This Blog Has Moved to the LaGrand for City Commission Website

I'll see you there: http://www.davidlagrand.com/news/

LaGrand Endorsed by Grand Rapids and Kent County Elected Officials

David has been endorsed for the Second Ward Seat of the GR City Commission by the following elected officials:

Grand Rapids City Commission
James Jendrasiak (First Ward)
Rick Tormala (Second Ward)

Kent County Commission
Brandon Dillon (District 18, Grand Rapids, includes large parts of Ward 2)
Carol Hennessy (District 14, Grand Rapids, includes a small portion of Ward 2)
Jim Vaughn (District 17, Grand Rapids)

State House Representative (District 76, Grand Rapids), Michael Sak

and former elected officials
M. Scott Bowen, former Grand Rapids City Commissioner (Third Ward)
Steve Monsma, former State Senator

LaGrand Campaign Kick-Off at the Fire Fighters Hall

David Lagrand For City Commission Campaign Kick-Off

Friday, 29 June, 4:30 - 7:00 pm

Firefighters Hall at 1930 Fuller Ave.
(Corner Of Knapp, Next To Wash King) - Map

Please Give Whatever You Can To Support The Campaign

Bring Friends And An Appetite
Your Attendance Is Very Important
We'd Like A Big Crowd!!

Anyone Who Can Help Decorate The Hall, Or Serve Food, Call Lance At 334-6766 To Sign-Up

FYI: David is endorsed by the Grand Rapids Fire Fighters IAFF Local 366.

The Grand Rapids Fire Fighters Hall

LaGrand Receives the UAW CAP Endorsement

Last week after their candidate forum, after hearing from most of the leading city campaigns, the UAW Region 1D Community Action Program endorsed David LaGrand for the Second Ward City Commission.

Join the LaGrand Movement

Volunteer with the David LaGrand Campaign

David Announces His Campaign

From the Grand Rapids Press, 10 May:

Grand Rapids Democrat David LaGrand on Wednesday announced plans to run for the City Commission's soon-to-be vacant 2nd Ward seat. LaGrand, an attorney and businessman who lives in Heritage Hill, is a former assistant Kent County prosecutor and has been involved with revitalizing downtown and the Wealthy Street business district. His announcement came on the heels of 2nd Ward City Commissioner Rick Tormala's decision not to seek re-election. Tormala has said he's considering a run for mayor or a state House seat. The two men worked together in 2006, on LaGrand's unsuccessful campaign for a state Senate seat.

About David

David LaGrand graduated from Calvin College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. After graduate work at the University of Michigan in History, LaGrand went on to earn a law degree from the University of Chicago in 1992.

During his legal studies LaGrand worked in West Michigan at Warner, Norcross & Judd and Dykema Gossett. After graduation, LaGrand returned to Grand Rapids, working first at Warner, Norcross & Judd and then for eight years as an Assistant Kent County Prosecutor. In the prosecutors office, LaGrand concentrated on upholding convictions on appeal and on prosecuting domestic violence crimes.

In 2000, LaGrand joined Gerald Lykins to form a private law firm. In 2007, he joined with Chris Yates and Paul Denenfeld to form Yates, LaGrand and Denenfeld PLLC. Currently LaGrand concentrates his practice in the areas of family and criminal law. Some of his greatest achievements involve working with his clients and their community to seek socially responsible solutions to the breach of law.

LaGrand has also been active in the West Michigan business community. Shortly after returning to Grand Rapids, in early 1994, LaGrand opened the successful Four Friends Coffeeshop in downtown Grand Rapids, at the leading edge of what has been a rapid revitalization of downtown.

In 2002, LaGrand opened the Wealthy Street Bakery, in another revitalizing area of Grand Rapids. This unique bakery and coffee shop now employs 25 people and has received numerous awards and national recognition for both facility rehabilitation and business success.

David LaGrand was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on August 13, 1966. He began studies at Calvin College in 1984, and he supported himself throughout his higher education by starting his first business, a construction firm. LaGrand is still a licensed maintenance and alterations contractor.

During his studies at Calvin College, LaGrand was actively involved in the student newspaper and created and funded a minority scholarship fund, with other student leaders.

LaGrand currently lives in Grand Rapids with his wife Melissa and their four children, John (age 13), Isaac (age 10), Helen (age 6), and Julia (age 1 1/2). He is a member of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, where he is involved in church education programs. LaGrand also volunteers in the prison ministry program sponsored by Grace Christian Reformed Church.

Welcome to the New David LaGrand for Grand Rapids Blog

I'm Phil Skaggs, a supporter and volunteer for the LaGrand for Grand Rapids City Commissioner campaign. I'll be the blogmaster for the campaign for the Second Ward seat.

I hope the David LaGrand blog will:

1. Complement the LaGrand website.
2. Keep voters informed of future LaGrand events and where to meet with David.
3. Alert voters about media reports on David.
4. Be a place for supporters to write their own reports on David and LaGrand events.
5. As with all blogs, give voters another opportunity to make their voices heard.

I'll be building the blog over the next few days. Any recommendations?

David LaGrand 2007: Election Day is 7 August.