Farmington Hills council ends city manager’s employment

By Max Bryan, mbryan@detroitnews.com

On Wednesday night, metropolis council members voted throughout a particular assembly to fireside their metropolis supervisor, with out publicly giving a purpose.

After a closed session that lasted about 5 hours, council members and the mayor voted 4-3 to terminate the employment of Farmington Hills Metropolis Supervisor Gary Mekjian. Council members Valerie Knol, Charlie Starkman and Jon Aldred opposed the measure; Knol and Aldred initially additionally voted towards a closed session.

Though council members didn’t touch upon their choice from the rostrum, Vickie Sullen-Winn, Farmington Hills Metropolis director of communications and group engagement, stated in a press release that an interim management plan “will guarantee continuity of operations and uninterrupted supply of companies to the group.”

“The employees will proceed to hold out their tasks with professionalism and dedication,” Sullen-Winn stated.

The Detroit Information has requested the time period sheet for Mekjian’s termination.

The Council’s choice was preceded by eight feedback from viewers members, seven of whom brazenly opposed Mekjian’s termination. Many speculated that the particular assembly was a political transfer by newly elected Mayor Theresa Wealthy.

TR Carr, a member of the Metropolis Financial Growth Company, stated the method was “an train in energy, not an train in ethics.” He identified that the council tried to convey Mekjian’s employment up for consideration within the weeks after the November election.

Though there was no agenda associated to the town supervisor’s employment since Wealthy was sworn in on Nov. 24, Sullen-Winn confirmed that the Metropolis Council had initiated a particular assembly for this function earlier than Christmas however had rescheduled it.

The Information has reached out to Wealthy by way of electronic mail for touch upon the council’s choice and response to the criticism.

Eugene Greenstein questioned this transfer in mild of Wealthy’s marketing campaign rhetoric. Greenstein claimed that Wealthy stated through the marketing campaign that the town was being properly run.

“Which means the town supervisor needed to do a wonderful job as he’s liable for delivering all companies,” Greenstein stated.

Farmington Hills resident Pea Gee, who helped run Southfield Clerk Gabi Grossbard’s marketing campaign, stated she was “disgusted” {that a} assembly needed to be known as.

“Will we simply need to put family and friends in these positions? As a result of I am actually upset, and for my tax {dollars}, I am pleased with Gary,” stated Gee, who cried and hugged Mekjian after the council vote.

Mekjian was chosen as Farmington Hills metropolis supervisor in March 2021. He beforehand served as assistant metropolis supervisor and director of public companies for the town and held positions within the governments of Southfield, Lincoln Park and West Bloomfield Township, in accordance with The Oakland Press.