Flint — Four recall petitions were filed to remove 6th Ward Flint City Councilwoman Tonya Burns. This marks the first time Burns has been at the receiving end of a recall attempt since the start of her term in 2021.
“I’ve gotten fed up with Tonya’s behavior, actions and inaction…She’s not showing up to important committee meetings, and I elected her,” said Flint resident Sandra L. Smith who filed the petitions on Nov. 22, 2024. “I just don’t think that she’s doing the job I elected her to do.”
The language states as follows:
- “On Monday, March 25, 2024 (according to resolution 240111) 6th Ward councilwoman Tonya Burns was suspended for 30 days for conduct unbecoming of a council member.”
- On Monday, November 28, 2023 (according to resolution 230450) 6th Ward councilwoman Tonya Burns was censured for behavior unbecoming of a council person.”
- “On October 29, 2024, 6th Ward councilwoman Tonya Burns did not attend a special meeting to interview and appoint a 3rd ward councilperson.”
- “On Monday, November 18, 2024 and Wednesday, November 20th 2024, 6th Ward councilwoman Tonya Burns refused to take her elected seat for a special meeting called by Mayor Sheldon Neeley.”
“I’d like someone who will work for me,” said Smith. ” She’s not being a good citizen right now…if you can’t follow the rules like the rest of us, why are you in a position of authority over us?”
Burns responded to the first petition filed, referencing her 30-day suspension in March.
“I took my case to court and I won,” said Burns of her removal. She cited Genesee County 7th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Brian Pickell’s 22-page decision on May 24, 2024, which concluded that “the city council’s adoption of the resolution was unconstitutional.”
Burns also addressed her refusal to take her seat at the Nov. 18 and Nov. 20 special meetings, saying that council members should not be taking their seats as a governing body without electing a president and vice president. She asserts that a meeting cannot be in order if the charter is being violated.
“This is the first time in Flint’s history that the Flint City Charter has not been in alignment with the Flint City Council rules,” said Burns. “The city charter states very clearly: 12 months [for the term of president and vice president]…What they did by voting in council rule 3.1 was they figured a way to circumvent the Flint City Charter with a loophole to keep them in those seats.”
Burns pointed to the adoption of Rule No. 3.1 to the Flint City Council Rules, which was amended to say the president and vice presidents’ terms should end on the second Monday in November “or until a successor is elected.” According to the Flint City Clerk, Davina Donahue, the rule was adopted by the Flint City Council on Feb. 27, 2023.
The current Flint City Charter was adopted by voters on Aug. 7, 2017 and went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018.
The charter says the president of the city council will be elected for a one-year term.
According to Burns, as long as council members are at a four-four standstill, they will be unable to achieve the votes to fill the 3rd Ward seat.
“The voters spoke: Beverly Biggs-Levy had 589 votes. Period. So we legally should not be taking our seats,” Burns said.
The Genesee County Election Commission has not scheduled a meeting to consider the validity of the language.
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