By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Voters in the city of Zeeland will see the largest field of candidates to run for the City Council in 40 years when they go to the polls later this year.
Eight candidates filed petitions to run for three available four-year seats on the City Council by the deadline of April 22. However, one of those candidates withdrew from the race before last Friday, which was the deadline for candidates to drop out so their name would not appear on the ballot.
The seven candidates running marks the largest number of council candidates since 1985, when eight candidates ran for four council seats. In that election, Les Hoogland, Gerald Huizenga, Harvey Meppelink and Tom Dekker were elected to the council.
Because of the large candidate field, a primary election will be held in August, with the top six votegetters to move on to the November election, City Clerk Pam Holmes said.
It will be the first contested council election in Zeeland since 2011, when four candidates – Richard Van Dorp, Sally Gruppen, Allen Dannenberg and Schuyler Wilson – ran for three four-year council seats, with Van Dorp, Gruppen and Dannenberg winning.
At least two new members will be elected from among the seven candidates. With Kevin Klynstra deciding not to seek re-election after 14 years as the city’s mayor, Van Dorp stepped forward to file for mayor. A 21-year council veteran, he was the lone candidate to file for the office, which is voted on every two years as opposed to the four-year terms for the rest of the council.
In addition, Councilman Jim Broersma is ending his run on the council after 24 years of service. Broersma announced in January he would not run for another term.
The lone incumbent seeking to retain his seat is Councilman Glenn Kass, who was first elected to the council in 2013, then ran unopposed for re-election in 2017 and 2021.
The field of candidates includes a current planning commissioner and a longtime member of the Cemetery and Parks Commission. Rebecca Perkins has been on the Planning Commission since 2021, while Amy Langeland has served on the Cemetery and Parks Commission since 2009. Both are running for the first time.
Another planning commissioner, Daniel Klompmaker, initially filed to run for council, but pulled his name from consideration by last Friday’s deadline. Klompmaker has been on the Planning Commission since 2015.
Other candidates that have filed include Ericka Humbert, Andrew Bult, Kylee DeBoer and Hillery McAlpine. Humbert is part of a group of residents on the city’s east side that has expressed concerns about the possible expansion of the Reckitt infant formula manufacturing plant. Humbert, Bult, DeBoer and McAlpine are all running for council for the first time.
The primary election will take place Tuesday, Aug. 5 and the general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Zeeland Record
Voters in the city of Zeeland will see the largest field of candidates to run for the City Council in 40 years when they go to the polls later this year.
Eight candidates filed petitions to run for three available four-year seats on the City Council by the deadline of April 22. However, one of those candidates withdrew from the race before last Friday, which was the deadline for candidates to drop out so their name would not appear on the ballot.
The seven candidates running marks the largest number of council candidates since 1985, when eight candidates ran for four council seats. In that election, Les Hoogland, Gerald Huizenga, Harvey Meppelink and Tom Dekker were elected to the council.
Because of the large candidate field, a primary election will be held in August, with the top six votegetters to move on to the November election, City Clerk Pam Holmes said.
It will be the first contested council election in Zeeland since 2011, when four candidates – Richard Van Dorp, Sally Gruppen, Allen Dannenberg and Schuyler Wilson – ran for three four-year council seats, with Van Dorp, Gruppen and Dannenberg winning.
At least two new members will be elected from among the seven candidates. With Kevin Klynstra deciding not to seek re-election after 14 years as the city’s mayor, Van Dorp stepped forward to file for mayor. A 21-year council veteran, he was the lone candidate to file for the office, which is voted on every two years as opposed to the four-year terms for the rest of the council.
In addition, Councilman Jim Broersma is ending his run on the council after 24 years of service. Broersma announced in January he would not run for another term.
The lone incumbent seeking to retain his seat is Councilman Glenn Kass, who was first elected to the council in 2013, then ran unopposed for re-election in 2017 and 2021.
The field of candidates includes a current planning commissioner and a longtime member of the Cemetery and Parks Commission. Rebecca Perkins has been on the Planning Commission since 2021, while Amy Langeland has served on the Cemetery and Parks Commission since 2009. Both are running for the first time.
Another planning commissioner, Daniel Klompmaker, initially filed to run for council, but pulled his name from consideration by last Friday’s deadline. Klompmaker has been on the Planning Commission since 2015.
Other candidates that have filed include Ericka Humbert, Andrew Bult, Kylee DeBoer and Hillery McAlpine. Humbert is part of a group of residents on the city’s east side that has expressed concerns about the possible expansion of the Reckitt infant formula manufacturing plant. Humbert, Bult, DeBoer and McAlpine are all running for council for the first time.
The primary election will take place Tuesday, Aug. 5 and the general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
