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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – A small business owner and a retired undersheriff will face off in the Aug. 2 Republican primary for the District 7 seat on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.
Next week, Jenison’s Rebecca A. Curran is running against Gregory Stegenga of Georgetown for a two-year board seat. James Holtvluwer, the longtime representative of District 7, is not seeking re-election.
In 2023, the district boundaries of District 7 of Georgetown Charter Township (Part) include: Georgetown Township Precincts 9, 10, 11, 12, 12,14,15, 16 and 17, according to Ottawa County.
Curran, 43, describes herself as a small business owner who grew up in a military family. As a small business owner, she said she knows the struggles and challenges people face with excessive government regulations and wants to hear what the community has to say and be their voice on the county board.
She is currently a district representative and executive committee member with the Ottawa County GOP and is a founding member and president of the Republican Women of Ottawa, according to Curran’s campaign website. Curran is a sales and marketing professional with 15 years of management experience with Marriott International, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels and The Berkeley Hotel, according to the website.
Stigenga, 70, has served the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years, 11 years as the department’s undersheriff. He also served as Hudsonville City Commissioner for six years before moving to Georgetown Township.
“I am open to all best practices as they apply to public decision-making, but I will continue to take a conservative approach to the public issues we deal with as a county commission,” according to Stigenga’s campaign website.
“I look forward to providing the leadership and engagement expected of a county official and will work hard for each and every entity I represent in the City of Georgetown.”
MLive/The Grand Rapids Press has teamed up with the Michigan League of Women Voters to bring readers a voter guide. Each candidate is asked to state their position on the public policy issues listed below.
All responses in the guide are submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters. Spelling and grammar have not been corrected. Publication of candidate statements is for public service purposes only and should not be construed as an endorsement. League neither supports nor opposes any candidate or political party.
Information on other state, county and local primary races is available at Vote411.org.
From this list, rank the top 3 priorities for the Ottawa County Commissioner’s Office: Funding for Infrastructure and Roads, Land Use, Water Quality, Social Services, Lower Taxes, Safety, Higher Services Funded by Countywide Millage, Redistricting – County Commissioner Assignment . Discuss briefly.
Rebecca A. Kuran:
All of these issues are important, but the top three would be: #1 Social Services – Ottawa County Health and Diversity Equity and Inclusion Departments have exercised their authority over the people of Ottawa County. Both must be balanced with information and services that reflect the community it serves. Not the color of your skin, but the essence of your character should define us. #2 – Land Use / Water Quality. We must be good stewards of the resources God has blessed us with. This includes water quality, land use and conservation. #3 Low Taxes – We should always work to manage with minimal energy and taxes. We need to cut wasteful spending and cut taxes.
Gregory Stegen:
Priorities include ensuring we receive adequate funding for our county’s infrastructure through federal and state dollars earmarked for this purpose. In addition, actively seek available funding sources for higher service and water quality provisions. I will work hard to maintain a reasonable millage rate for Ottawa County without jeopardizing the quality of life that is important to our residents, businesses and schools. Public safety is on my agenda as well as allowing for safer communities in our county. Redistricting as a commission to allow for appropriate levels of representation based on population and other factors is always something to be aware of.
The county commissioners have done an effective job of running the county over the past two years. Do you agree or disagree? Explain in brief.
Rebecca A. Kuran:
I hold office hours, create Facebook post updates, and tour Ottawa County administration buildings. My goal is to be a resource for all and encourage civic engagement. Additionally, I would love to create a Citizens Council to help the incredibly smart and talented people of Ottawa County on important issues. This helps to strengthen and improve our society. I would like to establish an annual/bi-annual survey of county residents to measure our performance and gain valuable feedback to understand where we can improve.
Gregory Stegen:
As an undersheriff and later a city commissioner, I made it one of my top priorities to regularly communicate with local departments to keep those lines of communication open. Decisions are made at the county commission level so any and all contact with those I represent will be very important to me.
What are your strategies for communicating with your district to gain local input for important county decisions?
Rebekah A. Curran
I hold office hours, create Facebook post updates, and tour Ottawa County administration buildings. My goal is to be a resource for all and encourage civic engagement. Additionally, I would love to create a Citizens Council to help the incredibly smart and talented people of Ottawa County on important issues. This helps to strengthen and improve our society. I would like to establish an annual/bi-annual survey of county residents to measure our performance and gain valuable feedback to understand where we can improve.
Gregory Stage
As an undersheriff and later a city commissioner, I made it one of my top priorities to regularly communicate with local departments to keep those lines of communication open. Decisions are made at the county commission level so any and all contact with those I represent will be very important to me.
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