St. Clair Shores Mayor: No Illegal Activity by Former Manager Ben Hughes

Mayor Kip Walby Monday addressed rumors surrounding the Nov. 2 resignation of City Manager Ben Hughes.

Mayor Kip Walby addressed the resignation of City Manager Ben Hughes during the City Council meeting Monday, and stated there was no illegal activity surrounding his decision to leave. "Things occurred in Mr. Hughes' personal life that led the city and Mr. Hughes to conclude that it was in the best interest for both parties to part ways," he said. Walby added that during Hughes' tenure the city was successful in budgeting and attracting new projects, but since the resignation he had heard "rumors and innuendos" about Hughes' departure. "I just want to put the to bed that there was some type of illegal activity, or hand in the cookie jar. It is absolutely false," he said. "There is no truth to them at all." Before introducing acting City …

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What's Being Read on Patch?

The top story this week on Patch was a story about the community gathering for a vigil in Wahby Park for former City Manager Ben Hughes.

St. Clair Shores Updates Ben Hughes' Condition

Former City Manager Ben Hughes is awake and alert according to a statement from St. Clair Shores.

Former St. Clair Shores City Manager Ben Hughes is off the ventilator, awake and alert, according to a statement from the city. The statement added that Hughes and his family are requesting no hospital visitors at this time. The news comes just two days after more than 200 members of the community gathered in Wahby Park for a vigil for Hughes. Follow Patch for updates on Hughes' condition.

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St. Clair Shores Community Gathers for a Vigil for Ben Hughes

Hundreds of members of the St. Clair Shores community gathered Sunday night in Wahby Park to pray for former City Manager Ben Hughes.

The community gathered Sunday night in Wahby Park in front of Blossom Heath Inn for a prayer vigil for former St. Clair Shores City Manager Ben Hughes. Current and former city employees, representatives from all three school districts, local business owners, members of community service organizations, and residents were among the more than 200 people who attended the vigil. "This is not a funeral, it is a time to pray," said Pastor Bryan Hochhalter of Grace Community Church in Detroit, who led the vigil. Hughes, who resigned from his position Nov. 1, remains hospitalized with injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Members of Hughes family were also in attendance at the vigil. "Over the last couple of years my brother has really …

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Candlelight Vigil Planned for Ben Hughes

Friends, family and members of the community are organizing a candlelight vigil Sunday for former City Manager Ben Hughes.

Friends and family have organized a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Sunday at Wahby Park in front of the Blossom Heath Inn for former City Manager Ben Hughes. The vigil is open to friends, family and members of the community who knew Hughes. Hughes remains hospitalized following a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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Former City Manager Hospitalized With Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound

Former St. Clair Shores City Manager Ben Hughes has been hospitalized after a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Former St. Clair Shores City Manager Ben Hughes has been hospitalized for a self-inflicted gunshot wound suffered Wednesday in Harrison Township. Hughes, who resigned from his position Nov. 1, shot himself near the Brittany Park apartments in Harrison Township. The Harrison Township Fire Department confirmed personnel dispatched to the area and the victim was transported to a local hospital, according to Chief Michael Lopez. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham confirmed that his deputies also responded to the area about 4:50 p.m. after a resident saw a man walk behind a dumpster in the complex. The resident called the manager. A maintenance worker was dispatched to the area and found the 40-year-old individual, whom he would not name…

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St. Clair Shores City Manager Ben Hughes Resigns

St. Clair Shores City Council accepted the resignation of City Manager Ben Hughes during a special meeting Thursday night.

St. Clair Shores City Council unanimously accepted the resignation of City Manager Ben Hughes on Thursday night. The 7-0 vote came after a nearly 90-minute closed session, special meeting in City Hall. Under the terms of the vote, Hughes' resignation will be effective Friday and he will receive a severance package with six months health insurance and four months salary. "Ben made a decision he was moving in a different direction," said city attorney Robert Ihrie. "I know I speak on behalf of the council that they wish him well on his future endeavours and thank him for his service to the city of St. Clair Shores." Get local stories like this delivered every morning. Click to get signed up for the St. Clair Shores Patch newsletter! Hughes …

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