WKTV Journal Soundbites

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

Rep. John Fitzgerald (Courtesy, Supplied)

State Representative John Fitzgerald sat down with WKTV Journal Soundbites to recap “an exciting year in the legislature” and deliver a direct message to his constituents in District 83.

“I am a representative for this community, of this community, and I’m a conduit for information both from Wyoming, southwest Grand Rapids, and Byron Township to Lansing, but also the other way,” said Rep. Fitzgerald.

Bringing transparency to local legislature

Driven by a “listen first” mentality, Fitzgerald is also committed to transparency. And that means keeping his constituents “in the know” about legislative happenings that affect their communities.

One of the bills passed and signed into law under Fitzgerald’s guidance made the Affordable Care Act state law. This ensures that if federal law requirements to receive health insurance were ever preempted or withdrawn, quality healthcare would still be available to Michigan residents.

Fitzgerald’s bill was specifically aimed toward extending dependent care, allowing dependents to remain on their primary caregivers’ insurance until age 26.

“We also passed significant energy law reform that is going to put us on a track to 100% clean energy by 2040,” said Fitzgerald. “This legislation is going to really put us as the leader in the Midwest when it comes to clean energy.”

Included in the bill is language specifying a Kent County incinerator facility shutdown by 2040 due to health concerns surrounding that facility.

Looking ahead

Fitzgerald said he is currently working on increasing transparency and ease of understanding to the public via the Open Meetings Act.

Rep. Fitzgerald aims to increase transparency in legislature (Courtesy, WKTV)

“If you’ve ever seen the Open Meetings Act language, it can be kind of gray,” Fitzgerald said. “We don’t want gray. We want to make sure that there is adherence to the Open Meetings Act.”

Supporting families via family leave under the Affordable Care Act is also on Fitzgerald’s agenda.

“As somebody who has a young child in daycare, it’s a very expensive cost to Michigan families, and we want to make sure that we’re creating that environment to support [them],” said Fitzgerald. “My mission is that Michigan could be the best place to raise a family in the country.”

Education

With seven school districts in the City of Wyoming alone, and several more compiling District 83, education is also on Fitzgerald’s mind.

A new budget is a milestone for local schools (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

With so many public school districts with varying needs, a budget was passed in 2023 that Fitzgerald said is a milestone for the City of Wyoming and southwest Grand Rapids.

“One of those things that we passed [is] free school lunch and breakfast for all public schools,” said Fitzgerald, adding that they have already seen great implementation by local school districts.

Tax relief

Thousands of seniors, Fitzgerald said, are receiving an average of $1,000 back due to a pension tax return repeal and retirement tax repeal.

On the flip side, working families are receiving a tax credit.

“There were 8,400 (District 83) households who qualified for that last year,” said Fitzgerald. “We are now putting more money back in those 8,400 households.”

“Show me the money” – Tax dollars coming home

“We brought home almost $70 million into services and infrastructure and goods that are going to impact [and] amplify the lives of Wyoming residents,” said Fitzgerald.

$20 million will facilitate the Wyoming City Center project.

“When polled,” Fitzgerald said, “Wyoming residents say, We want a place to call home, that we can identify as: that is Wyoming. We don’t have that.

“But the City has taken this on to say, we’re going to build a downtown multi-use walkable area, and we’re going to do that on 28th Street.”

$35 million is allocated to the Grand Rapids Fire Department to build a new station and training center on South Division Avenue.

“That is helping to support services that actually directly impact southwest GR and Wyoming,” said Fitzgerald. “When we need mutual aid, they’re coming into Wyoming as well.”

The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will receive $5 million to assist in moving to a new district location.

$5 million will help Special Olympics Michigan to continue their services and renovation of the former South Christian High School.

“It’s going to be the world’s largest Special Olympics training facility, right here in Kent County,” said Fitzgerald. “We want to make sure that those athletes are getting exactly what they need to help cut down on health disparities, to help cut down on mental health challenges.”

And finally, $4 million will help Godfrey Lee schools with a much-needed roof renovation.

“That is real money that went to Lansing, or went to Washington, and is coming home now to enrich the lives of Wyoming residents. That’s exciting, and that doesn’t happen without your input coming to me,” said Fitzgerald.

Serving at home: “I want to hear from you.”

Rep. Fitzgerald spoke with community members during a recent Wyoming Senior Resource Fair (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Being attuned to his duties in Lansing is important, Fitzgerald said. But he believes connecting to his community is equally essential.

“My duty is to the people here at home,” said Fitzgerald.

Offering opportunities for communication is a top priority for Fitzgerald.

“I hope that any and all of you join me when we have office hours on the second and fourth Mondays at Wyoming City Hall, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. I’m there, I want to hear from you, it’s an open door,” said Fitzgerald in a direct message to the community.

“Please come and engage, because you are what drives me. Your interests, your concerns, help to drive the work that we’ve discussed here today, and more.”

Recharging with family time

When asked what he does to recharge so he can continue his work in the legislature, Fitzgerald replied: “Right now, it is playing with my daughter.”

Fitzgerald went on to say that his perspective has changed since becoming a parent.

“Your priorities change, your mindset changes, you’re more empathetic, you’re more understanding of other people’s situations as well,” said Fitzgerald. “Really being with my daughter charges me up. Hearing her laugh now, and seeing her start to walk, that’s just incredible to me.

“So quite frankly, it’s quality family time that has really kind of helped to recharge me to go to those long days in Lansing, to make that commute day in and day out.”

A conduit and facilitator for residents

Fitzgerald urges residents to contact him with questions and concerns.

Rep. Fitzgerald wants to hear from residents (Courtesy, WKTV)

“I am your representative…a conduit for you to Lansing, and for the information in Lansing to come home to you. That’s what we do best, connecting people with local resources, state resources, or even federal resources, to make sure that your life is enriched and your government is providing you with what you need,” said Fitzgerald.

“We have a lot to be proud of, we have a lot to look forward to. I think that the future is very bright here in Michigan.”

WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed went behind the scenes with author Chavonne Mateen and her debut novel, Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots, on WKTV Soundbites (Courtesy, WKTV)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Local author Chavonne Mateen will be launching her debut fantasy novel, Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots, on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Set in an urban magical realm, Mateen’s middle grade novel contains everything the author loves about the fantasy genre – and about life.

“I have always been a huge fan of fantasy fiction,” said Mateen, adding that the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and the Children of Blood and Bone series by Tomi Adeyemi are among her favorite reads.

When not writing, Mateen fills her time as an HR Technologist for HRIS Streamline Consulting, is an Associate Integration Consultant for iCIMS, and is a self-professed serial entrepreneur.

Already living a life busy with the HR works she loves, this reporter couldn’t resist asking Mateen about the driving force behind her desire to pen a novel.

Living life to the fullest

“People go on journeys in life,” said Mateen. “One day I was writing down things I wanted to accomplish. Starting a business was one, finishing school was another, and writing a rap.

“The next one was to write a book. That’s how this was born.”

Mateen talked with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed about what lies at the heart of her debut novel (Courtesy, WKTV)

Not only did Mateen decide to write a book, she decided to create something groundbreaking that was also relatable.

Mateen wanted to write what she deemed was missing in the fantasy genre – a series featuring a beautiful, strong and present family that sticks together.

“I decided that I wanted to write something that I could relate to,” said Mateen. “This is more in an urban setting, and it’s characters that I can relate to.”

Shaylah’s journey is one of self-discovery.

Suddenly inundated with nightly visions of her deceased grandfather, Shaylah begins asking her mother some hard questions. As long-kept family secrets are revealed, the young teen realizes that she also holds magical powers and abilities.

Mateen chats about Shaylah Marston merchandise and fan art (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“When they begin telling her these secrets, that’s when the story begins to unfold and the magic occurs,” said Mateen.

The young heroine embarks on a mission with her family and friends, intent on saving a distant world and restoring her family’s name.

With a diverse cast of characters and a relatable and inspiring protagonist, Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots weaves powerful themes of friendship, courage and self-discovery throughout its pages.

Deemed “an exhilarating coming-of-age extravaganza” and “unapologetic fantasy fiction at its finest” by beta readers, Mateen’s novel will transport readers to a world brimming with adventure.

Interested readers can visit Mateen’s website to pre-order a copy of the novel, sign up for notifications regarding Shaylah Marston events and news, and purchase Shaylah Marston merchandise.

But Mateen isn’t stopping there.

Big screen goals

Bringing Shaylah Marston to the big screen as a Netflix series is a goal Mateen is already working to set in motion.

“That’s the ultimate goal, to bring it to the big screen, bring it to life, and bring the awareness to Grand Rapids that we do have offerings and more creatives in this space,” said Mateen.

Expanding worlds, chasing dreams

Mateen is currently working on the second Shaylah Marston novel (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Mateen plans to expand Shaylah Marston’s world through writing, though she admits that the writing process is not always easy.

“I’ve experienced roadblocks, setbacks, tumbles and stumbles,” said Mateen.

But she doesn’t let that stop her, and she encourages others to push through those difficulties as well.

“Just continue to write,” said Mateen. “Pick up that pen. If you don’t have a pen, pick up your phone. Jot those ideas down. You can always revisit and expand on it, but you have to start somewhere and keep at it because it’s a work in progress.

“It’s not going to always be perfect. But continue pressing forward.”

To learn more about Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots, visit the Shaylah Marston website and Facebook page.