The City of Grand Rapids is set to begin accepting applications for City Commissioner David Allen’s replacement.
Allen, who announced his resignation in April, said he stepped down in order to focus all of his attention on running the Kent County Land Bank Authority where he serves as Executive Director.
His departure from the City Commission leaves a vacant Third Ward seat. For those who may consider applying to fill it, Allen warns them: it’s not a job for the faint of heart.
“If you are going to be an effective city commissioner its answering constituent phone calls that come in all day, every day, all hours of the night. It’s serving on multiple committees, I think I was on seven different boards or committees that I was assigned to as a city commissioner. And with term limits, you know, the pay is not great.”
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss thanked Allen for his “dedication and sacrifice” at the City Commissioners previous meeting. She said the Commission would work with the City’s Human Resources Department to finalize the application process in the next few weeks.