Joyce Ann Hertzig, OP
Seventeen Dominican Sisters, Associates, and Sunday Assembly members joined more than 300 members and neighbors in attendance on Saturday for the 2024 Candidate Accountability session held at Oakdale Park Church. Brigid Clingman, OP called the role for the 18 faith member organizations.
We were impacted by the stories relayed by neighbors on the issues and enthusiasm was high.
Candidates expressed determination for the issues brought forward: Safer GR Streets, Youth Programming, Expanded Childcare Funding, Support for New Americans. Watch the full event here
Together West Michigan followed up with participants and shared the following:
Candidates for the Grand Rapids Third Ward Commission seat and Mayor committed to work with TWM to:
- Implement short and long term traffic calming plans on streets where homes, cars, and residents have been hit repeatedly.
- Convene key stakeholders to develop funding for year-round youth programming in the Third Ward.
- Develop a better affordable housing contribution from the Fulton and Market (Three Towers) downtown development proposal than the current $8.5 million for affordable housing over 20 years.
State House candidates committed to work with TWM to:
- Support increasing the Michigan childcare scholarship (formerly the subsidy) by 11% to pandemic era/ARPA funding levels in the coming year’s budget.
- Create a dedicated child care fund in the MI budget and seek revenue to fill it.
- Strengthen English language learning and resettlement support for New Americans in Kent County.
We’re excited about the momentum, but our work doesn’t stop here! It’s time to make sure we make our voices heard at the ballot box.
