James W. Rutherford
Encyclopedia
James W. Rutherford was a former mayor
of the City of Flint, Michigan
serving as the first "strong" mayor elected under Flint's 1974 charter. Rutherford served for two terms. Rutherford was elected as a caretaker mayor after the recall of Mayor Stanley
was recalled and an Emergency Financial Manager, Ed Kurtz, was appointed by the state
.
. From 1945 to 1947, he served in the U.S. Navy
. He marries Dorothy Petyak in 1947. With Dorothy, they have four children, 2 of each.
graduating in 1958 with an associate's degree with honors. He then attends Michigan State University
(MSU) attaining a bachelor's degree in police administration with honors in 1960. Later continuing at MSU, he earns a master's degree. Also in 1960, he arrests on gambling charges suspected Mafia leaders. In 1961, he assists Flint Junior College in developing the state's first police administration program. From 1963 to 1965, Rutherford serves as deputy city manager rejoining the police department afterwords and promoted to police inspector. In 1966, he was considered one of 10 outstanding police officers in the country. Rutherford is promoted to Police chief in 1967 and operates a mobile city office in 1969. His wife, Dorothy, dies in 1974. Rutherford resign as Police Chief to run for Mayor in 1975.
of the City of Flint, Michigan
in 1975 serving as the first "strong" mayor elected under Flint's 1974 charter serving two terms defeated former city commission Mayor Floyd J. McCree
. That same year, James marries his second wife, Betty Merrill. Rutherford in 1977 donates $22,000 to the city for an ambulance which the service last until 2010.
Running for reelection in 1979, he defeats McCree again, 20,738 to 12,902. With a budget shortage, Rutherford lays off 300 employees. That same year, he announced, with the backing of Mott Foundation, the purchase of the IMA Auditorium and its annex for $2.4 million for future development into AutoWorld
with a projected cost of $38.5 million. AutoWorld encourages other development like the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel which opens in 1981, Water Street Pavilion, and Windmill Place. General Motors
announced in 1982 a redevelopment plan for Buick City
that included helping the city with infrastructure.
Attempting to win a third term as mayor in 1983, Rutherford instead lost to James A. Sharp, Jr.
-- 21,718 to 20,467. He took severance pay of $24,000 along with some of his appointees which triggered a lawsuit. With top aides, he forms the Rutherford Group, Inc. that goes on to run pizzarias and a downtown coney island cart.
After attending a Toughman Contest in 1984 at the IMA Sports Arena, Rutherford fought a robber for several minutes but is robbed of "a substantial amount of money" and receives minor injuries.
Running for Genesee County
Clerk as a Democrat in 1984, he loses in the primary to John H. Trecha, the incumbent, by 73 votes, 13,444 to 13,371.Once again, Rutherford runs for Flint mayor in 1987 but coming in third out of seven candidates in the primary with Sharp and Matthew S. Collier
continuing on to the general election.
Moving back to the private section in 1989, he works as head of public relations for Windmill Place, then-owned by businessman Don Williamson
. Rutherford becomes Williamson's co-campaign manager for his run for Flint Mayor in 1991 assisting in filing petitions, but Williamson fails to advance out of the primary. In 1999, he aides state Rep. Vera B. Rison in her run for mayor by appearing in television commercial, however Rison takes third in the primary.
After the March 5, 2002 recall of Mayor Stanley
, Rutherford takes out but fails to collect enough signatures to get on the ballot. However, the election is conceled due to the state's financial review of the city. A financial manager, Ed Kurtz, is named for the city. When the election is reschedule, he collects enough signatures and becomes the only name on the ballot for mayor. Rutherford wins the Flint Mayoral election over write in candidate, Arthur J. Pointer—11,239 to 4,712.
In 2003, Rutherford took on an additional position as the director of the Flint Downtown Development Authority and continued in this capacity under mayor Don Williamson
serving until 2008.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the City of Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan
Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
serving as the first "strong" mayor elected under Flint's 1974 charter. Rutherford served for two terms. Rutherford was elected as a caretaker mayor after the recall of Mayor Stanley
Woodrow Stanley
Woodrow Stanley, a Democratic Party politician, is a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 34th District. He was a former mayor of Flint that was recalled from office in 2002.- Early life :...
was recalled and an Emergency Financial Manager, Ed Kurtz, was appointed by the state
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
Early life
James W. Rutherford was born on April 23, 1925 to Harry and Isabelle. Harry was a Buick worker. His family lived on the east side of the city and he eventually attended Flint Central High SchoolFlint Central High School
Flint Central High School was one of the Flint Community Schools, located in Flint, Michigan, USA. Flint Central was the city's oldest school. Its first building was built in 1875, and the school moved into the present building in 1923. It was called Flint High School until Flint Northern High...
. From 1945 to 1947, he served in the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. He marries Dorothy Petyak in 1947. With Dorothy, they have four children, 2 of each.
Police work
The next year, Rutherford joins the Flint City Police Department. In 1953, he is promoted to detective. He is lead detective on a Flint horse racing bookie operation from 1954 to 1955 which leads to 14 convictions or guilty pleads. Rutherford attends Flint Junior CollegeMott Community College
Charles Stewart Mott Community College is a publicly supported post-secondary institution located in Flint, Michigan. Its district is the same as the Genesee Intermediate School District and is governed by an elected board of Trustees...
graduating in 1958 with an associate's degree with honors. He then attends Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
(MSU) attaining a bachelor's degree in police administration with honors in 1960. Later continuing at MSU, he earns a master's degree. Also in 1960, he arrests on gambling charges suspected Mafia leaders. In 1961, he assists Flint Junior College in developing the state's first police administration program. From 1963 to 1965, Rutherford serves as deputy city manager rejoining the police department afterwords and promoted to police inspector. In 1966, he was considered one of 10 outstanding police officers in the country. Rutherford is promoted to Police chief in 1967 and operates a mobile city office in 1969. His wife, Dorothy, dies in 1974. Rutherford resign as Police Chief to run for Mayor in 1975.
Political
Rutherford was elected mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the City of Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan
Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
in 1975 serving as the first "strong" mayor elected under Flint's 1974 charter serving two terms defeated former city commission Mayor Floyd J. McCree
Floyd J. McCree
Floyd J. McCree was a Michigan politician. He was the first African American Flint City Mayor.-Early life:In Webster Grove, Missouri McCree was born in 1923. He went to high school in St. Louis and attended Lincoln University, Jefferson City. He served in the South Pacific in World War II in the...
. That same year, James marries his second wife, Betty Merrill. Rutherford in 1977 donates $22,000 to the city for an ambulance which the service last until 2010.
Running for reelection in 1979, he defeats McCree again, 20,738 to 12,902. With a budget shortage, Rutherford lays off 300 employees. That same year, he announced, with the backing of Mott Foundation, the purchase of the IMA Auditorium and its annex for $2.4 million for future development into AutoWorld
AutoWorld
AutoWorld was an indoor theme park in Flint, Michigan, USA, built to make the town attractive to tourists. The theme park opened in July 1984 and closed during its first year...
with a projected cost of $38.5 million. AutoWorld encourages other development like the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel which opens in 1981, Water Street Pavilion, and Windmill Place. General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
announced in 1982 a redevelopment plan for Buick City
Buick City
Buick City was a massive automobile manufacturing complex in the northwest of Flint, Michigan. Elements of the 235 acre complex dated from 1904, but it became known as Buick City in 1985. The Buick Site is still producing components for GM facilities and outside buyers. Operations ceased on the...
that included helping the city with infrastructure.
Attempting to win a third term as mayor in 1983, Rutherford instead lost to James A. Sharp, Jr.
James A. Sharp, Jr.
James A. Sharp, Jr. is a former mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan, second "strong" mayor under Flint's 1974 Charter.-Political:Sharp defeat Rutherford at his attempt at a third term for Flint Mayor. In 1984, Sharp was select as alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan ...
-- 21,718 to 20,467. He took severance pay of $24,000 along with some of his appointees which triggered a lawsuit. With top aides, he forms the Rutherford Group, Inc. that goes on to run pizzarias and a downtown coney island cart.
After attending a Toughman Contest in 1984 at the IMA Sports Arena, Rutherford fought a robber for several minutes but is robbed of "a substantial amount of money" and receives minor injuries.
Running for Genesee County
Genesee County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-69* I-75* I-475-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-13* M-15* M-21* M-54* M-57-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 436,141 people, 169,825 households, and 115,990 families residing in the county. The population density was 682 people per square mile . There were 183,630...
Clerk as a Democrat in 1984, he loses in the primary to John H. Trecha, the incumbent, by 73 votes, 13,444 to 13,371.Once again, Rutherford runs for Flint mayor in 1987 but coming in third out of seven candidates in the primary with Sharp and Matthew S. Collier
Matthew S. Collier
Matthew S. Collier is a business executive, entrepreneur, speaker and politician. He is best known as the youngest big city “strong” mayor in the United States while serving as the popularly-elected Chief Executive of his hometown of Flint, Michigan from 1987 to 1991...
continuing on to the general election.
Moving back to the private section in 1989, he works as head of public relations for Windmill Place, then-owned by businessman Don Williamson
Don Williamson
Donald J. Williamson is a former mayor of Flint, Michigan and businessman. He is the husband of Patsy Lou Williamson, owner of several car dealerships in the Flint area, and chairman of The Colonel's International, Inc.-Past:...
. Rutherford becomes Williamson's co-campaign manager for his run for Flint Mayor in 1991 assisting in filing petitions, but Williamson fails to advance out of the primary. In 1999, he aides state Rep. Vera B. Rison in her run for mayor by appearing in television commercial, however Rison takes third in the primary.
After the March 5, 2002 recall of Mayor Stanley
Woodrow Stanley
Woodrow Stanley, a Democratic Party politician, is a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 34th District. He was a former mayor of Flint that was recalled from office in 2002.- Early life :...
, Rutherford takes out but fails to collect enough signatures to get on the ballot. However, the election is conceled due to the state's financial review of the city. A financial manager, Ed Kurtz, is named for the city. When the election is reschedule, he collects enough signatures and becomes the only name on the ballot for mayor. Rutherford wins the Flint Mayoral election over write in candidate, Arthur J. Pointer—11,239 to 4,712.
In 2003, Rutherford took on an additional position as the director of the Flint Downtown Development Authority and continued in this capacity under mayor Don Williamson
Don Williamson
Donald J. Williamson is a former mayor of Flint, Michigan and businessman. He is the husband of Patsy Lou Williamson, owner of several car dealerships in the Flint area, and chairman of The Colonel's International, Inc.-Past:...
serving until 2008.