KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Kent County Commissioner Tom Antor, who represents District 2, lives in Sparta.
That's the conclusion the Kent County Sheriff's Office and Kent County Administrator Al Vanderberg found after allegations that the commissioner was no longer living in his district.
"Following an examination of the information gathered during the investigation, the KCSO determined that Commissioner Antor maintains his residence in Sparta, Michigan, and within the boundaries of his Commission district. As such, we consider the matter concerning Commissioner Antor's residency resolved and closed," Vanderberg said in a statement.
To sit on a commissioner board, it is required by Michigan law to live in the county you serve.
13 ON YOUR SIDE received an anonymous tip that alleged Commissioner Antor no longer lived within the district he represents and is in violation of Michigan law.
After looking into the issue, 13 ON YOUR SIDE received clarification of the allegations from the County Administrator's Office.
"Kent County Administrator Al Vanderberg referred the inquiry questioning Commissioner Antor's residency to the Sheriff's Office for investigation to ensure an impartial examination of the matter," Assistant County Administrator Lori Latham told 13 ON YOUR SIDE in an email.
"Prompted by questions raised by members of the commission about Commissioner Antor’s residency, my office had, however, conducted due diligence on this issue earlier this year. At that time, Kent County legal counsel reviewed the Antors’ judgement of divorce, and we contacted both the Kent County Clerk’s office and our human resources department to determine whether he had changed the listing of his residence. He had not. It was, and still is, listed as the home in Sparta. Following that due diligence, I also spoke directly with Commissioner Antor, who assured me he was still living in the Sparta residence. Absent information or evidence to the contrary, our findings were sufficient to satisfy us of his residency at that time."
The residency requirements for county commissioners can be found in Michigan Law under MCL 46.409 and MCL 46.411.
The two laws lay out that commissioners are elected by district and that “A candidate for the office of county commissioner must be a resident and registered voter of the district that he or she seeks to represent and must remain a resident and registered voter to hold his or her office, if elected."
We have also confirmed through the Kent County Circuit Court that Antor and his wife, Elizabeth, filed for divorce back in November of 2021, which the court said was finalized in August of last year. This information may also be linked to the false residency allegations.
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