The mayor of Melvindale says the mayor pro tem acted outside of his authority when he declared a snow emergency on Jan. 24.
According to a report on WDIV-TV (Channel 4), Mayor Nicole Shkira said she knew she had not called a snow emergency when sirens went off, alerting residents they have to move their vehicles off the streets.
She called the fire department and was told the mayor pro tem had declared the snow emergency. The TV report did not identify him, but Joseph Jackson is listed on the city’s website as mayor pro tem and a member of the City Council.
Shkira said the mayor pro tem only has the authority to make such a declaration when she is absent.
She told the TV station the false snow emergency created confusion for residents, as the declaration is usually made only when at least 4 inches of snow fall. That condition was not met that day.
“My apologies for any inconvenience of a councilman operating outside his scope of duties,” she said in a post on the city’s Facebook page.
Several residents commented that the council needs to get its act together.
The TV report said Shkira planned to meet with the council to clarify who has the authority of snow emergencies and other matters.
Neither Shkira or Jackson responded to requests for comment from The News Herald.
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