News Release
I am requesting to have my name withdrawn from the 63rd House Seat, for which I served from 1998-2002. I do this reluctantly and sadly, because I believe I could have been a good State Legislator for the 63rd District if I was elected. My focus was to be a part of the solution in helping to turn Michigan's economy around, and making a better life for each of us and our families.
OK, so maybe I do have a few things to add ; )
To correct statements made regarding an incident from the past, I have never pled guilty nor ever been charged with the charges that have been "alluded to" by the media. My only sin was stopping to ask someone for the correct time while on my way to a meeting at the Capital. With my window half open, I mistakenly made a joke about "how inflation probably affects all business ventures." It was suggested I meet at a nearby park; I instead drove in the opposite direction towards the Capital. I was never charged with, nor pled guilty to the charges that have been raised against me. I only wish people could've known all of the facts.
When my campaign opponent and the media found out about the fact that I had been stopped by an entrapment situation, the word spread and claims were made that I was charged with solicitation, which is not true. Inaccuracies hurt people more than anyone can realize. I've learned that the people who speak out the loudest against a circumstance in someone else's life are generally the ones with the most to hide themselves.
I have a terrific family, a wonderful wife whom I love more than life itself, and beautiful children and grandchildren. I don't want any of them hurt by this situation. So, with a heavy heart, I have decided to withdraw from running for the 63rd House Seat. I was looking forward to meeting with people, discussing the issues and giving voters a choice of representation.
I would like to serve in the future in whatever way I can to give back to the community and help create a better life for others. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jerry Vander Roest
2689 N. 37th Street
Galesburg, MI 49053
So, you ask someone the time (apparently Vander Roest's car is without a clock and he has no working cell phone and doesn't wear a watch) with your window halfway down (how's that for unnecessary detail- one way to tell someone is lying to you is that they give too many details that don't really add anything to the story). We don't know what the other person (he/she?) said (though we have to imply it involved a price for a service of some sort- probably a hot dog vendor or something) and Vander Roest responds with a harmless joke about rising prices (see, he really does care about how energy prices affect your life) and the person responds to the joke by inviting him to a park (I'm sure it was a beautiful day out and he wanted someone to play with and Vander Roest's display of humor gave the unknown person walking the street the idea that he might be a playful guy but maybe Vander Roest has a medical condition like a debilitating wide stance that leaves him unable to engage in overly-physical activities at the park and he was running late anyway). So, Vander Roest does the honorable thing and drives the opposite way. So, what exactly is the problem here? Damn liberal media....
Vander Roest was the guy who ran against Lorence Wenke using the fact that Wenke was one of only 3 Republicans to oppose putting discrimination against gays on the ballot in order to enshrine homophobia in the state constitution. Wenke edged out Vander Roest in a squeaker, winning by less than 100 votes. The weird thing is that some people allege that Vander Roest lost that race because of allegations leaking out right before the election that he had solicited a prostitute. Wenke is term limited and so Vander Roest was running again for the open seat he had once held. So, was Vander Roest responding to those old allegations or to something new? None of the new coverage I've seen has touched this part of it. Either way, methinks he doth protest too much.
Vander Roest's exit from the race leaves Marshall Republican Calhoun County Commissioner Jase Bolger unopposed against Vicksburg Democrat Phyllis Smith for the State House of Representatives seat for the 63rd District in the Nov. 4 general election.
Posts
