The Riverview City Council voted to censure Councilman David Robbins at its Jan. 18 meeting.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW — The City Council unanimously approved a resolution to censure Councilman David Robbins for his conduct which led to his arrest in November 2021.
Robbins was not allowed to vote, but the resolution received the required six votes to pass.
Mayor Andrew Swift read the resolution aloud during Jan. 18 meeting where he said he received several calls on what council should do as it relates to the situation with Robbins.
During a previous council meeting, City Attorney Randy Pentiuk explained that a “motion of censureship is an expression by the will of the body of its displeasure over certain conduct.”
The resolution read that post-election events triggered by Robbins’ statements and conduct have now brought the spotlight of reproach upon the council, its officers and employees, and the people of Riverview, and such statements and conduct violated the core values of the city and city council and demonstrate a lack of sound judgement and professionalism in the public service.
Robbins did not address the censure or comments made during the meeting as rebuttal from city council members is allowed under other business.
His court case continues with a pre-trail hearing scheduled for Feb. 10 in Wayne County District Court.
Robbins was initially charged by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy with one count of operating while intoxicated, one count of reckless driving, and one count of leaving the scene of an accident.
Following the incident, several Riverview residents have made comments at city council meetings where they called for Robbins to resign which continued Jan. 18.
Resident Eve Howell spoke during public comment where she said Robbins is shameful to have on the council and that he cannot represent this city or its values.
“He is costing the city a lot of time, money and embarrassment,” she said. “I ask Mr. Robbins that you consider stepping down from your position on council and spare yourself and the city of Riverview further negative exposure.
“At least, please step down for the city we love. I’ve emailed three times, Mr. Robbins, on three occasions asking your position on city matters — I have not received not even one response from you. How can you represent us when you will not even respond to the citizens.”
Former Councilman Bill Towle also told Robbins that he should resign from his seat on council.
“Your recent actions have been an embarrassment to yourself and this entire community,” Towle said. “As long as you are on the council, this news media and local papers will be following the case and exposing your behavior. Your behavior could potentially impact the city’s ability to secure grant dollars from Wayne County or the state and could have other long range affects.”
Echoing the same sentiments was former Mayor and Councilman Tim Durand.
“I’m very unsettled by the recent developments that have occurred in the city, primarily with Mr. Robbins,” Durand said. “He does have his day in court and is innocent until proven guilty; however, your racist comments are vulgar and unacceptable for an elected official in the city of Riverview and you need to step down.”
Body camera footage obtained through a Freedom of Information Act by Towle showed the night David Robbins was involved in a an alcohol-related non-fatal car crash and argument with a man in a coney island parking lot Nov. 4.
Robbins’ crash occurred about 1:38 a.m. Nov. 4, not long after Robbins was elected to the city council in the Nov. 2, 2021 general election.
According to the Wayne County Prosector’s Office, Robbins allegedly was intoxicated and driving at a high rate of speed when he crashed into a tree in the median of Fort Street near Voight Avenue.
He then left the scene on foot.
Another officer was in the area and searched the parking lot of Zorba’s Coney Island, 17543 Fort St., where he noticed an alteration happening between individuals, so he investigated.
From about 1:47 to 2 a.m., police remained in the parking lot speaking to Robbins and a man allegedly involved in an argument with Robbins.
While being interviewed by police, Robbins repeatedly referred to the race of the man with whom he argued, and also referred to the man as “some random-ass black dude,” and “riff-raff.”
As police searched the men, they asked them questions about what took place.
Robbins is heard saying that the other man attacked him with a folding knife and that his friends blocked the blade. He is repeatedly heard saying that he doesn’t even know who the other man is and that the man wasn’t from Riverview.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)