The Grand Rapids Press 01/29/12
“’I’m Done Waiting’: Mayor says it’s time to act on behalf of City’s Children”
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With a repetitive roar reminiscent of former GOP presidential candidate Howard Dean, Mayor George Heartwell rallied a crowd of almost500 people Saturday to “put children front and center”. To ensure that no child gets left behind, he said some charitable efforts may have to be reconceived. Heartwell talked about boosting the welfare of local children during his ninth annual State of the City address.
He continued “Although good work is taking place, it tends to happen in silos. Too little of this work is connecting or aligned in ways that can drive sustain able change.”
Comments from Kent County Chairwoman Sandi Frost Parrish talked about “collective impact”. County leaders in coming months plan to meet with a rand of nonprofit agencies, foundations, school, and government and business leaders to explore changes to current service delivery models she said.
“This public-private collaboration could be more significant than anything we have done in recent history because systemic challenges require systemic solutions.”
“If we really are doing this for the betterment of children we can’t exclude anybody,” said Senita Lenear, Grand Rapids School Board President.
Through the hour long speech, it did not touch on city finances or an ongoing effort to transform municipal services for long-term sustainability.
Common Sense Review
Smell the tax increase! This year’s mantra “we must save the children”. 2009 the mantra was “we must save Police and Fire services”… Let me translate… “We are going increase you taxes whether you like or not…
Oh by the way, George, a State of the City address is to talk about how the city is doing… So let me do your job… $12 million deficit, $600,000 Fed grant for consultant on putting round about at Michigan and College, pushing the Sustainability plan for the betterment of my legacy…
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