2 newcomers win races for East Grand Rapids City Commission

By Madison Bennett | MLive

The East Grand Rapids City Commission has gained two new members following the Nov. 7 election.

Katie Favale received 415 votes, 54.2 percent, and will replace First Ward City Commissioner Diana Schad, who garnered 349 votes, or 45.6 percent, according to Kent County election results.

Bryan Walters gained 595 votes, 66.5 percent, and defeated Michael Naltner, who took 299 votes, 33.4 percent, in the race for Third Ward City Commissioner Jeff Dills' seat.

Schad was appointed to the City Commission in February 2017. Dills is finishing his second term, making him unable to run again, as city commissioners are limited to two four-year terms.

The East Grand Rapids City Commission is a nonpartisan body made up of six commissioners, two from each of the city's three wards, and headed by the mayor.

Favale, 50, of 2557 Hall St. SE, is employed by Keller Williams Realty as a real-estate agent. Her political experience stems from service as a board member on the East Grand Rapids Board of Review and Community Foundation.

She hopes to bring change by better listening to and getting to know the residents the City Commission serves.

Some issues she would like to address first include making crosswalks safer, supporting the city's growing business district, Gaslight Village, with the new master plan and to create a plan to modernize Manhattan Park.

The No. 1 thing she would like to accomplish by the end of her term is to improve communications between the city and residents so that "we all have a voice in our future," she said.

"I am tremendously honored to have been elected as the next EGR City Commissioner, First Ward. I am beyond appreciative for all the tremendous support I have received and am excited to get to work," she said.

Walters, 44, of 1039 Pinecrest Ave. SE, is an attorney and partner at Varnum LLP. He did not come from a political background but ran for office as a "volunteer looking to serve the East Grand Rapids community," he said.

He plans to bring change in his new position by listening carefully to residents who come forth to the City Commission while treating them fairly and respectfully; asking meaningful questions of city staff and following up as necessary if answers are inadequate or incomplete; and seeking collaboration with fellow commissioners but not being reluctant to vote against others where they disagree.

The first two issues he would like to get started on are improvements to bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic flow, as well as working towards adoption of an update to the city's master plan that includes a focus on the Gaslight Village business district.

In the future, Walters would like to explore strengthening the city's partnership with area schools, a reduction in tax rates once the bonds for the Wealthy Pool renovation are paid off and fostering a more open, welcoming government.

"I view sitting on the City Commission as a community service. Being a commissioner gives me the opportunity to give back to a city that has given so much to me and my family," Walters said.

Favale and Walters will be sworn in at the beginning of the East Grand Rapids City Commission meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4, at the East Grand Rapids Community Center, 746 Lakeside Drive SE. 

This post originally appeared Nov. 10, 2017 on MLive.com.