ALGOMA TOWNSHIP, MI – A computer software architect and developer is wanting to unseat an incumbent Kent County commissioner in the Aug. 2 Republican most important for the county board’s 1st District.
Mark Jordan is taking on fellow Republican and Kent County Commissioner Ben Greene in the key for the county seat symbolizing all of Algoma Township and parts of Plainfield Township.
The winner will go on to the November general election and face Democrat Jerry D. Berta, who is jogging uncontested in his primary Aug. 2.
Greene, 33, has served on the Board of Commissioners because 2021 and is the director of internet marketing and engagement at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Ahead of serving on the county board, he was a Plainfield Township trustee from 2016 to 2020. He attended Central Michigan University.
Jordan, 54, is a software package architect and developer and team direct. He lists his working experience and skills as management at church project, personnel and useful resource administration and practical experience in industries together with finance, healthcare, vitality, housing and far more. He retains a bachelor’s degree in laptop or computer science from Western Michigan College.
MLive/The Grand Rapids Press partnered with the nonpartisan League of Ladies Voters of Michigan to offer applicant information and facts for audience. Every single candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues outlined underneath.
All responses in the voter guideline had been submitted immediately by the prospect and have not been edited by the League of Ladies Voters, apart from for essential cuts if a reply exceeded character constraints. Spelling and grammar were being not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and views is only in the curiosity of public services and really should NOT be deemed as an endorsement. The League under no circumstances supports or opposes any candidates or political get-togethers.
Info on other condition, county and nearby most important races can be located at Vote411.org.
Why are you running for workplace?
Mark Jordan:
I am involved about the ballooning sizing, cost, and attain of governing administration bureaucracy. I want to deliver oversight to our Kent County budget to make certain that we are meeting the needs of our local community as competently as feasible, and not getting a penny extra than essential from our citizens’ wallets.
I am dedicated to guarding the constitutional rights of our citizens, and I will get the job done to make confident that legislation abiding citizens are not pressured to relinquish any of their freedoms.
I want to get back again to citizen governing administration as opposed to job politicians. We will need office environment bearers that are sensical, that provide the general public, that have no concealed or personalized agendas, and that are responsible to We The People today.
I believe that we will need to return to the rules that this nation was founded on if we are to operate well and restore have confidence in in our government.
Ben Greene:
I’m working for place of work mainly because I experience strongly that it is time for a new technology of conservative management in Kent County. The aged methods of governance aren’t working, and we need to have leaders who will stand up and be a voice for their inhabitants, not any particular political agenda or unique fascination group.
My spouse and I are boosting our daughter in this community, and she is my most important drive to be included in community support. If we never have considerate, committed, and truthful community servants symbolizing our close friends and neighbors, we will never ever meet up with the challenges that confront our local community, our point out, and our country.
My approach is uncomplicated: I serve with integrity, transparency, and open up and straightforward communication. I work for my constituents. I perform tough on their behalf — and I am committed to delivering outcomes for them.
What is the finest challenge facing the office environment you seek out? How will you handle it?
Ben Greene:
Kent County is going through an critical crossroads. We have savored remarkable economic progress in the last ten years: there is an abundance of great-having to pay jobs, our inhabitants has grown while some spots in Michigan stay stagnant, and we have ongoing to devote in vital infrastructure and methods that market a excellent of existence which rivals that of any community in the nation.
The “crossroads” dilemma will come down to this: will we keep on together this path of economic prosperity and good quality of existence, or will we shift down a path of unsustainable expending, unmanageable personal debt, and lack of financial commitment in essential companies like law enforcement and fire? I have a solid preference for the former, and I will carry on to do anything I can to move us more down the path of prosperity.
Mark Jordan:
Finding the citizens of Kent County to notice that they have a voice, that they can show up at all meetings, and they can give general public remark.
Attaining back again the believe in that their commissioner will stand up for the individuals in a well timed basis.
Getting the persons really feel relaxed approaching their commissioner for matters similar to the county, and really feel self-confident that their conversation is not slipping on deaf ears.
What procedures would you use to remain responsive and accountable to the community among elections?
Mark Jordan:
I imagine it is necessary to be available to the general public I am serving. I would be a direct avenue through which they can affect and immediate the board of commissioners for the county. Even though I would often be typically accessible by way of telephone, texting, Facebook, and e mail, I would also timetable bi-regular monthly discussion boards at which any one can focus on subjects in individual. And of system, I can constantly connect with private conferences by appointment.
Checking of regional townships is critical to keeping a pulse of township happenings and problems. I will go to board conferences to hold current of Kent County’s local communities.
At the county stage, communication of agendas, resolutions, and situations and spots of board and committee conferences will remind everybody that they are welcome to join all those publicly open meetings.
Lastly, I would describe my steps as commissioner, indicating my votes, and extra importantly, WHY my votes were being as these kinds of.
I will remember that this business office serves the men and women.
Ben Greene:
Transparency and open up and sincere conversation are two of the most critical pieces of my task. I will proceed with my recent procedures to aid that work:
– Standard interaction of County exercise (together with meeting agendas, my votes, and other County news) by social media and other varieties of communication – Offering my private cell mobile phone selection and e mail tackle to inhabitants and encouraging them to call me any time – Assembly a person-on-one particular or with teams of citizens at their ask for – Holding quarterly “office hours” meetings which are open up to the public – Responding to/addressing residents’ concerns and desires in a timely way. – Attending township and city conferences in my district
I function for my constituents, and my 1st priority is serving them and aiding them with their challenges. I will generally be available to meet with them and get the job done on their behalf.
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