Sylvester "Joe" Stephens (born 1934/1935 – February 1, 2022) was an American politician who served as the second African-American mayor of Saginaw, Michigan.
Joe Stephens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mayor of Saginaw, Michigan | |
| In office November 14, 1977 – November 12, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond M. Tortora |
| Succeeded by | Paul P. Prudhomme |
| City Council of Saginaw, Michigan | |
| In office 1973–1977 | |
| In office 1980–1985 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sylvester Stephens 1934/1935[1] |
| Died | February 1, 2022 (age 86) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary C. Stephens |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Saginaw, Michigan |
Biography
editKnown as "Joe", Sylvester Stephens was originally from Columbus, Georgia.[2] He later moved to Saginaw where his sister lived and in 1957, joined the Saginaw Police Force where he served as a liaison between the city schools and the police department.[2][1] He served during the 1967 Saginaw riot when the city had its first African-American mayor, Henry G. Marsh.[1]
Political career
editIn 1973, he was elected to the Saginaw City Council and was named Mayor on November 14, 1977.[3][2] Saginaw has a weak mayor form of government where the mayor does not have the power to hire and fire employees or issue a veto.[4] During his term, he was able to fully integrate the police force,[4] developed a citizen participation framework where the councilors would hold fact-finding meetings at the city's 25 schools, implemented a city income tax (which was capped in 1979), tore down vacant buildings, and secured federal funding for urban development although he was unable to stem the flow of people to the suburbs.[3] He served his term as mayor until November 12, 1979. The city council was unable to decide on his replacement until December 10, 1979, when Paul P. Prudhomme was chosen. He served as city councilor until 1985.[3]
Post-political career
editHe served as president of the Michigan Municipal League from 1984 to 1985.[5] Stephens later went on to serve as an executive at General Motors.[6]
Personal life
editHe married his high school sweetheart, Mary C. Stephens; they had two daughters.[2] Stephens died on February 1, 2022.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c Simpson-Mersha, Isis (July 25, 2017). "50 years after Saginaw riots, activist says struggle still continues". Michigan Live.
Sylvester "Joe" Stephens, 82, was a police officer for 10 years
- ^ a b c d e Engel, Justin (February 8, 2022). "'Joe' Stephens, Saginaw's second Black mayor, influenced generations to 'do the right thing'". The Saginaw News.
- ^ a b c "Saginaw Sesquicentennial with Mayor Stephens". City of Saginaw, Michigan. October 2, 2014 – via youtube.
- ^ a b Thompson, Mike (February 16, 2019). "The Michigan Banner salutes Saginaw's mayors" (PDF). The Michigan Banner. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2021 – via WayBack Machine.
- ^ "The presidents of the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees". Michigan Municipal League. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ Tower, Mark (August 15, 2012). "Committee will look into City of Saginaw's public safety minority hiring practices in wake of police shooting". Michigan Live.