News

Van Riper unseats Hildebrandt in Durand race

By SEAN ELY, Argus-Press Staff Writer

Friday, November 6, 2009 10:00 AM EST

DURAND - Tom Van Riper and Jeffrey Brands were elected to the Durand City Council while incumbent James Schuyler, who ran unopposed, kept his Precinct 1 seat.

In Precinct 2, Van Riper almost doubled incumbent Tina Hildebrandt's vote count - beating her 172-90.

“I'm excited to meet with our city manager, Amy Roddy, and run ideas by her,” said Van Riper, a 30-year businessman of Superior Foundations in Flushing. “I'm going to work on cutting the taxes because that's the biggest problem we have, they're too high. If we controlled them, we'd have more people in Durand.”

Van Riper credited a lot of his success to Mike Douglas, who recently gave up his at-large seat.

Van Riper said Hildebrandt put in a great four years and he appreciates her dedication to Durand.

Hildebrandt said she was upset and shocked at how low the voter turnout was this year. She also said Van Riper isn't ready for the challenge ahead of him.

“He's in for a rude awakening,” she said. “He'll see what it's really like.”

Hildebrandt said she may consider getting involved with the City Council again in the future, but it's too early to tell.

Brands takes over the at-large, two-year seat after defeating write-in candidate Don Gravis, 236-42.

“Work starts at the next Council meeting,” Brands said.

Brands is ready to get started on a bridge project across I-69 along M-71, as he's been in contact with the Michigan Department of Transportation.

“I'm excited to find out more information, get with the Council and start helping the people in town regain trust in their city government,” he said. “I've read a lot of negative things out there and heard different views, but there are always two sides to the story. Hopefully we can get back to work and restore some confidence.”

Brands received 50 votes from Precinct 1 and 186 from Precinct 2 while Gravis received 9 and 33, respectively.

Brands, a project manufacturer for Creekwood Architecture in Flint, said he hates hearing that Durand is a dying community. He said the city has had about $14 million in investments in the last year and a half.

“We are moving forward,” he said. “Are there problems? Yes, but we will work on those. It will take time but we have to get them taken care of.”

The newly elected Precinct 2 Council member is the Planning Commission chairman as well.

His opponent hopes the best for him.

“I knew it would be tough being a write-in,” Gravis said. “I was hoping we would get more people to vote�278 of 1,100 isn't very good. But I appreciate all the people who did support me and vote for me - maybe in a couple years, I'll run again.”

Gravis said although he didn't get to know Brands, he hopes the newly elected official will work with the township to ease the water bills for Durand residents.

Schuyler reclaimed his four-year seat in Precinct 1. He received 54 votes.

The Council member has been involved on the board for nearly 12 years, serving three as mayor. Schuyler said local and commercial businesses as well as expanding residential growth are important to him.

Comment on this Story

two--cents wrote on Nov 7, 2009 9:10 AM:

" Must say,"the town needs some help". The streets are atrocious for one. I know of a few people in Durand that give it their ALL. They hold no job/jobs directly related to the city. They just give it out of the goodness of their hearts. One I'm honored to have known for over 40 yrs. (Josie Klein !!!) Now she, is a credit and then some to Durand. I hope soon and in orderly fashion to see a big turn around. It'll take patience with the right people. "

Durand wrote on Nov 6, 2009 3:04 PM:

" Wnat to see some irony?:

"wrote" (who is obviously some one sitting at a computer using a fake name.) on Nov 5, 2009 9:49 PM:

"I guess it's better than being a coward
with a fake name sitting at a keyboard typing. "

Sorry, I couldn't pass that one up.

@Citizen for 37 Years:

I understand how you feel. Truely I do. Sometimes it's absolutely unbelievable the amount of money spent, the high rate of taxes in this town.
BUT, we need those police for the DPD on duty all the time. What's the reason?

BECAUSE IN THIS TOWN THERE SEEMS TO BE A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF PARENTS WHO DON'T GIVE A *HIT THAT THEIR TEENAGERS, (AND YOUNGER) LIKE TO RUN AROUND TOWN ALL NIGHT VANDALIZING OUR PROPERTY AND ACTING LIKE STREET PUNKS.

IF those parents, acted like parents, and kept their kids in line, I would say we do not need two DPD on duty all the time.

Until that happens, I commend the DPD on the job they are doing. They have never been anything but absolutely outstanding every time I've ever dealt with them.

That's a little tax money I'm happy to spend. "

WTF wrote on Nov 6, 2009 10:33 AM:

" Citizen for 37 years
So what is your solution? no cops at night? - that would save a lot of money, we could also turn off all the lights in the downtown area and all the street corners - that would save money too.
How about we don't have them patrol the streets at all and have them stay at city hall and wait for your call - wait we would have to pay them for sitting around doing nothing - I got it have them sit home and wait to be called - yeah that would be better.

wrote on Nov 5, 2009 9:49 PM:
" All he is is a name in Durand, What will he really do for our town? "

I guess it's better than being a coward
with a fake name sitting at a keyboard typing. "

Citizen for 37 years wrote on Nov 5, 2009 11:33 PM:

" 20 years ago this community had one police officer on duty at a time (one car). Today we have at least 2 car's on duty at all times, with 2 officers in a car during the night hours. The population of this community is less now than it was then. Why are we spending all this money that does not need to be spent? Things went better then, than they do now! Why do we spend this money? "

wrote on Nov 5, 2009 9:49 PM:

" All he is is a name in Durand, What will he really do for our town? "

Moved away wrote on Nov 5, 2009 9:48 PM:

" I moved away for school but plan on returning back to the area as soon as possible. However I still vote for a "CHANGE". This was in the process of occurring when voters made a mistake by voting the wrong person into office. Change takes time. "

Wow wrote on Nov 5, 2009 3:46 PM:

" Sorry, I have to quit reading these comments, even though they are some of the funnest things I've ever done red - see I've read to many.
Bye for now.
Or maybe I'll just hide behind another name and carry on a conversation with myself just to keep the fire going - like some of you. Wait I have a life, almost forgot. "

Wow wrote on Nov 5, 2009 3:25 PM:

" snall town girl

So you don't like the number of new people from Sagelink who are now spending their money at our business's?
I'll take a guess that you think the addition to Sycamore house should be taken off so it doesn't look to big - what are you afraid of, new people in our community? (And do not want to turn out to be merging into Perry and into Flint/swartz creek areas.) think before you type. "

small town girl wrote on Nov 5, 2009 2:34 PM:

" shiataxpayer, Okay that's your opinon...And I respect your views.
However, I feel that building is massive, and out of place. that's my opinion..I too also pay taxes..that are OUTRAGEOUS, and figure i can also voice my opinions as well.Thank you for yours as well. "

Durand wrote on Nov 5, 2009 10:34 AM:

" @Dan:
I didn't know that, but can't say I'm surprised. Thanks for the info. "

shiataxayer wrote on Nov 5, 2009 9:09 AM:

" smalltowngirl--the Sagelink building is a terrific addition to our town, similar in size to the new Sycamore House apartment complex, Riverside Spartan Store, Durand Area High School, Robert Kerr/Bertha Neal Elementary Schools, the Administration Building and the Middle School. "

Dan wrote on Nov 5, 2009 7:52 AM:

" Durand,
Just for reference Durand has a millage levie of 46.71. Grand Blanc levies 40.50, Bloomfield Hills 32.88. It may not be comparing apples to apples but you get the picture "

CLW wrote on Nov 4, 2009 11:10 PM:

" Go Jeff! "

Durand wrote on Nov 4, 2009 11:06 PM:

" @Dan:
I voted at about 6PM, the machine said 210 ballots read. I think means basically every citizen in Durand voted ;) LOL.
And you are absolutely right. The last FIVE neighbors I had that lost their homes and had to move out lost them not because of unfair mortgages or high interest rates. The lost them to high taxes and the ever increasing utility bills.
Somethings got to gie, and soon. "

snall town girl wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:29 PM:

" Well I am all for improving, however, Just how big do they think they want to make Durand? We are a small town, and I for one appreciate it..And do not want to turn out to be merging into Perry and into Flint/swartz creek areas. Remember the CHARM of small town living..Look at the silly Sage Link Building that Dwarfs Durand. That was AN ENTIRE waste of money for this area. A smaller building would have been much better. "

shiataxpayer wrote on Nov 4, 2009 8:16 PM:

" She (Hildebrandt) also said Van Riper isn't ready for the challenge ahead of him.

“He's in for a rude awakening,” she said. “He'll see what it's really like.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow, what a poor loser! He was gracious about your 4 years of service and level of dedication. You could learn something there. "

Mike wrote on Nov 4, 2009 6:18 PM:

" Congratulations to Durand for electing Tom VanRiper. Tom will serve you well.
He is an intelligent and reasonable person. I don't think he is in for a rude awakening, and he knows what it will be like. He'll handle it just fine "

GoodNews wrote on Nov 4, 2009 6:02 PM:

" There may not be many voters in Durand but they at least make good decisions. "

Mike wrote on Nov 4, 2009 5:52 PM:

" Congratulations to Durand and to Tom VanRiper. He is a reasonable and an intelligent man. He'll do the city well.
And he's not in for a rude awakening, It's not rocket science. "

Dan wrote on Nov 4, 2009 1:21 PM:

" The artical declares that voter turnout was low. How many people are left in Durand? The taxes and water bills have driven them out!! "

Jim wrote on Nov 4, 2009 1:20 PM:

" It won't take long before Van Riper realizes the path to success for the city of Durand is in hiring city manager. "