Featured photo: Councilwoman Tonya Burns, who was recently suspended for “behavior unbecoming of a council member”
Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Two Flint City Council members have recently been disciplined for “behavior unbecoming of a council member,” which the late Eric Mays was was removed from office for 90 days for in December 2023.
The council has voted 5-2 to suspend Councilwoman Tonya Burns. They voted to censure Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer at the same meeting on March 25, 2024.
Council President Ladel Lewis, Vice President Candice Mushatt and Councilmembers Quincy Murphy, Eva Worthing and Judy Priestley all voted in favor of the most recent suspension.
Councilmembers Jerri Winfrey-Carter and Pfeiffer voted against the suspension. Burns and the new 1st Ward Councilman Leon El-Alamin both abstained from voting.
Burns said publicly at the meeting as she was being escorted out by police she would be seeing the councilmember who voted to suspend her in court. She called the matter “ridiculous.”
“If the rules were applied equally I would vote to censure myself, but they’re not,” stated Pfeiffer.
Some council members and community members have said in meetings that other council members should be removed or censured. These council members are accused of sticking together and voting in favor of the agenda of Mayor Sheldon Neeley.
President Ladel Lewis is among these council members. She was criticized at the meeting for allegedly “trying to fight” three men.
Winfrey-Carter said at the meeting there was a “double standard.”
Both Burns and Pfeiffer are accused of telling their colleagues to shut up and engaging in other “unbecoming” behaviors. Pfeiffer is also accused of using profanity when speaking about colleagues.
