West Michigan Rising WMR is a community blog for Democrats and progressives in West Michigan. Join up, post your thoughts as comments or diaries, and rise up to build our left coast
Repower America will be hosting a townhall the focus will be on efforts made by business and policy leaders here in Grand Rapids to make it the most sustainable midsized city in the country.
Come learn about the efforts of one city, taking responsibility for their carbon footprint and creating jobs by investing in renewable energy and sustainability.
Grand Rapids Renewable Energy and Sustainability Town hall
Sponsored by Repower America
June 8th, 2010
7:00-8:30pm
City Middle/High School - 1400 Fuller Ave. Grand Rapids, MI.
There is plenty of parking available and refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
Questions:
Zane Corriveau
Repower America - West Michigan Field Organizer
616-706-7904
corrive9@gmail.com
Most May elections in Michigan tend to be subdued affairs. With only school board races (as well as community college candidates) on the ballot, most voters tend to stay away from the polls on the first Tuesday of May. However, the election on May 4, 2010 might be a more interesting affair, largely because the City of Grand Rapids has a proposed income tax increase going before the voters. The city proposes to increase the city's income tax for a five-year period between 2010 and 2015 for both residents and non-residents who work in Grand Rapids. The rate on residents would increase from 1.3% to 1.5%, while non-residents would see their rate increase from .65% to .75%.
Regardless of the merits of the tax increase (personal opinion moment: while local income taxes have an adverse impact on job sprawl and residential population, I can't see many other ways for the City to balance its budget after seeing its share of revenue from the state dwindle over the past seven years-pb), what is the likely voting patterns that supporters and opponents of the measure can expect on May 4? In the past five May elections voters have cast ballots on three millage measures: two in 2007; one for GR Community College and another for the Rapid Bus System, and one in 2009 again for the Rapid. Voting returns from the past five May elections (2005-2009) and two August ballot measures (August 2004 Zoo millage and August 2008 Jail millage) that serve as a comparison indicator, can provide some clues.
Everyone knows Brandon is a good friend and one of my favorite public servants. Here's his press release:
Brandon Dillon to explore run for state House 2-term Kent County commissioner files paperwork to open exploratory committee
GRAND RAPIDS - Kent County Commissioner Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) filed paperwork with the secretary of state today to explore a run for the 75th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Dillon, a two-term Kent County Commissioner, said his proven record of taking on the status quo and reforming government would allow him to have an immediate impact in Lansing if he decides to run for the House.
"We all know times are tough and state government is broken, and it's time we put blind partisanship aside and get Michigan back on track," Dillon said. "As a county commissioner, I have led the charge for critical reforms in the way we do business. People in the Grand Rapids area are demanding bold changes in Lansing , and I will spend the next several weeks listening to their ideas so I can determine if I'm the best candidate to represent our community and help lead Michigan back to prosperity."
Dillon was elected to the Kent County Board of Commissioners in 2006 and re-elected in 2008. During his two terms, Dillon has focused on reforming county government, protecting Grand Rapids taxpayers and investing in long-term economic development.
During his tenure on the County Commission , Dillon has voted against every tax increase and he has consistently opposed increasing fees for basic county services.
The 75th District seat is held by state Rep. Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids), who is not running for re-election to the House.
It isn't a huge secret that Brandon's exploring will discover that he will run for the 75th -- unless Robert Dean ends up choosing to run for his third term.
The 75th State House District covers the eastern portion half of Grand Rapids. The district has existed in a slightly modified form since 1972, with modifications occurring after each census redistricting. Despite Grand Rapids' image as a conservative bastion, Democrats represented the district until the mid-1980s, with Jelt Sietsma, Steven Monsma, and John Otterbacher serving state house districts that covered eastern Grand Rapids during this period. In the mid-1980s as Grand Rapids became increasingly conservative, Republican Vern Ehlers (1983-1985) and Richard Bandstra (1985-1995) successfully held the eastside Grand Rapids seat, which remained in the GOPs hands during the 1990s and early 2000s under William Byl (1995-2001) and Jerry Kooiman (2001-2007). The republicans who represented the 75th District were a largely different breed than the largely suburban Michigan Republican Party (MRP), claiming moderation in economic issues, promoting urban revitalization, and public education. This tradition ended with the 2006 election, in which the GOP ran social conservative Tim Doyle for the seat. Doyle, who in tandem with the MRP, ran a race-baiting campaign against Democratic candidate Robert Dean, was stunningly upset Doyle by a 51% to 46% margin. Dean handily won reelection in 2008 in a strongly Democratic year (see the 2008 Democratic Baseline in Map 1), besting Republican candidate Dan Tietema with 59% of the vote.
While the Democratic resurgence in recent years is in large part due to the changing political environment on the state and national level, the demographics of the district have also been changing. The growing Hispanic population on the southwest side of the city, the revitalization of Cherry Hill and Eastown, the slow decline of the 1st ring suburbs on the south side Grand Rapids and Wyoming, and the fading of the CRC political/religious presence in the Third Ward of the city has changed Grand Rapids over the past decade, and the full implications of this transformation will only be visible with the tabulation of the 2010 Census.
VOTE YES for the Non-Homestead Grand Rapids Public Schools Millage Renewal
What's the cost to homeowners - $0.00! The tax is levied on businesses, commercial properties and rental units. The millage is $29 Million, annually, for the GR Public Schools. In light of the District losing $6 Million in State budget cuts, we need this renewal to pass!
All Grand Rapids voters, please VOTE YES and encourage others to do so.
From a GRPS handout:
On November 3, 2009, the Grand Rapids Board of Education is asking the voters in the City of Grand Rapids to consider a non-homestead millage of up to 19 mills for a period of eight years. If approved, the cost to city homeowners is $0 because the tax levy is on non-homestead property (industrial, rental and commercial). It is not a tax on homes owned by occupants and used as their primary residence.
1. What is Non-Homestead property? It is property that is not the primary residence of the owner. Examples include business property, industrial property, rental property, and cottages or second homes.
2. What will this millage cost me? Nothing, if you own the house you are living in and it is your primary residence. The Non-Homestead property tax is only levied on business, commercial and rental property in the city.
3. Why doesn't the proposed millage affect the property taxes on my home? Homestead property is not subject to the 18 mill tax.
4. What is the money from the millage used for? The 18 mill levy generates $29 million in local revenue - nearly 14% of the district's operating budget - and provides funding for textbooks, technology, teachers, classrooms, instructional support, and the overall operations of the district.
5. What is the ballot request? The ballot request is a renewal of the existing 18 mill non-homestead millage, plus an additional 1 mill that would only be used in the event of a Headlee rollback.
6. Isn't the additional 1 mill a tax increase?No, because state law caps the non-homestead levy at no more than 18 mills. So legally, the district cannot tax more than currently approved 18 mills on non-homestead property. The additional 1 mill would only be used to fill the gap and keep the levy at or near 18 mills if there is a Headlee rollback.
7. When is the election? Tuesday, November 3, 2009.
8. Who can vote on the Non-Homestead millage proposal? All registered voters in the Grand Rapids Public School district.
That's the word from James Epolito, head of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For the record, he also called our home town "an unbelievable place."
All this and more is in a huge shout out from this morning'sFree Press. The article covers the 1,000+ new direct jobs coming to the area; the 30+ medical device manufacturers; and the entrepreneurial spirit. Even the Mackinac Center has a kind word to say about the developments.
Why this matters It's no secret that Michigan must find a way past its reliance on the auto industry. West Michigan is pointing a way out, and increasingly it will fall upon Democrats to guide the region. The older days of letting the Chamber, or the GOP powers-that-be determine the region's fate are over. That's good news, but it carries a challenge.
Our task going forward will be to develop the policy chops necessary to contribute to the region's growth. We will need to be more passionate that we have good schools and that our graduates have good opportunities. When we were a minority party we could settle for a sort of reactive politics. In the last election voters began entrusting us to help shape our future together. On Tuesday, at the County Commission we will take a big step forward when we seat eight members on the commission. The responsibility is ours. Entrepreneurship is not only for business, it's for our politics as well.
Join the Kent County Democrats for an Inaugural Celebration on Saturday, January 17 in downtown Grand Rapids at 7:00 pm at The BOB.
To buy tickets online through ActBlue or by check, visit our website at kentdems.com.
On November 4 we made history, now it's time to celebrate with a Barack Obama Inaugural Celebration!
We all know that Barack Obama overwhelmingly won Michigan. But, did you know that Obama also won Kent County with almost 150,000 votes? That success was due to the Obama organizers at the Wealthy Street Campaign for Change Headquarters along with the Kent County Democratic Party and all the volunteers and neighborhood leaders. Thanks to everyone for all their hard work.
However, that wasn't our only success. Kent County Democrats also:
* overwhelmingly secured the two State House districts with Roy Schmidt's and Robert Dean's victories;
* picked up three more Kent County Commission seats so that we now hold 8 of the 19 districts. Four years ago we had just 3 seats on the Commission. We've basically kicked the Republicans out of the city with the election of Bob Synk and with the victories of Pete Hickey and Keith Courtade and Bret Dorman's close race, we've clearly moved into positions of strength in Kentwood and Wyoming;
* helped elect Granholm-appointee Judge Chris Yates to the Circuit Court with a 20 point win county-wide;
* won the county for Senator Carl Levin and kept the race for Supreme Court close so Judge Dianne Hathaway could be put over the top by the east-side of the state.
If you haven't joined us yet, we hope that you will become a member and get active in the local party at this exciting time. Change is coming to Kent County and West Michigan, so let's celebrate!
It'll be a night to remember. So, tell -- email, facebook, call, walk over to their office or work -- all your friends and bring them along too! We are counting on you to help us spread the word for this festive event.
(As always Peter has the numbers crunched and laid out in a way that is understandable. Take a while to digest all of this my fellow Kentians. - promoted by philgoblue)
After reading Phil's thoughts regarding a long-term strategy for our local county parties in west Michigan, I looked at some of the baseline numbers from Kent County over the past five elections (2000 to 2008). The table below shows the TOTAL number of State Board of Education votes for the Republican and Democratic candidates on the municipal level from 2000 to 2008, along with the Democratic percentage of the two-party vote. As you can see in Table 1 below the fold, the picture looks very interesting and encouraging.
There is a ton of stuff going on with the GREA and the Grand Rapids Schools Administration. I'll get to it after the election, in the meantime, read this.
Bobblehead dolls of presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain will be distributed to the first 1000 fans who enter VanAndle Arena for the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey game on 1 November. It's part of a "Bobble the Vote '08" promotion on Saturday, 1 November, just three days before the election. The bobbleheads will have Obama and the old guy decked out in a Griffins jersey. Fans will select their favorite upon entering Van Andel Arena and the first candidate to run out of their 500 allotment will be proclaimed the winner (at least for that night).
Tonight, Grand Rapids residents will get a chance to weigh in on what the city's "green" priorities should be. The city is holding the second of three public meetings to help officials prioritize realistic goals for managing and encouraging green spaces. The first community forum was held 25 June, Green Gathering: Ideas, attracting more than 200 people to identify areas of improvement for the city's parks, connections, greening, health, natural systems and the Grand River (our story on the first is here).
City Manager Kurt Kimball, 58, announced this morning he will retire effective at the end of the year.
Kimball has dominated Grand Rapids politics as the unelected leader of the city for over 22 years. Before Kimball the average tenure of a city manager was less than three years. Kimball used is long tenure to position himself as far more powerful than the elected mayor or city commuission.
The City Commission will appoint a new City Manager, probably sometime this winter. They should think about passing a resolution that limits the term of a city manager to something like 8 years and certainly no more than 12.
This is an extremely important decision and shouldn't be screwed up like happened with the hiring of the obviously incompetent Lauri Parks who may just screw up the November election for Barack Obama and Robert Dean (more on this later today or tomorrow).
But, at least as important as hiring someone who will be the servant of the elected City Commission rather than an unelected dictator, is making that situation impossible to happen again. That means a grassroots movement that starts after this election to move from a strong manager system we've had since 1916 to something that actually looks like a democracy (preferably a strong commission system with a full-time mayor). And such a movement needs to be put into place before it gets caught up in the mayoral election in 2011.
Grand Rapids Public Schools teachers -- frustrated at the inability of Superintendent Bernard or the School Board majority to negotiate a contract in good faith -- protested outside the Franklin Administration Building Monday night. Teachers have been without a contract for two years.
A large number of teachers marched while holding signs that read:
"Investing in education makes sense"
and
"Lowest paid, longest calendar"
The Grand Rapids Administration puts on 40 cents of a dollar into the classroom, just 2/3 of the state-wide average. Grand Rapids Public School teachers are the lowest paid in Kent County. The GRPS Administration and really all the Board members except Tony Baker and Jane Gietzen are an absolute joke with no idea of how to run a school system and educate the city's children.
I gotta run to little league soccer to coach and then the Michigan game to watch us build the next dynasty, so I haven't watched these.
I'm peeved I won't be with Yates, Schmidt, Hawley, Dillon, Hennessy, etc in the Grand Rapids Pulaski Days Parade or the Cedar Springs Red Flannel Parade (info on them is in a diary below), but if you can go to the last parades of the season, you should go.
This is an awesome video that really shows not only the speech, but also gives you a feeling for the atmosphere.
We've heard some good news the past two weeks: Obama and Biden have been all through Michigan from Detroit to Lansing to Grand Rapids, the polls are looking good as Obama reaches 50% and has opened at least a 8 point margin over McCain has he looks presidential and folks realize McCain is not ready to deal with the flailing economy, and, to top it all off, we heard yesterday that the McCain campaign is pulling ads, staff and candidate visits out of Michigan and going black. However, let's remember Kerry ended up barely winning Michigan, and I still hear the Obama is having a rough time closing the deal with the working-class. So we must take nothing for granted, since there can be a lot of movement in the final month and the big attacks have yet to come (they will come back to Reverand Wright in the final weeks). On top of that, we're in this not just for Barack, but for all our Democrats: Levin, Dean, Valentine, Schmidt, Jones, Bennett, Scripps, Rogers, Truesdell, Huckleberry, Hawley, Smith, Higgins, Grucz, etc for the State House and our County Commission and other local races. So, we've got to keep the foot on the pedal until real victory comes in November. Here in Kent County, we, frankly, need some cash to put together a GOTV efforts, voter protection efforts, big sign campaign, and fund our local candidates. So, some friends of mine are going to try to that energy that we got yesterday morning on Calder Plaze and transform it into the funds we'll need to win in November.
Our Campaign for Change Reception Friday, 3 October
5:00 - 8:00 pm
* 5:00 Lawyers' Meeting on Poll Defending
* 6:00 General Reception
At The BOB's Crush Club
20 Monroe Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, http://www.thebob.com/ Suggested Donation: $50
Please give as generously as you can and volunteer to do everything you can to win Michigan for Barack Obama and Carl Levin and help our local candidates for the State House, County Commission and other county-wide races.
Checks should be written to the "Kent County Democratic Party" with a memo statement: "For 2008 Campaign for Change" and brought to the event.
My audio recording, between the poor sound system, wind noise, my neighbors chatting during the speech, and the fact that it's just a micro voice recorder, is just about unlistenable. I've taken the text (from CNN) as prepared for delivery, listened to my recording and made changes as he actually delivered it.
Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Thank you - thank you very much.
(inaudible)
... Candidate for Michigan Supreme Court, Diane Hathaway.
(inaudible)
Obviously, there's been a lot in the news over the last two weeks. The events of the last few weeks have shown us that the stakes in this election could not be higher.
We are in a financial crisis as serious as any we've faced since the Great Depression. In recent weeks, we've seen our financial landscape shift before our eyes. We've seen a growing credit crunch put new pressures on banks, businesses, and families. And on Monday, we saw the single largest decline of the stock market in two decades - a decline that threatens not just the wealth of Wall Street executives, but the life savings, jobs, and economic security of millions of ordinary Americans.
Everywhere you look, the economic news is troubling. But for so many of you here in Michigan, it isn't really news at all.
600,000 jobs have been lost since the year began, including about 30,000 in Michigan. The unemployment rate here in Grand Rapids and other parts of this state is nearly double what it is across this country. And a new jobs report is coming out tomorrow that experts predict will show our ninth straight month of job loss.
Nine straight months of job loss! Yet, just two weeks ago, John McCain said the "fundamentals of the economy are strong." Well, I don't know what yardstick Senator McCain uses, but where I come from, there's nothing more fundamental than a job. And when we're losing jobs month after month after month, when good, hard-working Americans who've done everything right watch their dreams slip away, the fundamentals of our economy are not strong, and it's time we had a President who understands that.
But it's not just jobs. Home values are falling. Wages are flat-lining. And the cost of everything from gas to groceries is going up and up. These are the quiet storms that our families have been facing for months if not years, and these are the storms that will only grow worse if we do not act - and act now - to pass the rescue plan that's before Congress. Democrats and Republicans in the House need to do what the Senate did last night and do what's right for this country.
If the financial markets collapse, and loans are not available, businesses, large and small, will follow. It's your jobs, your savings, your ability to pursue your dreams for your children that are at risk. That's why we have to act. That's why we have to set aside the politics of the moment and exercise something we haven't seen in Washington lately - responsibility.
Now, let me be perfectly clear. The fact that we are in this mess is an outrage. It's an outrage because we did not get here by accident. This was not a normal part of the business cycle. This did not happen because of a few bad apples.
This financial crisis is a direct result of the greed and irresponsibility that has dominated Washington and Wall Street for years. It's the result of speculators who gamed the system, regulators who looked the other way, and lobbyists who bought their way into our government. It's the result of an economic philosophy that says we should give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else; a philosophy that views even the most common-sense regulations as unwise and unnecessary. Well, this crisis is nothing less than a final verdict on this failed philosophy - and it's a philosophy I'm running for President to end.
This was a heavy dose of economic populism, together with a defense of the bailout bill. A rally speech is not the time to get into the details of why this bill, rather than some other solution, but he at least did allude to the effects Main Street would feel if we did nothing.
Getting out of Iraq got a prominent mention, but he did not linger on this. Nevertheless, this got one of the biggest roars of approval from the crowd. Democratic audiences, and voters, do NOT want Iraq to get lost in the shuffle of issues that seem more pressing today.
Obama calls for shared sacrifice, but does not fill in those details with the same specificity that he assures the middle class that their taxes won't be increased.
"Together, we can do it!"
It may seem that I am dwelling on the gaps in the above paragraphs - but this is not meant as criticism. There are things you can say, and things you can't, when you are running for President. Folks here know that I am the longest (Feb. 2007, when I signed up) and loudest (delegate, and out canvassing almost every day) supporter of Obama going.
He acknowledges that economic pain is here, and more coming; lays the blame squarely where it should be, and offers hope for using government as a partner going forward, rather than a scapegoat ("Getting government off our backs") or a patsy (various forms of corporate welfare).
(Doors Open in 30 minutes. Expect Obama to be on time (it's his first appearance and he's one of those rare on-time politicians), so get down there by 8:30-9:00 to get through the line and settled in time. Have a great time, wish I could be there with y'all. - promoted by philgoblue)
The Obama for America and Michigan Campaign for Change announced earlier today that Barack Obama will return to West Michigan for a rally at this Thursday on Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.
Change We Need Rally with Barack Obama
Calder Plaza
300 Ottawa Avenue NW
Public entrance will be off Lyon Street
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Thursday, October 2nd
Gates Open: 7:30 am
Program Begins: 9:30 am
With less than one week until the October 6th voter registration deadline, Barack Obama will encourage everyone in Michigan to register to vote and lay out how an Obama-Biden administration will turn our economy around and bring about the change Michigan needs.
The event is free and open to the public, and will be held rain or shine. Tickets are not required but an RSVP is encouraged at http://mi.barackobama.com/gran...
Space is available on a first come, first served basis.
For more information please call the Grand Rapids Campaign for Change office at 616-356-6120
Saturday, in her first campaign swing through Michigan, Hillary Clinton offered her very vocal and unconditional support for Barack Obama, urging primary supporters Saturday to "work as hard as you worked for me for Barack and Joe." Senator Clinton spoke at the Grand Rapids Central High School in front of about 500-1000 people.
Clinton's speech (rough transcript):
You're here to bring about the change we so desperately need. So I am asking you, particularly those of you who supported me to please work as hard for Barack as you worked for me. I respect and admire Senator McCain, he's a friend of mine, he has performed great service both in the military and in elective office for our country, but on the big issues that matter to America, he does not offer the kind of change we need. I do not believe that the Republicans should be rewarded for what they have done to our country. Think of it that way
When you have an election, you have a choice between two people and the best way to think about it is who's actually going to go to bat for you and I don't think there's any doubt that when it comes to middle-class issues and working people issues, Obama-Biden is much more likely to help you and your family.
I appreciate the supprt many of you gave me in the primary and I'll always remember it. When you get a chance to campaign across the country like I did, you meet a whole lot of people and you come to fully understand what Americans are thinking as they go about their daily lives, struggling to keep their jobs and worried about their retuirment, educating their kids and paying healthcare bills. It was an incredible experience, but now we're here today because the issues still matter.
We can't afford four more years of the same old stale politics. We love this country too much.
No one needs a change of direction more than the people of Michigan. I know what Michigan has been through with all of the incredible difficulties with the downturn in manufacturing and the loss of jobs, people moving out of state, families being separated, high unemployment, people losing their homes, not having their health care, retirees going back to work in their 70s and 80s because they don't have enough money to keep body and soul together.
There isn't any reason on this earth why anybody in Michigan should want to vote to validate the last eight years, which is why we need to vote for Barack Obama.
No way, no how, no McCain, no Palin!
Asked by Peter Luke about the possibility that some former Hillary-supporters will not vote for Obama in November, Hillary told The Press:
I just don't think that is a very big group, nor do I think it will be determinative in this election. People who voted for me have much more in common with Senator Obama than they do with Senator McCain. People are coming to see what's in their interest, which is basically what an election should be about.
Indeed most folks The Press found to interview seem to have echoed the statement of Rockford resident Linda Cherrette:
I was more a Hillary supporter than Barack supporter, but if she's behind him, I'm behind him.
District 20 Kalamazoo Robert Jones District 21 Berrien, Cass, Van Buren
Scott Elliott District 24 Allegan, Barry, Eaton
Michelle DiSano District 28 Kent (part)
Robin Golden District 29 Kent (part) David LaGrand District 30 Ottawa
John Chester District 34 Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Newaygo Mary Valentine District 35 Northwest LP Roger Dunigan District 37 Grand Traverse & north Bob Carr
Michigan State House Candidates
District 59 (St. Joseph & Cass Counties)
Carol Higgins District 60 (Kalamazoo) Sean McCann District 61 (Kalamazoo) Thomas Batten District 63 (Kalamazoo)
David Morgan District 70 (Ionia & Montcalm Counties) Mike Huckleberry District 72 (Kentwood & Cascade)
Brian Bosak District 73 (Kent County)
Jerrod Roberts District 74 (Ottawa County)
Leon Chase District 75 (Grand Rapids) Brandon Dillon District 76 (Grand Rapids) Roy Schmidt District 77 (Wyoming)
Scott Baron District 78 (Berrien County) Cindy Ellis District 79 (Berrien County) Julee Laurent District 80 (VanBuren) Tom Erdmann District 86 (Kent County)
Frank Hammond District 87 (Barry & Ionia Counties)
Greg Grieves District 89 (Ottawa County)
Donald Bergman District 91 (Muskegon)
Ben Gillette District 92 (Muskegon)
Marcia Hovey-Wright District 100 (Newaygo, Lake, and Oceana Counties)
Donald Bergman District 101 (Northwest) Dan Scripps
County Commissions Candidates
Allegan County Commission
9 Fritz Spreitzer (I)
10 April Carvalho
Barry County Commission
1 Bob Dickinson
Benzie County Commission
3 Kristin Hollenbeck (I)
4 Anne Damm (I)
6 Donald Tanner (I)
Berrien County Commission
3 Marletta Seats (I)
4 Mamie Yarbrough (I)
10 Andrew Vavra (I)
11 Jess Minks
12 Michael Ringler
13 John Klimek (I)
Cass County Commission
1 Ed Goodman (I)
7 David Taylor (I)
9 Judy Helpingstine
11 Clark Cobb (I)
12 Minnie Warren (I)
13 Johnie Rodebush (I)
14 Debbie Johnson (I)
Grand Traverse County Commission
1 Bernol Soutar
Ionia County Commission
1 Lynn Mason (I)
4 Mark Vroman (I)
Kalamazoo County Commission
1 Jack Urban (I)
2 Carolyn Alford (I)
3 Robert Barnard (I)
4 John Taylor (I)
5 Brian Johnson (I)
6 Mike Seals
7 David Buskirk (I)
9 Chuck Vliek
10 Michael Quinn (I)
11 Barb Hammon
12 Scott McCormick
13 Harvey Hanna
15 Leroy Crabtree
16 Thomas Post
17 Jerry Rudolph
Kent County Commission
1 Mary Lauka
2 Patricia Kramer
3 James Black
4 Fred Clowney
6 James Rinck
7 Al Nielsen
8 Keith Courtade (I)
9 Duane Sprague
10 Albert Abbasse
11 Russell Duffin
12 Pete Hickey (I)
13 Kyle Hinton
14 Carol Hennessy (I)
15 Dick Bulkowski (I)
16 Jim Talen (I)
17 Candace Chivis
18 Richard Tormala
19 Bob Synk (I)
Leelanau County Commission
3 Jason Harrall
6 David Marshall (I)
7 Karl Dungjen
Manistee County Commission
2 Marlene E. Wood-Zylstra
3 Glenn Lottie (I)
4 Ervin A. Kowalski (I)
5 Karl R. Waitner
6 Jim Krolczyk (I)
7 Carl Rutske (I)
Montcalm County Commission
1 Ronald C. Blanding (I)
Mason County Commission
5 Jerome Rybicki (I)
8 David Fonnesbeck
Musekgon County Commission
1 Kenneth Mahoney (I)
2 Charles Buzzell (I)
4 James Derezinski (I)
5 Carl Wentzlof
6 Lew Collins (I)
7 Scott Plummer
8 Anthony Longmire
9 Rillastine Wilkins
10 Benjamin Cross
11 John Jurkas
Newaygo County Commission
1 Barbara Geno (I)
5 Rick Werkema
Oceana County Commission
1 David Spitler
5 Evelyn Kolbe (I)
Ottawa County Commission
3 Jeff Williams
Van Buren County Commission
1 Claudia Maddox
3 Al Hughes
