HOLLAND — The Dutch League of Women Voters offers several opportunities to listen to and engage in dialogue with local candidates in September.
Planned events include a candidates forum for Ottawa County probate judge on Thursday, September 12, a forum for several seats in the Michigan House of Representatives on September 16, and a meet-and-greet for several elections on Wednesday, September 25.
Judge for probate
Two candidates are running for Ottawa County probate judge: Derek Dalman and Michael Zitta. Both will be at the forum, which runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Health and Human Services Building, 122185 James St. in Holland Township.
Dalman is an attorney with Cunningham Dalman and is the deputy city attorney for Holland. He previously served as an assistant district attorney for Ottawa County under Ronald Frantz.
More: Holland Attorney Derek Dalman Announces Candidacy for Ottawa County Probate Court
Zitta is a Grand Haven attorney, where he has been a partner at Scheuerle and Zitta since 2001. He is also the county’s public administrator for probate, handling estate cases where the deceased had no will or no known heirs.
During the event, candidates will answer questions submitted to a moderator. To submit, visit lvwholland.org.
Races for the State House of Representatives
The League is hosting a candidate forum for Michigan State House Districts 85, 86, 88 and 89 starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16 at Holland City Hall, 270 S. River Ave. All candidates in the race are invited and will answer questions from a moderator.
The 85th District includes the cities of Zeeland and Hudsonville, along with the townships of Zeeland and Georgetown and parts of the townships of Holland and Jamestown. The candidates are Republican incumbent Bradley Slagh and Democrat Marcia Mansaray.
More: Grand Haven attorney files petition before Ottawa County probate judge
The 86th District includes the city of Holland, all of Park and Laketown townships, and most of Holland Township. The candidates are Republican incumbent Nancy DeBoer and Democrat Abby Klomparens.
The 88th District includes the cities of Grand Haven, Ferrysburg and Norton Shores, the village of Spring Lake, and the townships of Spring Lake, Port Sheldon, Grand Haven, Crockery, Robinson and Olive. The candidates are Republican incumbent Greg VanWoerkom and Democrat Tim Meyer.
The 89th District includes the city of Coopersville and the townships of Blendon, Tallmadge, Allendale, Polkton, Wright and Chester in Ottawa County, along with several communities such as Fruitport and Ravenna in Muskegon County and a portion of Kent County, including Kent City. The candidates are Republican incumbent Luke Meerman and Democrat Lois Maassen.
Meeting and greeting
A final event, held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 25 at the Howard Miller Public Library, 14 S. Church St. in Zeeland, will give voters a chance to meet candidates running for a number of elections, including Ottawa County commissioners in Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4, plus candidates for water resources commissioner and treasurer.
All candidates for each race are invited.
Candidates in District 1 are Republican Jim Barry, who defeated incumbent Sen. Gretchen Cosby, who has ties to Ottawa Impact, in the primary, and Democrat Danielle Smith.
In District 2, incumbent Democrat Chris Kleinjans will face Republican Jordan Jorritsma. The race in District 3 will be between incumbent Democrat Doug Zylstra and Republican Orlando Estrada.
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There are three candidates in District 4: incumbent Republican Jacob Bonnema, Democrat Chris Crothers and Independent Rob Thurkettle.
The race for treasurer features incumbent Republican Cheryl Clark and independent Dianne Sluiter Fikse. In the race for water commissioner, incumbent Republican Joe Bush will face Democrat Karen Matchett.
For more information, visit lwvholland.org.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland League of Women Voters plans candidate meetings in September
