Age
40
Occupation / Current Position
Manager, Energy & Engineering
Education
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science in Computer Science
Experience & Qualifications
I am an experienced engineer and leader, currently guiding a team focused on innovation, carbon reduction, and infrastructure strategy. I have also had the pleasure of serving Grandville for the past six years as a Planning Commissioner and as a member of the Environmental Sustainability Committee where I currently serve as Chairperson.
Campaign Phone
616-379-9712
I bring a unique combination of public service and professional expertise. For six years I’ve helped guide development of our City as a Planning Commissioner and as Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC). I’ve contributed to the City’s Master Plan, the long-term guide that sets our vision for land use and development. As an engineer, I manage large projects that require balancing costs, timelines, and competing priorities, all skills that directly apply to the challenges our city faces. I believe this combination of hands-on community service and professional experience makes me well prepared to serve effectively on the Council.
My goals are rooted in keeping Grandville strong, safe, and sustainable. First, we must maintain our core infrastructure like our roads, water systems, and public facilities. Second, we need to manage growth responsibly, making sure new development fits the character of our neighborhoods and strengthens the community we love. And third, we need to keep our city financially stable so we can continue providing the services families depend on. I have years of experience managing large budgets. I know first hand how to navigate competing interests and priorities. I also understand that the best value doesn’t always come from the lowest initial cost, smart budgeting means investing wisely to serve our community now and into the years ahead.
Our biggest challenges ahead are maintaining aging infrastructure, ensuring growth strengthens rather than strains our city, and doing all of this responsibly. To address these challenges, I’ll rely on both my engineering experience and my years of public service to help evaluate costs, set smart priorities, and make sure projects are both necessary and sustainable. As a Planning Commissioner, I helped create the development strategy for 28th Street and the Rivertown Mall, and took the necessary steps to update policies and ordinances to ensure that the vision could move forward. I’ll bring the same thoughtful and results driven approach to City Council to balance growth while protecting the character of our neighborhoods.
I believe a vibrant economy is about more than just commerce, it’s about creating a place where people want to live, work, and raise a family. When we build a community that people are proud to call home, business investment follows. As the saying goes, “If you build it, they will come.” That means investing in safe neighborhoods, well-maintained streets, quality parks and green spaces, and fostering a welcoming, compassionate community character. Together, these priorities create the foundation for lasting economic vitality.
Age
65
Occupation / Current Position
Retired
Education
BA Calvin College
Experience & Qualifications
Grandville City Council since 2006, Associates Degree GRCC, BA Calvin College Political Science, Retired Small Business Owner, Married with 4 children and 8 grandchildren.
Campaign Phone
616-890-4951
Over the last 18 years I've had the privilege of representing Grandville on various boards such as the Rapid Transportation, Kent County Waste to Energy Committee, Kent County 911 Dispatch Authority and the ESGR Committee assisting with veteran awareness.
My goal is to keep Grandville a vibrant place to live and for our children to grow in a safe environment. I want to fight blight and crime and keep our community safe as well as providing an efficient, responsible, sustainable and transparent government.
Housing is one of the big challenges. I will pursue opportunities for younger families to be able to afford home purchasing in our community. I want to leave Grandville a great place to live for future generations.
I am willing to use all the potential tools available to us as a city to increase economic development such as the Brownfield Redevelopment Act, T.I.F's and tax abatements. Also I support flexible zoning uses to increase and assist start up of small and local business and tax abatements to assist in future growth.
Age
76
Occupation / Current Position
retired journalist
Education
Bachelor of Journalism, University of Missouri
Experience & Qualifications
40 years working at newspapers in 4 states (including covering city councils like Grandville)
Campaign Phone
616-318-4084
Journalism taught me to listen to the people and follow the facts. I believe good governance is much like good journalism.
My top goal is better communication with the residents. I love my city and I feel the council is making good decisions, but it faces some major challenges. For instance, many water mains need to be be replaced and the council is doing a good job of selling bonds to pay for the project but not keeping homeowners fully informed about when their street will be closed, how long the project is expected to take, and parking options in the meantime. Better communication with residents is the key to the success of this project.
In addition to the challenge of aging infrastructure, which I address above, the council needs to keep abreast of changes in our society. Our shopping mall is failing. We need to look into ways other communities are coping with this change in retail and see what kind of incentives we need to attract businesses that will make that area productive again. A Linked In survey recently listed Grand Rapids as a hot spot for new tech jobs. That means more folks moving to the area. Grandville needs to be ready with more apartments and housing . There's also a discussion of the Zoo building a world-class aquarium on our border. We need to plan for how that will affect our traffic, our restaurants, our hotels.
Grandville needs to encourage growth without losing its small town appeal. Our council knows this and is constantly working to improve "walkability" We also have an active Downtown Development Association to support local shops and restaurants that give our downtown that small town feeling. The council realizes that the "small town" needs to stretch beyond Chicago Drive and recently approved a Commercial Rehabilitation District that includes 28th Street. I believe well-controlled tax incentives can encourage business which in turn benefits the city and the entire tax base. But probably what keeps our city most vibrant is having citizens involved in street fairs, tree projects, recycling, cleaning Buck Creek, a community choir.
Age
30
Occupation / Current Position
Kent County Elections Director
Education
Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Master of Public Administration with a concentration in State, Regional, and Local Governance
Experience & Qualifications
My past work experience includes roles with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, the Michigan State Senate, and Ada Township.
Campaign Phone
616-730-2481
I have extensive work experience and education in the field of public administration, specifically in local government. My current employment is as the Kent County Elections Director where I manage a small team, oversee a multi-million dollar budget, and regularly interact with local government staff and elected officials. My education includes a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in State, Regional, and Local Governance from Grand Valley State University (GVSU). I am also extensively involved in the Grandville community as a parishioner of St. Pius. X church and as a member of the Grandville Tree Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
My goals include supporting public safety, fiscal responsibility, and implementation of the 2025 Parks & Recreation Master Plan. Grandville has a long history of supporting its police and fire departments and we should continue this. The City has also a strong financial footing with a balanced budget and fund balance. This must continue and we must monitor our property tax rate and ensure we are keeping our millage rate as low as possible, without compromising government services. The City recently adopted a parks & recreation master plan where citizens provided input on changes they would like to see within our parks. I believe implementation of this plan will help improve our parks and overall quality of life.
I believe the most important issues facing the City of Grandville include downtown economic development especially along 28th Street and redevelopment of the Rivertown Mall. We have vacant commercial space along 28th Street where I think we have a great opportunity to bring in some mixed-use development. Extension of our downtown area east with the same facade will create a more inviting space for businesses and residents. We have seen Woodland Mall take-off while Rivertown Mall continues to lag. With the new ownership of Rivertown Mall, I think this gives the City a new partner to communicate with to explore new possibilities in this space.
To support our vibrant economic ecosystem I will advocate for a combination of strategies that strengthen small businesses, attract investment, and foster innovation. These strategies include commercial revitalization districts, tax increment financing, streamlining licensing & permitting, upgrades to road & infrastructure, open communication & collaboration with business owners, and greater support of our Downtown Development Authority (DDA). It’s important for the City to support strategies that will encourage residents to buy local. Our community events such as Christmas at the Commons are important to connect residents with local businesses and help build a greater sense of community well-being.
Age
58
Occupation / Current Position
State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser
Education
Lansing Community College, Michigan State University
Experience & Qualifications
Local business owner, Operations at Biggby Coffee, Apple, Appraiser
I want Grandville to remain an affordable, safe place to live and raise a family.
Keep property taxes to a minimum - no more millage increases. Give police and fire the resources they need to keep us safe. Reasonable budgets.
Rising taxpayer burdens and neighborhood safety.
Promote downtown development and growth. Attract new businesses and the jobs that come with it.
