In 2004 I moved from a house in Kentwood to a condo on a little lake in Grandville. I loved Grandville's atmosphere. The carillon at noon. The multi-generational family of Grandville United Methodist Church. Huge baskets of flowers lining the sidewalk downtown. A bakery, coffee shop, library, bank and city offices all within walking distance of each other.
But what surprised me about my new home was the elections. It was not uncommon for candidates to be running unopposed. That was a rarity in other communities where I had voted. The unopposed candidates made me feel like the election was a sham. I didn't have a choice.
I had never been a political person and was too busy to become one. But over the 18 years I lived in Grandville, the demands on my time lessened and my interest in politics increased. This year, I realized an unopposed election was about to happen again. No one had registered to run against Stan Ponstein who is seeking reelection as Kent County Commissioner. I decided I couldn't sit on the sidelines complaining any more. I needed to step up and be the change I wanted to see.
Every voter deserves a choice.
