Though it’s a race
b
etween an incumbent Republican and a previously defeated opponent with no party affiliation, the Nov. 8 general election contest for township seems unusually interesting.
Mark Evans, who is completing his 20th year as supervisor, is opposed by independent Calvin Tuinstra, who has larger than usual number of signs around the township.
Tuinstra ran against Evans in the 2012 Republican Party primary and lost by 43 votes.
The reason he is running again is because of “my dissatisfaction with the current leadership of the board.”
He said he once applied for a seat on the Planning Commission, but was bypassed.
Evans said he later supported Tuinstra serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals and he told Tuinstra the Township Board was looking for someone who would be willing to perform duties of secretary and perhaps chairman. Mark Forbes eventually was chosen because he expressed willingness to do either or both while Tuinstra did not.
“I’ve heard about township officers not being available,” Tuinstra said. “I think there should be regular office hours.”
Tuinstra is a veteran of the military in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, graduated from Wayland schools and now operates Tuinstra Family Farms with his wife, Karen, and son, Alex, and his daughter, Sheri, had two children.
“I’m very serious about changing who the man in charge is,” he said. “I disagree with how Mark has handled some things.”
Evans, who also works as a financial representatives, has a long history of public service. He serves as chairman of the Hopkins Area Fire Board, is co-chairman of the Allegan County Agricultural Preservation Board, co-chairman of the Allegan County Chapter of Michigan Townships Association, is on the Allegan County Brownfield Redevelopment Board, Allegan County Solid Waste Committee, Wayland Area Ambulance Board, is a Master Citizen Planner, a State of Michigan Certified Assessing Officer, and is State of Michigan Life and Health Licensed and FINRA Series 6 & 63 securities registered.
Evans said he actually enjoys working in local government.
He said the biggest issue facing the township is the Federal Emergency Management Authority’s flood plain mapping program he hopes to make available to all local citizens.
About Tuinstra, he said, “I’ve tried by best to accommodate him.”
“I am running for the office of supervisor (again) because I have enjoyed serving the residents of Hopkins Township…” he said, “and I believe I have the necessary skills to find reasonable solutions to all challenges that our local government may face.
“I feel my years of service to the residents of Hopkins Township as supervisor, along with my service on other local and county boards has given me the experience necessary to fulfill the obligations of supervisor.”
PHOTOS: Mark Evans Calvin Tuinstra
