Fraser City Council removes mayor, acting mayor for sexual harassment allegations

FRASER, Mich. (WJBK) - The Fraser City Council has voted to remove the mayor and acting mayor due to sexual harassment allegations.

The council voted Monday night to remove Mayor Joe Nichols and Acting Mayor Matt Hemelberg. Both were accused of making sexually explicit comments to female employees at city hall.

Nichols was removed with a 4-1 vote, while Hemelberg was ousted with a 3-2 vote by council members..

A series of contentious meetings have been held regarding the allegations. The men have also allegedly made demeaning comments about residents during meetings while they have also been said to be to blame for the budget deficit.

Nancy Berube of the Fraser First Booster Club and Fraser Helping Hands, is not a part of the complaint against the two men, but says they have made demeaning jabs at her.

"I've been called fat," she told FOX 2 last July. "I've been called the lady wearing the ugly purple pants, I've also been called Ray Charles because, as we're interviewing right now, I have my sunglasses on."

Others allege they heard the men calling Councilwoman Kathy Blanke a sexually demeaning name.

FOX 2's Dave Spencer will have more tonight at 10 and 11.