New Carrollton’s City Council voted 4-1 to oust Mayor Phelecia Nembhard, alleging that she violated the city’s indefinite hiring freeze by reinstating former employees.
The Sep. 9 council hearing was tense, and a supporter of Nembhard was escorted out by police. Nembhard was the first African American, first Caribbean American, and first woman to serve in her role when elected in 2020.
“How dare you come up here and accuse this God-fearing woman of lacking integrity,” said the ousted supporter. “You all are a bunch of crooks.”
Councilmember Cynthia Mills was the sole vote to retain the mayor, while Councilmembers Lincoln Lashley, Agnelli Sybel Malave, Duane Rosenberg, and Briana Urbina voted to remove her.
Other residents testified in support of Nembhard, including one who said that ousting the mayor would be “the worst thing that could ever happen to this city.”
In an exclusive interview, Nembhard spoke of her strong relationship with entities developing the Purple Line, a transit project that will offer a direct Metro connection between New Carrollton and Montgomery County.
“When I reached out, they helped our town with grants,” she told The Informer in a phone interview. “Every time we asked.”
Special Election Ahead, Nembhard Plans to Run Again
Councilmember Urbina was one of the legislators who voted to remove Nembhard from her role as mayor.
“The allegation is that she hired people despite that,” Urbina said in an interview with Fox5. “It’s alleged she attempted to intimidate the staff and the only reason these people weren’t given any keys is because the city manager chose to resign, and the city manager resigned because she believed this action was unlawful and tried to warn the mayor.”
Urbina later explained her vote as showing that “no one is above the law.”
“Tonight’s meeting was difficult for me, but not for the reasons some may think. I have genuine empathy for residents who are hurt and angry about the Council’s decision to remove the mayor. I can imagine how I would feel if a leader I voted for and believed in was removed from office,” Urbina said in a social media post following the vote. “That pain was real in the room tonight, and I felt it. But leadership sometimes requires making decisions that are painful and unpopular. I believe we did the right thing.”
The city charter calls for a special election within 65 days of a mayoral vacancy and Lashley will serve as interim mayor.
Nembhard plans to file for the special election, while the city council maintains that she is not eligible.
“There is no precedent that says that is the way it is supposed to happen,” Nembhard said in an interview with Fox5. “I’ll definitely be running in the special election.”
Millie Tracy, a Lanham resident who stands behind Mayor Nembhard, is mobilizing supporters via social media for the upcoming special election.
“Council members are attempting to remove New Carrollton Mayor Phelecia Nembhard — but many residents believe she deserves to continue serving. Mayor Nembhard works tirelessly for her community,” Tracy wrote on Facebook. “She helps search for missing children, encourages students to stay in school, feeds residents in need, and remains actively involved throughout the city.
