It has been over a year and a half since Grand Haven residents learned one of their representatives may not actually be a city resident. Former Mayor Catherine McNally raised the issue during the June 20, 2022, city council meeting. She had placed a resolution on the agenda for consideration that would have made it clear Council Member Karen Lowe’s seat was vacant, but council members Ryan Cummins, Kevin McLaughlin, and Karen Lowe voted together to remove the item from the agenda. Lowe did not recuse herself despite the clear conflict of interest. Now it is up to the residents. How long will they be content being represented by an individual who does not appear to live within the City of Grand Haven voting district?
Karen Lowe has two homes in the Grand Haven area. She owns a cottage in Highland Park, and in 2019 she purchased a second home in Grand Haven Township. After Lowe began serving on city council, McNally began to receive complaints from residents who said Lowe did not actually live in her Highland Park home. McNally investigated the matter by reviewing water records and also came to the conclusion that Lowe did not live in Highland Park.
During the June 20, 2022, meeting, McNally read a statement. (57:55) She explained, “I took a look at public records posted on our water treatment plant website. After looking at monthly water consumption, I requested further more detailed records from the department of public works. [] In Karen Lowe’s first 200 days in office, city utility records show a total of 94 gallons of water were consumed.”
She then referred to board policies and Michigan Laws concerning vacancies. “Our city attorney has previously advised, that a vacation of office is automatically triggered when any of the events enumerated in the charter, section 410 occurs. [] A city office shall become vacant in the occurrence of any of the following events; ceasing to be an inhabitant of the city.” She then referenced the Michigan Law definition of residency stating, “that place at which a person habitually sleeps, keeps his/her personal effects, and has a regular place of lodging. [] If the requisite condition is met, the office is vacated automatically.”
Karen Lowe responded by reading her own statement prepared by her personal attorney. (1:05:30) Lowe accused former Mayor McNally of trespassing onto her city home, peering into her windows, watching her parking at home, following her home from city council meetings, and questioning her neighbors. Lowe said she was distressed over the situation, and then admitted that her Highland Park home was not winterized, but still claimed it to be her residence.
Understanding that three city council members appeared to have formed an alliance to forward a hidden agenda, former Mayor McNally referenced principle. “American Government at every level relies upon honesty from its participants. [] If we chose to apply a standard in which we deem the requisite condition met only if it is admitted by the office holder, frankly we reward liars.”