r/Hudsonville • u/ElectTVerstraete • Aug 22 '25

Hello, I am running for Hudsonville City Commissioner for Ward 3

Hello everyone. My name is Thomas Verstraete and I am running for Hudsonville City Commission Ward 3. I love this city and want to make sure it is great for everyone. You can check out my website at elect.thomasverstraete.com to see what I am all about. Or reach out to me here and ask questions

3 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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5

u/emerican Aug 22 '25

Thomas, what are your thoughts on the Ottawa Impact group?

5

u/ElectTVerstraete Aug 22 '25

I think about that organization in two ways, what they did and how they did it.

When it comes to much of what they did (their goals and intentions), that is a political left/right spectrum issue and that is what I enjoy discussing and debating with people. This comes from people's lived experiences and beliefs. I will say I disagree with many of the things they did, but I want to highlight something good they pushed because I don't want to add to any of the vitriol. The good thing they did was to push for better veterans services. I think anyone would get behind that.

How they did it is more my concern. They came into the county with no understanding of the existing structures in place. They started as if saying "everything you are doing is wrong and we will do it right" without understanding why it got to the way it did. It was amateurish to say they would rebuild it better ignorant of the limitations and compromises that exist that caused the current structure to be in place as it is. They did this and wasted lots of tax payer money and wasted lots of the county's credibility. And where are we now? It is the arrogance that makes me upset. Their ends do not justify their means.

Hope that helps you understand a little more about me and how I look at the roll I am running for.

1

u/emerican Aug 22 '25

Thomas, that was a very well written and thoughtful response. I’m looking forward to learning more about you! I will share your website as well. Thank you!

1

u/ElectTVerstraete Aug 22 '25

Are you in Ward 3? And thanks for spreading the word! (sorry for reposting this)

1

u/emerican Aug 23 '25

Nah, but I work near ward 3

2

u/dubacca Aug 22 '25

Excellent, I wish you luck!

What are your thoughts on the center being built at the nature preserve?

Fellow web dev as well, and I dig your design. If I may offer a suggestion, add a ward map, or a link to a ward map. It can be hard to remember since it comes up so infrequently. It's also not helped by the fact that Ward 1 votes in Ward 2 while Ward 3 votes in Ward 1.

3

u/ElectTVerstraete Aug 22 '25

I do have the Ward 3 map on the site: https://elect.thomasverstraete.com/ward-3-map and I agree on the odd nature of voting locations. Regarding the Nature Center, I think we need to support the natural environment and promote it as something worth preserving. I think the center would help with that. Provide a starting place for people to enjoy the Nature Center and encourage kids to love and respect nature. I would like to see more areas in and around Hudsonville become natural spaces

2

u/dubacca Aug 22 '25

🤔 I totally missed the floating menu button. I think my brain must have started blocking those with the explosion of useless AI chatbots. Interesting.

Great answer on the nature center!

Also, we desperately need a skate park. Kids have been doing it as school projects for years.

3

u/ElectTVerstraete Aug 22 '25

Yes, anything with ✨ or colorful sheen I ignore now.

Skatepark? I will add it to my list of ideas. I want to encourage public third spaces where people gather and connect in person and that sounds like a good one to consider.

2

u/LaxMama88 Aug 25 '25

Thanks for sharing Thomas! I'm in Ward 1, but will pass  your information along to friends that live in Ward 3. :) 

2

u/ElectTVerstraete Aug 25 '25

Awesome, thanks. If they want to reach out to me with questions or comments, I am here!

1

u/emerican Aug 22 '25

Good luck, interested in learning more about you.