Flint City Council members face more recall attempts as the year ends

Flint, MI — Fifteen recall petitions were filed against Flint councilmembers: six against Flint City Council President Ladel Lewis, and eight against Councilwoman Judy Priestley by two separate petitioners.

The language filed against Lewis marks the third time within a span of two years an attempt was made to recall her: both attempts resulting in an insufficient number of signatures. 

“Hopefully, they approve [the petitions] and we can get her on the ballot so that we can move our city forward because she has caused nothing but chaos while being on city council,” said Flint resident Arthur Woodson, who submitted the language on Dec. 2, 2024. 

“She has taken the people’s first amendment rights, she has weaponized the City of Flint police, and Flint City Police allow her to intimidate and harass the residents,” he said.

On June 4, 2024, Woodson was arrested outside Council Chambers after being told by the Flint Police Department to leave the building. While Woodson did comply with being told to leave the chambers for recording during the meeting, he maintained that it was his legal right to sit in the hallway. A judge dismissed the charges of disorderly conduct against him. 

Lewis says the recall attempt is a “personal vendetta” that Woodson has against her.

“I am a firm advocate of democracy and democracy in action, but this is the fifth attempt to recall me [in] our legacy,” Lewis said. “At this point, this is definitely abuse…This is exclusively a personal vendetta that Arthur Woodson has towards me.”

“The only thing these petitions say is that I’ve been doing my job. I’ve been in my elected seat, I’ve been voting, I’ve been supporting neighborhoods…residents have the right to recall me if they’re unhappy with my work [but] this is a gross waste of taxpayer dollars to even attempt to recall an elected official for doing their job.”

The language against Lewis states as follows:

1. On September 23, 2024, Ladel Lewis voted “yes” on Resolution #240144, Administrative Consent Order/City of Flint/State of Michigan/Department of Environment, Great Lakes And Energy [EGLE] Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division.
2. Councilmember Ladel Lewis voted “yes” on Resolution #240058, February 19, 2024, Approving Reallocation of ARPA Funds to Neighborhood Engagement HUB to serve as fiduciary for Sarvis Park Neighborhood Association. 
3. Councilmember Ladel Lewis voted “yes” on Resolution #240058, February 19, 2024, Approving Reallocation of ARPA Funds to Neighborhood Engagement HUB to serve as fiduciary for Sarvis Park Neighborhood Association for the amount of $50,000.00.
4. Councilmember Ladel Lewis voted “yes” on Resolution #240324, Approving Reallocation of ARPA Funds/Sarvis Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA)/Alternative Uses of Vacant Lots/Neighborhood Engagement (NEH) as Fiduciary for the amount of $25,000.00, on September 23, 2024.
5. Councilmember Ladel Lewis voted “yes” on Resolution #240324, Approving Reallocation of ARPA Funds/Sarvis Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA)/Alternative Uses of Vacant Lots/Neighborhood Engagement (NEH) as Fiduciary on September 23, 2024.
6. On February 19, 2024, Councilwoman Ladel Lewis voted “yes” on Resolution #240058, Approving Reallocation of ARPA Funds to the Neighborhood Engagement HUB, to serve as Fiduciary for Sarvis Park Neighborhood Association. 

Priestley avoided recall once in 2023 after the deadline for signatures passed without the petition being turned in. The newest language, submitted by resident Deborah Clark on Dec. 2, states as follows:

1. Judith Priestley approved Resolution #240227, Resolution Approving Reallocation of ARPA Funds to Proceed with Grants for Youth Job Training for Faith Foundation Resources in the amount of $200,000.00
2. Resolution approving the appointment of Leon El-Alamin to the Flint City Council representing Ward 1. 
3. Judith Priestley approved Resolution #240113, Resolution Approving the Appointment of Leon El-Alamin to the Flint City Council, Representing Ward 1. 
4. Judith Priestley owes fees for her campaign finance to Genesee County in the amount of $4,325.00. 
5. Judith Priestley Committee to Elect Judith Priestley, City Council Member, owes campaign finance fees in the amount of $4,325.00 to Genesee County, who is the campaign filing agent for campaign finance. 
6. On September 23, 2024, Judith Priestley voted “yes” on Resolution #240144, Administrative Consent Order/City of Flint/State of Michigan/Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy [E.G.L.E] Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division. 
7. On September 23, 2024, Judith Priestley voted “yes” to approve Resolution #240324, Reallocation of ARPA Funds/Sarvis Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) Alternative Uses of Vacant Lots/Neighborhood Engagement Hub (NEH) as Fiduciary. 
8. Judith Priestley approved Resolution #240324 Reallocation of ARPA Funds to the Neighborhood Engagement HUB to serve as the fiduciary for Sarvis Park Neighborhood Association for alternate uses of vacant lots. 
9. Judith Priestley owes campaign finance fees in the amount of $4325.00.

The Genesee County Election Commission has not set a date to consider the recall language submitted. 

The Election Commission has, however, set a date to consider the language that was submitted against their colleague, councilwoman Tonya Burns, for Wednesday, Dec. 11. The meeting will take place at 8:15 a.m. in Judge Barkey’s Courtroom.