Those who have delinquent property taxes in Kent County can now pay them right online.

Kent County Treasurer Peter MacGregor has launched a new online platform to provide residents with greater access to contactless services. The free mobile app– myKentCounty – will allow individuals to pay their delinquent taxes online. 

“Over the past year we have seen how important it is to give our residents the option of contactless services,” said Kent County Treasurer Peter MacGregor. “This new electronic service will allow residents to view and pay their delinquent taxes from the convenience of their home or business.” 

This new online tool was developed in partnership with PayIt, an innovative partner in digital government and payment solutions. To access this new service, residents should: 

• Visit payments.mykentcounty.com or download the free myKentCounty app in the iPhone or Google Play (Android) app stores 
• Create an account with PayIt 
• Select Kent County Delinquent Property Tax 
• View and pay your bills 
• Print or digitally store your receipts. 

“We are excited to launch myKentCounty as it will greatly improve our payment system while simultaneously saving taxpayers time and potential penalties,” said MacGregor. “This is another important step in how my office will serve County residents and we will continue to work with PayIt to add future services to the platform.” 

Taxpayers can also pay their delinquent taxes by going to https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/Treasurer/ and selecting the Pay Delinquent Taxes button. Residents with questions may contact the Treasurer’s Office at (616) 632-7500 or kctreasurer@kentcountymi.gov.

By Judy Reed

Cedar Springs and Sand Lake will both have new members on the boards, and the results of Cedar Springs Board of Education write-in votes are still unknown.

In the Cedar Springs City Council race, the two seats went to newcomer Renee Race with 558, and incumbent Pam Conley with 545. Shandell Napieralski had 304, and there were 18 write in votes. Voter turnout was 47.1%.

For the Cedar Springs Board of Education, there were four seats open, with three candidates running unopposed for three of the seats, and a two-year partial term with only write-ins running. The three unopposed candidates were Mistie Bowser (5,190 votes); Jeff Rivard (4,850 votes), and Tracie Slager (4,455 votes). Since only write-ins were running for the two-year partial term, we haven’t received those results yet. The Board of Canvassers at Kent County was due to start validating ballots at 1 p.m. Wednesday, but it could be another week before we have those results.

In Sand Lake, there were three positions open for trustee. Marcia Helton was on the ballot, and received 152 votes. There were also two others running running as write-ins, but only 37 votes were received for write-ins, so it is unknown yet who received those votes.

In the race for the 28^th District Michigan senate seat, incumbent Peter MacGregor (R) won with 58.39 percent of the vote. Craig Beach (D) received 39.02 percent; and Nathan Hewer (L) received 2.6 percent.

In the race for 73^rd District representative, Lynn Afendoulis (R) won with 60.11 percent of the vote, and Bill Saxton (D) received 39.89 percent.

In the race for 74^th District representative, Mark Huizenga (R) won with 60.40 percent, and Meagan Carr (D) received 39.51 percent.

Senator Peter MacGregor will be holding office hours on Monday, February 15, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Mr. Burger, 5181 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

“I will be available to answer questions and respond to concerns any residents of the district may have. Office hours are a one-on-one meeting with constituents, and in order to see as many people as possible please keep the conversation to ten to fifteen minutes. If your question requires additional time, please contact my office to set up an appointment,” said MacGregor.

For more information or to contact my office, please visit SenatorPeterMacGregor.com or call 1-855-347-8028.

Sen. Peter MacGregor will be holding office hours on Monday, June 22,  from 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m., at Mr. Burger, 5181 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids 49525, off East Beltline near Rockford.

He will be available to answer questions and respond to concerns any residents of the district may have.

This is an opportunity for local residents to meet with our senator to address issues related to state government. No appointment is necessary.

For more information or to contact his office, please visit SenatorPeterMacGregor.com or call 1-855-347-8028.

John Decker

Retired auto dealership owner John Decker has announced his candidacy for the Aug. 5, 2014 Republican primary for Michigan’s 73rd House District. Peter MacGregor currently holds the seat but has chosen not to seek re-election and is instead vying for a seat in the Michigan Senate.

“I plan to take the knowledge I gained as a responsible businessman to Lansing and represent the 73rd District with the utmost integrity,” said Decker, who has nearly 25 years experience owning General Motors dealerships. “I am fortunate enough to be retired, but I have the desire to give back to the communities that supported me both as a businessman and personally.”

Decker resides in Cannon Township. He has been married for 30 years to his wife Connie. The couple has three children and seven grandchildren, and they are very active members of Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Rockford.

“Many individuals have known me as businessman,” notes Decker, “but my heart is with family first and it is with their support that I seek to use my time and talents to give back to my community.”

For 20 years Decker has served and continues to serve on the board and as volunteer for the North Kent Community Service Center, a Rockford-based non-profit organization that assists individuals in need. At various times Decker has been president of the organization’s board and chair of its finance and executive committees.

Decker spent most of his professional career in the automotive retail sales and service industry. In 1976 he began his career selling cars at Plainfield Lincoln Mercury and by 1980 became sales manager and ultimately a partner at Greenville Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc. In 1987 Decker purchased Visser Chevrolet in Cedar Springs and renamed it John Decker Chevrolet, eventually moving to a new facility on M-57 in Rockford. Decker later purchased two other dealerships, Mid Michigan Chrysler Plymouth Dodge in Ithaca and Tom Carter Motor Sales (Pontiac, GMC, Cadillac) in Ionia.

Before selling his dealerships and retiring, Decker was an active member of the Michigan Auto Dealers Association, National Auto Dealers Association, Chevrolet Dealer Council and the West Michigan Chevy Dealers Advisory Board. He also served on the advisory board for Ferris State University’s Automotive Service Educational Program.

Decker continues to be an active member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, an organization that recognized his company in 2008 as Business of the Year. He previously was a member of the Cedar Springs Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Cedar Rock Area Business District Advisory Board. Decker has given time and resources to many causes, including the Conductive Learning Center, Junior Achievement, Toys for Tots, Future Farmers of America, area Little Leagues and many area schools.

“As the next State Representative of the 73rd District, I will work to create better businesses opportunities and jobs here in West Michigan,” said Decker. “I am also committed to providing our children and grandchildren with the educational opportunities to succeed and creating an economic environment where they will thrive.”

The 73rd House District includes the City of East Grant Rapids and the townships of Cannon, Courtland, Nelson, Oakfield, Plainfield, Spencer and Grand Rapids Charter Township. More information about Decker’s bid for the Michigan House can be found at electjohndecker.com.