Residents raise charter and social-media concerns; council reiterates policy against blocking and outlines next steps

Several residents used the meeting’s public-comment period on Aug. 25 to raise concerns about a council member’s campaign conduct, alleged charter violations related to a police endorsement, and use of social media. Councilors and the mayor responded with clarifications about policy and next steps.

Martha Covert told the council she believed the charter had been violated when a council candidate accepted a police endorsement and said city employees should not be involved in city campaigns. “You broke that charter when you accepted the police endorsement, FOP, because you know the police department had to give the, recommendation to the FOP. According to charter, employees cannot be involved in city campaigns. If they are, they shall be terminated,” Covert said, and asked the city attorney and council to consider a resolution within 14 days.

Other commenters raised concerns about what they called repetitive accusations of racism by a council member. Mary Harp said a council member’s statements in past meetings and on social media made it difficult for residents to disagree without being labeled. “His divisive views make him unfit to represent our city as a councilman or as a mayor,” Harp said.

Councilor Quinn Wright addressed the public comments directly. Wright said clips of his remarks had been edited and that he was defending the decision to hold a Juneteenth event when some in the audience questioned it. “I do not I denounce racism, bigotry, and prejudice, period,” Wright said in his remarks, and added that he welcomes direct conversation with residents.

Council members used the discussion to reiterate the city’s social media policy and to remind elected officials not to block constituents. One council member said the rule has been in place about four years: “If you are an elected official in Madison Heights and you are using social media, you cannot block people. You don't like what they have to say? Ignore it. Scroll on. It is viewpoint discrimination.”

A council member also addressed staff social-media posts from city events and said staff should avoid publishing photos that could be perceived as the city endorsing a candidate — for example, images showing a person wearing campaign material. The council member suggested staff decline to post images that include political signs or clothing rather than spending staff time editing photos.

Several council members encouraged residents who have questions about decisions or construction projects to contact individual council members or staff for background information rather than using social media groups.

What happens next: A resident requested the city attorney consider whether a charter violation occurred and asked for a response within 14 days. Council members reiterated the social media and blocking policies and said staff should avoid posting images that could imply city endorsement of a candidate.