Grant Hosts Town Hall to Hear and Address Community Concerns

The representative brought together elected officials and constituents for open dialogue on key issues impacting the community

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 4, 2024 — State Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids) hosted a public town hall with U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, City of Grand Rapids Commissioners AliciaMarie Belchak, Lisa Knight and Marshall Kilgore yesterday. This event served as an opportunity to hear and work toward alleviating constituent concerns over the current state of affairs in government. 

“As elected officials we have a duty to hear our constituents and do what we can to alleviate their concerns. That’s what motivated me to bring together elected officials in the area from all levels of government to give community members an opportunity to connect, voice their concerns and have an open discussion with us and one another,” Grant said. “We can’t make meaningful change in isolation — it has to start with conversations like these. My hope is that every person who walked through those doors felt heard and left knowing their voice matters.”

“I know people are tired, angry and scared — and rightfully so,” Scholten said. “That’s why I was proud to help kick off Rep. Grant’s in-person town hall to hear directly from our community and answer their questions. Rep. Grant and I were elected to fight for our constituents, to be their voice in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Michigan State House, and we take that responsibility seriously. Listening to the people we serve is essential to doing our jobs well.”

During a time when constituents have increased pressure on legislators to hold in-person opportunities to connect, the town hall offered a much-needed space for transparency, accountability and collaboration. 

“It was a great opportunity for some to see how democracy should work by allowing our officials to hear the concerns and have an open conversation with the community,” said Kathi Harris, founder and executive director of PROACTIVE Project.

“It was a privilege to connect with our community during this week’s Town Hall in the 3rd Ward. Hearing firsthand about the concerns and frustrations stemming from recent decisions made in Washington D.C. showed just how important ongoing communication is with our community and elected officials. I’m dedicated to continuing to show up and do everything I can to combat the dysfunction we are seeing at the federal level. I was proud to share the proactive steps we’ve taken at the city level to address these challenges and ensure the well-being of our residents,” Kilgore said.

Residents raised concerns ranging from public safety and infrastructure to education and economic development, and panelists addressed each issue with both candor and commitment.

“Last night’s town hall highlighted the urgency of issues like affordable housing, public safety, economic security and protecting civil rights. The thoughtful, serious questions from the community serve as a reminder of the challenges we face in our neighborhoods. As a working mom, I understand these struggles firsthand, and I’m committed to continuing our advocacy with determination and focus. I’m grateful to Rep. Grant for bringing local, state and federal leaders together for this important conversation. As city commissioner, I’m committed to fighting for policies and programs that improve public safety, create affordable housing, expand economic opportunities and protect our fundamental constitutional rights. I’m always open to hearing from residents and encourage you to reach out so we can work together on real-world solutions that uplift working families and build a thriving future for all,” Belchak said.

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