Mayor Rosalynn Bliss prepares to tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic. ISSUES
Looking forward
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss reflects on local economy, social issues and the future. BY ANN BYLE
// PHOTOS BY ASHLEY WIERENGA
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss recently entered her fifth year as Grand Rapids mayor — she was sworn in on Jan. 1, 2016 — looking forward and more than ready to tackle the city’s tough issues that seemed to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic that shuttered Grand Rapids. “The impact of the pandemic has been devastating on people’s lives both emotionally and physically,” said Bliss. “So many locally owned businesses have struggled, with some going bankrupt and closing their doors forever. These are our neighbors and friends who make up the uniqueness of our neighborhoods.” She also points to a significant increase in violence this past year; there has been more gun violence and homicides than at any time in the last decade. She attributes this to schools being closed, youth centers and afterschool care closing, and significant numbers of people losing their jobs. There also was a lack of what she calls “proactive policing” in the early days of the pandemic as officers were forced to keep their distance. Yet, says the first female mayor of the second largest city in Michigan, “we saw our community come together in beautiful ways despite the challenges and heartbreak.” Bliss points to thank-you signs outside hospitals, businesses giving out food to those in need, local distilleries converting to making hand sanitizer and partners across the city coming together to see what could be done to help businesses. “People were intentional about supporting local businesses and people were stepping up to give, really coming together to support one another,” said Bliss. “There were beautiful acts of kindness all over our community.” The mayor also saw an increased and deepened partnership with the county and the state. As soon as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the state’s shutdown last March, 14
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