Three-Vote Split Leaves 1st Ward Representative Count at One

The Grand Rapids City Commission voted twice in favor of appointing former commissioner Kurt Reppart to the vacant 1st Ward seat, but neither vote secured the necessary four-vote majority required under city charter.

On April 22, the commission deadlocked in a 3-3 tie during a special meeting. Commissioner Kelsey Purdue said after the votes, "It feels very deadlocked and I just want to acknowledge that."

Three commissioners supported Reppart:

• Commissioner Kelsey Purdue
• Commissioner Melinda Yassi
• Commissioner Marshall Kilgore

Commissioners Melinda Yassi, Kelsey Purdue, and Lisa Knight voted in favor of Reppart on both occasions. However, they did not have the fourth vote needed to appoint him to the seat.

Divisions Over Fresh Ideas vs. Experience

Those who opposed Reppart's appointment argued they wanted someone with fresh perspectives rather than prior experience. Commissioner AliciaMarie Belchak expressed concern about Reppart's name appearing early in the process before the city officially launched the appointment procedure.

Commissioner Marshall Kilgore said, "It feels like what we are doing is smoke and mirrors. Why have our neighbors go through a public interview process if we are going to select who we may be friendly with?"

Commissioner Melinda Yassi pushed back, saying commissioners should not be "villainized" for communicating their thoughts publicly. She stated she supported Reppart early because she wanted someone who "understands all of the issues we have in front of us."

The Three Finalists

The commission interviewed three finalists selected from 10 candidates:

Kurt Reppart

• Works as a consultant at Proponents LLC
• Partner at a small real estate firm
• Previously served as First Ward Commissioner before being defeated in 2024
• Focus areas if appointed: affordable housing, holistic public safety, and climate initiatives

Dan Cope

• Professor at Grand Valley State University who teaches democracy and civic engagement
• Previously worked in the Kent County Prosecutor's Office
• Deputy clerk for Grand Rapids Charter Township
• Trains volunteers at GVSUs Allendale Township clerk satellite office

Lindsay Perez-Plescher

• Mental health worker and founder of the Center for Immigration Studies and Education
• Works in mental health, foster care, and immigrant spaces
• Only finalist also running for the seat in the August primary
• If appointed, would target the "loneliness epidemic" and teen violence through youth programming

Mayor LaGrand Reluctant to Support Perez-Plescher

Mayor David LaGrand did not support appointing Perez-Plescher because she is the only finalist running for the position in the August primary. LaGrand stated, "I am very reluctant to do anything which would have an influence on the voter outcome."

Current Representation Status

The vacancy was created when former 1st Ward Commissioner Drew Robbins resigned with 8 months remaining in his term to run for the state legislature.

Currently, the city's other two wards each have two commissioners, but the First Ward is represented by only one commissioner, AliciaMarie Belchak.

Election Process

Voters will elect a new commissioner to the 1st Ward seat in this year's August primary and, if necessary, the November general election. Three candidates have filed to run:

• Lindsay Perez-Plescher
• Steven Tibbe
• Jordoun T. Eatman

Next Steps Unclear

It remains unclear when the appointment will come before the commission for another vote. The next regularly scheduled city commission meeting is Tuesday, April 28, but the appointment would only appear on the agenda if City Manager Mark Washington requests it.

The 1st Ward encompasses all of the west side and a portion of the city east of the Grand River, bounded by Fulton Street to the north, the city border to the south, and Division Avenue to the east.

The commission held interviews with the three finalists with the intention of deliberating afterward and potentially making an appointment to the seat. Commissioners said they were overwhelmingly impressed with all three finalists, acknowledging they are all hard-working, highly capable, and deeply dedicated to the community.