GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The search is about to begin to replace another Kent County commissioner.

Sandi Frost Steensma will officially resign from her post on Saturday, Feb. 1.  Steensma began serving on the Board of Commissioners seven years ago.  She was re-elected three times to represent District 5, which covers Bowne Township, Cascade Township, Lowell Township and a part of Caledonia Township.

“Commissioner Steensma has operated in a bi-partisan manner in the commission chambers,

while working to maintain the county’s balanced budgets and AAA Credit Rating,” said commission chairman Dan Koorndyk of the Kent County Board of Commissioners. “She has shown a passion for the parks and other programs that make Kent County a quality community, and has worked diligently to create a new entity to oversee John Ball Zoo.”

Steensma was recently appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the Board of Trustees for Lake Superior State University.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Grand Rapids Comptroller Sara Vander Werff is sticking around.

Vander Werff took 56 percent of the vote in Tuesday night’s election, besting Rina Baker.  Vander Werff got 8,046 votes from Grand Rapids’ 77 precincts; Baker took 6,245 votes.

Vander Werff took over as comptroller in April, after Donijo Dejonge resigned in December.

It was a cold February day when MI House Representative Lisa Poshumus Lyons took a flying leap into a freezing pool for charity. It was the Legislative Polar Plunge at the Capitol Building in Lansing for Special Olympics Michigan Athletes. About 20 Michigan Legislators, plus Lt. Governor Brian Calley lined up to show their support for Special Olympics Michigan. The second annual Legislative Polar Plunge raised more than $30,000 to benefit children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This Polar Plunge was one of 28 Polar Plunges throughout Michigan from January through this month to benefit Special Olympics Michigan.