By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Less than two weeks remain before Zeeland Township voters will decide on a township supervisor.
The Republican primary election on Aug. 4 will pit incumbent Supervisor Kerri Bosma against challenger Dan Kerkstra. They are running for a two-year term that will conclude at the end of 2028
Bosma, 44, was appointed supervisor in January after the resignation of previous Township Supervisor Tom Oonk. An associate broker and realtor for City2Shore Real Estate, she served as a trustee on the Township Board prior to her appointment as supervisor. She has lived in the Zeeland area nearly her entire life, noting that her first house she lived in the township was what later became The Critter Barn property on Adams Street.
Kerkstra, 44, is the owner of Advanced Concrete Construction, Kerkstra Farms and Kerkstra Storage and Service Facilities. A resident of the township for 24 years, he has been an outspoken advocate for the township’s agricultural and rural character. It is his first time running for public office.
The Zeeland Record sent out questionnaires to both candidates, asking them about their candidacies and their vision for the township. The following are their responses:
Zeeland Record
Less than two weeks remain before Zeeland Township voters will decide on a township supervisor.
The Republican primary election on Aug. 4 will pit incumbent Supervisor Kerri Bosma against challenger Dan Kerkstra. They are running for a two-year term that will conclude at the end of 2028
Bosma, 44, was appointed supervisor in January after the resignation of previous Township Supervisor Tom Oonk. An associate broker and realtor for City2Shore Real Estate, she served as a trustee on the Township Board prior to her appointment as supervisor. She has lived in the Zeeland area nearly her entire life, noting that her first house she lived in the township was what later became The Critter Barn property on Adams Street.
Kerkstra, 44, is the owner of Advanced Concrete Construction, Kerkstra Farms and Kerkstra Storage and Service Facilities. A resident of the township for 24 years, he has been an outspoken advocate for the township’s agricultural and rural character. It is his first time running for public office.
The Zeeland Record sent out questionnaires to both candidates, asking them about their candidacies and their vision for the township. The following are their responses:
Kerri Bosma
What led you to run for supervisor?
I ran to help protect what makes our township special through transparent leadership, thoughtful planning, and responsible growth that reflects our community’s values and benefits future generations.
Zeeland Township is facing many challenges to its rural and agricultural character. In addition to the proposed Silver Maple solar project, the township is facing development pressure pushing east from Holland Township and west from the city of Hudsonville. If elected, how would you address those challenges in seeking to retain that character?
Complete our community-driven master plan to guide responsible growth that protects neighborhoods, farmland, and infrastructure. Continue defending local decision making and opposing Public Act 233.
The township two years ago decided to hire a full-time professional manager to oversee its day-to-day operations. Now that manager is leaving to take another position in a neighboring township. How would you assess the board’s decision to have a full-time township manager?
When I began serving in 2020, my vision was a cohesive township, a Township Hall that runs smoothly, and elected officials focused on serving residents. A professional manager helps provide continuity in day-to-day operations, carries out the direction of the board, and allows elected officials to focus on policy, planning, and the future of our community. As a board, we’ve learned from this experience and will use those lessons as we move forward to strengthen our township.
I ran to help protect what makes our township special through transparent leadership, thoughtful planning, and responsible growth that reflects our community’s values and benefits future generations.
Zeeland Township is facing many challenges to its rural and agricultural character. In addition to the proposed Silver Maple solar project, the township is facing development pressure pushing east from Holland Township and west from the city of Hudsonville. If elected, how would you address those challenges in seeking to retain that character?
Complete our community-driven master plan to guide responsible growth that protects neighborhoods, farmland, and infrastructure. Continue defending local decision making and opposing Public Act 233.
The township two years ago decided to hire a full-time professional manager to oversee its day-to-day operations. Now that manager is leaving to take another position in a neighboring township. How would you assess the board’s decision to have a full-time township manager?
When I began serving in 2020, my vision was a cohesive township, a Township Hall that runs smoothly, and elected officials focused on serving residents. A professional manager helps provide continuity in day-to-day operations, carries out the direction of the board, and allows elected officials to focus on policy, planning, and the future of our community. As a board, we’ve learned from this experience and will use those lessons as we move forward to strengthen our township.
Dan Kerkstra
What led you to run for supervisor?
In the last year, I witnessed the largest number of resignations within Zeeland Township’s Board of Trustees and planning committee. This became very alarming to Zeeland residents. I have attended township meetings throughout the last 10 years and in the last year I have watched a decline in the unity within the board. Unity and direction come from the top down. Zeeland township deserves a supervisor with real world management and business experience. My wife, five kids, and I have three businesses within Zeeland Township. We love Zeeland, and want to preserve what makes Zeeland an amazing place to call home. I don’t want Zeeland to be used as a testing zone to see what works and what doesn’t anymore! After weeks of researching and praying about the position I decided to run. The Lord has blessed my family and I through this community, and now is the time for me to give back through the leadership skills the Lord has given me.
Zeeland Township is facing many challenges to its rural and agricultural character. In addition to the proposed Silver Maple solar project, the township is facing development pressure pushing east from Holland Township and west from the city of Hudsonville. If elected, how would you address those challenges in seeking to retain that character?
This is where real world business management counts. Zeeland Township is ?lled with inefficient developments due to poor regulations and planning. Zeeland Township has a lack of sufficient infrastructure. With better infrastructure and planning we can consolidate development, preserve our ground water, and eliminate our runoff water issues. The lack of proper infrastructure has costed Zeeland residents millions of dollars unnecessarily. For 25 years I have built relationships with developers - as supervisor I will work directly with developers to maximize efficiency. If we begin to utilize our development areas to their full potential, our agriculture areas will remain preserved. I will remain fully committed to help and preserve our agricultural character. Preserving Zeeland’s rich agricultural heritage is my priority while supervisor.
The township two years ago decided to hire a full-time professional manager to oversee its day-to-day operations. Now that manager is leaving to take another position in a neighboring township. How would you assess the board’s decision to have a full-time township manager?
Clearly this idea failed miserably. Zeeland Township went through the largest premature resignations it has ever experienced. Right now, the supervisor position is merely a figurehead with minimal accountability.
Zeeland township deserves to have a supervisor with responsibilities and accountability to its residents. This is one of the main reasons I decided to run for supervisor. Our township needs a supervisor who is going to grab the helm and get Zeeland back on track. Our township is large and diverse and we should still retain two positions, but the major decisions need to be set on the shoulders of the supervisor. The residents vote for the supervisor and this is who should best represent the will of the people.
In the last year, I witnessed the largest number of resignations within Zeeland Township’s Board of Trustees and planning committee. This became very alarming to Zeeland residents. I have attended township meetings throughout the last 10 years and in the last year I have watched a decline in the unity within the board. Unity and direction come from the top down. Zeeland township deserves a supervisor with real world management and business experience. My wife, five kids, and I have three businesses within Zeeland Township. We love Zeeland, and want to preserve what makes Zeeland an amazing place to call home. I don’t want Zeeland to be used as a testing zone to see what works and what doesn’t anymore! After weeks of researching and praying about the position I decided to run. The Lord has blessed my family and I through this community, and now is the time for me to give back through the leadership skills the Lord has given me.
Zeeland Township is facing many challenges to its rural and agricultural character. In addition to the proposed Silver Maple solar project, the township is facing development pressure pushing east from Holland Township and west from the city of Hudsonville. If elected, how would you address those challenges in seeking to retain that character?
This is where real world business management counts. Zeeland Township is ?lled with inefficient developments due to poor regulations and planning. Zeeland Township has a lack of sufficient infrastructure. With better infrastructure and planning we can consolidate development, preserve our ground water, and eliminate our runoff water issues. The lack of proper infrastructure has costed Zeeland residents millions of dollars unnecessarily. For 25 years I have built relationships with developers - as supervisor I will work directly with developers to maximize efficiency. If we begin to utilize our development areas to their full potential, our agriculture areas will remain preserved. I will remain fully committed to help and preserve our agricultural character. Preserving Zeeland’s rich agricultural heritage is my priority while supervisor.
The township two years ago decided to hire a full-time professional manager to oversee its day-to-day operations. Now that manager is leaving to take another position in a neighboring township. How would you assess the board’s decision to have a full-time township manager?
Clearly this idea failed miserably. Zeeland Township went through the largest premature resignations it has ever experienced. Right now, the supervisor position is merely a figurehead with minimal accountability.
Zeeland township deserves to have a supervisor with responsibilities and accountability to its residents. This is one of the main reasons I decided to run for supervisor. Our township needs a supervisor who is going to grab the helm and get Zeeland back on track. Our township is large and diverse and we should still retain two positions, but the major decisions need to be set on the shoulders of the supervisor. The residents vote for the supervisor and this is who should best represent the will of the people.
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