[paypal_donation_button]FLINT, MI – Documents filed with the Genesee County Personal Protection office say Flint Mayor Karen Weaver fears for her life.
Weaver filed a PPO petition on March 21, 2017 against Flint resident Arthur Woodson who is leading recall efforts against her saying he has mental health issues and depression.
“I need a personal protection order because I have received threatening mail that I believe came for Arthur Woodson,” reads a March 21, 2017 statement filed with the county and signed by Weaver. “He says he loves me. When he gets close to me and says it in an overly affectionate manner. He tells me he ‘just wants to be close to me’ like others are.”
Weaver goes on to explain that Woodson has told her in front of witnesses that he has mental health issues and depression. She also claims that Woodson makes her feel uncomfortable and he is obsessed with her.
“As a licensed clinical psychologist, I know this can be very dangerous behavior, and this makes me very nervous and fearful for my life.”
The PPO petition, which was signed by Weaver on March 14, 2017, has been assigned to Genesee County Judge Joseph Farah. As of 8:15 a.m. on March 22, 2017 Farah had not signed off on the document that Weaver is hoping is expedited.
Woodson denies Weaver’s claims.
“If I’ve did these things why hasn’t the mayor filed a police report. I can’t even get close to her in that sense,” said Woodson. “How would I be able to get close enough to the mayor who typically has bodyguards at her side. I am considering getting a lawyer because her claims are false.”
Woodson filed recall language on Feb. 24, 2017 to remove Weaver from office over Flint’s controversial trash contract he says he believes she only filed the PPO petition because of the recall.
“That’s the only thing I can think of,” Woodson said. “I haven’t harassed her or made any threats to the mayor. I followed the process as a resident of Flint and filed recall language.”
Person Protection Order Petiton documents filed by Flint Mayor Karen Weaver by Flint Beat on Scribd
The Genesee County Election Commission approved Woodson’s recall language on March 8, 2017.
Weaver later filed documents on March 17, 2017 with the Genesee County Clerk’s office to appeal the Commission’s decision.
Under Michigan law she had 10 days to file the appeal.
Woodson’s approved language was the fourth attempt to remove Weaver. Another Flint resident, Alex Harris, had also submitted language twice to remove Weaver but the Genesee County Elections Commission did not approve his submissions.
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 reach the mayor or City Spokeswoman Kristin Moore for comment.
Woodson’s language filed with the Genesee County Clerk’s Office on Feb. 24 reads:
“Mayor Karen Weaver, on September 22, 2016 signed an emergency waste collection contract with Rizzo Environmental Service(s).”
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. He has to collect an estimated 5,800 signatures.
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.
It appears that she is simultaneously smearing Mr. Woodson in retaliation and attempting to derail the recall.