Shelley Niedzwiecki May Have Planned On Resigning Before The Meeting

And Never Approached Mayor About Moment Of Silence For Former Fire Chief

Apr 19, 2024

“I am grateful to not have participated in this travesty…”

-Former 7th Ward Bay City Commissioner Shelley Niedzwiecki on the moment of silence for Councilman Eric Mays and Mayor Mary Anne Ackerman

4/15/2024 at 6:39 pm EST— 7th Ward Bay City Commissioner Shelley Niedzwiecki verbally resigned from the city’s 9-person legislative body before walking out of the Commission meeting on Monday. This came after brief remarks where Niedzwiecki criticized the “group” for seemingly ignoring the death of former Department of Safety Battalion Chief Terry Collins who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month. Niedzwiecki took issue with the moment of silence given to honor Flint City Councilman Eric Mays and Frankenmuth Mayor Mary Anne Ackerman who had both passed away on February 24th. “A couple [of] meetings ago there was a moment of silence for the passing of an out-of-town politician, two in fact,” said Niedzwiecki who refused to stand for the moment of silence at the March 18th meeting, “I am grateful to not have participated in this travesty, especially now that many in our community are still freshly mourning the passing of our own Batallion Chief Terry Collins.” Monday’s meeting was notably the first since Collins had passed away and thus would’ve been the commission’s first opportunity to honor him. Also relevant is the fact that moments of silence are not formal pieces of the agenda and are typically observed by the mayor before the meeting, meaning that any commissioner as well as the mayor can recognize a moment of silence during remarks of the mayor and city commission, the time Niedzwiecki used to issue her statement. Supporters of Niedzwiecki have pointed to her personal ties to BC Collins as an explanation for her very unexpected resignation, she also referenced this in her remarks. “I’m weeks away from marrying one of our heroes that Terry so unselfishly led out of a burning home when Rj had a major equiptment failure.”

*Niedzwiecki has since submitted a formalized letter of resignation to City Clerk Tema Lucero.

2/24- Eric Mays And Mary Anne Ackerman Pass Away

3/4- Meeting Of The Bay City Commission (No Moment Of Silence)

3/18- Meeting Of The Bay City Commission (Moment of Silence For Ackerman And Mays)

4/1- Meeting Of The Bay City Commission (No Moment Of Silence)

4/3- The Passing Of BC Collins Is Made Public (Exact Date Of Death Unknown)

4/15- Meeting Of The Bay City Commission (No Moment Of Silence, Niedzwiecki Resigns Mid-Meeting)

Despite Niedzwiecki’s framing, the moment of silence for Mays and Ackerman was not in place of recognizing BC Collins, nor was it given during the first meeting after their deaths.

“She mentioned it was a possibility.” - Mayoral Hopeful and 6th Ward Commissioner Christopher Girard on Commissioner Shelley Niedzwiecki’s resignation

“Well How About That”

In an interview with WNEM TV 5 Niedzwiecki expounded on her abrupt departure from the Commission, “I ran out of notes that I had taken and I knew if I looked up at the crowd I was gonna start to cry and really get emotional…” she explained, “At the end I was just so angry, I resigned.” Interestingly, Niedzwiecki seemed to be frustrated with her fellow Commissioners for not calling for a moment of silence, even though she had just as much the ability to do so as they did (arguably more so, given her personal connection to BC Collins). “For this Commission not to take a moment to honor this hero is appalling to me.” She announced just seconds before walking out of the chamber.

These remarks came as a shock to several commissioners and City Manager Dana Muscott who told me she was not informed of this request before the meeting. Though the resignation seemed to surprise many meeting attendees, apparently some commissioners knew it was an option being considered by the 7th ward commissioner. “I believe she had shared with a few Commissioners prior to the meeting but I was not aware,” Muscott explained in an email.

When asked if he knew Niedzwiecki would resign before the start of the meeting, 6th Ward Commissioner and Mayoral Candidate Christopher Girard told me “She mentioned it was a possibility,” He later clarified in a phone call that, after speaking with Niezwiecki, it was before she verbally resigned but not before the meeting.

Mayor Kathleen Newsham, who typically calls for moments of silence, also tells me she was not approached by Commissioner Niedzwiecki before the meeting. “No she didn’t.” Newsham noted, “If anyone wanted a moment of silence they could always let me know,” she continued, “During the meeting when it’s time for myself or the commission to speak it could be done there also.” Mayor Newsham has very well-known connections to law enforcement and first responders, and offered her condolences to BC Collins’ family in a facebook comment eariler in the month.

“I’m so sorry to hear about Terry. He was a wonderful man & truly loved being a fire fighter. Prayers and strength, peace & love to Terry’s family.” -Mayor Kathleen Newsham

Burnouts And Burnout

“I have been stalked, I have been harassed and lied about on the internet, we’ve had childish people do burnouts on the street in front of our home at midnight.”

Niedzwiecki’s abrupt resignation comes just months after her egress from the Midland Street Management Board. She also served as the commission liasion to the Building Code Board of Appeals and the Fire Code Board of Appeals while maintaining her day-job as a realtor for Ayre-Rhinehart. Some speculate that shifts of power and subequent toxicity on the MSMB could have pushed Niedzwiecki to resign from her seat on the Commission, not disimilar to the same factors that sparked her leaving the Midland Street Board itself. Though she cited the lack of a moment of silence for Terry Collins as her primary reason for resigning, she also claimed she has faced personal attacks. “I have been stalked, I have been harassed and lied about on the internet, we’ve had childish people do burnouts on the street in front of our home at midnight, and I’ve brushed all that dirt off my shoulder because it’s just dirt.” She declared “But I will not remain in a group that has shown so little respect for one of our community’s heroes. Please consider this my formal resignation. Goodnight.”

“He was a great guy who would help anyone.” -A Friend of Battalion Chief Terry Collins

Though her remarks pointed blame at her fellow commission members, there was no attempt from Niedzwiecki to call for a moment of silence for Terry Collins, who according to friends and family, truly was one of our communities heroes. “He was a great guy who would help anyone.” Said a friend of Collins who requested anonymity. “He has mentored many firefighters throughout the city and the townships he has worked in.”

Retiring in 2017, Terry Collins served Bay City’s Public Safety Department for 25 years holding the positions of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, and Captain before becoming Battalion Chief. Those close to Terry, including former collegues, say he didn’t want the spotlight or the accolades.

“This was an awesome individual, the knoweldge [and] the care he had for the community he supported was never a question.” Wrote Marie Selman-Janczewski, Collins’ partner of 7 years. “He had such an impact on everyone he came in contact with.”

Per his wishes, the family of Battalion Chief Terry Collins will not be holding a conventional funeral. A celebration of life for the fallen hero is being planned for this summer.