Enterprise proprietor, retired undersheriff face off in Republican major for Ottawa County’s seventh District

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – A small enterprise proprietor and retired undersheriff are going through off within the Aug. 2 Republican major for the District 7 seat on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.

Subsequent week, Rebekah A. Curran, of Jenison, will sq. off towards Gregory Steigenga, of Georgetown Township, for the two-year board seat. James Holtvluwer, who has lengthy represented District 7, will not be searching for reelection.

In 2023, the district boundaries for District 7 embrace Georgetown Constitution Township (half): Georgetown Township Precincts 9, 10, 11, 12, 12,14,15, 16 and 17, in accordance with Ottawa County.

Curran, 43, describes herself as a small enterprise proprietor, who grew up in a navy household. As a small enterprise proprietor, she says she is aware of the struggles and challenges folks face by extreme authorities laws and needs to listen to what the group has to say and be their voice on the county board.

She is at present a precinct delegate and government committee member with the Ottawa County GOP and is the founding member and president of the Republican Girls of Ottawa, in accordance with Curran’s marketing campaign web site. Curran is a seasoned gross sales and advertising skilled with 15 years of managerial expertise with Marriott Worldwide, Hilton Inns, Hyatt Inns, and The Berkeley Lodge, the web site stated.

Steigenga, 70, served the Ottawa Depend Sheriff’s Workplace for 30 years, 11 years because the undersheriff of the division. He additionally served as a Hudsonville Metropolis Commissioner for six years earlier than relocating to Georgetown Township.

“I’m open to all greatest practices as they apply to public resolution making, nevertheless, I’d proceed to take a conservative method in direction of public issues that we might take care of as a County Fee,” in accordance with Steigenga‘s marketing campaign web site.

“I sit up for offering the management and engagement that’s anticipated from a county official and would work laborious for each constituent that I symbolize in Georgetown Township.”

MLive/The Grand Rapids Press partnered with the nonpartisan League of Girls Voters of Michigan to supply a voters information for readers. Every candidate was requested to stipulate their stances on public coverage points listed under.

All responses within the information have been submitted straight by the candidate and haven’t been edited by the League of Girls Voters. Spelling and grammar weren’t corrected. Publication of candidate statements is solely within the curiosity of public service and will NOT be thought of as an endorsement. The League by no means helps or opposes any candidates or political events.

Info on different state, county and native major races might be discovered at Vote411.org.

From this record, fee your prime 3 priorities for the workplace of Ottawa County Commissioner: Funding for infrastructure and roads, Land Use, Water High quality, Social Companies, Decrease Taxes, Security, Senior Companies funded by a countywide millage, Redistricting – county commissioner allocation. Talk about briefly.

Rebekah A. Curran:

All of those points are vital, however my prime three could be:#1 Social Companies – The Ottawa County Well being and Variety Fairness and Inclusion Departments have used their energy towards the folks of Ottawa county. Each must be rebalanced with data and providers that replicate your complete group it serves. It’s not the colour of your pores and skin however the content material of your character that ought to outline us. #2 – Land Use/Water High quality. We should be good stewards of the sources God has blessed us with. This contains water high quality, land use, and conservation. #3 Decrease Taxes – We must always all the time work to control with the least quantity of drive and taxation. We should reduce wasteful spending and decrease taxes.

Gregory Steigenga:

Priorities would come with guaranteeing that we safe ample funding for infrastructure in our county by federal and state {dollars} which were designated for that goal. As well as, to actively hunt down out there funding sources for Senior Companies and water high quality provisions. I’d work laborious to keep up Ottawa County’s reasonably priced millage fee with out jeopardizing high quality of life points which might be vital to our residents, companies and colleges .Public security could be a vital a part of my agenda as properly to permit for secure communities throughout our county. Redistricting is all the time one thing to remain conscious of as a fee to permit for the suitable ranges of illustration primarily based on inhabitants and different elements.

County commissioners have finished an efficient job in main the county within the final two years. Do you agree or disagree? Briefly clarify.

Rebekah A. Curran:

I’ll maintain open workplace hours, create Fb publish updates, and provide excursions of the Ottawa County Administration buildings. My objective is to be a useful resource to all and encourage civic engagement. As well as, I’d like to create a residents’ council to assist leverage the amazingly good and proficient folks of Ottawa county on vital points. It will assist strengthen and enhance our group. I’d additionally wish to institute an annual/bi-annual survey of county residents to gauge our efficiency and achieve precious suggestions to know the place we will enhance.

Gregory Steigenga:

Because the Undersheriff and later as a metropolis commissioner, I’ve all the time made it considered one of my priorities to fulfill with native items routinely to all the time hold these strains of communication open. Any and all communication with these I’d be representing could be essential to me as choices are made on the county fee degree.

What are your methods for assembly along with your district to realize native perception for vital county choices.

Rebekah A. Curran

I’ll maintain open workplace hours, create Fb publish updates, and provide excursions of the Ottawa County Administration buildings. My objective is to be a useful resource to all and encourage civic engagement. As well as, I’d like to create a residents’ council to assist leverage the amazingly good and proficient folks of Ottawa county on vital points. It will assist strengthen and enhance our group. I’d additionally wish to institute an annual/bi-annual survey of county residents to gauge our efficiency and achieve precious suggestions to know the place we will enhance.

Gregory Steigenga

Because the Undersheriff and later as a metropolis commissioner, I’ve all the time made it considered one of my priorities to fulfill with native items routinely to all the time hold these strains of communication open. Any and all communication with these I’d be representing could be essential to me as choices are made on the county fee degree.

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