To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Mary Balkema.

As a self-proclaimed “bean counter” with a passion for service, Mary Balkema is running to serve as the Kalamazoo County Treasurer. “The position of county treasurer is to be the manager of the county’s funds, but also allows me to have meaningful interactions with community members and help them develop plans that have a real impact on their life—from getting finances in order and catching up on taxes to evaluating if people have the right paperwork in order to have a homestead exemption to estate planning.” As County Treasurer, Mary’s top priorities would be to provide sound fiscal management, prevent foreclosures, revitalize Kalamazoo, and strengthen the tax base. When it comes to Mary’s favorite food, she supports local at Layla’s Cool Pops and Pho on the Block. Meet Mary.

NAME
Mary Balkema

AFFILIATION
Republican

POSITION SEEKING
Kalamazoo County Treasurer

DISTRICT POSITION REPRESENTS
Kalamazoo County

EMAIL

marybalkema@sbcglobal.net

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE?

I am a bean counter with a deep passion for service. The position of County Treasurer is to be the manager of the county’s funds but also allows me to have meaningful interactions with community members and help them develop plans that have a real impact on their life—from getting finances in order and catching up on taxes to evaluating if people have the right paperwork in order to have a homestead exemption to estate planning.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ELECTED OFFICE?

• Sound fiscal management.
• Foreclosure prevention.
• Revitalizing Kalamazoo/strengthening the tax base.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE OFFICE?

I’ve laid the groundwork for success in my 20+ years of public service in our community both as a City Commissioner and as County Treasurer since 2007. Shortly after I took office, the country experienced the 2008 recession which took a decade of hard work to fully recover from. Despite the challenges that faced us, I was able to develop a plan to strengthen the tax base, return blighted properties to productive use, and stabilize property values. I became a statewide leader in foreclosure prevention and championed legislation to keep families in their home, but also achieved the unprecedented goal of zero owner-occupied tax foreclosures in our urban cities. My number one goal is preventing foreclosure and keeping families in their homes.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IF ELECTED?

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our community is facing hurdles that are expected to be worse than the 2008 recession. I immediately took swift action to reassure taxpayers that no homeowners would lose their homes to tax foreclosure because of it. I’ve worked with a bipartisan group on legislation to make sure all Michiganders are in the best position to financially recover.

FAVORITE CAMPAIGN SONGS

“God Bless the U.S.A.,” featuring Lee Greenwood.

FAVORITE MOVIE

“Life is Beautiful.”

FAVORITE BOOK

“To Kill a Mockingbird.”

FAVORITE FOOD

Layla’s Cool Pops and Pho on the Block.

The Primary will be held on August 4. The General Election will be held on November 3. Mary Balkema is seeking this seat as a Republican.