Karen Weaver
| Karen Williams Weaver | |
|---|---|
| 93rd Mayor of Flint | |
|
Assumed office November 9, 2015 | |
| Governor | Rick Snyder |
| Preceded by | Dayne Walling |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Flint, Michigan |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Wrex A. Weaver |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents | T. Wendell Williams and Marion Coates Williams |
| Education |
Tougaloo College (B.A.) Long Island University (M.A.) Michigan State University (Psy.D) |
Karen Williams Weaver[1] is an American politician, clinical psychologist, and small business owner who has been the mayor of Flint, Michigan since November 9, 2015. She succeeded Dayne Walling, whom she defeated in a November 2015 election.[2] She is the first female mayor of the city.[2]
Weaver is a member of the Democratic Party,[3] although local offices in Flint are officially nonpartisan.[4] She is also a member of the United States Conference of Mayors.[5]
Early life and education
The youngest of three children, Weaver was born in Flint and grew up on the city's north side.[1] She graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1977.[1] She holds a bachelor's degree from Tougaloo College, a master's degree from Long Island University, and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Michigan State University.[2][6]
Career
Prior to being elected mayor of Flint in 2015, Weaver served on a number of committees in the city, including the Hurley Hospital Board of Managers, Priority Children and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.[6]
In the mayoral election of November 3, 2015, Weaver received 7,825 votes (55%), defeating Walling, who received 6,061 votes (45%). Weaver took office on November 9, 2015. [2]
Shortly after taking office, she declared an emergency in the city due to the water crisis in the area.[7] She also pushed for a similar declaration by state and federal authorities, which were granted by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on January 5, and President Barack Obama on January 16, 2016.[8] According to Weaver, this declaration means that the federal government will now be responsible for disaster relief efforts, rather than the state of Michigan, as had been the case before.[7] In her short term as Mayor, Weaver has visited the White House and met President Obama[9] and has testified before the U.S. House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on the water crisis.[10] On February 12, 2016, she fired Flint Police Chief James Tolbert, Fire Chief David Cox, and City Administrator Natasha Henderson.[11] Tolbert said her explanation was, "she wants to make some changes."[12] The city council and state Receivership Transition Advisory Board approved her appointments for their successors (Tim Johnson as police chief and Raymond Barton as fire chief) later that month. [13]
On March 24, 2016, Governor Snyder appointed Mayor Weaver to an eight year term on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's executive committee.[14] Mayor Weaver was also appointed to Governor Snyder's Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee which is attempting to alleviate the problems caused during the Flint water crisis.[15]
References
- 1 2 3 "Karen Weaver Biography". Flint City website. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Fonger, Ron (4 November 2015). "Karen Weaver makes history, elected Flint's first woman mayor". MLive.com. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ↑ Foxnews.com (19 January 2016). "Blame game erupts over Flint's toxic water, Dems target GOP gov". Fox News. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ↑ Louis Jacobson, Who's to blame for the Flint water crisis?, Politifact (February 15, 2016).
- ↑ Nearly 160 mayors join to secure more money for Flint lead pipe work The Flint Journal via MLive, March 10, 2016
- 1 2 Fonger, Ron (31 July 2015). "From business to campaign, Karen Weaver aims to be first female Flint mayor". MLive. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- 1 2 Smith, Lindsey (17 January 2016). "Who's To Blame For Flint's Water Problem?". NPR. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ↑ Barrett, Joe (16 January 2016). "Obama Declares Emergency in Flint". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ↑ Obama meets with Flint mayor; EPA says reviewing its role CNN, January 19, 2016
- ↑ Flint mayor, doctor to testify on water crisis The Detroit Free Press, February 10, 2016
- ↑ Flint Mayor Karen Weaver fires police chief, fire chief and city administrator WJRT-TV, February 12, 2016
- ↑ Flint mayor fires police and fire chiefs, ex-top cop says The Flint Journal via MLive, February 12, 2016
- ↑ RTAB board OKs hiring of Flint's new police and fire chiefs RTAB board OKs hiring of Flint's new police and fire chiefs Michigan Radio, February 26, 2016
- ↑ Flint mayor appointed to MEDC executive committee The Flint Journal via MLive, March 24, 2016
- ↑ Ron Fonger, Gov. Snyder signs executive order to create new Flint water committee, The Flint Journal via MLive (January 11, 2016).
| Preceded by Dayne Walling 2009–2014 |
Mayor of Flint 2015– |
Succeeded by N/A |
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