Former 72nd District State Rep. Ken Yonker possibly violated state laws this fall when he used a county truck to hand out campaign literature opposing a Caledonia school district millage proposal.
Yonker, who represented the City of Wayland, Wayland Township, and Leighton and Dorr townships in Lansing for four years, from 2013 to 2017, ironically is a former Caledonia school board member. He was elected Kent County Drain Commissioner in 2016 after he was term limited as a state representative.
Yonker told WOOD-TV Channel 8 News he had trouble with his personal vehicle while handing out literature last Saturday night in the Glen Valley neighborhood of Caledonia, so he used his county truck. Some neighbors complained.
Yonker himself said he likely violated state campaign finance laws on use a government vehicle in a political campaign, but at the same time said county rules allow him personal use of the vehicle.
Kent County officials are investigating.
Where are his base followers? Must be they don’t have cars. If I really wanted the job, I would use my legs.
Ken Yonker has nothing to worry about. He’s not up for re-election until 2020. By then, this kerfuffle about using his county owned truck to campaign for a no vote in a local school district tax override ballot proposal will be a distant memory for Kent County voters who have elected Republicans to be drain commissioners for decades.
Yonker went for being a term limited state rep making $80,000 per year with two year terms directly to being elected Kent County Drain Commisioner that pays $96,350 per year, includes the use of a county-owned vehicle, has four-year terms, no term limits and he never had to miss a paycheck.
It’s no wonder Yonker showed a so what attitude. He is confident the majority of he people he needs to re-elect him in a county wide race don’t care or will forget.
What about the number Wayland City trucks? Everyone has one. What is that all about? Anyone know? You only see one person in each vehicle. It has a big front seat. Can’t we cut this number in half? Just wonderin”