HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Holland resident Dave Hoekstra announced his plan to run for re-election to Holland’s Sixth Ward City Council seat, with an email to WHTC Monday morning, March 11, 2019. (Listen to the podcast of his Tuesday interview.)
Hoekstra was first elected to Holland City Council in 2003. He currently serves as liaison to the International Relations Commission, the West Michigan Airport Authority, and the Holland Energy Fund Committee. He also served on the Sustainability Committee, the Human Relations Commission and the Civic Center Steering Committee.
“I’ve had the privilege of serving on Council for 16 years,” he said, adding, “I don’t intend to make this a lifelong endeavor but with a new city manager, the potential for new faces on council and a renewed sense of structure and purpose as a Council, I feel my experience would be a positive influence in moving us forward. Given that, I’m asking the good people of the sixth ward to grant me that opportunity.” Hoekstra said.
One of the issues, he sees is affordable housing. He noted a recent conversation with a young man who’d applied for a job Hope College.
“He’s up-and-coming,” he said. “He would look forward to coming to Holland to work here, but he needs a place to live — and he’s not one of those super-high wage earners, as a lot of people are — folks who are teachers in our schools, people who serve us beer and food downtown. They add a huge value to the community, but, can they live here?”
Hoekstra has lived in Holland for more than 40 years, and is owner of DH Designs, a custom woodworking shop. He is married to Sally; they have two grown children.
