WEST OLIVE, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Bill Gruppen spent 38 years as Chief of the Zeeland Fire Department. His successor lasted less than two.
Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker announced on Friday that Nick Bonstell has been named as his department’s new Emergency Management Director. Bonstell submitted his resignation as Zeeland’s Fire/Rescue Chief on March 25, saying in his notification that he had received a conditional offer to this new position. He started his fire services career in Zeeland about 20 years ago and returned after stints in Grand Rapids; Knoxville; Iowa; and Kentwood. He was named in September, 2016, to replace the retiring Gruppen.
In a statement, Kempker said, “Nick will bring with him knowledge, experience and professionalism, which will lead and grow our Emergency Management Unit at the Sheriff’s Office into the future, providing quality service to our citizens, communities and partnerships in and out of Ottawa County.”
Bonstell replaces Beth Thomas, who resigned on December 14 after over six and a half years at the post for undisclosed reasons. Captain Bob Tease was overseeing the department on an interim basis. Bonstell’s last day on the job in Zeeland is on Monday; he begins his new duties on Tuesday.
In documents ahead of Monday’s Zeeland City Council meeting, City Manager Tim Klunder is recommending that Deputy Chief Mitch Harsevoort be appointed “Interim Fire/Rescue Chief” for up to a six-month period while decisions are made on “determining the desired level of Fire/Rescue services within the city” which would impact Bonstell’s successor.
