Familiar Faces Seek Saginaw City Council Seat

New Vacant Seat on Saginaw City Council Attracts Multiple Candidates

Saginaw, Michigan is currently in the process of filling a vacant seat on its nine-member city council. The position was previously held by Monique Lamar-Silvia, who was removed from office following her conviction for election fraud. As of now, the city has not released an official list of applicants seeking the role, but several individuals have confirmed their interest in the position.

The selection process will take place during a special meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. on Monday, September 22. Before the meeting, city officials must certify the eligibility of all candidates. While the exact status of this process remains unclear, it is expected to be completed before the interview session begins.

According to reports, at least five individuals have applied for the position. These include former council members and current candidates from the 2024 election cycle. The confirmed applicants are:

• Annie Boensch, a former council member who served for 13 years.
• John Milne, another former council member who served from 2016 to 2020.
• Charles Allen, a local music performer and community organizer.
• Charles A. Sledge, a behavioral interventionist and former candidate in the 2024 election.
• Tobias Young, a General Motors electrician and business owner.

Process for Selecting the New Council Member

Once the interviews are conducted, the council will nominate finalists for consideration. The winning candidate will need to secure at least five votes out of the eight voting council members. If no candidate receives the required number of votes, the process will continue with eliminations until there are two candidates left. In the event of a tie, the council will continue voting until a winner is determined.

The selected individual will be sworn into office during the council’s regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. They will hold the position until November 2026, when voters will elect someone to serve the remaining two years of Lamar-Silvia’s term.

Background on the Candidates

Annie Boensch, who previously served as mayor pro tem, expressed her desire to provide stability during a period of transition. She emphasized that she does not plan to run for re-election in the future, allowing her to focus solely on the responsibilities of the position.

John Milne highlighted the importance of having experienced members on the council, especially given the ongoing projects such as the “medical diamond” initiative. This development project involves multimillion-dollar plans tied to the health care industry in Saginaw. Milne also pointed to the need for continued oversight of programs funded by the American Rescue Plan Act stimulus funding.

Charles Allen, known for his work as a community organizer and musician, aims to empower Saginaw’s youth. He has been involved in organizing mental health awareness events and hopes to collaborate with the council to shape the city's future.

Charles A. Sledge, who came close to securing a council seat in the 2024 election, advocates for policies that promote equality across the city. He also seeks to abolish the city’s long-standing property tax caps, which he believes limit the ability to fund essential services like public safety.

Tobias Young, a business owner and community organizer, brings a unique set of skills to the table. His experience includes implementing innovative programs, such as providing free security cameras to residents. He believes his background can contribute valuable problem-solving abilities to the council.

Historical Context

In the November 2024 election, the top vote-getters for the four-year council seats were Jacinta J.J. Seals, Lamar-Silvia, Ostash, Eric Braddock Sr., and Wiggins. Among the unsuccessful candidates, Sledge received the most votes, followed by Mike Thompson, Boensch, Allen, George Copeland, and Young.

The city council has a history of appointing members to fill vacancies. Most recently, Ostash was appointed in December 2022. Other past appointments include Jamie Forbes replacing Demond Tibbs in 2018 and Clint Bryant replacing Amos O’Neal in 2016.

Upcoming Meetings

Residents interested in attending the meetings can do so at the Andersen Enrichment Center, located at 120 Ezra Rust in Saginaw. Those unable to attend can watch the proceedings live on Charter Spectrum channel 191 or through the city’s YouTube channel. The YouTube channel also archives previous council meetings for viewing.