“This is an example where reasonable people can reasonably disagree.”
And commissioner AliciaMarie Belchak says the disagreement is blocking the appointment of someone to fill the vacant first ward seat and give residents the representation they deserve.
“The ward does deserve to have full representation.”
“There are two candidates under consideration. Belchak and two other commissioners support Grand Valley State University professor Dan Cope.
“I think we would work very effectively in the next few months.”
Commissioner Kelsey Purdue and two others support former commissioner Kurt Reppart.
“Someone who is well known, well versed on the issues and I still haven’t heard a clear reason on why there is this anti Kurt sentiment because that’s essentially what’s holding up this process.”
Reppart held the first ward commission seat until his reelection defeat by Drew Robbins in 2022. Robbins resigned to run for state legislature with 8 months remaining in his term leaving a vacancy and what mayor David LeGrand calls a deadlock.
“A three-three deadlock on the finalists I don’t think that’s the outcome we wanted as a body. If we can’t achieve consensus this position will continue to be unfilled. I think the city will survive it.”
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