EDITOR’S NOTE: This post has been updated with a rebuttal letter from Dr. Jennifer L. Jermalowicz-Jones.

A vote for Trump, Vance is a vote for Putin

Sadly, the GOP, once a fiscally conservative party and realistic about Russia’s aggression, has become full-blown MAGA.

Vance is against a woman controlling her own body. As with Trump Vance is against more aid to Ukraine, and has urged women to stay in abusive marriages.

A vote for Trump and Vance is a vote for Putin. Trump and Vance are silent about deficits and our national debt. A vote for Trump and Vance is a vote for more national debt.

Henry Idema

Grand Haven

Spring Lake needs a trustee that works well with others

I used to hire people as part of my job. I quickly learned that an applicant’s training and knowledge were important, but their history of working well with others was a better predictor of job success. Not much has changed since I retired, except that the only hiring I do now is at the ballot box.

We are about to hire some trustees in Spring Lake Township. Of course, I care about their knowledge, but I care more about their interpersonal workplace skills. So, when a candidate makes a strong pitch based largely on their education, I take a second look.

Dr. Jennifer Jermalowicz-Jones is such a candidate. She is running for trustee and the health of the lake is her major focus. She is certainly a qualified lake scientist, with impeccable academic credentials. She sounds promising, so how does she do as part of a team?

In 2006, she began working for ASI Environmental Technologies. After several years, they fired her ... and sued her for violating both the Uniform Trade Secrets Act and her fiduciary duties. The complaint cited numerous violations of business law and etiquette, improper workplace relationships, unethical business practices and retaliatory behavior. They settled out of court.

She then worked for Progressive AE, the Lake Board’s current firm, until she left them for unknown reasons. Now, she owns her own lake restoration business, which was released by the Bear Lake Board in 2022. Her workplace history seems concerning.

Effective trustees are good team players. Dr. Jones has a workplace history of problematic behavior that seriously impacts her business relationships. Our township needs trustees that know how to work together. Dr. Jones does not. I will not be voting for Dr. Jones. How about you?

Ken Willison

Spring Lake

Rebuttal to Willison letter

It has come to my attention that Ken Willison has taken a few swings at myself in the news and social media.

I find it despicable that any man can find joy in broadcasting to the world how a professional woman was taken advantage of. It is true that I worked at ASI Environmental for a few brief years, but quickly came to realize that my life and future were in danger and left on my own decision.

I had to enter into a lawsuit because I rightfully took my work with me since I had been asked to develop a Water Resources Department for that company to keep it afloat and I was the only one that had the expertise to do that work. When I was sued for taking these projects, I had to counter-sue and settle out of court to keep my income and future in a positive direction.

Any man that can bring back this trauma to a local professional female million-dollar business owner should be disregarded as a naysayer that is trying to derail my progress as a Spring Lake Township trustee candidate.

I am fighting hard for my community since the lake and township boards have had 24-plus years to restore Spring Lake and it still looks like pea soup and most residents are disgusted, especially given the high cost to them. The old boys club, of which Ken is a part of, is a failure and someone like myself had to jump into the race to have a chance to restore this lake like all of the others I have also restored with great success.

Read my supported endorsements on my election page at electdrjjones.org. You can see the overwhelming support I have received from elected officials.

Dr. Jennifer L. Jermalowicz-Jones

Spring Lake

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