Kendra Wenzel appointed to Ottawa County Board of Commissioners

OTTAWA COUNTY — A new commissioner has officially been appointed to replace Kyle Terpstra on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.

Board members appointed Kendra Wenzel, a precinct delegate and executive committee member of the Ottawa County Republican Party, to serve through Dec. 31, 2024. She was sworn in immediately Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Wenzel was one of five candidates interviewed for the vacancy Friday, Dec. 8, along with Joel Buck, Shawn Haff, Lynn Janson and Joseph Parnell McCarter.

Other applicants were Kelley Coll, George Edwin Pio, Caden Hembrough, Daniel Scripsema, David Van Kley and Roger Vanderklok.

More: Meet the candidates hoping to fill Ottawa County's vacant seat

Chair Joe Moss, Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea and Commissioners Gretchen Cosby, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap and Allison Miedema voted for Wenzel. Doug Zylstra and Roger Bergman voted for Haff, and Rebekah Curran voted for McCarter. Jacob Bonnema left the meeting prior to the appointment vote.

Bergman first attempted to abstain from the vote, but was told by Moss board rules only allow for abstention if there's a conflict of interest.

“Kendra is someone that will think independently, she’ll bathe decisions in prayer and I know she will do much research,” Miedema said before the vote. “Kendra is already a voted-in precinct delegate representing District 6 and has already gained the support of many citizens of that district. I believe she will continue working hard as a representative to them in this new role.”

Belknap said Wenzel’s willingness to commit 40-plus hours a week, which she stated during her interview, was “one thing that separated her" from other applicants.

The five finalists for the appointment are Republicans, most vocalizing either support for Ottawa Impact or declaring official membership to the group. All finalists expressed concern about "government overreach" during the COVID-19 pandemic and what they viewed as the erosion of individual liberties.

To read the candidates' applications and resumes, visit tinyurl.com/5n9be8fk.

During interviews Friday, each of five finalists were asked the same 10 questions by Moss. The questions and summaries of Wenzel’s answers are listed below.

Tell us about yourself and why you decided to apply.

A former sales professional, Wenzel has lived in Hudsonville for 10 years. She's been married for 34 years and has four children. "The reason I got involved … I heard that (Terpstra) resigned. I'm on the executive committee in the county Republican Party." She said friends encouraged her to apply.

What qualifications, skillsets, or experience would make you the right person to serve?

Wenzel said her daughter had a "legal medical mask exemption" and a police officer escorted her out of class during the pandemic. "It lit a fire in me," she said. She became a precinct delegate for the Ottawa GOP, then joined the executive committee. "There's a lot of crossover there. It helped train me for this position."

How will you go about making decisions? Tell us about your internal compass.

"I'm a researcher by nature. I ask a lot of questions about the specific things we are trying to resolve or do. There has to be complete truth at the center of all that. Also, prayer and discernment are important to me."

Given the opportunity to receive a $1 million grant, how would you spend it and why?

Wenzel said she would conduct a "lot of research on what's needed and where."

How much time do you expect to be able to give this role?

Wenzel said the first 3-5 months in the position could require "about 40-60 hours a week. She said "whatever is needed."

Can you describe a time where you had differing opinions and you had to make a decision?

Wenzel spoke about being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. She said her doctor wanted her to get chemotherapy. "I wanted time to research. She was not an advocate for me." She said she did a natural protocol instead. "There was a pharmacist in that meeting who said, 'I'm so proud of you. You are your own best advocate.'"

What are the best things about the United States?

"Until recently, our constitutional freedoms. We need to maintain them."

What are the best things about Ottawa County?

"When we moved here, I thought it was the 'Twilight Zone.' Everything was wonderful and safe. We love the conservative values."

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Where would you live if you couldn't live in Ottawa County?

"Anywhere where I could have 10 acres, chickens, cows and be self-sustaining ... and be close to my kids."

What else would you like to share that you haven't been asked?

"The values all of you have is a beautiful thing and I would love to be a part of that. I would love to get people more involved. I've enjoyed watching you all."

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Kendra Wenzel appointed to Ottawa County Board of Commissioners