Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood, announced that Roskam Baking Company will be expanding its operations at 5565 Broadmoor Ave SE in Kentwood. This expansion will result in the creation of 238 new jobs and a capital investment of $85.2 million.
Roskam is headquartered in Kentwood and was founded in 1923 as a family-owned bakery in Grand Rapids. Today, the company is still owned and operated by the Roskam family, employs over 2,000 in West Michigan, and is a manufacturer for major food companies and brands around the country. The expanded facility will house two new product lines for the company as a result of contracts earned in 2018.
The Right Place worked in collaboration with Roskam Baking Company and the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region. The Right Place also connected Roskam Baking Company to workforce development resources at West Michigan Works! to assist with worker training.
The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $1,000,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
One of the products made at Roskam Baking Company is croutons. (Public Domain)
“This project is an excellent win for our region in terms of jobs, investment, and overall economic impact,” said Eric Icard, Senior Business Development Manager and project lead, “West Michigan’s food processing industry is a national leader, and Roskam Baking Company’s decision to continue its growth here is a testament to our region’s strength.”
Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley
The City of Kentwood is supportive of Roskam’s decision to expand in the city, which will bring new jobs to the community. The city is considering the approval of a local PA 198 Property Tax Abatement.
“We appreciate Roskam Baking Company’s further investment in the City of Kentwood,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We are proud to see a world-leading food processing company have continued success and bring new jobs to the community.”
“It’s noisy, it’s loud,” said Steven Christensen of an AirBnB located near his home along Mayflower Drive in Wyoming. “You are trying to sit in the living room, trying to relax and people are coming and going, slamming doors all the time. It’s just loud. I had one time with a wedding … I have to go to work at five and they are out there at three o’clock in the morning hooting and hollering it up.”
Christensen and his neighbor Andrew Hanselman attended a Wyoming City Council work session earlier this year to encourage the city to host public hearings on short-term rentals such as AirBnBs, VRBO, and HomeAway, in an effort to create a city ordinance to regulate them.
At its March work session, the Wyoming City Council reviewed an ordinance that would prohibit all short term rentals for non-owner occupied homes. The proposed ordinance will be presented at Monday’s regular council meeting, which is at 7 p.m. at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.
“So, if I owned a house, I could rent my room or a room in the house, the basement or something as a short-term rental and that would be completely acceptable,” said City Manager Curtis Holt as he explained the proposed ordinance. “If I own a house and I bought a house just for the idea of an AirBnB that would not be acceptable. If I own a house and let’s say I would be out-of-town for long periods of time and I wanted to hold that house, it would not be acceptable to do short-term rentals with it.”
Holt acknowledged that the ordinance would address the one property the city has received two complaints about. In general, the city has not received a lot of complaints about short-term rentals. He said in a recent search, city staff found about six properties listed as short-term rentals. The most the city has had at one time is around 12, Curtis said.
“Well, understand this short-term rental issue is far more prevalent in tourist destination type towns…,” Curtis said.
The tougher challenge would be enforcement, Curtis said. Mayor Jack Poll said he could see that as if he goes away for the weekend and his children came by to stay, it would be tough to determine if they were renting or just house guests.
Still several council members liked the simplicity of the proposed ordinance and it gave something for the city to refer to when a property owner is blatantly obvious in not following the rules.
The ordinance could have a short life. At the state level, both the House and the Senate have bills — HB5403 and SB329 respectively — in committee that would prohibit municipalities enacting zoning ordinance bans of short-term rentals. Rep. Steve Johnson said during a January Government Matters, cities would still be able to regulate short-term rentals through such means as noise, advertising, traffic or other conditions. The house bill remains in committee, Johnson said.
“There is a battle going with one side on the private property rights of an individual who owns a piece of property versus local control and what control a local municipality can have on it,” State Senator Peter MacGregor said of the proposed Senate bill. In the past couple of months, there has been little movement on either the Senate or House bill.
Holt said municipalities have several concerns about the state bills. It is the belief of many community leaders, including those in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, that to avoid inspection requirements, landlords would change their leases to 28 days or less.
“The majority of people who own residential properties do a great job,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley during the January Government Matters meeting, “but then you have have five percent who don’t and if they don’t have to do something they aren’t going to do something.”
To prevent a “one bad apple” scenario, Kepley said city officials are hoping to prevent that loophole so as to keep the neighborhoods nice. Currently the City of Kentwood does not have any regulations on short-term rentals.
AirBnB has opposed outright banning of short-term rentals but does support fair regulations. In an October 2017 Crain’s Detroit Business op-ed piece, a representative for AirBnB said “by taking the nuclear option off the table (the banning of short-term rentals), this law would encourage communities to collaborate with local hosts on commonsense rules…”
The most popular Michigan destinations for AirBnB travelers is Detroit followed by Ann Arbor and then Traverse City. Traverse City does regulate short-term rentals like bed and breakfasts. Traverse City’s ordinance requires owners must be present when renters are there, be licensed and cannot be within 1,000 feet of one another.
Last summer, AirBnB did strike a deal with the Michigan Treasury to collect use taxes. It is estimated that about $1.5 million would be generated through the tax. The move also will allow the state to track and collect the six percent use tax that applies to nightly rental charges on stays in Michigan hotels for periods of less than a month. However the six percent use tax, currently, does not come back to the municipalities.
Get ready to kick off the holiday season with Kentwood’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, slated for Friday, Dec. 8.
Everyone is invited to attend an evening filled with festive events, which include a Light Parade, live holiday music, hay rides, and pictures with Santa. To fight off the winter chill, there will also be hot chocolate and cookies.
The free event will be held on Friday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Kentwood Public Library, 4950 Breton Ave. SE in Kentwood.
“2017 has been an exceptional year for our residents as we celebrated throughout the year our City’s 50th anniversary with spectacular events,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We are ending the year with a memorable tradition for our residents, the Tree Lighting Ceremony.”
The night begins at 6 p.m. with a Light Parade between Kentwood’s Department of Public Works at 5068 Breton Ave. SE and The Kentwood Justice Center at 4740 Walma SE. The official tree lighting is slated for 6:30 p.m. in front of Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch. Following the tree lighting, there will be caroling and live holiday music from East Kentwood High School Jazz Ensemble. Throughout the evening, guests can hop on the hay ride, sip some hot chocolate while eating cookies and get a photo with Santa. There will also be the Elves Express Gift Shop, open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with gifts starting at $1.
Please be aware that Breton Avenue and Walma Avenue near City Hall will be temporarily closed from 5:50 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. for the parade.
Information is available on the City of Kentwood’s website, www.kentwood.us or by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5270. You can also follow the City of Kentwood on Facebook for the most up-to-date information regarding city events.
“I am a man who likes to cross the t’s and dot the i’s,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley as he watched the poll numbers roll in from the 2017 election results at his evening campaign headquaters at Kentwood’s Paris Cafe & Desserts.
By 8:30 p.m., Kepley had a secure lead of 3 to 1 to his challenger Scott Urbanowski. It was a lead that Kepley never relinquished with him winning his bid for a second term with 2,116 votes to Urbanowski’s 696.
“I am really excited about the next four years,”Kepley said. “I truly love serving the citizens. I love the city, the residents and the neighbors.”
Kepley said he believes it is a team effort of the city managers and department heads who have made the positive decisions to push the city forward and he is excited about seeing the “positive changes we can make in Kentwood” over the next four years.
“Ultimately, I did not convince enough people that Kentwood needed change in the Mayor’s Office and that I was in the best position to make that change,” Urbanowski said in a released statement. “Nevertheless, I’m grateful to everyone who voted, volunteered, or donated in support of this young person with no elected experience or establishment support.
“I am glad that I was able to spark conversations about issues that matter; to help boost interest in local government; and to get to know Kentwood and its people even better.”
1st Ward City Commission Candidate Emily Bridson takes photos with supporters.
Challenger Emily Bridson had to wait a little longer before celebrating her victory last night. Bridson held a 2-to-1 lead over incumbent Gerald DeMaagd for most of the night with her winning the 1st Ward City Commission seat with 890 votes to DeMaagd’s 451.
“I am really excited about this opportunity,” Bridson said from her campaign celebration at Peppino’s South. “I have met so many people and made a lot of new friends. I have a greater understanding of a lot of priorities from what they love about our city and what they would like to see changed. I am going to work on a strategic plan to address those changes.”
Bridson said she is very honored to have gone through this process. “I want to thank Jerry for his service,” Bridson said. “I am excited and looking forward to to working with Mayor Kepley and the commission.”
In statement released this morning, incumbent DeMaagd said:
“Emily Bridson has won the Kentwood 1st Ward City Commission seat by substantial margins. She conducted a textbook campaign, and executed well. She is smart, capable, and deserves the win based on her efforts.
“I think there is a further story here though, given the level of outside influence on both the mayoral and commission races which are officially non-partisan. The pre-election campaign reports filed with Kent County show that 53 of Bridson’s contributors were from other cities outside Kentwood, and only 5 from Kentwood (plus herself). Post-election campaign reports aren’t due until Dec. 7. Allegedly she was endorsed by the UAW (United Auto Workers), although she did not advertise it. On the other hand, the mayoral candidate, Scott Urbanowski’s campaign literature does state that he was ‘ENDORSEDby the Kent County Democratic Party’.
“Although these actions are perfectly legal, it does show the amount of outside interest in what is essentially a local race.
“As a candidate, I received several calls from voters about my position relative to national issues. They say all politics is local… but I think that for Kentwood it’s actually the reverse: All local politics is now national!“
WKTV takes seriously its role as a communications provider. We want our community to be well-informed and more involved in local matters.
In the city of Kentwood, residents will be heading to the polls on Nov. 7 to elect new city officers and city commission members. Of the six positions up for election, only two are contested: the Mayor position and a 1st Ward City Commission seat. Below are the candidates running for mayor.
Stephen Kepley
Name: Stephen Kepley
Incumbent
Current position: Mayor of the City of Kentwood
Why did you decide to run for election/re-election to this office? I believe it is a calling in my life and that there are definitely goals I want to accomplish in the coming years such as continuing the work on the Kentwood Community Foundation. This was a private foundation which we have worked to make public and are now focused on building an endowment.
As you are aware, the City of Kentwood just recently marked its 50th anniversary. What challenges/issues do you believe the city will need to address to continue to build upon its success? We have been celebrating our past this year and through that we have learned that our residents look to our city to have some of these special city events through our Parks and Recreation Department. These include the farmers market, the Ugly Sweater 5k run, and the outdoor concerts. The residents see added value to keeping these type of events going. We still have a strong work climate, and jobs where people can work remain important which is why Kentwood will always be “open for business.” Kentwood also has a lot of open space and there are needs for housing. We are planning that infrastructure, and while Kentwood still has room to grow, we need to be planning for long-term sustainability of revenue income.
Scott Urbanowski
Name: Scott Urbanowski
Challenger
Current position: President and founder of Humanoid Digital, a digital media company
Why did you decide to run for election/re-election to this office? Originally I had considered the city commission; however, there was a push for me to run for mayor because of my leadership and managerial experience. I know what it is like to struggle with economic difficulties, and having lived through that I feel I understand the needs of all the residents of our community.
As you are aware, the City of Kentwood just recently marked its 50th anniversary. What challenges/issues do you believe the city will need to address to continue to build upon its success? I have a platform of safer, stronger, more engaged and better-managed safety. I would like to see more police patrols and more Neighborhood Watch groups in areas of high crime. Budget sustainability is another key component. Also, I would like to focus on the process of appointments to city boards, making it a more formalized process along with increasing awareness and communication of the positions available within the city.
Those seeking re-election in uncontested City of Kentwood races are Dan Kasunic for City Clerk; Laurie Sheldon for City Treasurer; and Betsy Artz for City Commissioner-at-Large. Tom McKelvy is running unopposed as well for a 2nd Ward Commission seat currently held by Erwin Haas, who is not seeking re-election.
From left to right, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, Chamber forum moderator Kathy Bates, Chamber President Bob O’Callaghan and mayoral candidate Scott Urbanowski . (Supplied)
While there are actually six City of Kentwood elected positions on the Nov. 7 ballot, only the position of mayor and one of the 1st Ward commissioner seats find incumbents facing challenge.
But the candidates for those seats were face-to-face recently as the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual candidate forum at the Kentwood City Library — and WKTV was there, covering it all, and now those forums are available to the public either on our cable channels or on-demand over the Internet.
During the candidate forum, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley and challenger Scott Urbanowski answered questions selected by the chamber and the audience, as did incumbent commissioner Jerry DeMaagd and challenger Emily Bridson.
WKTV’s initial rebroadcasts of the Sept. 21 candidate forum will be on Comcast Channel 26 and AT&T Channel 99 Government Friday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m., with the commissioner forum first, then again on Saturday, Sept. 30, at noon, with the mayoral forum first.
Both programs are available on-demand over the internet at wktv.viebit.com.
Jerry DeMaagd.
At the candidate forum, Commissioner DeMaagd, who is running for a second term, touted his being a longtime Kentwood resident as well as his efforts for long-term city planning — “I have a passion for organization,” he said at one point.
Emily Bridson
Bridson, who said she moved to the city in 2011 and bought a home two years ago because “I have a passion for this city”, stressed her work for the city as a planning commission member, a park and recreation commission member, and on the current 50th anniversary committee.
Scott Urbanowski
During the mayoral forum, Urbanowski introduced himself by saying he has “worked, studied, lived and prayed in this city,” and repeatedly stated that “the city could be better managed.”
Stephen Kepley
Mayor Kepley, as part of his discussion, said that he is proud of his and the city’s accomplishments during his tenure — “We have a great report card.” And he pointed out that in a strong mayor governing system, as Kentwood has, “This is a big job. There is no learning curve.”
The mayor and the 1st Ward positions are each 4-year terms. Also on the ballot for new 4-year terms are Commissioner Member At Large incumbent Betsy A. Artz, Commissioner 2nd Ward incumbent Tom McKelvey, incumbent city clerk Dan Kasunic and incumbent city treasurer Laurie Sheldon.
Also on the ballot in Kentwood will be the renewal of The Rapid’s operating millage which funds the greater Grand Rapids public transportation system.
Former Kentwood mayors Richard Clanton, Jerry DeRuiter, and Bill Hardiman; former mayor Richard Root’s wife Karleen, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kelley, and first mayor Peter Lambert’s son Richard at the Kentwood 50th anniversary kick-off in February.
There will be music, food trucks, and lots of fun behind the Kentwood City Hall as the city hosts its community-wide “Celebrate Kentwood” event in honor of its 50th anniversary.
Since February, the city has been marking its 50th anniversary with a series of events with this weekend, Aug. 11 and 12, being the big two-day celebration.
The 50th anniversary ale, the Golden Beeraucrat brewed by Railtown Brewing, will be available during “Celebrate Kentwood.” (Supplied)
“Everyone is welcome,” said City Treasurer Laurie Sheldon, who has headed up the Kentwood 50th committee which has organized a year-long celebration that includes this weekend’s event. “We have tried to make this as inclusive as possible. We wanted to make it family friendly and affordable, so please come join us and have a great weekend with us.”
Activities will kick off on Friday behind the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, and next to the KDL Kentwood Library Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. From 5 – 8 p.m. will be a classic car show. Starting at 7 p.m. will be the Kentwood’s Got Talent featuring 10 talented local performers who will be singing, dancing and even beatboxing.
“The kick off with the Kentwood’s Got Talent, we have some amazing individuals competing for a grand prize, and they are pretty excited to be a part of it as well,” Sheldon said. “We have a panel of local celebrity judges who will actually pick the winner. Some of the judges are Mike Knuble, an East Kentwood graduate who is now with the Griffins and Rachael Ruiz, also a Kentwood graduate, will be our MC.”
The other judges include WZZM reporter Angela Cunningham, dance instructor Deavondre Jones of Dancespire, and Vonda Poll from Unique Models & Talent.
Immediately following Kentwood’s Got Talent, WKTV will be premiering the documentary “Kentwood – A Place Called Home,” which covers the city’s first 50 years.
The music starts at 3 p.m. and goes throughout the night with the Mega 80’s wrapping up the evening.
The activities continue on Saturday at 9 a.m. with the Breton Street Fair and the Kentwood Farmers Market. Throughout the day there will be inflatables, carnival games, cultural events, and community booths along with activities at the KDL Kentwood Library Branch.
For the adults, there will be a beer tent featuring the 50th anniversary ale, the Golden Beeraucrat brewed by Railtown Brewing. Also available will be several food trucks such as B.D. BBQ, Doughnuts, the Maine Dish Munchie Snack, The Nordic Grill, and The Olive Branch, will be on hand as well.
The music will start at 3 p.m. with Tom Cutts & Friends. At 4 p.m. is The Isaac Norris Project, followed by Cabildo at 5:30 p.m. Wrapping up the music is the Michigan-based Mega 80’s at 7 p.m. The night will be capped off with fireworks.
“We’re building a Kentwood-centered tradition that we want all of West Michigan to enjoy,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “The event will be family-friendly giving West Michigan a wonderful opportunity to gather with neighbors and enjoy a weekend of free activities.”
“The entire year, we are celebrating Kentwood’s 50th anniversary with a series of special events. We’ve grown greatly as a city in the past 50 years, and we look forward to our community improving upon its solid foundation.”
The Kentwood 50 celebration will continue until the end of year with the End of Summer Food Truck Festival Sept. 16; the Fall Festival featuring Trunk or Treat Oct. 21, the Ugly Seater 5K Nov. 8, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 8.
Turn your porch light on and come out and meet your neighbors.
It is a simple action and one for the past 33 years has been the mantra of National Night Out — this year Aug. 1 — a nationwide movement created by the National Association of Town watch to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Always the first Tuesday in August, the event has evolved to neighborhoods hosting block parties, festival, parades, cookouts and other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personal, exhibits and much more.
This year, both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will have numerous events and activities taking place during the Aug. 1 National Night Out event with police officers, firefighters and city leaders out in full force to meet with residents and show support of the annual community building event.
Both communities will kick off the day’s activities with the Consumers Energy Kick Off from 5:30 – 8 a.m. at the company’s service center located at 4000 Clay Ave. SW. Both Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will be in attendances along with Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen and Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody and representatives from the cities of Walker and Grand Rapids.
Last year’s Consumers Energy kick off event for National Night Out.
City of Kentwood National Night Out Activities
The Kentwood Police Department has once again partnered with Woodland Mall and Celebration! Cinema for a daytime event from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the outdoor courtyard between Celebration! Cinema and Barnes & Noble and also inside the mall near the North Face store. Residents can come to meet with Kentwood police and firefighters and their vehicles, enjoy prizes, games and free popcorn, and there are reports that McGruff the Crime Dog will be making an appearance.
“For the past 50, Kentwood has shown over and over again that we’re really about helping each other through community involvement,” Mayor Stephen Kelley said. “City leadership is looking forward to continuing our community relationship with Kentwood residents through block parties, cookouts and other events on Aug. 1.
“Fostering a better community starts with open communication. We’re excited that National Night Out provides that open communication we find so essential.”
Various neighborhoods will host community activities in the evening.
Most of the neighborhood activities will be taking place from 6 – 8 p.m. There are about 13 community gatherings planned with police, firefighters, and city officials planning to fan out and visit each one. Those gaterhings include Christ Community Church, 2400 Forest Hill Ave. SE from 6 – 8 p.m . which will include games and a slip ’n’ slide and South United Methodist Church, 4500 Division Ave. SW near Ridgewood Street, from 6 – 8 p.m.
“Our officers really look forward to National Night Out,” said Police Chief Thomas Hillen. “It really energizes our officers and residents because of the open communication. We enjoy listening to citizens and issues important to them. The day allows us to get to the root of the community to build those open lines of communication that are vital to keeping our city safe.”
City of Wyoming National Night Out Activities
Wyoming City officials are estimating there will be 14 neighborhood-hosted events along with the last Concerts in the Park being dedicated to National Night Out activities. Starting at 7 p.m. in Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW, Concerts in the Park will including a night of family fun and the music of country band Union Guns.
Wyoming firefighters help some local children cool off during last year’s National Night Out.
“National Night Out is always a great opportunity for residents in Wyoming and around the Country to get out and meet new neighbors, or reconnect with the old,” Carmody said. “It is also an opportunity to reaffirm our community’s commitment by joining together to keep our neighborhoods safe by keeping a watchful eye on each other.”
Major Jack Poll said, during a recent city council meeting, that city officials will be working to make as many of the neighborhood events as possible. Rolling Hills Neighborhood Watch will host a bike parade to kick off its event at 6:30 p.m. near 2523 Oak View SW. Other Wyoming National Night Out Block Parties include:
Grace Bible College died just west of Clyde Park on 26th Street, 4- 6 p.m.
Taft Avenue near 2860 Taft Ave, 5- 8 p.m.
Rogers Lane Neighborhood Watch near Old Rogers Lane Elementary, 2929 Rogers Lane, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
South Godwin Neighborhood Association at Southlanw Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE, 6 – 8 p.m.
Ferrand Estates, at the club house located at 4528 Halifax Ave. SW, 6 – 8 p.m.
Riverview Condos at the club house at 3325 Scenic River Dr., 6 – 8 p.m.
Oriole Park Neighborhood Watch at Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
43rd Street in the 2400 block of 43rd Street, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Other National Night Out Actives
Outside of the Kentwood and Wyoming areas, there are several other National Night Out events.
The South Kent National Night Out will be from 4 – 8 p.m. at Celebration! Cinema South, 1506 Eastport Dr. SE. Communities in the Kent County Sheriff’s Department’s South Kent area, such as Byron, Gaines, Caledonia and Bowne townships, are invited to meet the local first responders who service their communities. The event will include 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 Salvation Army Kroc Center, in partnership with the Garfield Park Neighborhood Association, will host activities from 5 to 8:30 p.m. This free event feature family fun activities such as slip ‘n’ slide rides, games, and community resources. Concessions will be available for purchase. Local police and fire units, along with American Medical Response (AMR) will also be on hand to interact with families in attendance. Garfield Park Neighborhood Association will be handing out information to visitors as well.
“The Grand Rapids Kroc Center is honored to be a host site for National Night Out,” said Lieutenant Bill Brutto, senior officer for The Salvation Army Kroc Center. “We always want to continue working toward unity and reconciliation in our city, and special events like this are a good way to bring people together.”
The Salvation Army Kroc Center event will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or lightning. Visit GrKrocCenter.org or call 616-588-7200 for more information on the Kroc Center event.
If someone had told Greggory Hampshire how clinical psychologists spend their days (with lots of paperwork), he might not have pursued it as a career. That’s one reason he likes bringing community professionals into classrooms and giving students real exposure to real careers.
Middle school students got a glimpse of different careers during Reverse Job Shadow Day, when entrepreneurs and professionals stopped by to share their journeys in pursuing their dreams.
Professional boxer and entrepreneur Parnell Gates shows his belt to sixth-grader Quijuan Madion-Lewis. (Photo courtesy of School News Network.)
Eighteen speakers — six per grade level — visited sixth- through eighth-graders for the event. It was made possible through a partnership with JA, which teaches young people about work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills.
The goal was to get students thinking about career fields they may not have considered, said school counselor Laura Kuperus. Professions included manufacturing, health care, law enforcement, finance, cosmetology and education. Several visitors, including a professional boxer, were small business owners and some had pursued skilled trades instead of college.
Speakers described ups and downs they had faced through school and in their careers. “That’s inspiring for our kids,” Kuperus said. Karyn Hocking, owner of Salus Massage in Grandville, told eighth-graders that she struggled in school because of a learning disability.
“If you struggle in an area, no matter what subject that may be, that doesn’t mean anything,” Hocking said. “You can still get out and do what you want to do.”
Josephine White, owner of JoJo’s House of Business in Grand Rapids, said running a business is hard work, but passion makes it worth it. “Find what you love,” she urged students. “If you find what you love, it’s not that hard.”
Seventh-graders Samatha Benitez and Camiyah Blackman try to figure out how to balance six nails atop one nailhead, a challenge from Mayor Stephen Kepley.
A World of Options Awaits
Middle school is a great time to start exploring careers, Kuperus said.
“It’s so important for our students to see the variety of careers available to them. Often they think of traditional things they’ve heard of, but they become aware that there are careers they haven’t thought of before.”
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley was an engineer for the city for 11 years before being elected mayor in 2013. He said he loves meeting the city’s young people.
“My favorite part of the job is investing in the next generation,” Kepley said. “I love networking and solving problems.”
Regardless of career choice, people need to know how to work well with others, he said. He illustrated that by challenging students to work in groups to balance six nails on one upright nailhead. “How you solve problems is going to be a big key in how successful you are.”
Students said they enjoyed peeking into the lives of business owners.
“It shows you that there are a bunch of different opportunities to choose from,” said eighth-grader Brooklyn Kelly.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Former Kentwood mayors Richard Clanton, Jerry DeRuiter, and Bill Hardiman; former mayor Richard Root’s wife, Karleen; Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kelley, and first mayor Peter Lamberts’ son Richard.
It was a celebration of Kentwood’s past and future as residents, city leaders, school officials and students came together Monday night for the city’s kick off to its 50th anniversary.
Feb. 27, 1967, the Kentwood City Commission had its first meeting at Bowen Elementary School, so organizers of the year-long celebration decided it would only be fitting, and a perfect way to kick off the 50th anniversary celebration, if fifty years to the day, the Kentwood City Commission would have its meeting at Bowen Elementary School.
Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff said the district was excited to be able to help make that happen as both school and city officials are proud of the strong partnership that exists between the two organizations. In fact, at the meeting, Zoerhoff said it is that partnership between the Kentwood Public Schools and the City of Kentwood that has made the community the incredibly strong one that it is.
“I am excited to see what we will do in the next 50 years because its going to be something,” Zoerhoff said.
State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-26th District) presents a proclamation with current and former state legislators to Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley.
Last night’s celebration had a definite eye toward the city’s future with Kentwood Public Schools students open the meeting with the Pledge of Alliance followed by students welcoming audience members in their native language, wearing the clothing of their homeland, which was designed to celebrate one of the city’s most unique attributes — it’s diversity. In fact, Kentwood is often called “the melting pot” as its residents represent more than 60 different countries, speaking more than 70 languages.
“If you ask a citizen of Kentwood why they like the city of Kentwood, the first thing that will come of of their mouth usually is diversity,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley to the almost 200-person crowd in attendance.
Kentwood’s residents’ and leaders’ willingness to work together have made it the success it is today, said State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-26th District), who, on behalf of the state legislature and with other state officials, presented the city with a special proclaimation. For that reason, she believed the quote at the top of the proclamation from Henry Ford was especially appropriate for the city: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
Lt. Governor Brian Calley, who also was in attendance along with other national, state, county and local officials, said it is the attitude of strong people, strong families and strong communities that has made Kentwood and West Michigan the vibrant community it is today. He said that Kent and Ottawa counties make up 10 percent of the state’s population but has been about 20 percent of the job growth over the last six years.
Kentwood Public School students participate in the program with a special welcome to the audience.
“So in celebrating 50 years, I want to say to the leadership that this doesn’t happen by accident,” Calley said. “It happens when people really know there stuff. Who are accountable and transparent and have the type of professionalism to do it and do it right.
“And clearly in Kentwood, you do it right.”
At the closing of the meeting, each of the commissioners talked about how much they have enjoyed living, working and serving Kentwood, making it a place to call home.
“How can a community so diverse unify?” Kepley said. “I think we have the answer not just for Michigan, the country, but for the world. It is a very simple word, and the word is love.
“We love each other. Neighbors love each other, taking care of each other and that neighbor might not look like you, talk like you, worship like you, but there is love there and I think that is why it all works.”
During the meeting, Kentwood resident Dale Potter was recognized for his 30 years of service to the community as representative of the importance volunteers have played in building the city and helping to continue to grow, Kepley said. Also a clip of the Kentwood 50th Documentary was shown, which was produced by WKTV. The full documentary will be available March 20 and will air on WKTV.
The Kentwood 50 celebration continues as the Taste of Kentwood is March 2 and the audition deadline of the Kentwood’s Got Talent is Friday, March 3. The first round of the Kentwood’s Got Talent is March 9. For more information, visit www.kentwood50.com.
On Feb. 27, 1967, the City of Kentwood had its first commission meeting at Bowen Elementary School. Fifty years to the day, the city commission will once again meet at Bowen Elementary to kick off Kentwood’s golden anniversary.
“February 27 marks a truly historic occasion for the City of Kentwood,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “Celebrating the original City Commission meeting is a memorable way to honor Kentwood’s past while looking forward to our future.”
Long before the city was even mapped out as Paris Township, people were coming to the area mostly because it reminded them of their former homes, with rolling hills and good soil, said Ray Boisvenue, a local historian who has helped collect oral histories of many of Kentwood’s residents.
In 1939, the township organized with resident Joel Guild suggesting the name Paris for the area after his former home of Paris, New York. Guild was then elected the first township supervisor. The township at that time was a perfect square, bordered by Hall Street to the north, 60th Street to the south, Division Avenue to the west and Patterson Avenue to the east.
As the township grew, so did the neighboring City of Grand Rapids, which slowly chipped away at the township’s area though annexations. The first annexation took place in 1891 but the bulk happened from 1958 to 1963 causingresidents to fight for incorporation. It would take three attempts and the announcement of a new $4 million shopping center – Woodland Mall – for the vote of incorporation to pass by a slim margin of 177 votes in favor on Feb. 20, 1967.
A few minor details had to be worked out, but the newly formed city had its first meeting Feb. 27, 1967, with Peter Lamberts elected as the city’s first mayor. The rest of the city commission include Dale Heyboer and Robert Ide as commissioners-at-large, Preston Miller and Quinten (Jack) Ward from Ward 1 and Gordon Gezon and Clifford Barnes from Ward 2.
Kentwood officials moved into the current city hall structure in 1979.
The anniversary commission meeting – which will feature the current City Commission, Mayor Stephen Kepley, Commissioner-at-Large Betsy Artz, First Ward commissioners Gerald DeMaagd and Robert Coughlin and Second Ward commissioners Erwin Haas and Michael Brown – is at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at Bowen Elementary, 4483 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. The event will feature special programming provided by the current city commission. The meeting will flow much like a typical city commission meeting but with special tributes and fun facts about the city and will include a two-minute clip of the Kentwood 50th Anniversary documentary produced by WKTV.
According to organizers, the evening will be a celebration of the community’s growth and recognition of the residents, schools, businesses and nonprofit that have made Kentwood a great place to live, work and raise a family. Among the special guests scheduled to attend are Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, both of whom will be presenting proclamations honoring the city.
Kentwood 50th Anniversary events have been planned throughout the year. Among the public events coming up in the next couple of months are the Taste of Kentwood set for March 2, the Kentwood’s Got Talent auditions March 9 (registration deadline is March 3), and an Easter Egg Hunt April 15. There is also a breakfast planned to honor businesses that have been in Kentwood since 1967 on March 23. Also, Railtown Brewing Company, 3555 68th St. SE, Dutton, will be unveiling a special beer next week in honor of Kentwood’s 50th Anniversary.
“We have been working really hard to make this a special year for our community,” said Kentwood Treasurer and Kentwood 50 committee leader Laurie Sheldon. “Our residents, businesses and organizations have made Kentwood an amazing city and we are making sure we express our thanks through great events in 2017.”
Other programs include The Vibe – a Parks and Recreation Gala that raises money for the department’s programs will be May 19 and a weekend-long street fair and festival August 11 and 12 that will include food, kid-friendly events, live entertainment and the finale of the Kentwood’s Got Talent.
The Farmer’s Market, Fourth of July celebration and parade and all other city-sponsored events also will be focused on the Kentwood 50th Anniversary.
WKTV also will be providing coverage of many of the events along with special Kentwood 50 stories at now.wktv.org.
For more about Kentwood’s 50th Anniversary celebration, visit www.kentwood50.com.
Mayors from the communities of Kentwood, Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Walker and Rockford attend the National Night Out kick-off event at Consumers Energy this morning. Police officers from the various municipalities also were on hand.
The mayors and police officers from both Kentwood and Wyoming kicked off National Night Out activities in the wee hours of the morning at Consumers Energy, 4000 Clay Ave. SW.
Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley were joined by officials from Rockford, Walker, and Grand Rapids at the Consumers Energy location for the annual reading of the official National Night Out proclamation which all the participating communities’ governing boards have approved.
Established in 1984 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, National Night Out marks its 33rd year. The event’s goals are to heighten crime prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody and Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll are interviewed by WOOD-TV’s Eva Aguirre for National Night Out.
“This is an opportunity for people to get to know their neighbors,” said Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody. “When I was young, your community and the people you knew were your neighbors as people spent time on the front porch.”
Today, people are more transient with individuals and families moving in and out of a community on a regular basis. Neighborhood groups are still the main “eyes and ears” of a community, Carmody said adding that Neighborhood Watch groups are helpful in preventing crime before it even happens.
National Night Out is administered by the National Association of Town Watch. The National Association of Town Watch officials have indicated that the 2016 National Night Out event could be the largest ever, involving about 38.3 million people in more than 16,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world.
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley talk at the Consumers Energy’s National Night Out event.
For 22 consecutive years, Consumers Energy has been recognized by the National Association of Town Watch as the recipient of the National Electric Utility Award.
The Wyoming Consumers Energy location has served as the early morning kick-off to the local activities with police cars from various municipalities on hand as early as 5 a.m. Two large Consumers Energy trucks also were on site with buckets extended above U.S. 131.
“We appreciate the support we receive from our cities and law enforcement agencies not only for this annual event, but during every day of the year,” said Guy Packard Consumers Energy vice president of electric operations. “We feel it’s very important to show our appreciation of police officers across our state.”
All the way back in October of yesteryear, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley raved of a little something he likes to call his ‘Fun Five.’ The ‘Fun Five’ is a group of five businesses the Mayor is actively approaching to open up shop in Kentwood for everyone to enjoy!
With its opening in May, Dave & Buster’s, a restaurant/arcade, was the first of the five dominoes to fall in Kepley’s plan.
In less than 60 days, a second domino will fall when Trader Joe’s has its grand opening on September 25th!
“Trader Joe’s is a destination spot,” explained Mayor Kepley, “People have mentioned their excitement. It’s a spot customers will plan a trip around to fill out their grocery lists. It will bring a lot of business to Kentwood.”
When Mayor Kepley was campaigning for Mayor, he promised to bring 400 news jobs to the area in 4 years. A promise that he is intent on keeping.
The positivity is overwhelming from the Mayor about his “Fun Five.” He has succeeded in opening up two of the five business he envision. Whole Foods, Chick-Fil-A, and The Cheesecake Factory are still prizes waiting to be caught!
He’s been a City Engineer, Inspector, and Building Official. Now he’s the newly-elected Mayor of Kentwood.
Stephen Kepley is Kentwood’s newest mayor. WKTV’s Citizen Journalism program had the opportunity to sit down and get to know the newly elected official, who won the closely contested race over City Commissioner Sharon Brinks by 96 votes.
When asked about his effective campaign strategy of going door-to-door to meet the citizens of Kentwood, he replied:
“I loved it. I looked forward to going door to door. It became like Christmas morning. Every time you knocked on the door you didn’t know what present was behind it. It was wonderful to realize the depth of character that we have in the city.”
Kepley had to take a five month leave of absence– with no salary– to campaign and realize his political aspirations. “It is a calling to run for an office. If I didn’t do this I would have missed my calling,” he exclaimed.
He shared that the extremely close 96 vote difference left him feeling honored and humbled.
Former Mayor Richard Clanton received high praise from Kepley.
“He had the courage to stand in the gap—to do what he did, I really appreciate his courage.”
The happily married father of three girls– ranging in ages from 4-16 — says his family was excited and relieved when they learned the good news.
And, what will his first project be:
“My first project is to listen to people and departments. I will do ride alongs with various departments to see what they see. I am a problem solver.”
Stephen has many visions, goals, and action steps to put into place. He is proud to be the Mayor of Kentwood.
