civic engagement
Mayor's Grand River Cleanup in its 13th year, first year for Mayor Bliss
by (WMEAC)
Submitted 09-06-2016 under NONPROFITS
The West Michigan Environmental Action Committee (WMEAC) is proud to host the 13th Annual Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup, on September 10th, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Sixth Street Park. Last year, over 1,100 volunteers came out to help...
Mayor Bliss will be joined by Economic Development Director for latest City Connection appearance
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 05-02-2016 under NEWS
Join us today, Monday, May 5th at 5 p.m. on LiveWire, Comcast Cable 24, for Mayor Rosalynn Bliss' fourth episode of the City Connection. The mayor will be joined by Kara Wood, Economic Development Director, City of Grand Rapids to discuss...
The City of Grand Rapids Environmental Services Department continues to set pace
by (EnvironmentalSe...)
Submitted 04-25-2016 under NONPROFITS
On April 14, the department earned a prestigious PACE Award from the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA) chapter. Environmental Services captured the Award of Excellence for its Stormwater Management and Awareness...
Mayor Bliss to hold neighborhood listening meetings following State of the City address
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 02-02-2016 under NEWS
Following her State of the City address tonight, Mayor Rosalynn Bliss will hold Neighborhood Meetings Monday, February 8-11. Bliss says she wants to hear from residents, emphasize points from her address and answer any questions residents may have...
What cities lose when plagued by low voter turnout
by (alexandersinn)
Submitted 02-02-2016 under OPINION
Voters in the Grand Rapids area decided vital issues close to home in the last local election election, which included ballot proposals for millions of dollars to improve the quality of public schools as well as new candidates for local office. That...
Citizens needed to fill City of Grand Rapids boards and commissions
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 09-01-2015 under NEWS
The City of Grand Rapids is looking for volunteers to help them fill roles in a total of 40 citizen boards and commissions. City officials are specifically looking to increase the diversity in those boards and commissions, and encourage women...
Love matters: GR Forward speaker says love important factor in city-building
by (Holly)
Submitted 02-03-2015 under NEWS
Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. is bringing Peter Kageyama, noted speaker and author on civic engagement and the creative class, to Grand Rapids next Thursday, February 12, for the next in their "Forward Thinking Speaker Series"...
Own our city: Toronto's Chief Planner shares window into ingredients for civic change
by (Holly)
Submitted 12-01-2014 under NEWS
"You can't participate if you don't know what's going on," says Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief Planner for the City of Toronto and renowned urbanist. "Building understanding is the most important thing you can do if you want to...
Invest in democracy
by (Marie Orttenburger)
Submitted 04-23-2014 under OPINION
If you've ever read The Rapidian, contributed to it or had your business or organization featured in it, you know the role it plays in the Grand Rapids community. You will have undoubtedly experienced the connection you feel with your neighbors...
Anonymity in media - the conversation continues
by (LCirivello)
Submitted 08-03-2011 under OPINION
Last week I had the opportunity to attend and speak at a conference on community media. An entire track was devoted to the care and feeding of young community journalism projects. As is nearly always the case, anonymous posting became a topic of...