“I move city council appoint Chief Shawnderick Roberson to interim city manager effective immediately while continuing to serve as fire chief.”
Muskegon Heights Council member Lashae Simmons made the motion and council voted 4 to 3 to immediately replace interim city manager Pearlette Merriweather with fire chief Shawnderick Roberson.
“To implement the transition recovering city property from the outgoing city manager and revoking all access to city facilities.”
“There was no discussion reason given. Merriweather was investigating the city’s $2.5M deficit and earlier in the meeting presented budget information. Councilman Ronald Jenkins said firing Merriweather doesn’t fix the financial problems.
“Whether it is this city manager or someone else they have to come in and present a budget. We are combative to everything we are going at right now. We cannot survive this way.”
Muskegon Heights has only had interim city managers since 2023. Merriweather was hired as another interim last August. Mayor Bonnie McLaughlin wanted her to have the job permanently and says she did not know about the plan to remove her.
“There was kind of some surprises here tonight. Pray for us that’s all I can ask.”
