Macomb County judge essentially rewrites Warren’s term limits law

A Macomb County judge today ruled that two Warren City Council members can run for re-election though they’ve already served the maximum 12 years allowed under the city’s voter-approved term limits law.
Macomb County Circuit Judge Diane Druzinski said that the idea that the seven-member council actually consists of two separate offices – and members can serve 12 years in each – is “an arguably sound position.” She decided that veteran Councilmen Cecil St. Pierre and Keith Sadowski can run for another 4-year term in the upcoming elections.

Relying on a legal opinion delivered under odd circumstances by City Attorney David Griem, the judge accepted the contention that the council members who serve in districts are running for a separate office from those run on an at-large basis citywide.

Druzinski dismissed the argument by the plaintiff, council candidate Lanette Olejniczak, that the council is a unicameral body and the two categories of councilman never meet or vote separately on any matters.

The bottom line, Olejniczak said, is that the Warren voters approved the charter amendment with the understanding that it limited time in city office to 12 years, not 24 years.

“Apparently 78 percent of the (voters) in Warren don’t matter anymore,” Olejniczak said outside the courtroom, according to The Macomb Daily. “It’s a very sad day. It’s very unfortunate the judge decided this way.”

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