Sylvia has always loved children, and worked in foster care and special needs adoption for 6 years before having children of her own. Sylvia also operated a child photography and design business out of her home for nearly a decade.

When Sylvia’s youngest child was vaccine injured at birth, she began doing legislative research on health freedom and parental rights for a nonprofit organization, learning how to advocate for her child and work on difficult cultural issues. When a push for radical sex-ed came to her school district in 2018, Sylvia helped parents defend their schools, and became an advocate on education issues, supporting parents in their efforts to protect children from over-sexualization in schools as issues began to emerge throughout Michigan.

After Covid-19 hit our nation, it became clear county leaders would not stand for freedom, businesses, parental rights, or children. Concerned with health orders impacting children and families, and the promotion of divisive, progressive ideologies through the county’s DE&I office, Sylvia co-founded Ottawa Impact with Joe Moss in early 2021. With the Ottawa Impact team, they worked to inform and activate the people to preserve the county they love, with Sylvia taking the lead on writing for the organization.

Sylvia is a 26+ year resident of Allendale. She and her husband, Dave, have three awesome boys, and attend Chapel Pointe. Her personal relationship with Christ inspires her to defend religious freedom and the ability of parents to raise their children consistent with their faith. Sylvia believes churches are a vital pillar to our community, and seeks input from pastors while serving in the role of an elected official.

Since taking office as a county commissioner, Sylvia stood firm on the promises she made during her campaign in 2022. She has signed the 2024 Contract with Ottawa as a promise to the people, which contains comprehensive public policy priorities for the next term.

Sylvia desires Ottawa County to be a place which offers a healthy and vibrant lifestyle, fosters meaningful work, provides opportunity for business growth, honors the faith of its people, respects the family and parental rights, and protects education excellence for children.

Amidst the battle for the soul of America, Sylvia believes Ottawa County is pivotal to our state and nation. If we want to protect all we hold dear for this and future generations, it is critical that everyday Americans in our beautiful conservative county use their voices and engage at the local level.

Since taking office, Sylvia:

• Voted to close the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department
  • The department promoted divisive ideology focused on characteristics such as gender and gender identity, skin color, sexual preference, and religious beliefs.
  • This change returned county operations to focus on character, excellence, and merit.
  • This change saves the county $286,000 per year ($572,000 over 2 years)
• Voted to pass the following Resolutions (and was the primary author of many):
  • Resolution to Establish Where Freedom Rings as New County Vision Statement
  • Constitutional County Resolution
  • Resolution to Protect Childhood Innocence
  • Adoption Day Resolution
  • Heroes of Freedom Resolution
  • Resolution on Childhood Vaccine Waivers for School and Childcare
  • Resolution to Promote Life
  • Autism Awareness Month Resolution
  • Resolution Opposing State Control of Solar Siting
• Voted to hire Kallman Legal Group, one of the most experienced constitutional law firms in Michigan, who helps to protect and defend our liberties and the continuous attacks against the good people of Ottawa County
• Proposed and voted to expand the Department of Veteran Affairs to prioritize our heroes of freedom
• Received a AAA bond rating in 2024
• Received a clean audit with no budget overages for fiscal year 2023. The county’s net position is greater than $200M, with a $74M solid bottom line.
• Provided oversight to a $260M+ budget for FY24, with monthly expenditures of over $20M.
• Voted against grants that came with harmful strings attached (click here to read one example)
• Within the 5-year Capital Improvement plan, voted to prioritize ADA compliance needs throughout the county and approve funding for body cameras for the Sheriff’s Department
• Voted to increase pay for employees of the Sheriff’s Department, helping to attract and retain high quality law enforcement personnel
• Voted to approve expansion of much needed broadband infrastructure throughout many rural areas of the county
• Worked collaboratively with the county and local clerks to meet new State of Michigan election requirements for early voting and voted to strengthen election integrity efforts by including watermarked ballots

The February 4, 2024, State of the County address outlined the positive work of county employees and the Board in 2023, and is available to listen to here.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Sylvia currently serves on the following boards and committees:

• Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair
• Health & Human Services Committee Chair
• Planning & Policy Committee
• Rules and Strategic Planning Committees
• Ottawa County Insurance Authority
• Community Mental Health (CMH) Board
• Groundwater Board

Sylvia also served on the Finance Committee and the Talent & Recruitment Committee in 2023.

INVOLVEMENT

Sylvia’s additional involvement includes:

• Co-Founder of Ottawa Impact and Michigan Impact
• Exclusively endorsed by Right to Life of Michigan PAC and is member of Right to Life of Michigan
• Active voting member of the Ottawa County Republican Party Executive Committee
• Member of the Ottawa County Farm Bureau
• Member and former volunteer for Michigan Vaccine Choice