Category: System Watch: Government & Accountability
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Why the City Manager Matters: Kalamazoo at a Crossroads
With longtime City Manager James Ritsema retiring on November 18, 2025 (City of Kalamazoo), Kalamazoo is entering a pivotal transition. This change comes at a moment when our city faces an affordable housing crisis, rising homelessness, and growing mistrust in local governance. Unlike the mayor — an elected official with limited direct administrative power —…
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When Mayors Are Landlords: The Housing Power of David Anderson
Kalamazoo is a city at a crossroads, facing a housing crisis that demands our immediate attention. While we pride ourselves on being a community of generosity, innovation, and opportunity, the stark reality of our housing situation tells a different story. Every day, residents are grappling with unsafe conditions, escalating rents, and landlord retaliation. What’s more,…
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