Council appoints Connelly as new Grand Rapids mayor

GRAND RAPIDS — Tasha Connelly is the new mayor of the city of Grand Rapids.

The City Council unanimously accepted the resignation of Mayor Dale Christy at its Monday, Jan. 8, meeting and then appointed Connelly to the position.

Christy submitted his resignation last week after finding he no longer had the time to serve as mayor with his new role as the Grand Rapids School District’s activities director.

Connelly was elected to the Grand Rapids City Council in 2016, serving on the city’s policy and ordinance committee, the Grand Rapids Economic Development Authority, the city/county cooperative board and the Human Rights Commission.

Local News

Grand Rapids mayor announces resignation

Dale Christy's resignation, effective Wednesday, Jan. 3, comes after 15 years in local elected office. Christy recently began as the Activities Director for Grand Rapids Schools and says he no longer has the time to attend duties as mayor.

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“Thank you for your vote of confidence,” Connelly said after switching seats on the dais. “And I look forward to continuing to work alongside all of you and our future, yet-to-be-determined council member.”

She is a Grand Rapids High School graduate and attended Itasca Community College before obtaining a bachelor’s in social work and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy.

She now works as a student support specialist with the Grand Rapids School District and lives in the city with her husband and two sons.

With Connelly’s appointment to mayor, her city council seat is now vacant.

The council agreed to advertise for the open position with plans to interview those who’ve applied later this month.

Christy’s term was up this year, so the mayoral position will be on the ballot this November.