Newcomer Hopp to join FB city council; voters reject millage request

Wed, Nov 4, 2009    to del.icio.us

FERRYSBURG — The Ferrysburg City Council knew they would be welcoming at least one new member to their ranks following Tuesday's election, they just didn't know who it would be.

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In the end, Rebecca Hopp out-voted fellow write-in candidate James Marek to earn the seat vacated by departing councilman Tim Scarpino, who faced term limits and could not run for re-election. Hopp received 127 votes, compared to Marek's 66 votes.

"I'm very excited that I had so much community support," Hopp said, adding that she was surprised by the total number of votes she received.

Hopp will join current councilmembers Dan Ruiter and Regina Sjoberg, who were re-elected to another four-year term Tuesday night, receiving 308 and 300 votes, respectively.

Despite losing his bid for a city council seat, Marek will continue to be involved in the city by serving on committees and other groups active in Ferrysburg, he said.

"For my first time around, I don't think it was too bad of a showing," Marek said, while sending his congratulations to Hopp. "I think (Hopp) will be a good city council person."

Millage request fails

A millage proposal for the replacement of city vehicles was rejected by Ferrysburg voters Tuesday. The proposal was rejected by 248 voters, while 183 people voted in supported the proposal.

The request — which was originally approved in 1989 at 1.75 mills and renewed in 1998 at 1.25 mills — was also rejected in November 2008. While Ferrysburg Mayor Jeff Stille was disappointed with Tuesday's election outcome, the current economy has left people worried about taxes, he said.

"I still think the current economics are tough on people and I can't blame them," Stille said. "It's disappointing, however understandable."

Stille also said it was encouraging to see the vote was closer than it was a year ago. The last time the proposal was on the ballot, it was rejected by nearly 63 percent of voters.

The vehicle replacement fund remains the most prudent way for the city to put money aside a little at a time for replacing city vehicles. The money would be used to replace motorized equipment used by the Ferrysburg Fire Department, the Department of Public Works and the Spring Lake/Ferrysburg Police Department.

The city will have to continue to put the request on the ballot with the hope that the economy turns around, Stille said.