policy
Outcry over police stop, housing funds packs City Commission
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 04-12-2017 under NEWS
On Tuesday, April 11, 2017, the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting at 7 p.m. was packed to overflowing with people sitting in the aisles, standing in the corners and spilling out into the hallway. Concerns over cuts to housing funding and a recent...
Story Matters: Deb Havens sees politics as "resource choices"
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 07-30-2014 under NONPROFITS
We build community when we share our stories - whether they be a memory, an experience or just simply telling what we think is great about this place. STORY MATTERS. is a story collecting project from The Rapidian and GRTV. Deb Havens, running...
Pet ownership limit law proposes wrong answer
by (jon_dunn)
Submitted 07-03-2014 under OPINION
When faced with tragic situations such as animal hoarding cases like the one recently in the Creston neighborhood, it is a natural reaction to consider an ordinance that would try to prevent the situation from happening again. However, it is best to...
Should we keep our trees?
by (FriendsofGRParks)
Submitted 07-03-2014 under NONPROFITS
Our community has set firm goals for tree canopy. Green Grand Rapids, the City’s Urban Forest Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan and the Sustainability Plan all highlight the City’s 40% tree canopy goal. It’s not just an arbitrary...
Catalyst Radio: War vet in town speaks on effects of militarism
by (Catalyst Radio)
Submitted 06-28-2013 under NEWS
Don't have time to listen now? Download the mp3 and listen at your leisure. INTERVIEW Iraq war veteran Vince Emanuele was in Grand Rapids yesterday to speak about his experiences during two combat deployments, and his perspectives on US...
State legislature may allow for modifications to critical sand dunes
by (Matthew Knaack)
Submitted 07-12-2012 under OPINION
A bill recently passed by the Michigan Senate - and subsequently returned - may cause some concerning changes to the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of 1994, also known as Public Act 451. The proposed amendments will...
Community conversation at Congress Elementary could contribute to policies
by (emberlyvick)
Submitted 06-18-2012 under OPINION
What letter grade would you give the statewide education system? What letter grade would you give the local education system? These were two inquiries asked during an open community dialogue on Wednesday June 14. The small community conversation was...
We need immigrants
by (Benjamin Siekmeier)
Submitted 05-04-2012 under OPINION
Javier*, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, just got back from Guatemala 10 days ago. He had been deported a year and a half ago after he lost the case for his papers. Everybody knew he would come back. He is a noble man who would never abandon his wife and...
It's high time to decriminalize
by (jon_dunn)
Submitted 03-24-2012 under OPINION
Last week a group of citizens in Grand Rapids launched a petition effort to decriminalize the crime of marijuana possession. Our local law enforcement is currently held to state law when it comes to pot related offenses, and according to the...
Catalyst Radio: Book by former Grand Rapidian inspired in part by his involvement in GR community
by (Catalyst Radio)
Submitted 03-25-2011 under NONPROFITS
This week, we're joined by Lambert Zuidervaart, a former philosophy professor at Calvin College and co-chair of the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts' board that oversaw the move to their Sheldon Boulevard location. Lambert was recently in...