BAY CITY, MI – Mayor Chris Girard took to social media Wednesday, April 9, issuing a statement address accusations brought forth during a recent city commission meeting that he was blackmailed into vetoing a controversial resolution regarding how to the city would deal with federal immigration enforcement.
According to the accusations, which have not been substantiated, Girard was coerced by State Rep. Timothy Beson, R-Bay City, regarding the “welcoming city” resolution approved by the commission in March.
Girard vetoed the resolution two days later; the veto was upheld on Monday, April 7.
“These claims are entirely false,” Girard wrote on social media. “At no time was I blackmailed or pressured into a position. Representative Beson did not coerce me. While he did share concerns that were expressed to him by state leaders about the potential implications of the resolution, those discussions were professional, respectful, and transparent.”
The claims made at the Monday meeting suggested Beson told Girard to veto the resolution or else state funding, as well as federal funding, to Bay City and possibly even Bay County would be cut.
Four commissioners said they opposed the measure because of concerns that federal funding to the city would be affected if the city went forward with the resolution.
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