Detailed List of Complaints Regarding

City of Algonac Code of Ethics and Conduct Policy Violations by

Mayor Eileen Tesch
I present examples, which were obtained through Public Record and information gathered
while preparing this complaint, of each section of the 2016-2018 Code of Ethics and Conduct
Policy that I believe are violations by Mayor Tesch. I present this to be filed with the City Clerk
as a matter of Public Record and will file this complaint with the proper authorities deemed by
city staff.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
POINT #2: Public officials be independent, impartial, and fair in their judgment and actions.
Mayor Tesch has exhibited, numerous times, that she is unable to be impartial in her actions
while dealing with fellow council members and members of Committees. Examples are as
follows: During the Special Council Meeting 2-14-17 it was pointed out by Councilmember
Martin that a petition to fire then City Manager Doug Alexander and dismiss the City Attorney
was signed by the Mayor and her husband before the election due to a Bad neighbor
situation. This was the Special Meeting to discuss the termination of Mr. Alexander.
CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT POLICY AS LISTED BY SECTION:
#1. ACT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST: This section mentions the Common Good of the PeopleOne
example of violation would be that the Mayor stated during 2-21-17 meeting that an option of
bringing in revenue to offset a 1.3 million dollar shortfall could be helped through Blight
Ordinance violations. She quoted, incorrectly, from the City Code of Ordinances that the city
could garner $500 a day until a violation is resolved. Councilmember Bembas pointed out that
The calculator on my phone must not go that high but it would take at least 26,000 violations,
at $500 a crack.. to get anywhere the 1.3 million shortfall. Mrs. Tesch replied We have more
than that. Mr. Bembas pointed out to her that arent even 26,000 houses in Algonac. This
type of policy discussion creates an atmosphere of uneasiness within the City and a lack of
confidence that the Mayor represents the best interests of ALL residents of Algonac.
#3. CONDUCT OF MEMBERS: Members shall refrain from abusive conduct, personal charges, or
verbal attacks upon the character of motives or other members of Council, boards,
commissions, committees, administration, staff, or the public. Examples are Mayor Tesch has
attacked the character of Councilmember Bembas and Committee Member Amanda Gougeon.
She has made repeated calls to Mr. Bembas superior at his place of employment, as Mayor of
Algonac, over issues that do not have to do with City Businesswhich could affect his
livelihood. Mrs. Tesch, on 7-18-2017, had Planning Commission Member Amanda Gougeon
removed from the Commission. Her explanation was that Ms. Gougeons circulating a Recall
Petition on Councilmembers Irene Bird and Bill Nugent were a Code of Ethics Violation. She
stated that the Recall was a personal attack on those members and therefore a violation.
Point of Fact: A Clarity Hearing was held before the St. Clair County Elections Commission on
3-10-17 on the recall language. I spoke on behalf of Ms. Gougeon. Councilmembers Bird and
Nugent were there along with Mayor Tesch. Mrs. Tesch was very aware that the recall language
was approved for Mr. Nugent and was, at a later hearing, approved for Mrs. Bird and circulation
would proceed. On 4-18-17 Ms. Gougeon was appointed to Planning Commission, she was still
a leading participant of the recall drive. On 6-22-17 Mayor Tesch was in attendance at an event
in the City Park where members of the recall drive had set up a table for petition signatures, I
was one of five at the table. Subsequently two Sheriffs Deputies arrived to have us leave the
area. It was explained that it an ordinance violation and they were called in to remove us from
the park. It was determined, after the fact, that no violations of any local or state laws were
committed. In the days following there were three separated news articles, from two different
local newspapers, about the events of the evening that did not show the Mayor in a positive
light. The next Council Meeting, 7-18-17, Ms. Gougeon was removed from the Planning
Commission. Mayor Tesch stated Ms. Gougeon created hostility by participating in the recall
drive. I should point out that after the news coverage of the events on 6-22-17 the numbers of
petition signatures exceeded the number needed, with just a few days to spare before handing
the petitions to the County Clerk. It is my belief that the reason the Mayor had removed Ms.
Gougeon from the Planning Commission was due to bad press directed at her and that we were
able to successfully reach the number of signatures needed to proceed to next step in recalling
Councilmembers Bird and Nugent.
These are just a sampling of examples to show there is sufficient evidence to file a Code of
Ethics Violation Complaint for Mayor Eileen Tesch. These examples can be authenticated by
public records, videos taken of Council Meetings and news articles. I will provide, if requested,
other instances to further provide reasons for this complaint.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dawn M. Davey