A clear plan: do the job, then widen the door.

That is the whole idea. First, deliver on what the City Charter requires of the Comptroller: independent audits and honest oversight of how Grand Rapids spends public money. Then build on that foundation to give residents more say and more clarity.

• Expand participatory budgeting so neighbors have a direct hand in how their tax dollars are spent.
• Educate residents on what the City actually pays for, and the return on investment for tax credits and similar funding tools.

I’m running for the Grand Rapids City Comptroller position because it’s time for City residents to have a watchdog who is focused on the return on investment of our tax dollars. In addition, based on my experience working on many community efforts, I know that more assertive outreach needs to be done throughout our neighborhoods to educate residents on what we are collecting in taxes and where those funds are going. I am that person to work alongside City staff and our Mayor and City commissioners to keep Grand Rapids on the positive track forward where every resident belongs.

I am a lifelong Grand Rapids area resident, living in Grand Rapids and Kentwood while growing up and in Eastown for the past 31 years and recently moved to the Millbrook neighborhood. I have been involved in community service for as far back as I can remember. Without boring you with the details of the activities that I was involved with in my time in school, since my wife and I returned to Grand Rapids in 1994 from graduate school at Wayne State University, I have been involved in numerous volunteer activities and community action.

I have worked at Disability Advocates of Kent County since 1995. In this role, I have been very active in making our community a more accessible place for all and supporting people with disabilities to live their own self-directed lives. Most significantly, I have chaired each of the Friends of Transit campaigns, the first in 2000, then in 2003, ’07, ’09, ’11 and ’17, that have supported the Rapid public transportation millages. I also have been involved in many housing issues along with advocating for more funding for direct care workers.

I have also held elected office as a Grand Rapids school board member (2001 to 2004) and a Kent County commissioner (2012 to 2022). In all of these roles, I have consistently focused on how we make our community a better place for all. As a county commissioner, I am most proud of my work as cochair of the Friend of the Court Task Force that reviewed the way the sheriff was enforcing support warrants in the inner city of Grand Rapids and throughout the county.

Because of my experience and background and community connections, I believe that I will serve the residents of the City of Grand Rapids with effectiveness and integrity in the role of City comptroller. I know that Grand Rapids needs a comptroller who will put their interests first and be a critical watchdog for their well-being, a working partner with City staff and other elected officials, and I believe I am that person.