Press

“Michigan needs a new legislature. The cowards there now are too spineless to investigate Election Fraud. They refuse to conduct a Forensic Audit but now, thankfully, an amazing woman is running for State Representative. Rachelle Smit is a twice-elected clerk who knows our Elections are not secure, and that there was rampant Voter Fraud in the 2020 Presidential Election. She and her husband beat cancer twice, and she’s about to go beat the Deep State swamp in Lansing. Rachelle is a success, she’s a winner, and I wholeheartedly Endorse her for Michigan State Representative!”

The Martin Township Board joined the Confused by Covid Relief Club Wednesday evening, but Clerk Rachelle Smit agreed to send in the application for funding.

Smit told board colleagues, “I don’t know what we could use the money on. Some townships will be opting out (of the funding) because they weren’t financially impacted. ”

But Trustee John Schipper suggested, “We should apply for it because we can always turn it down later.”

He added that the money can be used for water, sewer and broadband Internet.

Other area township boards also are grappling with what to do in applying and have expressed frustration with the confusion over how to obtain it and what can be done with it.

The American Rescue Plan was approved by the U.S. House and Senate last spring in an effort to help local municipalities with costs associated with the Covid-19 viral pandemic.

In other business at the meeting Wednesday, the Township Board:

• Voted 4-0, with Supervisor Glenn Leep absent, to return the $5,000 grant the township won from the Center for Technology and Civic Life because the sponsor was Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook.
• Was told that the late Eddie Oetman, a Martin firefighter, had willed $5,000 to the department and Chief Kurt Knight made a deal with the township to share costs to buy a new Lucas 3 device. Oetman’s grant, plus some department leftover funds will more than match the township’s contribution to buy the device, which is estimated to cost $15,500.

Oetman, a native of Martin, died in June at the age of 81.

Martin Township Clerk Rachelle Smit has announced she will be a candidate for the 80th District State Representative currently held by Republican Mary Whiteford.

Smit has served as Martin Township Clerk since she was appointed in the fall of 2015 to succeed Carrie Coburn.

Her Facebook page says, “Smit is a Christian who holds strong conservative values. She was born and raised in Grand Rapids. She has been married to her husband, Dave, for 21 years and they have three adopted boys and also fostered several other children.

“Rachelle is a proud mom and Grammy to all of the children that God has placed in her life. Their family is uniquely built and she feels extremely blessed by the family God has given her. The experience and challenges that accompany adopting and fostering children of diverse nationalities has equipped her with compassion and has helped to shape and mold her into the person she is today.”

Smit, a graduate of Tri-Unity Christian High School, is regarded as an unabashed supporter of former President Donald Trump and has refused to wear a mask, even during public meetings at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She and her husband, Dave, and three adopted sons live in Shelbyville.

Whiteford (R-South Haven) is being term limited after serving more than seven years in Lansing. She won a special election to succeed Cindy Gamrat, who was expelled from the State Legislature.

The 80th District currently takes in all of Allegan County except Leighton, Dorr and Wayland townships and the City of Wayland.