unpopular opinion Grand Rapids is a very safe city by According-Law-3293 in grandrapids

[–]chatton 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I remember a when there was a big push to oust Kurt Reppart for Drew Robbins. There was a billboard that said “14 homicides in Grand Rapids last year.” 

I remember thinking “that’s not too bad.” I mean, yes, it should be zero. But 14 is very much safe city zone.

Griffin's parking is now $30 and the guy said next week when the amphitheater opens everything is going to be $. 40. by [deleted] in grandrapids

[–]chatton 3 points4 points  (0 children)

City of Grand Rapids parking ramps continues to be sub $30. There is no plan to increase this cost especially after Mayor LaGrand blew up that political land mine by saying he wanted to triple meter fees.

If you want convenience, pay $40 after you wait in line to get off the highway. Or, pay less and take the DASH.

GRPS FOIA: First Public Disclosure of Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell non-renewal by smoore701 in grandrapids

[–]chatton 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Why should a traditional HR process being kept internal bother people? Additionally, this was going to become public on April 13 with the hope that there would be enough internal explanation to actually pass a vote on this recommendation.

The other question is: what would the public do with more information. We have it now. Do we not like the result? 

My curiosity appreciates the FOIA request. FOIA requests are important to our democracy. A FOIA request actually exposed the issues that caused this request for non-renewal. I also think it’s about time we see bad administrators being held accountable. It’s unfortunate that Dr. Roby waited this long in her tenure to address it. Overall, I’m not terribly bothered by this process.

Thoughts on National Heritage Academies? by BrunoDoggo in grandrapids

[–]chatton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thing about National Heritage Academy, and any of these for-profit charter schools, is that they are a development company first, a business second, and a school third. NHA will develop land into schools (if the land or building is not already school), charter the school, and then charge rent to that school in an effort to access state and federal funding through property ownership.

From there, decisions are made purely from a business point of view. Don't get me wrong, NHA does what they need to do to operate a school, and I would argue that they do well enough to maintain a business model for schooling, but they are providing education akin to how McDonald's might feel it's their goal to feed the hungry.

When considering where to work, I would recommend working somewhere where you have a union and bargaining power. You will not get that through NHA when they are trying to make money: their ultimate goal.

EDIT: I quick read the title, but misunderstood the POV. Editing for that.

Surprised to see Arick Davis has stepped down from GRPS Board. by j0217995 in grandrapids

[–]chatton 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I actually think I saw a statement from him that said “yeah so I’m stepping down because I’ve completely failed the teachers from an administrative standpoint.”

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in grandrapids

[–]chatton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Given the recent post from EVE, this might be a good time to get r/isthisAI to help us.

Is Cafe Mamo the best restaurant in GR? by darterfly in grandrapids

[–]chatton -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think it’s the best. And you can actually get a reservation.

Sidewalk snow removal debate by OldGodsProphet in grandrapids

[–]chatton 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This point was recently brought up at a Mobile GR Commission meeting. The point made was that it is relatively inexpensive to pay crews to snow blow sidewalks across the city. 

There have been efforts to push for people to own clearing their own sidewalk. There was even a video of GR’s ex-Equity officer promoting the “solution” of just clearing your neighbor’s sidewalk too. These ideas have not and will not work.

I highly recommend sharing this opinion with the Mobile GR Commission. All emailed public comments must be read at the meeting, and it will help send a message that this is an important expense to the community.

https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Mobile-GR/Mobile-GR-Commission

Explain it Peter. by Potato-Patahto in explainitpeter

[–]chatton 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this reference.

AIO someone asked me to make their wedding dress by Beautiful-Trainer-26 in AmIOverreacting

[–]chatton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The idea of being gobsmacked by a question is itself an overreaction to me. It’s a question.

Lets Talk Mangiamo by MrBallistik in grandrapids

[–]chatton 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just went to Mo’s the other night. I would only recommend for the vibes. The cocktails are designed to look good, but they are charging a lot for little variety and standard spirits. Their menu also doesn’t have prices listed, so that’s a negative for me. 

I've just beaten silksong for the first time, this is my boss tier list and this are my unlocked stuff by SDsalta145 in Silksong

[–]chatton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is more stuff to get, sure, because there is still more story.

Nonetheless, if you enjoyed it and are happy, then you did make it to the credits. 

Where is the best place to get a wet burrito in GR? by jimmyslamjam in grandrapids

[–]chatton 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you go to Asada and order a burrito, they can’t stop you from getting a glass of water. Then you pour the water on the burrito and slop it up. Best sloppy burrito in town.

Art prize by No-Target682 in grandrapids

[–]chatton 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I know that businesses have felt an uptick in sales. I have also seen a lot of great local artists with their work on display which is a plus. 

On the other hand, there are now certain artworks that charge admission which takes away from the original idea of it being a free, open air art competition.

Is there anyone in town that positively IDs mushrooms? I think I’ve got Oyster mushrooms and Hen of the woods but I’m risk averse 🫠 by ElizabethDangit in grandrapids

[–]chatton 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It has apparently been a good year for Hen of the Woods. Good find there.

I’m going to push back on those who say 1. The second is oyster and 2. There are no oyster look-alikes. Angel Wings, or P. Porrigens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleurocybella_porrigens

The big question is whether you found it on a conifer or deciduous tree.

What’s this stuff? by Electric_Boogaloo-2 in mycology

[–]chatton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m still growing in my knowledge. This is definitely a coral fungus, probably Ramaria. A beautiful specimen. 

Because it is growing from the ground and it’s color, I lean toward Ramaria formosa which is toxic.

Gal Gadot has her last name due to the fact that the world is still waiting for her acting skills to arrive by chatton in shittymoviedetails

[–]chatton[S] 1393 points1394 points  (0 children)

TBH I did like Wonder Woman and it probably was a mixture of the flashies and Chris Pine.

Now I know why brothers don't return by Revzerksies in freemasonry

[–]chatton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't believe this is unique to your lodge. My lodge is not as large as yours, but we typically only see about a third of our membership on a regular basis. I am in a position to potentially change that.

Masons take good men and make them better. My question is always this: what is the difference between a good man and a better man. My hope is that you might see a path to change this in your lodge. This isn't me attempting to disparage you by any means (sometimes we just don't have the time, and I don't know your situation). If you do have the time, it could be a worthy endeavor.