city commission
Unopposed 1st Ward commissioner prepares to take office
by (alexandersinn)
Submitted 10-29-2015 under NEWS
Jon O’Connor will represent the Grand Rapids 1st Ward on the City Commission following the Nov. 3 election, in which he is running unopposed. He will replace term-limited commissioner Walt Gutowski to serve alongside David Shaffer, who O...
Backyard Chicken Ordinance to be discussed at Public Hearing
by (Marie Orttenburger)
Submitted 12-23-2014 under NEWS
Rapidians will have a chance to comment on the proposed Backyard Chicken ordinance early in the new year. Those who would like to make their opinions heard can meet with the Grand Rapids City Commission at City Hall in the 9th floor chambers at 7 p....
City Commission hears public comment about police body camera implementation
by (erictank)
Submitted 12-03-2014 under NEWS
Over 20 concerned citizens took to the podium at last night's City Commission meeting to voice their thoughts on the proposed implementation of the use of police body cameras for patrol officers. The policy proposal was initiated by LINC...
City Connection welcomes Commissioner Senita Lenear to monthly show
by (GRTV)
Submitted 12-01-2014 under NEWS
Every month on the first Monday, Mayor Heartwell is open to all questions sent in during his live on-air show "City Connection." This month, the mayor has given the seat to City Commissioner Senita Lenear, so that she could answer questions...
Open letter to our leaders: time to prohibit use of wild animals in entertainment
by (Matthew C. Halteman)
Submitted 09-19-2014 under OPINION
I recently sent the following letter to the Mayor and our City Commissioners as part of the End Circus Cruelty campaign, in which a significant and rapidly growing number of concerned Grand Rapidians are asking the city to pass an ordinance that...
Legalization of urban chickens shows desire for integrated, secure food systems
by (Joel Salatin)
Submitted 09-08-2014 under OPINION
Editor's note: Joel Salatin, author of multiple books and a third-generation alternative farmer and sought-after conference speaker, has become known as "America's most influential farmer" after public discovery of...
"City of churches" to consider legal action against begging
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 05-20-2014 under OPINION
Grand Rapids City Commissioners will be meeting tonight, Tuesday, May 20, to discuss a proposal intended to put great restraints on panhandling. It wasn't too long ago that we removed laws against begging in our city, and the Federal Court has...
Commission debate over Airbnb continues
by (NicoleGR)
Submitted 11-15-2013 under NEWS
Recent debate in Grand Rapids has centered around Airbnb, a website that connects visitors in Grand Rapids with homeowners who rent a room in their home. This debated topic helped to encourage a full room at the City Commission public hearing on...
Share on: Airbnb hosts face challenge with City Commission
by (Erica Curry VanEe)
Submitted 11-07-2013 under OPINION
On October 22, the City Commission had planned to vote on a proposed ordinance change that would make it illegal to advertise home-sharing on sites like Airbnb without a costly business license and permit. Following an outpouring of community...
Meet the new candidates for area City Commissions
by (NicoleGR)
Submitted 11-03-2013 under NEWS
November 5 elections are just around the corner and in Kent County, there are five new candidates for the City Commission. In Grand Rapids, Tom Kent is running against the current commissioner Rosalynn Bliss. Jerry DeMaagd and Steve Redmond are...