Software developer, incumbent face off Aug. 2 in Republican primary for Kent County’s 1st District

ALGOMA TOWNSHIP, MI – A software package architect and developer is on the lookout to unseat an incumbent Kent County commissioner in the Aug. 2 Republican most important for the county board’s 1st District.

Mark Jordan is using on fellow Republican and Kent County Commissioner Ben Greene in the principal for the county seat symbolizing all of Algoma Township and parts of Plainfield Township.

The winner will go on to the November basic election and encounter Democrat Jerry D. Berta, who is running uncontested in his key Aug. 2.

Greene, 33, has served on the Board of Commissioners due to the fact 2021 and is the director of advertising and marketing and engagement at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Just before 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 program architect and developer and crew lead. He lists his expertise and skills as leadership at church challenge, staff and resource management and working experience in industries such as finance, health care, energy, housing and far more. He retains a bachelor’s diploma in pc science from Western Michigan College.

MLive/The Grand Rapids Press partnered with the nonpartisan League of Women of all ages Voters of Michigan to offer candidate information and facts for visitors. Each candidate was questioned to outline their stances on a assortment of public coverage troubles shown under.

All responses in the voter guide have been submitted instantly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, other than for required cuts if a reply exceeded character constraints. Spelling and grammar ended up not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is only in the desire of general public support and really should NOT be thought of as an endorsement. The League in no way supports or opposes any candidates or political functions.

Info on other condition, county and nearby major races can be identified at Vote411.org.

Why are you working for office?

Mark Jordan:

I am involved about the ballooning size, price, and arrive at of governing administration forms. I want to present oversight to our Kent County funds to make sure that we are conference the requirements of our group as efficiently as attainable, and not having a penny much more than required from our citizens’ wallets.

I am focused to preserving the constitutional rights of our citizens, and I will operate to make confident that regulation abiding citizens are not forced to relinquish any of their freedoms.

I want to get back to citizen governing administration vs . job politicians. We require business office bearers that are sensical, that serve the community, that have no concealed or personal agendas, and that are liable to We The Individuals.

I imagine we need to return to the rules that this country was launched on if we are to function well and restore trust in our authorities.

Ben Greene:

I’m jogging for business office due to the fact I experience strongly that it is time for a new generation of conservative leadership in Kent County. The aged ways of governance aren’t operating, and we require leaders who will stand up and be a voice for their residents, not any specific political agenda or specific desire group.

My spouse and I are raising our daughter in this neighborhood, and she is my key enthusiasm to be involved in public company. If we don’t have thoughtful, dedicated, and truthful general public servants symbolizing our mates and neighbors, we will by no means meet the worries that face our community, our state, and our nation.

My tactic is straightforward: I serve with integrity, transparency, and open up and trustworthy interaction. I function for my constituents. I function difficult on their behalf — and I am dedicated to delivering outcomes for them.

What is the biggest obstacle going through the office you look for? How will you handle it?

Ben Greene:

Kent County is struggling with an important crossroads. We have appreciated huge financial development in the past 10 years: there is an abundance of excellent-shelling out employment, our inhabitants has developed while some areas in Michigan keep on being stagnant, and we have continued to spend in important infrastructure and assets that encourage a high quality of daily life which rivals that of any neighborhood in the nation.

The “crossroads” query comes down to this: will we keep on along this route of economic prosperity and top quality of lifestyle, or will we move down a path of unsustainable paying, unmanageable financial debt, and lack of investment decision in critical products and services like law enforcement and hearth? I have a robust choice for the former, and I will keep on to do everything I can to transfer us additional down the route of prosperity.

Mark Jordan:

Having the citizens of Kent County to understand that they have a voice, that they can attend all meetings, and they can give general public remark.

Attaining back the trust that their commissioner will stand up for the folks in a well timed basis.

Having the people today feel comfortable approaching their commissioner for things similar to the county, and really feel self-assured that their conversation is not slipping on deaf ears.

What techniques would you use to keep on being responsive and accountable to the general public amongst elections?

Mark Jordan:

I believe that it is crucial to be available to the community I am serving. I would be a direct avenue by means of which they can impact and direct the board of commissioners for the county. Although I would usually be usually obtainable via telephone, texting, Facebook, and e-mail, I would also agenda bi-regular monthly community forums at which any one can go over subjects in man or woman. And of study course, I can constantly join with personal conferences by appointment.

Monitoring of nearby townships is vital to maintaining a pulse of township happenings and concerns. I will show up at board conferences to retain present of Kent County’s nearby communities.

At the county level, conversation of agendas, resolutions, and periods and locations of board and committee conferences will remind everybody that they are welcome to be part of those publicly open up meetings.

Finally, I would demonstrate my actions as commissioner, indicating my votes, and more importantly, WHY my votes have been as such.

I will recall that this workplace serves the persons.

Ben Greene:

Transparency and open up and trustworthy conversation are two of the most essential areas of my position. I will continue on with my recent procedures to help that work:

– Common interaction of County exercise (including assembly agendas, my votes, and other County news) via social media and other sorts of interaction – Giving my private mobile phone variety and e mail tackle to citizens and encouraging them to contact me any time – Meeting one particular-on-one or with groups of inhabitants at their request – Holding quarterly “office hours” meetings which are open to the public – Responding to/addressing residents’ worries and needs in a well timed manner. – Attending township and metropolis conferences in my district

I work for my constituents, and my initial precedence is serving them and aiding them with their challenges. I will constantly be accessible to meet with them and do the job on their behalf.

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