Racine City Council Divided: Boycott Challenges Mayor’s Authority

RACINE, Wis. (WRJN) — A group of Racine City Council members are boycotting meetings in protest of what they claim is an imbalance of power favoring the mayor.

Fifth District Alder Melissa Kaprelian explained the boycott in an interview this morning on The Don Rosen Show, citing a 2019 ordinance change that she says gave the mayor unprecedented control over the council’s agenda.

“We’ve been elected to do a job and cannot do it if we sit there without power,” Kaprelian said.

Six alders have officially joined the boycott, Sandy Weidner, Jeff Coe, Henry Perez, Renee Kelly, and Olivia Turquoise Davis. Alder Kaprelian told Don Rosen that other council members are supporting privately.

They seek to pass Ordinance 0004-24, which the boycotting alders say aims to restore balance between the council and mayor’s office.

Mayor Cory Mason responded in a statement, calling the boycott “disrespectful” and urging council members to “set aside the political stunts and join the rest of us in conducting the people’s business.”

The boycotting alders argue that the mayor’s control over the agenda limits their ability to address crucial issues. They claim attempts to resolve the matter through normal channels have been unsuccessful.

“This boycott could end right now,” Kaprelian stated. “The mayor could call an emergency meeting and we could address this tomorrow.”

The standoff continues as both sides remain firm in their positions, leaving Racine residents caught in the middle of a local government power struggle.

Listen to the full interview below.