13 File for Seats on Flint Charter Review Commission

Thirteen candidates have filed petitions for just nine seats on Flint's first Charter Review Commission in 40 years.According to MLive, the deadline to turn in petitions was Tuesday, January 20th. Candidates were required to have 316 valid petition signatures in order to be considered for the May 5th at-large election. Candidates who filed are:

• John D. Cherry of Kensington Avenue
• Brian Larkin of West Hamilton Avenue
• Melody Mabbitt of Kensington Avenue
• Cleora McGee of Hillcrest Avenue
• Charles Metcalfe of Stockdale Avenue
• Stephen Mintline of South Saginaw Street
• Heidi Phaneuf of West Sixth Street
• Jerry Preston of Pierson Street
• Nayyirah Shariff of Golfside Lane
• Marsha Wesley of Neome Drive
• Barry Williams of Welch Boulevard

Voters approved a referendum in November to start the process of re-examining the charter for the first time since 1974. A city's charter contains the basic laws of the city. Once the charter review commission is elected, they will have three years to complete their work. A proposed new charter can be put up to vote three times. After that, if the proposed charter is rejected by voters, the commission will cease to exist.