Mayor’s race shifts into high gear

Analysis:

This story is based upon a candidate forum for the Mayor of Grand Rapids race that was held at the Wealthy Theater on July 26. The forum was organized by the Neighborhood Business Alliance. All four candidates were present for the forum, but only three of them were cited in the story. Jackie Miller, who was referred to as a “political neophyte” was not cited in the story. The article begins with criticisms from both Tormala and Rinck that are directed at current Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell. Tormala says that Heartwell pledged he would not run again “if I don’t restore services and if I don’t bring the city back,” but the Press reporter does not report if Heartwell was held to that pledge during the forum. Rinck addresses Heartwell’s most recent campaign brochure, which he claims “says virtually nothing.” Heartwell’s response centered around the issue of public trust. Ask yourself if any of the information that was provided up to this point in the article provided voters with necessary information to make an informed vote?

The rest of the article provides a general summary and states that “The candidates spent most of the 90-minute forum agreeing with each other on business and economic development-related issues.” There were no real specifics about these issues only mentioning that they would all increase taxes as a last resort and that they would increase fire and police protection in neighborhoods. The article ends with a comment from one audience member who focused on how some of the candidates put Heartwell on the spot.

Story:

Mayor George Heartwell’s two main challengers put him on the defensive Thursday in a televised candidate forum.

“The warranty on my colleague is up,” said 2nd Ward City Commissioner Rick Tormala. He pledged he would not run again “if I don’t restore services and if I don’t bring the city back.”

Challenger Jim Rinck closed his remarks by holding up Heartwell’s newest campaign brochure.

“It says virtually nothing; there’s nothing specific in this,” Rinck said. “If this were the best I can do in four years, I’d retire.”

Both candidates criticized Heartwell for a confidentiality agreement he signed with the so-called “mystery developer” in the city’s failed attempt to sell its riverfront public works facility.

Rinck also took a shot at Tormala for drafting a policy that governs future confidentiality agreements.

Such agreements weren’t needed when the school board sold land, said Rinck, a 14-year Grand Rapids Public Schools board member.

Heartwell defended his first term in office, saying he has earned voters’ trust.

“Those who know me and those who have followed my career and know my heart know that I am one for whom trust is held carefully,” he said.

“I’ve worked hard as your mayor to build that trust … because when the day is done, it is only with trust that we can govern.”

The three men and political neophyte Jackie Miller will be on the Aug. 7 primary ballot. If none wins an outright majority, the top two vote-getters will face off in the November general election.

The candidates spent most of the 90-minute forum agreeing with each other on business and economic development-related issues. The forum at Wealthy Theatre was sponsored by the city’s Neighborhood Business Alliance and many questions dealt with neighborhood business issues.

Each candidate pledged to propose tax increases only as a last resort.

All of them said they wanted to strengthen police and fire protection in neighborhoods, and all of them supported neighborhood taxing districts that could fund neighborhood improvements.

Afterward, Southeast Side resident Fran Fritz said she learned more about the candidates and issues but remains undecided.

Fritz said she was glad the candidates addressed Heartwell’s involvement with the “mystery developer.”

“It put him on the spot, and I hate to see someone cornered, but I thought it was a valid question and it should be addressed,” Fritz said.