Statement from Michele Sims on Illegally Called Meeting of the Mulberry City Council

It has come to my attention that yesterday evening going into a holiday weekend and prior to the certification of the City of Mulberry’s Municipal Election, a notice was sent out via email announcing the intent to illegally call an emergency meeting of the Mulberry City Council on Tuesday, November 12th.

The agenda for this illegal emergency meeting includes the appointment of a Mayor and Mayor Pro-Temp - an act that not only deprives the residents of District 5 a voice, but would also be in direct violation of the charter for the City of Mulberry that was approved by voters only a few months ago.

The charter for the City of Mulberry explicitly states the appointment of the Mayor and Mayor Pro-temp shall occur upon the “first regular meeting” of the City Council following each election.

I find this announcement disconcerting, egregious, and a flagrant disregard for the law. It is also alarming that, prior to the certification of November’s election results and before the presumptive council members have even taken office, they are making their first act an unlawful one.

This is the exact sort of behavior that sowed distrust among residents in District 5 during the referendum process and led them to vote against the city charter, despite many being in agreement on some of the issues that led to the movement to establish the city.

Today, I am calling on the presumptive council members on the Mulberry City Council to follow our charter and the law and cancel Tuesday’s emergency meeting!