Mount Clemens commission tables mayor pro tem election after 3–2 split

The Mount Clemens City Commission on Tuesday tabled its election for mayor pro tem after neither candidate secured the four votes the city charter requires.

The commission nominated Commissioner Calhoun and Commissioner Fournier for mayor pro tem. After a written-ballot round, the clerk reported a 3–2 split — three votes for Calhoun and two for Fournier — short of the four votes required by the charter, prompting discussion of next steps. A motion to table the election to the next scheduled meeting passed by voice vote.

The charter provision cited during the meeting (Section 1075.45) requires written ballots and a majority of members in office to prevail, which in the current five-member body translates to four votes. A commissioner who reviewed the provision advised the panel that another ballot could confirm a deadlock or the commission could postpone the election until additional members are present.

Commissioner Calhoun, who received three votes, asked the commission not to hold another round of voting that night and said he would be willing to continue the contest at the next meeting. "I put my name in because I have worked hard to use my experiences to... advocate for people in our community," Calhoun said, urging deliberation and transparency.

During public comment before the election, Denise Minster of 1399 Kingsley urged the commission to follow tradition and select the most senior member as mayor pro tem. Commission discussion weighed that customary approach against the charter's voting requirement.

The commission formally approved a motion to table the election until its next scheduled meeting; no replacement mayor pro tem was selected at the session. The item will return to the agenda for further consideration when more members can participate.