GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, Michigan — John Teeples, a lifelong and traditional Republican,private business owner, an attorney of 38 years with considerable experience in municipal
affairs, and respected public servant, is formally declared as a Republican Party candidate for Ottawa County Board of Commissioners District 7, representing northern Georgetown
Township.
“I am not a politician. I have no aspirations for higher public office. I have no personal agenda in running for or serving as County Commissioner. In fact, this was not even a consideration of mine until I became aware of the misguided tactics, uninformed decisions, and inexperienced actions of the Ottawa Impact majority since taking office and control of our county’s government in January 2023.”
“I am greatly bothered that Republican elected officials, under the banner of Ottawa Impact,have acted so irresponsibly as County Commissioners for Ottawa County. Together we must seek to restore our county’s previously stellar reputation as a valued place to live, work and do business. It is simply not acceptable, as reported in the March 7, 2024, MLive Survey, that over 41% (and 48.3 % of college graduates) of Ottawa County voters believe that Ottawa Impact has made our county ‘less welcoming’ and a ‘worse place to live.’ Further, “I have always sought to unite people and build relationships, and I promise to do my best to make everyone, especially our adult children, feel that Ottawa County is a place they want to call home.”
As an attorney with nearly 4 decades of training and experience, John has represented numerous privately held companies and several west-Michigan governmental entities, including the City of Hudsonville for over 20 years and Jenison, Hudsonville, Grandville, and West Ottawa Public Schools; and he is knowledgeable in many of the affairs of county government. Further, during the past 21 years of running his own law firm, he said that “not a single client of mine who followed my legal counsel and strategic advice was ever sued. However, in less than 16 months, our county has been sued 5 times due to reckless actions and decisions of the County Commission,” which, he estimates, will likely cost over $1 million in attorney fees, lawsuit settlements and employee severance buy-outs before they are all resolved.
John has the experience, including as a certified court mediator, to guide the county through the difficult legal challenges ahead and at the least expense possible. He is also committed to restoring our county’s reputation for honesty, prudence, neighborly goodwill and responsible governance. John and wife Sue have been married almost 42 years and have 3 adult children, all graduates
of Jenison Public Schools, and 4 grandchildren. John has held numerous public, religious and charitable leadership positions and has a reputation for integrity, consensus building, strategic
thinking and problem-solving. His service responsibilities include:
• Board Chairperson for Emmanuel Hospice of Grand Rapids
• Former Chairman of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
• Co-founder of Men of Emmaus Ministry
• Founder of Winter Coats and Boots ministry, serving several west Michigan counties
• Former Vice President of the Jenison Public Schools Board of Education
• Former President of the Grandville-Jenison Chamber of Commerce
• Parishioner and member of Knights of Columbus, 1st-4
th Degrees, at Holy Redeemer
Parish of Jenison.
As County Commissioner for District 7, John’s primary motivation is to “work to make our county
a place we all belong.” Priorities:
• Seek to unite, not divide
• Restore confidence in county staff members and affirm the respect that they deserve
• Follow the Open Meetings Act and govern in the open
• Utilize fully vetted hiring processes
• Maintain Ottawa County’s hard-earned AAA bond rating and restore fiscally-sound
decision making to protect tax dollars
• Represent all citizens of Ottawa County and respectfully listen to all voices
• Reinstate county commissioners’ ability to publicly comment during board meetings
• Ensure committee assignments are fairly distributed for equal representation
• Recognize and support veterans
• Continue to make the Ottawa County parks system the best in the state
• Make Ottawa County a place we ALL belong, ensuring its future growth and stability.
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