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Campaign Phone
616-510-5145
Age
31
Candidate Information
Abby is running to serve the City of Holland as an At-Large Councilmember
Holland is not only my home; Holland is my heritage. This community raised me. As a student of Holland Public Schools, I was taught to be a critical thinker and empathetic citizen. The people around me taught me how to be a good friend and neighbor. It’s this spirit of respect and inclusivity that inspired me to pursue a career in public service and my current run for Holland City Council.
I currently serve as the West Michigan Regional Coordinator for US Senate Gary Peters, working in an outreach position for 11 counties in West Michigan. Previously, I served several years as staff in the Michigan House of Representatives as a policy director and consistent services manager.
As a community member, I’ve served Holland in a variety of volunteer positions that have given me a deep understanding of those who make up our community and the services needed to thrive. Last year, I campaigned for the 86th State House seat, which allowed me an opportunity to knock on thousands of doors in the Holland area and have meaningful conversations with voters all across the city. My experience also includes past service on the MAX Transportation Authority Board, the Holland Human Relations Commission, and my current role as the at-large member on the Allegan County Economic Development Board. Additionally, I take great joy in fostering homeless pets with Harbor Humane Society.
Housing. When I collected signatures to run for this seat, everyone I spoke with shared housing as a major issue. From concerns over lack of affordability to too many rentals in residential neighborhoods, the housing crisis is top of mind for Hollanders.
Public Transit. Holland is fortunate to have the MAX Transportation Authority serving our community. When I was on the board, I rode every route, and I understand how many Hollanders rely on MAX to get to work, school, the grocery store, and medical appointments. MAX has done a lot of work to grow and provide more frequent, reliable rides to our community, and we must continue to support and advocate for accessible, quality public transportation.
Protecting Public Access to the Waterfront. Our most valuable resources are our water and lakeshore. Our community voted in favor of a land swap that would allow the city to develop the waterfront near downtown. I think this decision is wonderful for our economy, but we must ensure public access to enjoy our waterfront for leisure and recreation is protected and not completely sold off to private owners.
When elected, I will develop a Holland Housing Commission to bring together community members and stakeholders to discuss housing accessibility and affordability. There are many organizations working to tackle housing issues, and I feel it’s the responsibility of the city to facilitate the conversation so recommendations can be brought to council directly from those affected by the housing crisis.
