City Public Services Department Directors / Superintendents

City Public Services Department Directors / Superintendents

City Public Services Department Superintendents. “These were heads of City Departments, largely Directors of Services: Parks, Water, Filtration, Recreation. This group was responsible for funding projects and directing them. The tallest in the center is John Edison, who suggested the first project that employed 600 men in 2 shifts of 300. They removed sand bars that closed 3 of 5 spans of <a> railroad bridge that, each spring, flooded the West Side and lower Monroe basements.

Next to Edison on his left is Frank Goebel of the Park Department, later to become City Manager. Next to Goebel is Claude VanderMolen, later to become successor to John Edison. At extreme left is night superintendent of streets. Next to him is superintendent of filtration plant then.”

Left to right (in one row): Unknown (Evening Shift Streets), James Rumsey (Wastewater/filtration); Billings (Unknown Department); Unknown (Unknown Department); John Edison (Streets); Frank Goebel (Parks); Carl Grinnell (Pumping Station); Claude VanderMolen (Unknown Department); Unknown (Unknown Department); Unknown (Unknown Department)

Grand Rapids Executive Office - Mayor's Office

Executive Office - Mayor's Office Photograph Collection

December 18, 1931

City of Grand Rapids Archives and Records Center

City of Grand Rapids Archives and Records Center

JPG

English

Photograph

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