Made In Walker

Community Connections: Rep. Glanville's Observations on Walker's Growth

City of Walker MI Season 1 Episode 14

What makes a community thrive when others struggle? State Representative Carol Glanville pulls back the curtain on Walker's remarkable growth story in this revealing conversation about public service, community development, and the power of meaningful collaboration.

Representative Glanville's path from Walker City Commissioner to state legislator offers fascinating insights into how local government experience shapes effective state leadership. Her work on Walker's Waste Energy Committee and Mineral Mining Review Board provided unexpected preparation for tackling statewide challenges in sustainability, infrastructure, and environmental protection. This grassroots knowledge now informs her approach to crafting policies that directly impact residents' daily lives.

As Walker transforms from what Glanville describes as "a rural outpost" of her childhood to one of Michigan's fastest-growing communities, unique challenges and opportunities emerge. Traffic management tops residents' concern list, while excitement builds around expanded recreational spaces and connected trail systems. The Fruit Ridge Bridge project stands as a testament to what's possible when officials from different levels of government collaborate across party lines for community benefit.

Most revealing is Glanville's observation about what makes Walker and the broader Kent County area special: an exceptional capacity for public-private partnerships. When colleagues from other Michigan regions visit, they're consistently amazed by how effectively our community brings together government resources and private philanthropy. From sports facilities to mental health initiatives, this collaborative spirit creates outcomes that neither sector could achieve alone—a model other communities now seek to replicate.

Connect with Representative Glanville through her monthly coffee hours, Facebook page, or state website to share your thoughts about Walker's future. What vision do you have for our growing community?

Speaker 1:

Welcome to Made in Walker, a podcast that connects you to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping our community, from local innovators to everyday changemakers. We're diving deep into what makes Walker a great place to live, work and grow. Here's your host, nicole DiDonato.

Speaker 2:

Well, thank you for joining us for the Made in Walker podcast. Today we're sitting down with State Representative Carol Glanville, who oversees the 84th District, and that includes the City of Walker. But of course Carol is Representative Glanville is no stranger to the City of Walker. You were actually a City Commissioner with us. I was First of all thank you for joining us.

Speaker 3:

Oh, thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here and be part of the conversation. As you mentioned, I live in Walker and I've lived here for I don't even know how long anymore 20, I don't know. 12, I don't know a long time.

Speaker 2:

Yes, enough to know the area? Yes, and how do you think you know? Starting out with a city commission has really prepped you for your journey to Lansing and beyond.

Speaker 3:

Well, actually, you know, I'm really grateful to have had that experience. I mean, I had some experience in educational leadership, but having that local government leadership opportunity and experience before going to the state really helped kind of transition. My skill set and leadership and some of the opportunities I had as a city commissioner being named to the Waste Energy Committee at the county, being a part of the Mineral Mining Review Board, among other committees here helped me to learn about some of the issues that are now really front and center for us at the state in terms of sustainability, what we're doing with waste pollution, runoff water quality. All of that alongside some of the challenges we have with road funding and the asphalt, and so that's the mining piece that Walker has been a part of for decades. That's the mining piece that you know Walker has been a part of for decades. So it really really, you know, helped me in some interesting ways that I wasn't expecting.

Speaker 2:

Sure, and what was it that you know finally wanted you making that next step to go as a state representative? What was like the motivation or the catalyst.

Speaker 3:

Well, I really just wanted to make sure that Walker had some variety in its representation. We, you know, were represented by really one party for quite a long time, and so I just felt it was a good time to step in and help expand. You know what we're doing as the city is growing, to make sure that we have all the voices in place, and, having been a part of the Walker Trails group even prior to commission again, I knew that there were some, you know, there were interests that we could easily bring together and that I might be able to be a catalyst to do that, and it turns out that I have. So I'm pleased to be in that role.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's wonderful. We'll get to a couple of those in a moment, but, as far as you know, you're meeting with a lot of folks in, you know, the district within Walker. What are some of the concerns? Yeah, okay, didn't have to think about that one, I mean, and you live in Walker.

Speaker 3:

So you know, again, as a growing community, you know traffic is a real challenge for us, which is interesting because I mean we are the Grand Rapids area is it's the number one growing area in the state, where many other areas are, you know, shrinking Grand Rapids is really just dynamic and exciting, and so being on the, you know, 10 minutes from downtown, and we're developing more and more. So traffic is something that I hear a lot about. And other than that, you know people are excited about public spaces, the trails. We're excited to be adding on to the trail project at the Fruit Ridge Bridge, so we're finally going to have that connection of our three primary bike trails here, and so I think that piece is something else that folks are real excited about.

Speaker 2:

Yes, and for years I know that Senator Huizenga and Mayor Kerry had lobbied for money to get that Fruit Ridge Bridge replaced. You were integral with that as well. How does that feel now, seeing it come to life? And of course, we've got some growing pains as we're going through construction, but just knowing that it's under repair, yeah, oh, it's fantastic.

Speaker 3:

And let me just say I am right there with everybody who's going through the growing pains, because I have to drive around that every single day. I feel you. But no, it's just great. And whenever I talk to people about the design of the bridge and how it's going to include some pedestrian and bike access, they are just thrilled. So it's the right. Um, you know it's the right improvement at the right time. Could have come a little sooner but, um, like I said, it took it took the three of us to really bring it to fruition. And so you know again, it just shows how, when we have, you know, a variety of folks in the right places, we can get really good things done.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, very helpful. We're grateful for that, and yes, we all understand that we're all going through it together. Yes, it'll be. It'll be so worth it. Of course you had mentioned this before. Walker is growing more families wanting to come in. We've seen a lot of businesses open up. What are some things being done in Lansing that could hopefully benefit our community here?

Speaker 3:

Yeah, well, we're working on a number of different incentives for housing and also, like I said, we're working on these roads plans and some other things that will trickle down. Of course, we're always looking at education, which is a huge passion of mine, and so the quality of education that we're offering our kiddos and our families to the extent that we can keep that going and growing, I think is super important for our area as well. Again, as we are, you know, we used to be sort of I mean, when I was a kid growing up in this area, I mean it Walker was really a rural outpost, I mean honestly, yeah, and so to really see where we are today and to know, you know, the importance of our schools in that role and the importance of how, you know, we support our small businesses that's been a really big initiative of mine too is to be very thoughtful in talking to and advocating for our small businesses.

Speaker 2:

So yeah, and what kind of drives you? Education you have a big background in that. As you said, small businesses as well. What is that kind of motivation?

Speaker 3:

Well, I mean as an educator, that was my career prior to going into the legislature and it's just that piece of being able to give back to my community. It's like servant leadership. I am just always motivated by who can I connect? What good ideas can we pull together, work on together, move forward together? And so that piece of being a voice in my community that can help make those things happen is what motivates me. I just really enjoy that part of the job?

Speaker 2:

Yes, and you know, hoping to maybe see like the next level of representatives coming up or you know emerging leaders you know? What kind of advice or insight do you have for them? As far as you know, maybe taking that step to represent your community and I know it's needed at a local level.

Speaker 3:

Oh, sure, sure, no, I think you know the thing that we really need to leave partisanship aside, and so when I talk to people, you know I try to lead with the same way that I lead, and that is really listening to I mean honestly listening to everybody.

Speaker 3:

I know you hear that a lot in politics, but I am one of those people who really does that. And again, that goes back to my education background and having to work with administrators and parents and teachers and kids. Like everybody has their point of view and we really need to be listening to each other and then coming up with the best solution we can for the common good or for the most. So that's one thing is really. And to be engaged. We don't have local media like we used to, and so I think it's challenging for people to make that effort to know what's going on, and it is so important, particularly at the local and state level. I mean, clearly, what happens at the federal level is important, but I think many people miss how much what we do locally and at the state really impacts your life on a much more granular level, a more personal and immediate level. So just being engaged.

Speaker 2:

And kind of along those lines is what do you think people can either learn or what? What do they maybe not know that is going on in Lansing, that you're working on behalf of, that they don't see, kind of behind closed doors maybe.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, so right now we're in the, we're in the midst of a budget and it's supposed to be done tomorrow, but I don't anticipate us being able to reach that deadline, to be quite honest.

Speaker 3:

And so it's those kinds of things just having an idea of of that, like what are we working on Lansing, who are my representatives? What do they do for me? Yeah, I think that's a. That's a good entry point for a lot of people because you know we just don't pay attention. So my main priorities in that budget process again, I am the minority vice chair for school aid on the house side and, again, with my background, I am just hyper-focused on how we continue to provide the best for our kids and improve on that, because they are our future and even adults. Anybody who's looking for some kind of push in education to get job skills, training, return to college, finish a GED, whatever that is I think those are the investments that are going to pay off for us in the future, just to invest in our people, and the more we can do that, the better?

Speaker 2:

Yes, absolutely, and you know you do mention how Walker is just so rapidly growing and maybe to some of your counterparts who are in Lansing, coming from other communities, aren't really seeing this type of boom that we are in West Michigan. How is that, you know?

Speaker 3:

how are you able to kind of yeah, well, I recently participated in a new program at the state level. It's through the Michigan State University. It's through a program at Michigan State University. It's called Michigan Legislative Exchange and so in that process I was partnered with a Republican colleague from the north, like from a different area in the state, and he came down and I took him, you know, to a number of different places throughout the district and really talked about you know, what's going on for us here in Grand Rapids and and the feel of Grand Rapids and the area.

Speaker 3:

We have Walker, we visited a number of places and then I'm going to go visit him and see what his community is like and the needs, and so that's really eye-opening.

Speaker 3:

It was really interesting to see his perspective on our community and one of the things that he was just floored by is the amount of like public collaboration, like we do public private partnerships in the Kent County area really really well, and that isn't something that's replicated across the state. And so when, when colleagues come in and see that they're always really impressed and wondering, how do you do that? You know, because there tends to be specific family names on some of our buildings that people associate with one party or another in particular, and then to know that that gets set aside to really build up and strengthen our whole community and that we still come together and do those good works together is something that, like I said, it's special. It doesn't happen everywhere in the state and it's exciting to see my colleagues wondering about that and how we can maybe do that better and even incentivize that at the state level.

Speaker 2:

That is a great observation, and what can you tell them just about the people and the makeup of West Michigan, how it differs from other regions of the state?

Speaker 3:

Yeah, well, I think keeping in that theme is, I think we have such a history of community philanthropy and so it's something that's been modeled for us not, you know, like our biggest earners are deeply invested in these, in this community, and it's not just in like one project, right, they're looking at the benefit of the whole. We have new sports, we have local sports areas that are supported. You know the Valley Field Project has been supported by philanthropy and the state. The zoo is supported by philanthropy and the state, the soccer stadium, the amphitheater, van Andel, you know all of these places. And even mental health is a joint venture between public and private venture here. And so I think that makeup, that idea, like you said, that's been modeled for us to really give back to our community. I mean, we see that everywhere, and so it's always exciting, you know, to bring the community together and see the fruit of that labor and that is a great thing to be proud of and be part of too.

Speaker 2:

And finally, how can folks stay up to date with what's going on in Lansing, what you're up to, maybe, if I know that you do some public appearances where there are, like, open houses. Where can we stay abreast of that?

Speaker 3:

Yeah, so my Facebook page is really the best place, and also my website on the state the state website that I have, and if you're not sure where that's at, just you can go to michigangov and then do a search by address for your legislators.

Speaker 3:

And so I do monthly coffee hours and they kind of rotate between sort of a town hall style where we just have a group of folks that I chat with and give them updates, ask questions, and then we also occasionally do one on one where you just come to the coffee shop and sit down and talk to me and my staff is always always available. So, and then if you contact my office, you can be. As part of my newsletter I said, come to my coffee hours, follow the Facebook page to see where we're going to be, um, you know what we're up to, um, and please come out because, um, yeah, like I said, I would just love for everybody to be involved at the level that they, you know, are comfortable with, or, or I know many people feel kind of disconnected from government these days. Sure, come visit me. Yeah, sure, I really do enjoy meeting with all of my constituents in any place, so happy to do it any time.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, you make it very easy, so there's no reason not to reach out to Representative Carol Glanville. Well, thank you so much. I know a lot of important things that you're working on. Hopefully you can enjoy some downtime this summer season, but we'll look to see what more you keep doing for us here at the City of Walker. So thank you so much, and thank you, nicole. It's a pleasure to be here, all right, and we appreciate you joining us on this Maiden Walker episode.

Speaker 1:

Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Maiden Walker podcast. If you have comments or questions about this podcast, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, we'd love to hear from you. Please drop us an email at podcast at walkercity. Maiden Walker is the official podcast of the city of Walker, Michigan. You can find Maiden Walker wherever you get your podcasts.

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