Residents urge Grand Haven to declare itself a ‘welcoming’ city; pedestrian access also raised

Mac Davis urged the Grand Haven City Council to “take measures to declare Grand Haven to be a sanctuary city, or if you need a euphemism, a welcoming city,” saying he would meet with council members to discuss next steps.

The proposal drew similar comments from community members, including Oliver Champine, who linked migration to global forces and also raised pedestrian-safety concerns. Champine said many sidewalks are not cleared in winter and described accessible walkways as “not just a matter of convenience, it's a matter of equity, safety, and public health.” He also announced he is running for the vacant council seat currently held by Ryan Cummins.

Why this matters: The remarks ask the council to consider a local policy stance on federal immigration enforcement and to review how the city maintains sidewalks and pedestrian routes in winter. Both topics—local sanctuary/welcoming policies and pedestrian maintenance—touch on what proponents described as moral and equity considerations for residents who rely on walking.

What speakers said and requested

Mac Davis (address given) told the council he had written to 27 pastors seeking support for action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and said only one had responded. He cited national and religious organizations’ statements and legal actions as context and asked the council to meet with him "within the next few days" to discuss how Grand Haven could act.

Oliver Champine (address given) supported Davis’s request and then focused on pedestrian maintenance. He said many residents, including elderly people and mail carriers, are affected when sidewalks are not cleared in winter and called it an equity and safety issue. Champine said he will return to future meetings with more proposals and announced he is running to fill the vacant council seat.

Other public comments

A later speaker who identified themself as “Don Quixote” also urged council action on immigration and urged the city to stand publicly against federal enforcement actions in local spaces. That speaker repeated a widely circulated admonition—"when they came for me, there was no one to stand up for me"—as a rationale for local action.

Council response and next steps

The council did not take formal action during the meeting on either immigration policy or a change in sidewalk maintenance. Public-comment items were recorded for future consideration, and speakers were told there would be no response at the meeting itself. Mac Davis and others requested follow-up meetings with council members; the transcript records at least one request for the council to schedule such a meeting but does not show any staff or council commitment to a specific meeting date.

Context and limitations

Speakers repeatedly linked local policy choices to national and religious advocacy but did not present a specific draft ordinance or resolution for council consideration. The transcript records requests for meetings and additional information; it does not show any formal referral, study directive, or vote by the council on sanctuary/welcoming-city policy or on changes to sidewalk snow-clearing policy.