Grand Rapids, Michigan

Government and politics

Like the surrounding counties, Grand Rapids has traditionally been a stronghold for the Republican Party, giving clear majorities to its candidates for most county, state, and federal legislative seats. However, the city of Grand Rapids itself - excluding its suburbs - has sometimes given a majority of its votes to the Democratic Party candidate in recent presidential elections (Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004).

Related Topics:
Al Gore - John Kerry

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The Commission-Manager plan

Grand Rapids voters adopted the Commission-Manager form of municipal government in 1916. Under this system, the political reponsibilities are divided between an elected City Commission and a hired City Manager. Two Commissioners are elected to four-year terms from each of three wards, with half of these seats up for election every two years. The Mayor is elected every four years, by the city at large, and serves as chair of the Commission. The races - held in odd-numbered years - are formally non-partisan, although the party and other political affiliations of candidates do sometimes come up during the campaign period. The Commission sets policy for the city, and is responsible for hiring the City Manager and other appointed officials http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=350.

Related Topics:
Commission-Manager - Municipal government

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George Heartwell, current mayor

George Heartwell was elected mayor of Grand Rapids after long-serving mayor John H. Logie declined to run for re-election in 2003. Logie felt the position should be made full-time, but to avoid the question becoming a referendum on whether he should hold the job full-time, he announced that he would not run for re-election. The voters decided to keep the position part-time, and Heartwell was elected.

Related Topics:
George Heartwell - John H. Logie

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Heartwell assumed office on January 1, 2004. Prior to being mayor, Heartwell was a City Commissioner for the third ward, 1992-1999. He is Director of the Community Leadership Institute at Aquinas College, where he is also a professor in the Community Leadership undergraduate study program. Mayor Heartwell is an ordained minister, for the United Church of Christ, and served for 14 years at Heartside Ministry, a program for the homeless in Grand Rapids. He was previously the president of Heartwell Mortgage Corporation http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/1010.

Related Topics:
January 1 - 2004 - Aquinas College - United Church of Christ

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See also: List of mayors of Grand Rapids, Michigan

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