterans are taken care of and receiving the services they need along with services to those with special needs.

 

 

Name: Scott Urbanowski

 

Party: Candidate, Democrat

 

Occupation: Humoniad Digital, owner

 

Why did you decide to run for the 12thDistrict Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

When I heard Harold Mast was retiring, I considered it but it wasn’t until over the holidays that I made the decision to run. I am running for three reasons. The first is to rebuild trust between the public and government. The second, my promise to serve the less fortunate and our veterans, and third is what I can bring to the county commission, that millennial voice. I am a person who has faced economic challenges and am able to give the ordinary resident a voice at the table.

 

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

 

I have a four-part platform: opportunity for all, giving a voice to the less fortunate; government for all, making it more transparent and open to the residents it serves; health and safety for all, as we deal with PFAS issues and trying to address chemicals left in the ground and preventing things like that from happening; and service to all, working on service to help the underserved and less fortunate by looking at issues such as consolidating 911 into one dispatch and seeing if that will provide the quality of service for all.

 

We the People: Candidate Forums

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We The People 2016WKTV takes seriously its role as a communications provider. We want our community to be well-informed and more involved in local matters.

 

City of Wyoming – 2nd Ward

 

The City of Wyoming’s 2nd Ward Council area covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming from Chicago Drive in the north to Prairie Parkway down Burlingame Avenue over 36th Street and up along 32nd Street on the south. The 2nd Ward western border is Wentworth and the eastern border is the city limits.

 

 

City of Wyoming – 3rd Ward

 

The City of Wyoming’s 3rd Ward Council area encompasses the city’s panhandle area that includes most of the western area of the city from Prairie Parkway on the north to 60th Street in the south. The 3rd Ward eastern border wraps around the city limits to Kenowa Avenue and its western border is Burlingame Avenue.

 

Kent County Commissioner – 8th District

 

Kent County Commissioner District 8 covers the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, including the pan handle. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

Kent County Commissioner – 12th District

 

Kent County Commissioner District 12 covers the western portion of the City of Kentwood and the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

Kent County Commissioner – 13th District

 

Kent County Commissioner District 13 covers the eastern portion of the City of Kentwood. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

State House of Representatives – 77th District

 

The 77th District includes Byron Township and the City of Wyoming. The seat is currently held by Thomas Hooker of Byron Township, who is vacating due to term limits.