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EAST EXPRESS | NOVEMBER 2025

Friends and neighbors,

As November arrives, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on all we’re thankful for. Fall in East Grand Rapids offers countless reminders of how special our community is. 

I encourage you to take a stroll or ride a bike along our trails, breathe in the crisp air and enjoy the peaceful beauty of this season. Please also remember to take extra care driving on the roads during your morning and evening commute since we have less daylight this time of the year.

This month, we extend deep gratitude to City staff and election workers for their dedication in administering another secure and successful election. Their service plays a vital role in maintaining our democracy.

Looking ahead, mark your calendar for one of our most cherished traditions: the Gaslight Village Holiday Tree Lighting at Regatta Plaza on Friday, Nov. 28. It’s a joyful evening that brings us together to celebrate the season with lights, music and shared community spirit.

As we move deeper into fall and toward the holidays, I’m especially thankful for the kindness, engagement and pride that define East Grand Rapids. May your November be filled with gratitude, connection and the warmth of neighbors and friends.

Warm regards,
Katie 

COFFEE HOURS

Residents have the opportunity to speak with elected officials at Bagel Kitchen, 2228 Wealthy St. SE:

GASLIGHT INVESTORS PROJECT

At its Oct. 6 meeting, the City Commission approved the developer’s revised concept plan. The developer will now create a more in-depth plan, including architectural style and more, and come back to the City with these details.

Once the developer submits the final plan, it will be reviewed again by both the Planning Commission and City Commission, with opportunities for public input.

Community members can learn more about the proposed Gaslight Investors Planned Unit Development project, along with an approval timeline and FAQs, by visiting the project webpage and signing up to receive email and text alerts. 

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
Join us as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony Friday, Nov. 28 in Gaslight Village.

The tree lighting will be the centerpiece of festivities 5-8 p.m. at Regatta Plaza, 2181 Wealthy St. SE. In addition to the lighting of the 30-foot tree, enjoy a variety of all-ages activities and entertainment, including s’mores, live entertainment, reindeer petting and a special visit from Santa Claus. 

Stay up to date by following Gaslight Village on Facebook. 

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17 in the Commission Chambers at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel and view minutes and agendas online. 

STAY INFORMED

If you need assistance signing up for City communications, visit the City office, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PUBLIC SAFETY

PUBLIC SAFETY SPOTLIGHT: JON KARNES
Officer Karnes began his career with East Grand Rapids Public Safety in 2004 after working as a licensed electrician and electrical contractor. A 2003 graduate of Grand Rapids Community College, he was drawn to EGR Public Safety because of its unique cross-trained role, which combines police, fire and emergency medical services. 

Before joining EGR Public Safety, he earned his fire certification with the Hudsonville Fire Department, where he served as a part-time firefighter. During his career at EGR, Officer Karnes has taken on leadership roles within the department as a boat operations instructor and coordinator. He also has completed advanced interview techniques training. 

Around the station, he’s known as the breakfast chef extraordinaire, famous for his perfectly crispy bacon. Although, he says he's still perfecting those egg flips.

Outside of work, Officer Karnes and his wife have been happily married for 30 years. They have four adult children and four grandchildren — with another on the way. When he’s not at work, you’ll find the Karnes family chasing their Shih Tzu, Sadie, or relaxing at the lake on their pontoon boat. 

When asked what he loves most about his job, he said: “I love responding to someone’s house or situation and helping them solve a problem. I feel a great sense of accomplishment in providing that service in this community. This has been a very rewarding career experience.”

Thank you, Officer Karnes, for more than two decades of service, dedication and heart to our community!

HOLIDAY SAFETY REMINDERS

During this festive season filled with events, travel and gatherings, it’s important to stay on top of your safety game to ensure everyone has enjoyable experiences.

Public Safety shares these safety tips for the holidays:

1. Always stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop. 
2. Don’t leave your home when cooking food in the oven and check on it frequently.
3. Never leave lit candles unattended. 
4. Be careful driving Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday, Nov. 27), which traditionally is the busiest bar night, and coordinate a designated driver if you plan to drink alcoholic beverages. 
5. Be mindful of Gobble Wobble race participants 8-10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 28).
6. If you plan to travel for the holidays, remember to lock up your home, outbuildings and remaining vehicles. Remove all valuable items from your yard and car and store them inside your house or garage, including bikes and toys, yard equipment and power tools.  

REMINDER TO LOCK UP
Join your neighbors in locking your home and vehicle. Public Safety encourages residents to participate in the #9PMRoutine – a national initiative that helps community members remember to take simple measures at 9 p.m. each night to keep their possessions safe. This includes bringing in items such as snow removal equipment, toys and other personal items, locking your house, garage and vehicles and turning on outside lights to deter theft. 

Learn more about the #9PMRoutine here.

PUBLIC WORKSFALL LEAF PICKUP CONTINUES
Fall leaf pickup continues through Dec. 5. Leaves may be placed in the street, but please don’t block the roadway and storm sewer catch basins.  

Rules and routes can be found at eastgr.org/refusecollection.

WINTER WEATHER OPERATIONS
With winter approaching, learn about the City's street and sidewalk salting and plowing operations, priority road routes and how you can help make snowplowing easier for our team here. 

During heavy snowfall events, leaf pickup may be intermittently interrupted so our crews can focus on snowplowing. 

Public Works thanks you for your partnership in making sure our streets and sidewalks stay safe for everyone.

SHAKE YOUR MAILBOX
Public Works reminds residents to shake their mailbox if it is located near the street. If your mailbox moves when shaken, the mailbox or post may not withstand snow thrown from plows and should be repaired.

ADOPT-A-DRAIN

As fall leaf pickup continues, Public Works encourages residents to keep catch basins clear of leaf litter and street debris.

We partner with other local communities through the Grand Valley Metro Council and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds to promote water quality for our watersheds while mitigating localized flooding through an adopt-a-drain portal.

What does it mean to adopt a drain? By pledging to keep your drain free of leaves and debris, you’re joining your neighbors in helping to protect the environment, manage stormwater and minimize flooding. Our city has approximately 1,300 catch basins, and while our 15 Public Works staff members help clean catch basins, rain events or even just a few leaves can plug them. That’s why a community effort is needed – and helps tremendously.    

How to care for your adopted drain: Check the weather report weekly. If possible, clear leaves and debris off drains before it starts raining and shovel snow off drains during the winter to keep water flowing. Remove leaves, other natural materials and trash and clear about 10 feet on each side of the drain. Leaves, sticks and other natural materials can be placed in your yard waste container. 

Stay safe when clearing storm drains: Please stay out of the street as much as possible. Place yourself in the right of way – the area between the sidewalk and the street – to clear the drain and wear reflective clothing so drivers can see you. Always wear gloves and be careful of sharp objects. Use a rake, broom or shovel if possible. Never try to lift or remove the drain grate.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Check out the latest construction updates from Public Works. 

COMMUNITY PARTNERSKIDS’ FOOD BASKET GOBBLE WOBBLE
The annual Gobble Wobble run/walk takes place 8-10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, which is Thursday, Nov. 27. This race raises funds for local nonprofit Kids’ Food Basket. Community members and drivers are asked to be mindful of runners and walkers along the course route, shown in the map above.

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH

Adult patrons are invited to pick up a Stampworthy Adult Reader Card at the library! For each visit where you check out a minimum of five items, you receive a stamp. After five stamps (that's five visits checking out at least five books each time), turn your card in at the service desk for an entry into a prize drawing. Each card is an entry. So the more you read, the more times you can enter! 

 EAST GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

EGREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

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