Candidate Questionnaire: Dianne Vellenga-Fenner for White Pigeon village trustee

The following is Watershed Voice’s candidate questionnaire for November’s White Pigeon village trustee election. We will run all completed questionnaires from candidates in contested general election races in the order they’re received prior to Election Day.

Dianne Vellenga-Fenner filled out our questionnaire. These are her answers. Vellenga-Fenner faces incumbents John Gentry and Jeffery Miller and fellow challengers Shireen Cline and Jennifer Wortinger. The five candidates are running for three trustee postions.

Name: Dianne Vellenga-Fenner

Age: Editor’s note: Vellenga-Fenner did not answer this question.  

Address: Vellenga-Fenner did not answer this question. 

Party affiliation: Vellenga-Fenner did not answer this question.

Are you an incumbent? No

Family (optional): Vellenga-Fenner answered this question below.

Background/Bio:  

I graduated from WPHS In 1973, married Dec. of 73, and graduated from the Glen Oaks nursing program in Dec. 1978. While working & raising our 2 sons, I managed 7 single dwelling homes, all in the WP village, for 44 years. I’m blessed with 1 grandson & 3 granddaughters, ages 9 to 21. I’ve worked in hospitals, clinics, schools, adult foster care & assisted living faculties, nursing homes (PT, FT, On-Call) and am now retired. I have celebrated my 50th class reunion & wedding anniversary.

Why did you choose to run for village trustee?  

I’m running to assist in ushering in positive change while allowing the tax paying citizens a “Voice & a Vote.” We the People must step up to defend & protect our community and each other through transparency. Leaders & We the People must protect the U.S. Constitution. WE must stand for something or we’ll fall for anything. So I stand for life, community, humanity, protecting the unborn & all children & elderly. I work at “Waking people up for the good of all” and encourage voters to do their own research.

Have you previously held public office, or have you served in a public leadership role? If so, what is your experience, and what are some of your accomplishments? 

I’ve volunteered In various areas throughout my life including but not limited to, Red Cross, Bristol & WP food pantries, WP Community Market Committee & as a market assistant. I’ve assisted in various community events, including WP Days, Nat’l Police Appreciation Day, gathering & delivering donations for storm victims, benefits, & needs. Through the years, I’ve held office in multi-committees & organizations.

What are the three most important issues facing your village and constituents?

Like most every community, WP has several ongoing important issues and/or projects.

1 is the “Water Project,” with state & outside firm managing with issues with permits, and no opportunities for the tax papers to vote. All request to bring financial issues up on a ballot is automatically denied, meeting after meeting, plus what the in-term president has been trying in the past few months.

WP expects to have 3 various phase projects, all increasing for all “Special Assessment Fees” for 40 years, with every water billing to pay for the project without state money. Phase 1 seemed to go fairly well & on schedule in 2023. Nothing was done in 2024 for Phase 2, as the JPR Firm failed with permits. However, they focused on starting Phase 3 ground work, including some township residents with a “Possible Contaminated Well Program” through the state to hook up. After that, all financial new assessments & hook up & continued billings for them, such as special assessment fees, water & sewer fees AND WP village residents with increased taxes & fees. All with being denied a voice or a vote. They needed to obtain 51% of affected citizens to pass but failed. The state pushed it through anyway!

2-Another WP village issue is the “Affordable Housing” per the state & the Brownfield Plan assisting a private citizen with low quality apartments while granting him a 30-year tax abatement. The following month, the current council then voted & passed a tax increase of yet another 5 mills without the citizens’ vote again.

I hope to see many big & small changes, even with the council meetings giving the citizens, “Our Neighbors,” opportunities to be involved with respect. Another subject is not pushing any new agendas the night of its discussion through at that meeting, allowing major financial decisions to be on the ballots, less spending if possible, and, of course, what We the People have been requesting for over 2 years, “TRANSPARENCY.” Transparency in the meeting agendas, paying of all bills, and in every discussion.

How will you work with your fellow village citizens, village leaders, and/or county leaders if elected?

Vellenga-Fenner did not answer this question.

How would your term in office differ from previous terms, including your own, if applicable? 

Vellenga-Fenner did not answer this question.

Is there anything else your prospective constituents should know about you, your platform, your views, or your background? 

I believe leaders have obligations & duties to protect the U.S. Constitution & community to the best of our abilities. The fix starts at every local level. Local action gives national Impact. Use your time, gifts & talents for the good of all. Remember, for a WP village council CHANGE, you must vote for the 4 women on the ballot: Willis, Cline, Fenner, & Wortinger in the November 5, 2024 election. THANK YOU.