Written by Tanya Terry
After four city council members did not show up, a special meeting in which 3rd Ward candidates were to be interviewed, was adjourned before the candidates could be interviewed. This was the second time the candidate interviews had to be postponed.
The first time this happened was on Monday, October 14. That day’s meeting also adjourned early due to an altercation between the families of Councilman Quincy Murphy, who died September 29, and the family of one of the candidates that was to be considered for his position.
At the Wednesday, October 23 meeting, council members who were in attendance tried calling and texting the member who were not present. However, 5th Ward Councilwoman Jerri Winfrey-Carter, 6th Ward Councilwoman Tonya Burns and 8th Ward Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer – who were not present – did not respond.
A statement issued from City of Flint Chief of Staff Ed Taylor read:
“We are deeply disturbed that the Flint City Council meeting could not take place last night due to a lack of quorum, resulting in delays in completing city business on behalf of Flint residents. The failure of council members representing wards 5, 6, 8, and 9 to attend the meeting puts major city business in jeopardy, and could result in charter violations if the council fails to appoint a 3rd Ward representative within 30 days of the vacancy.”
As a former council member for more than decade, this type of behavior is unprecedented and it needs to be addressed by their constituents.
According to the city’s law, the council has 30 days to fill Murphy’s vacant seat. So, by October 29, a new council member must be appointed.
