March 2020 eNewsletter
Welcome to the City of Kentwood's monthly eNewsletter. Stay up to date about community news, events and programs happening this month.
March 10 Election Reminders
Are you prepared for the presidential primary election on Tuesday, March 10? Visit michigan.gov/vote to verify your registration and view a sample ballot. As this is a closed primary, voters will have to choose a political party prior to receiving their ballot.

As a reminder, no-reason absentee is now in effect. Absent voter ballot mailing envelopes have a new look, redesigned to meet USPS standards. You will receive your ballot in a blue and white envelope and return the ballot in the enclosed green and white envelope. Please make sure to attach a postage stamp and sign the return envelope.

For questions that can’t be answered by the state’s online voter information center, please visit kentwood.us/elections or contact the City Clerk’s office at 616.554.0730.
2020 Census – Be Counted Kentwood!
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau undertakes an enormous task: Counting all the people living in the country. A complete and accurate count is critical because the results will impact communities for the next decade.

The results will show where we may need new schools, new clinics, new roads and more services for families, older adults and children. Everything from school lunches and highway plans, to housing assistance and healthcare for our community is largely dependent on an accurate count of all the people who live in Kentwood. Additionally, census statistics provide baseline numbers for funding of emergency response and disaster relief. The census will also affect Michigan’s congressional representation.

In mid-March, homes will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Most residences will receive an invitation to respond and/or a paper questionnaire this month. It’s important that everyone respond once the invitation arrives in mailboxes. For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online. The process will be quick and secure and will ensure everyone has the opportunity to respond and be counted. Responses will also be accepted by mail or phone.

When completing the census, you will include everyone living in your home on April 1, 2020. Reminder letters and postcards will follow until late April, when a Census staffer may visit a residence to see if any assistance is needed.
 
City leaders are partnering with local organizations to spread the word about the importance of participating in the 2020 Census. For more information, please visit 2020census.gov or kentwood.us/census . Census guides have been translated into 59 non-English languages, including American Sign Language, as well as braille and large print. To learn more about language support for the 2020 Census, click here .
Taste of Kentwood Set for March 12
West Michiganders of all ages are invited to gather on March 12 in celebration of food, fun and local business at the community-favorite event, Taste of Kentwood. Now in its 19th year, Taste of Kentwood will be held at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE. The event will feature a variety of local restaurants, which will offer samples of appetizers, main dishes, sides and desserts during two sessions: 4:30-6 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. Tickets for either session can be purchased in advance for $10 at kentwood.us/tasteofkentwood or on the day of for $12.
August Ballot to Include Millage Question for Parks, Trails and Rec Improvements
After a joint review process with the Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee, the Kentwood City Commission has approved a millage question to be put on the August ballot for voters’ consideration to improve Kentwood parks, trails and recreational facilities and programming. If approved, the millage would fund improvements to all parks, including:

  • A buildout of the City campus, where a majority of large community events are held near City Hall
  • A new community center of approximately 40,000 square feet (to be designed)
  • Trail repairs, replacements and new connections
  • Enhanced recreational programming

The ballot question will ask voters to consider authorizing a millage of 0.9 mills for a period of 10 years, which would then be reduced to a perpetual millage of 0.65 mills. The tiered millage would be dedicated solely to construct, operate, maintain and acquire parks, trails and recreation improvements and programs. More information can be found on our website here .
Last Winter Concert - March 19
Our final winter concert will feature music from  Nicholas James Thomasma . Please join us from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 inside the community room at the Kent District Library - Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch to enjoy this singer and multi-instrumentalist. He will perform a mix of Americana, folk, country and rock, combining stories and songs with humor for a show that can be enjoyed by all ages. Bobby’s Fusion Grill will also be on-site.
Meet Your New Deputy Fire Chief
We're pleased to announce Michael Hipp has been promoted from fire battalion chief to deputy fire chief. Hipp joined the City of Kentwood as a firefighter in 1991 and has also served as a fire lieutenant and fire captain. He brings many years of fire and EMS service to the Kentwood Fire Department, including four years as a military firefighter.

Throughout his more than 28-year tenure with the Kentwood Fire Department, Hipp has led a number of trainings within the department and has served as director of the EMS division since 1996. He was named the Kentwood Fire Department employee of the year early in his career. Please visit our website to learn more.
Active Shooter Training Well Attended
Thank you to all those who attended the Kentwood Police Department's Civilian Response To Active Shooter Event, or C.R.A.S.E. , training session in late January. About 40 people attended the presentation to learn the basics of what individuals can do in an active shooter event from Kentwood Police Officer Belk and Captain VanderVeen. The event was free and open to the public.

The Police Department is currently in the process of setting up several more CRASE trainings with local businesses. For more information, please contact Captain VanderVeen at 616.656.6561 or vanderveenr@kentwood.us.
Woman Who 'Beat the Odds'
Meets the People Who Saved Her
Fire Station 1 had a special visitor last month. You may have seen her story on FOX 17's “ Beating the Odds . ” Clementine Sikiri came to meet some of the first responders who helped save her life nearly a year ago after a traumatic car accident.

After months recovering with the help of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Clementine welcomed the opportunity to meet firefighters, police officers and medics who responded to the incident. In an emotional reunion, Clementine got to personally thank members of the Kentwood Fire Department, Kentwood Police Department and Life EMS Ambulance for all they did to help her that winter night.
Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Library Events
Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch’s Let It Snow  Adult and Teen Reading Club continues through Mar. 31. When you read a minimum of six books, you can receive a ceramic  Let It Snow  mug. Following are a few other programs happening this month at your local library.

  • Celebrate the release of Shanika Patrice Carter’s new book, To Lead or Not to Lead: Breaking the Glass Ceiling Using Lessons from Your Past Experiences. A community conversation on library equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives will follow the author presentation.

Blood Pressure and Biometric Screens : Saturday, March 7, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Spectrum Health will come to the branch to offer free basic health screenings.

Write Michigan: Teen Poetry Workshop : Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 pm.
  • Attention aspiring poets! Here is a great chance to learn and work with an area poet. Please note: pre-registration is required.

Estate Planning : Thursday, March 26, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
  • Learn about wills, trusts and more!

Community Seed Exchange and Workshops : Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Local farms and organizations will present workshops throughout the day including a community seed exchange. It is not required to bring seeds to attend. For a workshop schedule and to register, please visit: facebook.com/grseedswap/.

For a full list of events, be sure to visit kdl.org.
City and KCRC Awarded for
Patterson/44th Joint Project
The Michigan Concrete Association has recognized the City of Kentwood and the Kent County Road Commission with an Award of Excellence for the agencies’ partnership at the intersection of Patterson Avenue and 44th Street. The project’s goal was to improve traffic flow throughout the heavily traveled intersection, which serves as the entrance to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. You can read more here .
62-B District Court Judge Petitions Due April 21
An election will be held for a 62-B District Court judge this November. The candidate must be an attorney in good standing for five years, a registered elector of Kentwood and under the age of 70 on Nov. 3, 2020. Candidates must file petitions with the Secretary of State with 200 to 400 signatures by 4 p.m. on April 21, 2020. The judge will be chosen by Kentwood voters on Nov. 3, 2020.
Spring Break Vacation House Checks
Are you planning to travel for spring break? While you’re away on vacation, you can have Volunteers in Police Services check on your home. To arrange a courtesy exterior home check, submit a request form . Questions may be directed to VIPS Coordinator Vicki Highland at 616.656.6571.
Kentwood Economic Growth
The City of Kentwood’s year-end permitted construction values remained strong in 2019, totaling $107 million with 12 private projects across several different industries exceeding $1 million.

The year-end values follow Kentwood’s record-setting 2018, which saw more than $125 million in total construction values with 24 private projects exceeding $1 million in investment. While the number of permits processed has remained steady for the last three years, construction value has grown due to the size of projects that have been coming to Kentwood. Read more on our website .
Winter Parking Reminder
Through March 15, no parking of any vehicle is permitted on either side of any City street between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. or at any other times when on-street parking could impair or impede snowplowing, cleaning or maintenance operations. Thank you for your cooperation!
For more information, please visit our website: www.kentwood.us
4900 Breton Ave. SE Kentwood, MI 49508 | 616.698.9610 | Contact Us

City Hall opens daily at 7:30 a.m. and closes Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays at 6 p.m.; and Fridays at noon.
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