SE Grand Rapids News

Ray Krieger is seeking the Republican nomination to serve as Keene Township Clerk for a four-year term. The primary election will be held on August 6.

According to the Ionia County's candidate list, Krieger is running in the GOP primary against Holli Melton.

Krieger detailed his record of service in the community. Krieger has spent 20 years on the Keene Township Planning Commission and 25 years on the Keene Township Board of Review. He also served as President of the Ionia County Farm Bureau and as Chairman of the St. Joseph-St. Mary Finance Council. 

In a Q&A with the Daily News, Krieger also revealed that he has owned and operated a farm for 45 years.

In a campaign flyer posted on his personal Facebook page, Krieger shared that he and his wife Linda live and work on the farm that has been in his family for 125 years.

"I'm running for the residents of Keene Township and to protect their property rights," Krieger said on his Facebook. "Keene Township is divided over landowners wanting to lease land for solar energy. People, including my opponent, want to stop or severely restrict property owners from doing so."

Krieger told the Daily News as Keene Township Clerk he aims to "protect landowner property rights. Create a compatible renewable energy ordinance. Heal the division in the township. With a large increase in property tax revenue created by the taxable property value increasing 5% each of the past two years, the township board should look at reducing the operating millage."

In a press release, Private Property Rights PAC — a political action committee whose "mission is to safeguard and promote the ownership and control of private property" — endorsed Krieger, stating that he "has demonstrated a profound commitment to the principles of property rights and governance that respect the rights of individual property owners" and praising his stance against government overreach. 

Private Property Rights PAC Senior Adviser Madeline Morris expressed confidence in Krieger's commitment to private property rights and government transparency and accountability, predicting that he "will help protect the foundational rights that are vital to personal freedom and economic stability" in Keene Township.

According to the Michigan Townships Association, the township clerk's responsibilities include maintaining custody of all township records, maintaining the general ledger, recording and maintaining township meeting minutes, maintaining the voter registration file, conducting elections, and preparing financial statements. Clerks are elected to four-year terms.