Mayor highlights goals, successes

Analysis:

The channel 8 story was incredibly short in length and did not touch on most of the areas that the Mayor mentioned in his speech, nor provide details of what the City would work on over the next year. Heartwell also mentioned the successes and accomplishments over the past year, but channel 8 did not verify those claims, nor did they seek out any reaction to the speech or provide an independent perspective.

Story:

Reporter – Grand Rapids Mayor, George Heartwell, filled with high hopes as he delivered his 4th State of the City Address. Speaking to a crowd of citizens and community leaders, Heartwell says while he’s accomplished several things, there are still many challenges ahead, on the forefront, fighting the passage of Proposal 2, which bans some forms of Affirmative Action. Heartwell also wants to see major improvements in the city’s public education system, like lower drop out rates and higher test scores.

Mayor Heartwell – “No city can hope to be completely successful in the knowledge economy that doesn’t have a great public education system.”

Heartwell also hopes to end homelessness by 2014. He would also like to see neighborhoods raise their own funds for services as the city tackles its financial challenges.