CLASS ACT

At Tuesday's weekly meeting, the Grand Rapids City Commission was deadlocked on which candidate to appoint to the Third Ward commission seat that Robert Dean is vacating to run for the state legislature.  Sharp debate divided the commissioners over Stephen Deems, a certified public accountant, and Elias Lumpkins, a retiree from Grand Rapids Community College.  They were at odds over whether to pick Deems who has a special expertise in financial matters at a time of a budget crunch or Lumpkins who would bring sound experience and racial diversity.

Second Ward City Commissioner Rick Tormala led the charge for Deems.  He argued that the City Commission needed its own accounting savvy to critically scrutinize the budget recommendations of the City staff.  His second ward colleague, newby Rosalynn Bliss, teamed up with her political mentor, Mayor George Heartwell, to take at offense at the implication that the City Commissioners rely too heavily upon the dictates of the City staff (which they do).  Of course, the real reason Heartwell and Bliss blasted Tormala was because they were backing Lumpkins as they stumped for "diversity".

In the end, the City Commission was reduced to drawing lots to select a candidate.  At that point, Deems stepped forward and withdrew his name.  He stated that winning the commission seat by chance would not give him the mandate to represent the Third Ward.  He further stated that Lumpkins was an excellent candidate who would serve the Third Ward well.  By all accounts, Lumpkins is well-respected around town and we hope he does a good job filling out the rest of Dean's term, which expires at the end of 2007.  We also commend Deems for putting the public interest ahead of his political ambitions to heal a breach ripped open in no small part by Heartwell's grimy race-mongering.

Comments

[Dan Tietema]

Bill - I know Steve very well - and he is a class act. Stepping down to avoid a "drawing" for third ward commissioner was a tough decision, but something that had to be done in order to protect the integrity of the position. As I told Steve yesterday, it is too bad that our commissioners and mayor did not have the "guts" or "honor" to lead like they are suppose to do. They are elected officials and we expect them to be able to make the tough call - even if it means upsetting their voting block.

The lack of courage demonstrated by our elected officials Tuesday night, not only showcased the incompetence of our leaders, but also their ineffectiveness to govern the city. We have seen it in the past and we will continue to see it in the future unless the people of Grand Rapids wake up and see what is going on with their government. As I told Jim Harger of the GR Press about this story, “ This is not a day for celebration, but a day of embarrassment”! Can you imagine interviewing in front of a Fortune 500 CEO and having your fate decided by a 50/50 drawing? Our elected leaders gushed with excitement to have this decision made for them in order to keep in good standing with their constituents.

As for Mr. Lumpkins, I wish him well as he prepares to represent the third ward. I met him last week after I interviewed for the position and I found him to be a very confident and capable for the task - at - hand. I hope that his integrity and credentials will also be able to make a dramatic impact on our commissioners and mayor.

Dan Tietema

[The Executive Director]

Hi, Dan.

You nailed it. The process did not cast a favorable light upon the City Commission.

First of all, you should have made it to the final round, because you actually went out on the hustings to campaign for the seat and got a substantial portion of the vote. But you didn't match the profile that the City Commissioners deemed a good fit for them (as opposed to a good fit for the Third Ward).

Second, the overwhelming issue facing the city government is the fiscal crisis, and putting that front and center in the selection of the next Third Ward commissioner was appropriate. Tormala is right about the problems with the City staff regarding the budget. Emphasizing Deems's professional qualifications was valid, yet Heartwell and his protege Bliss made it decisive only because it didn't work to the advantage of their candidate.

Third, the City Commission needs members who are independent thinkers, not go-along to get-along types. With all of Heartwell's harping on diversity, it appears he has never considered that the only valid form of diversity to cultivate is intellectual. Hence, only liberals need to apply for his team. That may well be true of the rest of the commissioners who lean left, although perhaps not deliberately so.

All of which goes to show that an election and not an appointment is the soundest method of choosing our representatives.

Regards, Bill