Detroit Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins Resigns To Run Nonprofit THAW

DETROIT (AP/WWJ) - Second-term Detroit Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins has taken a job leading a nonprofit that helps people pay their heating bills.

The Heat and Warmth Fund said Friday Jenkins has been unanimously selected by its board of directors as chief executive.

Jenkins first was elected to the City Council in 2009 and was re-elected last fall. She tells The Detroit news in a statement that "Detroit is headed in the right direction and has effective leadership who will continue to move the city forward."

Jenkins' departure leaves an open at-large seat on council, which according to the revised city charter should be filled by a person voted on by the remaining council members.

Ken Coleman one of the nine members of the Charter Revision commission said that the change in filling a city council vacancy went into effect in 2012.

"In fact, what Council must do now in order to be in compliance with the Charter is appoint a member to fill the vacancy and the body must do so by at least a two-thirds vote," Coleman said. "The member that is appointed would serve until the next regularly-scheduled election and at that time there would be an election to replace and fill the vacancy for the rest of the four-year term."

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey says the city charter calls for a replacement to be appointed by a two-thirds vote of the eight remaining members until the next general election, which is in 2016.

The Associated Press left a message with Jenkins seeking comment.

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