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Kidwell may have competition for township post
Published 11:00pm Thursday, March 15, 2012It looks like Niles Township Supervisor Jim Kidwell might have some competition in this year’s election.
- Stover
Former Niles Township Treasurer James Stover is considering a return to the township board.
In an email to the Daily Star, Stover said he has recently retired from his position as treasurer of Plainfield Charter Township in Kent County and is considering a run at the Niles Township supervisor post.
In the email, he said he has formed a “Stover for Niles Township Supervisor Exploration Committee.”
“If the results of the exploration committee are favorable, I will make an announcement around March 26,” Stover said in the email.
According to a story on mlive.com, Stover submitted his resignation at Plainfield Township in February. His last day was March 8, so he could be a resident of Niles Township for at least 30 days before he files to run as a Republican candidate for supervisor.
Stover had been Plainfield Township’s treasurer since 1998.
Stover told mlive.com that he plans to retire in Niles Township, where he has children and grandchildren.
Stover couldn’t be reached by the Daily Star for further comment.
Tags: james stover, Jim Kidwell, Niles Township
Interesting that a member of the good ol’boys club is coming back to town. It would be a good guess that the committee involved will be Mr. Stover’s former colleagues Mr. Ringler and Mrs. Durm-Hiatt. This resident also finds it interesting that Mr. Stover has stated that he is not committed but has already changed his address, and quit his current position up North. This all smells a little fishy if you ask me. What is his agenda? Why come back to Niles after all these years? Sounds more like retaliation against Mr. Kidwell from the good ol’ boys and the fact that Mr. Stover was arrested by Mr. Kidwell when he lived in Niles for a DUI charge which caused a black spot in his political career.
It should be noted that Mr. Stover IS a career politician!
Niles Township does not need any more career politicians that have been a part of the problem for the last 20 to 40 years. The township needs leadership from those who have substantial loyalties to THIS community. I think if Mr. Stover was truly interested in being with his family and keeping his roots in Niles, after the unfortunate death occurred up North, he would have returned then, while his grandchildren were still young. He stayed due to his career! Now he wants to come back? Mr. Stover I think it is time for you to realize that your ship has already sailed!
I don’t recall anyone bringing up Mr. Kidwell’s “black marks” when he ran, and he has many. Stick to the real township issues golfer mark instead of personal attacks wont you please? There’s a new (or should I say ol’) sheriff in town! LOL
Wow. Ringler and Durm-Hiatt dug deep. Couldn’t find someone local, eh?
Retaliation? That’s seems quite a reach. Talking smack on a death in someone’s family and then a follow up bringing in the ages of someone’s grandchildren? You’re a clASS act all the way! Maybe he’s concerned with the LEADERSHIP being exhibited as of late? He has a 15 yr old granddaughter and 9 yr old grandson playing @ Fireman’s Park right now. Your facts are as slanted as your demeanor.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but does it not say “unfortunate death”? (which indeed y it is).
I don’t know Mr. Stover or his family, and I wasn’t old enough to follow his political career at Niles Township, actually I wasn’t even born yet, therefore I have no opinion but it’s humerous to read the comments Mr. Tonkin leaves on this site.
I started reading this for my Political Science class and I don’t usually leave comments however, the obvious makes me laugh. Sometimes Mr. Tonkin seems supportive of Mr. Kidwell while the next news story comment he doesn’t. I guess I’m confused.
I’ll check back to read the comment battle and get a giggle as well.
It does seem strange that first Mr Uell retires, then announces he is coming back to the Township and running for office. Now we have Mr Stover coming back and running also. It is like the movie ‘Blues Brothers’, they are getting the band back together. Thou they might be well intentioned, it does beg the question; why? It also makes me wonder; if all the bitchers & complainers just sit and do what they do and do not have any options well we will be putting the old used tires back on the Township car!
Yes “Madison” sometimes I am for Kidwell and sometimes I am not because I am and always will be an independent and am opened minded person guided by wanting to do what is best for the township. My record will show my independence by my votes dating back to 1990 with Siedelberg, Stover, Barthel, Jones, Leonard, Kazperzak to when I left the board in 2008. Many times voting alone or minority but with good conscience. We voted and moved on and I gained a deep respect for all I served with. The big difference between then and now is that we worked together and treated each other respectfully and did not grind axes or hold grudges. That kind of demeanor is not serving the township people well and it should stop. Glad you liked my “new sheriff in town”.