Flint Mayor Don Williamson resigns
by The Flint Journal Monday February 09, 2009, 6:30 PM
This is an updated version of a story first posted at 11:27 a.m.
Flint, Michigan -- The Don is gone.
Mayor Don Williamson announced today that he is "retiring," finally putting to rest weeks of speculation.
In an 11:20 a.m. news conference, Williamson cited health reasons for leaving office. His resignation is effective midnight Sunday. He took no questions from the media, and read from a prepared statement.
"Last month, I celebrated my third sinus infection in 13 months and my eighth kidney stone since Nov. 1. My doctors have told me that I should think about relaxing my schedule and reducing the demands on my time," said Williamson, 75.
Williamson, a multi-millionaire, said his life has been blessed with financial and political success.
"In my political life, I received the greatest honor of all, the trust and respect that the voters of this great city placed in me when they elected me mayor in 2003 and then re-elected me in 2007," Williamson said.
Williamson praised new city administrator Mike Brown and deputy mayor Darryl Buchanan. Buchanan was present at the news conference but Brown was not.
Brown becomes acting mayor when Williamson leaves office and will lead the city until after an August election.
Williamson said there will be a lot of work for Buchanan and Brown as the city tries to deal with a "financial crisis."
"It has been a great pleasure and honor to serve the hometown where Patsy and I have lived our whole lives," Williamson said.
Rumors for weeks had been swirling that Williamson -- whose larger-than-life and often confrontational personality won him many of his supporters and his enemies -- would resign as mayor ahead of the Feb. 24 recall election.
Williamson repeatedly, and adamantly, denied those rumors.
And, many were surprised by Williamson's decision.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton could only said "I'm shocked" when told of Williamson's resignation.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said he was "absolutely shocked that the mayor resigned."
He said, though, that the city is left in capable hands with the appointment of Mike Brown.
"And with Darryl Buchanan working with Mr. Brown, it will be a good team," Pickell said.
Williamson last week dumped right-hand man Buchanan and hired Brown, who worked for the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, as the new city administrator. He also appointed a new interim police chief, John Keahey, who is the third person in less than a month to fill the post.
The mayor initially won a term as mayor in 2003, and then was re-elected in 2007 in a close election against challenger Dayne Walling.
Since then, there's been a string of bad news, including budget deficits, layoffs, controversy over a proposed drag strip and turmoil at City Hall.
Williamson has pointed to some successes in the city, including the revitalization of downtown and the new alternative energy plant.
Flint voters in 2002 recalled then-Mayor Woodrow Stanley -- an election that led to a state takeover.
Citing health reasons, the Mayor of Flint, Michigan, Don Williamson announced Monday at an 11:20 A.M. news conference that he was resigning from office effective Sunday February 15, 2009 at midnight. Williamson, age 75, indicated that he had multiple sinus infections and kidney stones since November 1 and his doctors wanted him to slow down by reducing his schedule.
Genesee County, Michigan (orange).
A number of events has lead to speculation about Williamson's resignation. His interim Police Chief, David Dicks, has been charged with defrauding the United States government stemming from the Federal investigation into his father's security company, City Security, and its contract with Career Alliance in January. Further, a recall election was scheduled for February 24. The snap selection of Michael Brown to be the new Flint City Administrator and his current City Administrator Darryl Buchanan to the non-City Charter position of "deputy mayor" last week Wednesday. Last Thursday a press conference, originally announced to explain the switch in City Administrators and the position of "deputy mayor," was canceled. And finally, on Friday the Interim Police Chief David Forystek was replaced with a new Interim Police Chief, John Keahey. This returned Forystek to department's traffic bureau.  

Over the last weekend, Williamson denied the rumors. Buchanan was at the press conference while Brown did not attend.

Williamson is a multi-millionaire. He is majority stockholder and chairman of the publicly traded The Colonel's International Inc. (Nasdaq:COLO).

Williamson first stepped onto the political field by running for Mayor of Flint in 1991 but failed to get out the primary. In 1999 he lost to Woodrow Stanley in the general election. In 2003 election — the first full term election after the recall of Stanley — Williamson won the office of Mayor, while the city was still under state financial administration, succeeding Mayor James W. Rutherford into office.

In 2007, Williamson won a narrow re-election over Dayne Walling. He was only drawing a US$1 per year salary. A number of problems have cropped up since then including budget deficits, layoffs, and proposed drag strip.

Some leaders in the community that were surprised at his resignation. The ''Flint Journal'' quoted Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton as stating "I'm shocked." While County Sheriff Robert Pickell stated to the ''Journal'' that he was "absolutely shocked that the mayor resigned." Pickel added, that "with Darryl Buchanan working with Mr. Brown, it will be a good team."

City Councilor, and Williamson opponent, Scott Kincaid is quoted by ABC 12 News as stating that this "was a super-fantastic day" for the city of Flint. City Councilor Jackie Poplar said "Hallelujah!" to ABC 12. 

According to the City Charter, Michael Brown as the Flint City Administrator will take over as Temporary Mayor, with no veto nor ability to remove mayorial appointees with out City Council approval. A primary will be scheduled for the May election date and the general election in August for a replacement mayor.

The recall was based on charges that Williamson mishandled city funds and misstated the status of the city's finances. An additional recall charge according to recall supporters was he disregarded public safety by moving to eliminate 59 police officers and nine firefighters.