On parade in Kentwood last week!
This happened a few years ago in my hometown:
Stephen Kepley got a flood of cash from the DeVos family and other Republican donors late in his campaign to become Kentwood mayor. The surge in fundraising may have been what the city engineer needed to turn the race in his favor, improving from 28 percent of the vote in an August primary to 51 percent in November's general election.
…
Rich, Helen, Dan, Pam, Doug and Maria DeVos also contributed a combined $2,500.
Those are the same DeVoses who are related to Betsy DeVos — who infamously acknowledged, “We do expect something in return… We expect a return on our investment.”
Since Kepley’s election, decisions have been made with little to no input from ordinary residents. City board and committee seats have remained open for months at a time. Meanwhile, bus drivers for the Interurban Transit Partnership - on whose board Kepley serves as Vice Chair - have worked without a contract. (That issue drew the attention — and ire — of Bernie Sanders.)
We need to do so much better.
That’s why I’m running for Mayor of Kentwood, Michigan — and I need your help to get there.
I first moved to Kentwood with my family in 1988. Since then, as I've lived, studied, worked, and worshipped here, I've seen Kentwood grow and change - and I realize that City Hall must keep up with (and even stay ahead of) these changes.
My community service background has included chairing a Relay for Life team, serving on the board of directors for a for-profit business, and volunteering for a number of professional and community organizations.
My professional background centers around marketing and communications, with a focus on writing and digital media. I was part of OFA’s famous email team. I helped an openly LGBT candidate for Congress raise more money and get more votes than most people expected. I also helped a long-standing local environmental nonprofit increase its contributions and grants by 74% year-over-year.
And so much of that is because of you, the fine folks of Daily Kos.
Just months after starting my own blog in 2006, I found myself right here enjoying front page stories as well as diary series like Cheers and Jeers, Brothers and Sisters, WYFP?, and others. I contributed to the Overnight News Digest for four years. And I’ve lived so many of the ups and downs of the past decade with you. I’ve gained so much from all of you just by being part of this community.
Now, I need your help once again.
Your support is critical in making sure that we can bring an inclusive, resident-centered vision to Kentwood's diverse electorate. That vision centers around protecting our community; engaging residents in all major processes and projects of the City; strengthening our economic and recreational well-being; and managing our City's resources effectively.
Let’s do this!
