[paypal_donation_button]FLINT, MI – Flint Mayor Karen Weaver is appealing recall language to remove her from office.
According to documents filed by Weaver’s attorney Kendall Williams on March 17, 2017 with the Genesee County Clerk’s office Weaver is looking to appeal recall language approved on March 8, 2017 by the Genesee County Election Commission.
Under Michigan law Weaver had 10 days to appeal the commission’s decision.
Flint resident Arthur Woodson filed recall language on Feb. 24 to remove Weaver over the Flint’s controversial trash contract.
Woodson’s language read:
“Mayor Karen Weaver, on September 22, 2016 signed an emergency waste collection contract with Rizzo Environmental Service(s),” reads the language filed with the Genesee County Clerk’s Office on Feb. 24.
The trash dispute lingered for months as Flint City Council members and Weaver’s administration fought over whom would haul Flint’s garbage.
In June 2016, Weaver’s administration asked the council to approve a $17.9 million contract with Rizzo Environmental Services but council members questioned the company’s integrity and later voted 8 to 1 to not support Weaver’s recommendation.
Flint City Councilman Eric Mays was the sole supporter of Weaver’s recommendation.
Ultimately, the council and Weaver’s team came to an agreement to continue using Republic Waste Services to haul Flint’s trash shortly after October 2016 reports that Rizzo was at the center of a federal corruption investigation.
While Weaver is appealing the decision, signature-collecting efforts are on hold but Woodson said his team is still organizing.
“We feel there’s nothing that they are appealing that’s going to be overturned,” Woodson said. “We’re still moving ahead. We just won’t be collecting signatures because none of them will be valid while it’s under appeal. We’re putting everything in place so when he rules in our favor we will have everything ready and we can hit the ground running as soon as the judge makes a decision.”
So far, there is no official date for Weaver’s appeal hearing but County Clerk officials said the issue will go before Genesee County 7th Circuit Court Judge Geoffrey Neithercut. If the language makes it through court, Woodson would have 60 days to collect signatures to put the issue on the 2017 Flint City Council ballot.
Woodson’s approved language was the fourth attempt to remove Weaver.
Woodson initially submitted recall language on Jan. 23, 2017. On January 27 he withdrew that language saying he met with Weaver to address his concerns.
He submitted the Feb. 24 language after he said Weaver did not keep promises made at the meeting.
Weaver has not confirmed that she met with Woodson and FlintBeat.com could not immediately reach the mayor for comment.