Tag Archives: Kent Vanderwood

Wyoming elects Vanderwood as its next mayor

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Wyoming City Council Member Kent Vanderwood was elected the city’s next mayor during the Aug. 2 primary election. Vanderwood received 56 percent of the casted votes. (Supplied)

At this week’s primary election, Wyoming voters determined the city’s next mayor, Kent Vanderwood.

“Normally in a primary, there is usually a narrowing of the number down for candidates but in our city charter there is a little asterisk to this in that if a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, they automatically win the seat,” said Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg.

Vanderwood took 56 percent of the casted votes in Aug. 2 primary, receiving 5,635 votes. Current mayor pro tem and candidate Sam Bolt received 3,033 votes and newcomer Cliff Tompkins had 1,144 votes.

Vanderwood, who current serves as a council member, said he was pleased with the results of the primary and sees this as an opportunity to prepare for the role of mayor.

“This gives me a lot of time to prepare as I will be able to meet with the current mayor, city staff, the city manager,” he said. “It gives me an opportunity to get oriented to the mayor duties.”

VandenBerg said turnout for the primary was about 22 percent of the city’s registered voters which was what her office was expecting.

“What was a surprise is that in the past we have seen more absentee ballots in an election and this year it was much more balanced,” she said.

For the Nov. 8 general election, Wyoming residents will be deciding between three candidates to fill two council member at-large seats, which are four-year terms. Those candidates are Rob Arnoys, Renee Hill and Robert Kilgo. Sheldon DeKryger is running unopposed for the first ward council seat. 

VandenBerg said the elected officials, including mayor elect Vandenwood, would take office in the beginning of December.

Meijer loses to Gibbs

In the 3rd District U.S. House of Representatives, current Congressman Peter Meijer lost his bid for the Republican nomination which went to newcomer John Gibbs. Gibbs had 36,527 votes to Meijer’s 35,395 votes. Gibbs will face Democratic nominee Hillary Scholten in the Nov. 8 general election for the seat.

State House races

For the 80th District State House of Representatives, Democratic Phil Skaggs edged out Lily Chong-Schulting, 5,202 to 4,626 for the Democratic nomination. Skaggs will face Republican nominee Jeffrey Johnson in November.

For the 82nd District State House of Representatives, candidate Kristian Grant had the most votes, 3,884, in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination. Also seeking the nominations were Robert Womack, who received 3,821, and Salim Mohammed Al-Shatel, who received 1,301.

 

The Republican nomination for the 82nd District was between two candidates, Ryan Malinoski and William Alexander. Malinowski beat out Alexander, 2,640 to 1,527.

Malinowski and Grant will now face each other for the 82nd District House seat in the Nov. 8 general election.

In the 83rd District State House of Representatives, current Wyoming Councilmember John Fitzgerald won the Democratic nomination with 2,567 to Jose Flores’ 2,037 votes. Fitzgerald will now face Republican candidate Lisa DeKryger for the season in the November election.

Kent County Commission races

Current 10th District Kent County Commissioner Emily Post Brieve won the Republican nomination with 2,615 votes over her challenger Bill Hirsch, who received 2,127 votes. Brieve will face Democratic challenger Julie Humphrey in November.

In the 12th District Kent County Commission seat, Lee White won the Republican nomination with 1,135 votes over candidate Adam R. Palaces, who had 959 votes. Lee faces current commissioner and Democratic candidate Monica Sparks in November.

Tom McKelvy took the Republican nomination for the 13th District Kent County Commission seat. McKelvy has 1,591 votes to candidate Nick Prill’s 1,169. McKelvy will face Democratic candidate and current commissioner Michelle McCloud in the Nov. 8 general election.

For complete primary election results for the entire county, visit the Kent County Clerk’s office’s election results page.

Three mayoral candidates to be narrowed to two in August primary

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Election, , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

With the announcement that current City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll will be retiring from civic duty at the end of this year, three candidates have entered the election to be the city’s next mayor.

Poll has served the city as mayor for the past 13 years. Looking to fill his seat are current Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt, resident Cliff Tompkins, and council member Kent Vanderwood.

Along with council duties of adopting city ordinances, appointing members to boards and commissions, and approving an annual city budget, the mayor also serves as the the official head of the city, representing the city at various government functions on a local, state and national basis. The mayor position, which is a four-year term, is voted on by all registered voters in the City of Wyoming.

For information on voting in the City of Wyoming, click here.

Sam Bolt

Occupation: A retired finical advisor

Why did you decide to run in the position of mayor of the City of Wyoming?: I am running for mayor because I am very concerned with the financial future of Wyoming and with the other two people who are running.

In 50 word or less, please list up to two issues you wish to focus on as mayor: If elected, public safety will be my number one goal. I also will work to continue our progress on the 28 West project, and bringing jobs to the 36th Street property.

Website: electsambolt.com

Cliff Tompkins

Occupation: Owner of Hair by Cliff

Why did you decide to run in the position of mayor of the City of Wyoming?: Per his website, “One of the reasons that triggered me into candidacy is that I could not believe what I was hearing and reading in the news. Our systems has lost control and our law enforcement is being seriously victimized. This will be a priority of mine, to help stabilize our Public Safety and work hard to bring in greater resources for our city, including stronger outreach programs.”

In 50 words or less, please list up to two issues you wish to focus on as mayor: Per his We the People video, Tompkins states that he would focus on public safety along with working to bring an e-government that is a full-time technology government that offers an array of services when the Wyoming City Hall is physically closed.

Website: tompkinsformayor.org

Kent Vanderwood

Occupation: I am semi-retired from my consulting company where I am still a partner. The Timothy Group provides fundraising consulting to non-profit organizations.

Why did you decide to run in the position of mayor of the City of Wyoming: This is a position being vacated by Mayor Jack Poll, but this vacancy is not the sole reason I am running. While Wyoming remains one of the preeminent cities in West Michigan, much remains to do. Born and raised in West Michigan, I have served the City of Wyoming for more than 16 years as council member-at-large. Every decision that I have made while in that role has been a result of my love for the city and desire to create an environment of good paying jobs and economic opportunity for our citizens. These decisions have always been based on the need for Wyoming to have modern infrastructure, a balanced tax and zoning environment, stable housing, low crime and quality schools.

In 50 words or less, please list up to two issues you wish to focus on as mayor: Maintaining our fiscal stability as a city, keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe, and supporting new business growth to fuel the economy and create jobs are issues that matter to all of us, and they are what motivate me to help lead Wyoming the next four years as your mayor.

Website: vanderwood4mayor.com

Redevelopment of Ferrand Park making an impression with Wyoming residents

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

For many driving on Byron Center Avenue pass Ferrand Park, their reaction might be very similar to that of the wife of Wyoming’s Council Member Kent Vanderwood.

 

“So my wife and I have lived in Wyoming for 13 years and my wife and I were driving by [Ferrand Park] recently and she said there’s a park in there,” Vanderwood said during an August Wyoming Council meeting.

 

Ferrand Park is one of the oldest city park areas in Wyoming having been donated by the Ferrand family and dedicated in 1971. However a deed restriction did not allow the city to remove any of the trees, with the city leaving the park in a natural state with a small playground area.

 

The ribbon cutting ceremony at the Ferrand Park rededication.

“So you see the beautiful trees?” said City Services Director Rebecca Rynbrandt. “We can not remove a tree unless it is in imminent risk to the public. So for years, we have to wait for them to die a little bit of their natural death allowing us to have space in the middle, which opened up for play.”

 

Now some 40 years later,  the city was able to invest more than $400,000 into the pocket park with money from the Parks and Recreation Fund and the Revolving Capital Improvement Fund. On Aug. 25, the city hosted a rededication.

 

“We are very excited to be rededicating Ferrand Park, one of our 21 parks in the city of Wyoming,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “We are excited for the major changes that have occurred in this park and we are most thankful for our citizens for once again supporting efforts in our parks that make them some of the most beautiful parks in all of West Michigan.”

 

The park features a number of new amenities such as a shelter, pathways into the park, architectural features that help to identify the park, and a new, expanded playground area. 

 

The new, expanded playground at Ferrand Park.

“I personally love the dragonfly teeter-totter ,” Rynbrandt said. “We try to make something special and unique for each park. 

 

“We also implemented the log and step rocks. We want this to be a marriage of the environment with the landscaping and then with the traditional land features. We added and expanded the playground that is available. There is climbing walls that they never had before. They have never had swing sets at this park, so we have provided an adaptive swing as well as a regular swing.”

 

Another important aspect is the accessible pathways into the park, Rynbrandt said.  

 

“We have an accessible ramp into the park,” she said. “We have a sidewalk area and we have a crush aggregate, so we also have different textures.”

 

There are other details as well such as a table area near the park with a handicap accessible spot facing the playground area, making it easier for all to enjoy the playground space.

 

All of these changes are making residents take notice of the neighborhood park. 

 

The butterfly teeter-totter at Ferrand Park.

“We have already seen an increase in dog-walkers, exercise walkers for health and wellness because now they know the park exists,” she said. “We put the architecture detail along the road of Byron Center so people are saying ‘hey what is there?’ 

 

“Before, the playground sat very low in the hollow in the area. So now people know there is a park and they are walking in, they have a safe route to access the playground and the shelter.

 

Now with Ferrand Park done, the City of Wyoming will turn its attention to its oldest park, Ideal Park, with work scheduled to start on that park soon and a grand reopening celebration set for 2019. 

Wyoming’s Vanderwood announces he plans to seek re-election

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Wyoming City Council Member Kent Vanderwood

Wyoming City Council member Kent Vanderwood said he is planning to seek re-election in the fall for for his fourth term as a council member-at-large.

 

Vanderwood’s seat is one of four seats that will be up for election in the fall. The other three are another council member-at-large seat held by current Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt, a 1st Ward Council member seat currently held by William Verhulst, and the city mayor seat currently held by Jack Poll.

 

Verhulst, who is currently the longest serving member of the Wyoming City Council, announced at the Jan. 11 City Council work session that he would not seek re-election due to health concerns. Poll announced during his State of the City Address at the Jan. 18 meeting that he would seek another term. Poll has served as mayor for the City of Wyoming since 2009. Before that, he served on the Wyoming City Council from 2001-2005 and 2007-2009. After the Jan. 18 meeting, Bolt said he too planed to run for re-election. He is seeking his fourth term on the council.

 

Poll, Bolt, and Vanderwood were re-elected in 2013 but served an extra year in office when, in a cost saving measure, the city decided to move its elections to even years when the state and federal elections are held.

 

Vanderwood said he was currently working on his petition for re-election with the intent of being on the fall ballot.

 

Those interested in running for any of the council or mayor seats need to file with the Wyoming City Clerk’s Office by 4 p.m. April 24. The clerk’s office is located in the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. Candidate packets are available at the front desk.

 

The primary election is set for Aug. 7 and the general election is set for Nov. 6.

Wyoming’s VerHulst announces he will not run for re-election

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William VerHulst

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

At the January Wyoming City Council work session this week, 1st Ward Councilmember William VerHulst announced he would not be seeking re-election this fall.

 

VerHulst said due to health issues, which caused him to miss the Jan. 2 meeting, he has made the decision to not run for his current seat. VerHulst has served as the city’s 1st Ward Councilmember since 1993.

 

Wyoming’s First Ward encompasses Precincts 1 – 9. That area covers most of the eastern edge of the city which is Clyde Park Avenue to Eastern Avenue north of 36th Street and from Burlingame Avenue to Eastern Avenue south of 36th Street.

 

Mayor Jack Poll

Besides the 1st Ward Councilmember seat, seats also up for election will be the mayor’s, currently held by Jack Poll, and two council-member at large seats currently held by Kent Vanderwood and Sam Bolt. Bolt also is currently serving as mayor pro tem.  Vanderwood and Bolt have not made any announcements on whether they will seek re-election. Mayor Jack Poll is expected to make an announcement on if he seeks to run for re-election at his State of the City Address set at the  next council meeting Monday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.

 

Those interested in running for any of the council or mayor seats need to file with the Wyoming City’s clerk office by 4 p.m. April 24. The clerk’s office is located in the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. Candidate packets are available at the front desk.

 

The primary election is set for Aug. 7 and the general election is set for Nov. 6.

On the road again: Wyoming City Council hosts meeting at Southlawn Park

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The Wyoming City Council at Lamar Park

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

This Monday, July 17, the Wyoming City Council again takes its meeting on the road, this time heading to Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE.

 

“Taking our meetings outside of council chambers provides us with a great opportunity to meet residents and educate them about our decision-making process,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “Their input is critical to our success as a community.”

 

Poll, Mayor Pro Ten Sam Bolt, and Council Members William VerHulst, Marissa Postler, Robert Postema, Dan Burrill, and Kent Vanderwood and city officials are scheduled to be at the park around 6 p.m. Ice cream also will be served at that time. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. with it being broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26.

 

In June, the council hosting a meeting at Lamar Park with city leaders pleased at the overall turn out. More than half a dozen residents made comments at the end of the meeting from thanking the city for help with such projects as the new light at 44th Street and Burlingame Avenue and working with the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission on the Concerts in the Parks programs to discussing such items as the Paris Accord, a concern over a home being rented out and the condition of West Lake and West Pond.

 

“This is like a dream come true for me,” said Councilor Dan Burrill at the June 19 meeting, who added he has enjoyed looking out from the stage, to the sights and sounds of the park.

 

Pastor Wayne Ondersma from The Pier Church is scheduled to give the invocation. The council will follow its normal meeting procedures with Poll explaining each segment, like he does at the regular council meetings. To see the July 17 agenda, click here.

 

The council meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at its chambers in Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The meetings are broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26 and rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

On the move: Wyoming City Council heads to Lamar Park for its regular Monday night meeting

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Wyoming City Council will have its Monday meeting at Lamar Park.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The Wyoming City Council is taking its meeting on the road, heading to Lamar Park this Monday.

 

“This is the first time we’ve taken our council meetings on the road and we’re excited to provide an opportunity for residents to meet their council members in their own neighborhoods, while taking part in the local government process by attending one of the our council meetings,” said Assistant City Manager Megan Sall.

 

Mayor Jack Poll, Mayor Pro Ten Sam Bolt, and Council Members William VerHulst, Marissa Postler, Robert Postema, Dan Burrill, and Kent Vanderwood and city officials are scheduled to be at the park around 6 p.m. Ice cream also will be served at that time. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. with it being broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26.

 

“Our council members are excited to expand the physical walls of our council chamber to encompass the whole City,” Sall said. “They look forward to meeting residents, visiting different neighborhoods, and hearing about the issues tat affect our community the most.”

 

Lamar Park is located at 2561 Porter St. SW, near the corner of Byron Center Avenue and Porter Street. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be at City Hall, located at 1155 28th St. SW.

 

The official agenda for the Monday meeting will be announced here later this week.