Kent County Democratic Party

Press Releases

Statement on Sarah Palin Visit

Posted Nov 20 at 11 PM

The USA Today was the only newspaper to contact the KCDP during ex-Governor Sarah Palin's book-selling tour stop in Kentwood on Wednesday. In response to their inquirees, the following statement was released Wednesday at 4:41 pm:

"We welcome author and former Governor Sarah Palin to Grand Rapids for her book-selling tour, despite the fact that the McCain-Palin campaign decided to ignore West Michigan last year when it pulled out of our state long before the November election. It appears that she has come to Grand Rapids because she mistakenly views it as a Republican stronghold. She ought to be reminded that Barack Obama won Kent County with almost 150,000 votes last November and his rallies at the VanAndel Arena and Caulder Plaza drew tens-of-thousands of West Michigan supporters, far more than the McCain-Palin event at the Community College. Voters in Grand Rapids and throughout West Michigan increasingly are giving their support to mainstream, progressive Democrats who are working to move our economy out of the Bush Recession and improve the quality of live of all Americans. I doubt I will read her memoir, but it appears from her statements on her book tour that her goal is to lead the Republican Party further toward the extremism that Michiganders have rejected in the past several elections.

Phil Skaggs, 41, Chair, Kent County Democratic Party"

The statement was referenced in Kathy Kiely's Palin launches book tour in Michigan on Wednesday.
Career Partisan Politician Hildenbrand Wants to Stay in Lansing

Posted Nov 10 at 5 PM

Press Release from the Kent County Democratic Party (Tuesday, 10 November, 4:49 pm)

Career Partisan Politician Wants to Stay in Lansing
Term-limited Dave Hildenbrand from Lowell seeks to represent Grand Rapids and Kentwood in the State Senate after years of voting against cities and the people who live in them
Rep. Hildenbrand (R-"Grand Rapids area" aka Lowell) has compiled one of the most right-wing voting record during his time in the State House. Hildenbrand has opposed fully funding education, revenue sharing for Grand Rapids, Kentwood and other cities, and has been unwilling to look for constructive bi-partisan solutions to our economic problems. Hildebrand can say he grew up in the "Grand Rapids-area" all he wants, but as a legislator he has been closer to the fringe elements on the right than he is with mainstream voters in a Grand Rapids and Kentwood-based 29th Senate District. "Hildenbrand has been in Lansing for the last four years where he has voted against the interests of cities again and again. Today's cuts of dozens of police and firefighters in Grand Rapids are directly tied to the votes Hildenbrand has cast in Lansing. The people of Grand Rapids, Kentwood and eastern Kent County have no interest in sending life-time partisan politician David Hildenbrand back to Lansing," said Phil Skaggs, chair of the Kent County Democratic Party.
KCDP Announces Gala, Invites Ambassador Huntsman

Posted Sep 12 at 5 PM

Press Release

September 11, 2009

KENT COUNTY DEMOCRATS HOST FIFTH ANNUAL GALA
Whitmer, Benson and Possibly Huntsman to Speak

Grand Rapids – The Kent County Democratic Party announces their Fifth Annual Gala Dinner and invites all Democrats of Kent County to attend. The event will be held on Thursday, 15 October 2009 beginning at 5:00 pm at Noto's Old World Italian Dining.

The Kent County Democratic Party will be celebrating a string of victories over the past year: the victory of Barack Obama in Kent County, Michigan and America, the election of two State Representatives – Robert Dean and Roy Schmidt, the victory of Carl Levin in Kent County and Michigan, the winning of three additional seats on the County Commission (bringing the caucus to 8 seats out of 19), etc.

Gretchen Whitmer – a State Senator from East Lansing and probable Attorney General candidate – and Jocelyn Benson – a Wayne State law professor and candidate for the Secretary of State – will address the attendees.

The KCDP has also invited US Ambassador to China Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. In April, Huntsman, then the Republican Governor of Utah was invited to speak at a Kent County Republican Party fundraiser only to be disinvited KCRP Chair Joanne Voorhees because Huntsman supported civil unions for same-sex couples. Huntsman’s position of supporting civil unions but opposing marriage for same-sex partners was also the policy of former President George W. Bush. Indeed, Huntsman had supported a constitutional ban on gay marriage on the Utah ballot in 2004. Still, even with this position, the Kent Republicans refused to even listen to Huntsman and disinvited a sitting Republican governor. Shortly after the snub, Governor Huntsman accepted the nomination of Democratic President Barack Obama to become America’s Ambassador to China (he became the Ambassador in August).

In the letter of invitation, Kent County Democratic Party Chair Phil Skaggs wrote that the Democrats “admire your willingness to join the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama and share your support of bi-partisan cooperation.” Skaggs noted that Kent Democrats were interested in hearing different prospectives and wanted to do its part to change the impression of Kent County left by the Republican’s actions in the spring. Skaggs wrote to Huntsman, “our invitation to you is in a spirit of tolerance and bi-partisanship, and is meant to show you some genuine Michigan hospitality.” The KCDP is awaiting a response from the Embassy on their invitation.

Tickets are $50 and include a cocktail hour (cash bar) beginning at 5:00 pm and dinner beginning at 6:30 pm. Tickets may be purchased securely online at their website: http://www.kentdems.com.
Kent County Democrats Want "Hire Local First" Policy

Posted Jun 01 at 9 AM

Commissioners Courtade, Hickey and Synk call for Sub-committee to examine County contracts

Democratic County Commissioners Keith Courtade, Pete Hickey and Bob Synk want to insure that Kent County businesses and workers are able to benefit from construction and purchasing contracts from Kent County. The three commissioners today requested the creation of a sub-committee to examine all options for insuring Kent County residents are able to benefit from the millions of dollars that Kent County spends on construction, purchasing and other vendor contracts.

"We have a responsibility to see that taxpayer money is spent wisely and in our community whenever possible," said Courtade.

The three Democrats believe that local businesses and workers should be considered first when awarding taxpayer dollars to construction and other companies that do work with and for the county.

"Especially during challenging economic times, we need to be examining where taxpayer money is going and do everything we can to guarantee that county government is actively creating economic opportunity right here at home," said Hickey.

Commissioner Bob Synk, a member of the Board of Public Works and vocal supporter of renewable energy sees the opportunities to work with the private sector and create "green" jobs locally.

"Despite the tough times, there is great hope for the future in transitioning to a greener economy," said Synk. "However, we must be proactive so that our local workforce is able to benefit from these green jobs."

The letter that was submitted to Board Chair Roger Morgan reads:

May 26, 2009

The Honorable Roger Morgan
Chair, Kent County Board of Commissioners
300 Monroe NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Dear Roger,

We are writing to respectfully request that you consider appointing a sub-committee to explore ways for Kent County to insure that local workers and businesses are fully benefiting from county contracts. We appreciate the fair and bi-partisan leadership you have demonstrated since we became members of the Board of Commissioners and look forward to working with you on this issue.

As you know, we are facing extraordinary economic and fiscal challenges in Kent County. One way we believe the Board of Commissioners can mitigate the effects of this national downturn, is to make sure that local businesses and workers are able to benefit from county building, purchasing and vending contracts. Circulating money in our local economy is not only good for businesses, it is good for taxpayers. We understand that this is not a simple issue and it would require further study. It may also be prudent to seek input from various stakeholders in our community, such as business, labor and government leaders. By appointing a bi-partisan committee to begin this process, we believe a policy can be developed that will be comprehensive and fair, and will give taxpayers confidence that Kent County is doing everything possible to spend their money wisely.

Once again, we appreciate your leadership and look forward to your input on this issue.

Sincerely,

Keith Courtade
Pete Hickey
Bob Synk