State of the City Address

Analysis:

This story provided viewers with a summary of the issues addressed in the Mayor’s State of the City address and then focused on one issue that included two community responses. They even told viewers at the end of the story that there was a link on their website for viewers interested in the entire speech. This story was considerably longer and more substantive than the channel 8 story that deal with the same topic.

Story:

WZZM 13 newsreader – Good evening, I’m Val Lego. Mayor Heartwell made his 4th State of the City speech this morning, he spoke to a crowd of hundreds about his 4 major goals for the community. Heartwell says he wants to increase diversity through programs like the Disadvantaged Business Proposal. He feels the city can increase diversity despite the fact that proposal 2 now outlaws Affirmative Action. The mayor set a goal of eliminating homelessness by 2014. To meet that goal he predicts private non-profit organizations will need to create 500 affordable housing units per year. Mayor Heartwell also wants to focus on improving public education by creating a more regional approach.

Mayor – “Our future depends on quality public education for all our children, not just suburban children but all children, not just white children, but all children, not just children of the elites, but all children.”

WZZM 13 newsreader – The Kent County Intermediate School District plans to set up an education senate for all the schools superintendents and municipal leaders in Kent County. Mayor Heartwell’s 4th main goal for 2007 deals with neighborhoods. Amy Fox joins us now with more on the Mayors plans to strengthen neighborhoods.

WZZM 13 Reporter – Val, the plan would allow neighborhood associations to collect a special assessment in order to improve their community. It’s a new concept that has some neighbors worried about their finances. They fear placing another tax burden on residents even if the money will go directly back into the neighborhood. Grand Rapids is a city of distinct neighborhoods,

Peg Markle – “We get animals from all over West Michigan”

WZZM 13 Reporter – Peg Markle lives and runs an animal rescue center in the creston area. Shes active with the Creston Neighborhood Association.

Peg Markle – “We’ve got a very close nit neighborhood right along here, but I know neighborhood associations keep getting cut down on the money they have and have to work with.”

WZZM 13 Reporter – In the State of the City speech, Mayor George Heartwell purposed neighborhood improvement districts as a way to provide more money for neighborhood associations.

Mayor – “They set the level of the assessments and then the city commission approves it and the city collects the funds on their behalf. Its part of the tax bill to be returned to the neighborhood association to be used to meet its goals.”

WZZM 13 Reporter – Those goals could range from street scaping business districts to crime prevention programs.

Mayor – “Or they might use the funds for youth programs, for park enhancements.”

WZZM 13 Reporter – Some neighborhood leaders who heard the speech wonder how the special assessments would work.

Christine Helms-Maletic/neighborhood organizer – “I’m concerned about what would happen to that volunteer ethic that happens in neighborhood associations, particularly if the city is administering taxes that are collected and then turning them over to us, um, what does that do to our autonomy, what does that do to our role as advocates for residents?”

WZZM 13 Reporter – Peg Markle worries about the financial aspect of the plan.

Markle – “We’re not an affluent neighborhood”

WZZM 13 Reporter – She, like many others, wants to help improve her neighborhood but doesn’t know if a special assessment is the way to do it. Mayor Heartwell says the State Legislature might have to pass a new law to allow neighborhood improvement districts. Downtown Grand Rapids already has a similar Special Assessment District. Val.

WZZM 13 newsreader – Thanks Amy. Now you can find Mayor Heartwell’s speech on the State of the City Address on wzzm13.com. Just click on the State of the City 2007 link on our home page.