Editing Eastpointe, Michigan (section)

==Government==
Eastpointe is a Michigan home-rule city and operates under the council-manager form of government.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/index.asp?SEC=64C35AE1-0FF7-4C58-92EB-2A7DD1EA3983&Type=B_DIR |title=Mayor and City Council - City of Eastpointe, Michigan |access-date=November 7, 2019 |archive-date=May 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517221751/http://www.cityofeastpointe.net/index.asp?SEC=64C35AE1-0FF7-4C58-92EB-2A7DD1EA3983&Type=B_DIR |url-status=dead}}</ref> The city's mayor and four council members are elected at large to four-year staggered terms.

In 2017, Eastpointe elected its first African-American councilwoman, [[Monique Owens]]. In 2019, Suzanne Pixley, who had been mayor since 2007, did not seek reelection after her third four-year term. Councilwoman [[Monique Owens]] succeeded Pixley as mayor in 2019, becoming the first African-American mayor of Eastpointe.

Owens was unseated in the 2023 mayoral primary.<ref name="2023primarymacombdaily">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/08/09/klinefelt-top-vote-getter-in-eastpointe-mayoral-election/ |title=Klinefelt top vote getter in Eastpointe mayoral election |newspaper=The Macomb Daily |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=August 9, 2023 |accessdate=August 9, 2023}}</ref> Her tenure as mayor was marred by multiple scandals, including a lawsuit alleging that she violated residents' First Amendment rights<ref name="lawsuit2022TheDetroitNews">{{cite news|title=Eastpointe meeting devolved into shouting. Then came the lawsuit |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2022/11/10/eastpointe-council-meeting-devolved-into-shouting-and-scolding-then-came-the-lawsuit/69635907007/ |first=Mark |last=Hicks |publisher=The Detroit News |date=November 10, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022}}</ref> and a criminal charge for alleged false statements on a grant application.<ref name="FalsePretensesChargedMD">{{cite news|title=Eastpointe mayor arraigned on felony fraud charges |url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/03/09/eastpointe-mayor-arraigned-on-felony-fraud-charges/ |newspaper=The Macomb Daily |last=Smiley |first=Susan |date=March 9, 2023 |accessdate=March 9, 2023}}</ref> Residents also objected to police reports she made against critics,<ref name=censure>{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/04/10/eastpointe-city-council-censures-mayor-monique-owens/ |title=Eastpointe City Council censures Mayor Monique Owens |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=April 10, 2022 |newspaper=The Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="mdwalkout">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/09/07/chaos-leads-to-walkout-at-eastpointe-meeting/ |title=Chaos leads to walkout at Eastpointe meeting |newspaper=The Macomb Daily |last=Smiley |first=Susan |date=September 7, 2022 |accessdate=September 7, 2022}}</ref> her failure to file financial disclosure statements,<ref name="FinancialDisclosuresStatements">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/12/14/eastpointe-ethics-board-verifies-complaint-against-mayor/ |title= Eastpointe ethics board verifies complaint against mayor |first=Susan |last=Smiley |newspaper=The Macomb Daily |date=December 14, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> her heated tirades against residents and other officials during meetings,<ref name="fox2crime">{{cite news|url=https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/eastpointe-mayor-blasts-residents-for-high-crime-rate-complaints-blame-yourselves |title=Eastpointe mayor blasts residents for high crime rate complaints: 'Blame yourselves' |publisher=Fox 2 Detroit |last=Kinchen |first=David |date=January 19, 2023 |accessdate=January 19, 2023}}</ref> and her lack of support for the LGBT community.<ref name="lgbt2023md"/>

On November 7, 2023, voters chose former city council member Michael Klinefelt as mayor. Eastpointe voters also elected incumbent Harvey Curley and newcomer Margaret Podsiadlik to the city council. The three were sworn in the following Monday.<ref name="2023results">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/11/08/eastpointe-voters-elect-new-mayor/ |title=Eastpointe voters elect new mayor |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=November 8, 2023 |accessdate=November 8, 2023 |newspaper=Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="fierySpeech"/>

===Discrimination lawsuit===
After a racial discrimination lawsuit was brought against the city regarding its election of all city council members through [[Plurality-at-large voting]], alleging that the plurality-at-large system discriminated against African-American voters and violated Section 2 of the [[Voting Rights Act]], the city settled the lawsuit with the [[United States Department of Justice]] in June 2019 by agreeing to switch to [[single transferable vote]] for the at-large election of city council members for the November 2019 municipal election.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-reaches-agreement-city-eastpointe-michigan-under-voting-rights-act Justice Department Reaches Agreement with City of Eastpointe, Michigan, Under the Voting Rights Act]</ref><ref>[https://www.fairvote.org/_eastpointe_michigan_to_become_first_in_state_to_implement_ranked_choice_voting Eastpointe, Michigan to become first in state to implement ranked choice voting]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/vertical/sites/%7B7C4055DF-73E1-4D03-A393-4A1D90A24F1D%7D/uploads/Ranked_Choice_Voting_for_Eastpointe_press_release.pdf |title=City of Eastpointe to Become First Michigan City to Implement Ranked-Choice Voting |access-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-date=August 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822210303/https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/vertical/sites/%7B7C4055DF-73E1-4D03-A393-4A1D90A24F1D%7D/uploads/Ranked_Choice_Voting_for_Eastpointe_press_release.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beginning with the November 2019 election, [[Ranked voting|ranked choice voting]] was used on the city council ballot, making Eastpointe the first municipality in Michigan to adopt ranked choice voting.<ref>[https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2019/11/03/eastpointe-ranked-choice-voting-michigan-first/40538173/ Eastpointe to make Michigan history with ranked-choice voting]</ref>

===First Amendment lawsuit===
In 2022, four Eastpointe residents filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Eastpointe and Mayor Monique Owens alleging violations of their First Amendment rights. The plaintiffs alleged that Owens had interrupted and censored their remarks during time allotted for public comments at council meetings and engaged in viewpoint discrimination against them. The complaint requested that the city amend its public comment rules and sought damages from the mayor.<ref name="lawsuit2022TheMacombDaily">{{cite news|title=Federal lawsuit filed against Eastpointe mayor |url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/11/10/federal-lawsuit-filed-against-eastpointe-mayor/ |first=Susan |last=Smiley |publisher=The Macomb Daily |date=November 10, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022}}</ref>

On December 8, 2022, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Owens from shouting down speakers or restricting the subject matter of their remarks. The order is to remain in effect until the case is resolved or the court orders otherwise.<ref name="injunctionMD">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/12/08/federal-court-issues-injunction-against-city-of-eastpointe-and-mayor-owens/ |title=Michigan residents win injunction against mayor, free to speak as they wish |last=Smiley |first=Susan |date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=December 8, 2022 |newspaper=Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="injunctionCS">{{cite news|url=https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/michigan-residents-win-injunction-against-mayor-free-to-speak-as-they-wish/article_ebd2c740-770f-11ed-a5f4-3bef59b729a8.html |title=Federal court issues injunction against City of Eastpointe and Mayor Owens |last=McClallen |first=Scott |date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=December 8, 2022 |publisher=The Center Square}}</ref><ref name="injunctionDN">{{cite news|newspaper=The Detroit News |title=Judge: Eastpointe residents can comment on mayor, council during public meetings |first=Charles E. |last=Ramirez |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2022/12/09/judge-eastpointe-residents-can-comment-on-mayor-council-in-public-meetings/69714817007/ |date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=December 9, 2022}}</ref><ref name="injunction-eastsider">{{cite news|title=Injunction confirms right to comment about officials at Eastpointe council meetings |url=https://www.candgnews.com/news/injunction-confirms-right-to-comment-about-officialsat-eastpointecouncil-meetings-1409 |first=Brian |last=Wells |newspaper=Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider |date=December 19, 2022 |access-date=December 19, 2022}}</ref>

The lawsuit stemmed largely from an incident at the council's September 6, 2022, meeting, during which Owens interrupted or talked over three residents who had attempted to speak. As Owens argued with one of the residents, the other four council members walked out, ending the meeting.<ref name="mdwalkout"/><ref name=eastsiderwalkout>{{cite news|title=Members of Eastpointe's City Council walk out, ending meeting after less than 20 minutes |url=https://candgnews.com/news/members-of-eastpointes-city-council-walk-out-ending-meeting-after-less-than-20-minutes-708 |date=September 7, 2022 |accessdate=September 9, 2022 |publisher=C & G Publishing |first=Brian |last=Wells |newspaper=Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider}}</ref><ref name=metrotimeswalkout>{{cite news|title=Eastpointe mayor has meltdown over First Amendment during public meeting |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/news/eastpointe-mayor-has-meltdown-over-first-amendment-during-public-meeting-31024162 |date=September 7, 2022 |accessdate=September 9, 2022 |first=Steve |last=Neavling |newspaper=Detroit Metro Times}}</ref><ref name=wdivwalkout>{{cite news|url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/09/09/eastpointe-council-meeting-ends-abruptly-over-battle-between-mayor-and-council-member/ |title=Eastpointe council meeting ends abruptly over battle between mayor, community members |accessdate=September 9, 2022 |date=September 9, 2022 |publisher=WDIV ClickOnDetroit}}</ref>

The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from the [[Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression|Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)]], a First Amendment advocacy group.<ref name="lawsuit2022TheDetroitNews"/>

===LGBT community relations===
In 2019, the City of Eastpointe became one of the first municipalities in Macomb County to recognize Pride Month, despite the opposition of Mayor [[Monique Owens]], who said that Eastpointe has "always accepted everybody". On May 16, 2023, the Eastpointe City Council again voted on a Pride Month resolution, but it failed in a 2-2 vote due to opposition from Rob Baker and Stacy Cobb-Muñiz. Owens was absent from the meeting. The council's decision prompted sparked a protest at City Hall.<ref name="lgbt2023md">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/06/29/eastpointe-pride-protest-opposes-city-council-decision/ |title=Council decision sparks Eastpointe Pride protest |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=June 29, 2023 |accessdate=July 18, 2023 |newspaper=Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="lgbt2023ps">{{cite news|url=https://pridesource.com/article/why-the-2023-pride-month-resolution-failed-in-eastpointe/ |first=Jason |last=Michael |date=May 24, 2023 |accessdate=July 18, 2023 |publisher=Pride Source |title=Why the 2023 Pride Month Resolution Shamefully Failed In Eastpointe}}</ref><ref name="lgbt2023cg">{{cite news|url=https://www.candgnews.com/news/protesters-want-eastpointe-council-to-recognize-pride-month-2877 |title=Protesters want Eastpointe council to recognize Pride Month |first=Maria |last=Allard |newspaper=Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider |date=July 2, 2023 |accessdate=July 18, 2023}}</ref>

===Mayor's criminal conviction===
On September 28, 2023, Eastpointe's departing mayor, [[Monique Owens]], pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of making a false statement. The case, which was initially charged as felony false pretenses, stemmed from her application for a CARES Act grant for her business. The application stated that her business, Naturally Funny Talent Agency, was 51 percent of more owned by veterans and that it had 100-249 employees. Upon investigation, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office determined that Owens had had never served in the military and that she was the sole employee of the company.<ref name="PleaMacombDaily">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/09/28/eastpointe-mayor-pleads-no-contest-in-fraud-case/ |title=Eastpointe mayor pleads no contest in fraud case |newspaper=Macomb Daily |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="PleaWXYZ">{{cite news|url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/mayor-of-eastpointe-takes-responsibility-in-covid-relief-fraud-case |title=Mayor of Eastpointe 'takes responsibility' in COVID relief fraud case |publisher=7 Action News (WXYZ) |first=Alisha |last=Dixon |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="PleaFox2">{{cite news|url=https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/eastpointe-mayor-pleads-no-contest-after-fraudulently-applying-for-grant |title=Eastpointe mayor pleads no contest after fraudulently receiving $10,000 grant |publisher=Fox 2 Detroit |first=Jack |last=Nissen |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="PleaWDIV">{{cite news|url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2023/09/28/eastpointe-mayor-pays-10k-in-restitution-in-covid-fraud-case/ |title=Eastpointe mayor pays $10K in restitution in COVID fraud case |publisher=Local 4 (WDIV) |first=Dane |last=Kelly |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Pleadetroitnews">{{cite news|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/09/28/eastpointe-mayor-pleads-to-lying-to-get-covid-19-grant-in-2020/70991488007/ |title=Eastpointe mayor pleads to lying to get COVID-19 small business grant in 2020 |first=Kara |last=Berg |newspaper=Detroit News |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Pleafreep">{{cite news|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2023/09/28/eastpointe-mayor-monique-owens-covid-19-funds-fraud/70993504007/ |title=Eastpointe Mayor Monique Owens pleads no contest in COVID-19 relief funds fraud case |first=Christina |last=Hall |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Pleametrotimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/news/embattled-eastpointe-mayor-pleads-to-reduced-charge-after-lying-about-covid-19-grant-34249553 |title=Embattled Eastpointe mayor pleads to reduced charge after lying about COVID-19 grant |first=Steve |last=Neavling |newspaper=Detroit Metro Times |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="pleaCG">{{cite news|url=https://www.candgnews.com/news/eastpointe-mayor-pleads-no-contest-to-misdemeanor-fraud-charge-3545 |title=Eastpointe mayor pleads no contest to misdemeanor fraud charge |first=Brian |last=Wells |newspaper=Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref> On November 9, 2023, Owens was sentenced to six months of probation, 100 hours of community service, and $725 in court costs.<ref name="sentencingMD">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/11/09/eastpointe-mayor-sentenced-in-fraud-case/ |title=Eastpointe mayor sentenced in fraud case |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=November 9, 2023 |accessdate=November 9, 2023 |newspaper=Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="sentencingDFP">{{cite news|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2023/11/09/eastpointe-mayor-monique-owens-sentenced-covid-19-fraud/71478555007/ |title=Eastpointe Mayor Monique Owens gets 6 months' probation in COVID-19 funds fraud case |first=Christina |last=Hall |date=November 9, 2023 |accessdate=November 9, 2023 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press}}</ref>