The Positive Voices

  With David LaGrand resigning as Grand Rapids City Commissioner our ancient City Charter empowers the Grand Rapids City Commission to appoint his successor in any way they see fit. It appears they will use a modified version of the process utilized to appoint Third Ward Commissioner Elias Lumpkins in 2006 to fill the remainder of LaGrand’s term which ends December 31, 2011. Applicants will have a 30 day period to submit their names and then are subjected to public interviews by the City Commission with the possibility of public input from the citizens. A very necessary component I might add. The Commission hopes to complete the process by April in time for budget deliberations.   This is another reason to consider a new city charter. No one is more qualified to select a City Commissioner than the citizens of their own ward in an open election, but the current city charter deprives them of this opportunity. Knowing the 2nd Ward residents, they will want an effective, strong voice representing them on the City Commission and I’m sure the Mayor and Commissioners will take their opinions into consideration during this process. Contact the Mayor and your City Commissioners and let them know how you feel. You can reach them through the Customer Service Information Center – (616) 456-3000, Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM to 5 PM Your voice counts!