Cadillac City Council Sees Shift After New Mayor Appointed, Council Member Resigns

CADILLAC, Mich. — In a dramatic turn of events, the Cadillac City Council appointed Tiyi Schippers as mayor during a meeting Monday evening, following a council vote of 3-1. The appointment comes in the wake of former Mayor Carla Filkins’ sudden resignation last month.

After a contentious series of votes, Schippers, who also served as Mayor Pro Tem, secured her position until the city’s upcoming election in November. The vote was contentious, with council members Stephen King and Bryan Elenbaas supporting other candidates, and King ultimately stepping down after the decision.

King expressed his disappointment with council dynamics, stating he felt a significant lack of confidence in his peers. “I’m going to resign effective tonight, based on the inability to get anything done— the inability to have three members of this council call for accountability,” King stated at the conclusion of the meeting.

The council had encountered a stalemate during the meeting, initially deadlocking for five rounds over who should assume the mayoral role. King and Elenbaas backed Dr. Martin Dubravec for mayor, while Robert Engels chose Schippers, who voted for herself.

King argued for Dubravec’s selection based on his extensive community involvement and the belief that a local business perspective would benefit preparations ahead. Public comments also reflected this sentiment, as several community members advocated for Dubravec, citing a need for new leadership amidst recent criticisms faced by the council.

Schippers was described as a capable leader, instilling confidence in constituent circles as the city begins navigating recent challenges. “We have lots of ongoing issues, from PFAS, which is going to be a long-range issue, to dealing with zoning for short-term rentals in the city,” she said, asserting that a strategic plan would be integral in approaching these concerns.

Amid the changing council dynamics, City Manager Marcus Peccia acknowledged the turmoil’s impact on council continuity. Peccia described King’s resignation as unexpected, citing a build-up of frustrations regarding accountability within council operations.

Following King’s departure, city leaders must now appoint candidates to fill both the Ward 2 and Ward 4 council seats that have been rendered vacant. The council will accept applications until March 13, with appointments slated for their meeting on March 17.

Engels noted that the process presents an opportunity for new perspectives to enter the council. “We will be moving forward, and galvanizing the community’s support will be vital,” he added.

As the council navigates this unexpected shift, Schippers emphasized the importance of unity and open communication among council members. “We have to stop yelling at each other. The only way that happens is if we start listening to each other’s hearts as well as our words,” she concluded.

With a new mayor and two council seats to fill, the Cadillac City Council is poised to address the challenges ahead and to seek viable solutions for the community.