Two seek supervisor seat in GH Township

Wed, May 14, 2008    to del.icio.us

GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP — Two Republican candidates will face off this August for the supervisor seat in Grand Haven Township.

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Incumbent Joanne Marcetti, 70, and challenger, Karl French, 43, have turned in petitions to run in the Aug. 5 primary election.

Petitions were due 4 p.m. Tuesday.

If re-elected, Marcetti would be serving a second term as supervisor. She has served on numerous committees and has been involved in Grand Haven Township government for 15 years, including four years as a trustee and 10 years as a planning commissioner. She has worked in education for 18 years and 23 years as a Realtor.

"My major role as re-elected supervisor will be to continue to strengthen the cornerstones of the township, which include the fire/rescue department ... our park system ... good planning ... and financial policies," the 39-year township resident said.

"One of the changes I see is with the economy — we need to spend more time looking at our funding policies," Marcetti added. "We're struggling to provide the services we have with the shrinking tax dollars we're getting."

Marcetti said she also plans to lay the ground work in attracting senior citizen housing and a mass transit system to the township.

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Her challenger, Karl French, is not a stranger to the township. French was a part-time firefighter with the township for 23 years, serving from 1985 until his resignation this past March. His father, Terry French, is a former Grand Haven Township fire chief.

Karl French said the primary reason for resigning from the fire department was to pursue the supervisor's seat this November and to spend more time with his family.

"It's something I've been interested in for awhile," he said of the supervisor's position. "I think it's time for a change. ... I think we need a change in leadership. I think the (current) leadership isn't always leading our administration."

French, who has owned French Heating and Cooling for two and a half years, believes there needs to be a "positive, strong leader at the top" — the supervisor — who should "steer and work with the board."

French has lived in the township for about 36 years. He and his wife, Susan, have two children: Karlee, 6, and Clarissa, 8.

Another contested race in the township is for four board trustee seats.

Five township residents — all of whom are running as Republicans — have entered the race for the trustee seats. They include incumbents Steve Karell, 65; Tom Jenkins, 55; and Laurie Larsen, 54. They will face newcomers Bob Worthington, 34; and Maria Veach, 42.

Worthington, a four-year township resident, is a corporate attorney with Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Grand Rapids and is a former CPA. He believes that having a strong business environment is the basis in "everything we do in the township."

"If we want to improve our infrastructure, we need to have a strong economy," Worthington said. "If we want to enhance our parks, pathways and the fire department, we need to have a strong economy. I believe that with my experience as a corporate attorney and former CPA, I match up nicely with that need."

Worthington and his wife, Heather, have three young children.

Veach, who has lived in the township for two years, wants to give township residents more opportunities to voice their opinions.

"I would like to try to help out with things people want done in the township," she said. "I would like to get feedback from the people and ask them, 'What would you like the township to do?'"

Veach, who works at Tri-Cities Credit Union, has heard some residents are not pleased with certain policies and projects in the township, and would like to see some change, she said.

Veach has two teenage stepchildren with her husband, Michael.

Township Clerk Sue Buitenhuis and Township Treasurer Bill Kieft are running unopposed for their seats.