Heartwell gives State of City address

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Several hundred people were on hand Saturday morning as Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell gave his State of the City address at DeVos Place.

The theme of the day was saving money and resources by consolidating government services.

As Heartwell reflected on the past year, he highlighted the city's successes in the areas of green technology, neighborhood improvements, youth employment and public education.

"We've gone from 26 schools that met the federal AYP standard to 45 in just four years," Heartwell said.

He strongly endorsed the federal stimulus plan that he said pumped $110 million into the city, creating jobs and improving education and infrastructure.

"I know that they've made a difference in Grand Rapids, and don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise," Heartwell said.

As far as challenges were concerned, unemployment, foreclosures, failing minority businesses and the teen dropout rate topped the list.

Heartwell outlined a new initiative called the "Mayor's 50" -- challenging 50 local companies to create at least one job for a teen or young adult.

But the bulk of Heartwell's speech was spent selling the benefits of intergovernmental cooperation and consolidation.

The mayor announced a new joint venture combining Grand Rapids and Wyoming dispatch services -- a move he said will save Grand Rapids about $1 million and Wyoming $500,000 a year. A plan to combine fire services is in the works, as well.

Said Heartwell: "The most important thing we can do that would have lasting impact on the state of Michigan would be to consolidate our governments."

The mayor described a future single city vision potentially combining the services of a majority of the communities in Kent County. But state leaders in Lansing, he said, must quit playing politics and lift restrictions to make the vision a reality.

Said Heartwell: "I begin today by saying to the state of Michigan, take these archaic shackles off of local government."

He also took time in his address to recognize five Grand Rapids children for their efforts in raising awareness in race and diversity.