On August 23, 2004, Saginaw Commissioner Al Holiday
poured gasoline on his wife
Commissioner Holiday then chased his wife around the house
with a lighter, attempting to set her on fire.
Holiday was arrested on suspicion of assault
with intent to commit murder
The Saginaw County Prosecutor did not immediately
charge Commissioner Holiday with a crime...
Prosecutor Michael Thomas had sent a sample of the liquid
that Commissioner Holiday had poured on his wife
[and which everyone agreed smelled /reeked like gasoline]
to the MSP Crime Lab for testing, to insure it was in fact gasoline.
This 'delay' in processing the evidence, went in Commissioner Holiday's favor....
as he was still able to run for re-election,
as no criminal charges had been filed against him after the August assault.
Criminal charges were not filed against Holiday until after the November elections,
in which he was re-elected.
Although Holiday had been arrested for attempted murder, he was only charged for misdemeanor domestic violence. He pleaded no-contest to these charges. Instead of facing time in jail, Holiday was given three months of house arrest.
Al Holiday retained his position as Saginaw County Commissioner, despite the criminal charges. Commissioner Holiday was not ousted from his position until October 2011, for his role in misspending $2.8 million in HUD funds that the county had received. Holiday faced no criminal charges for his actions and Saginaw was left to repay the misspent funds.
THE SAGINAW NEWS
August 25, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1093443715283640.xml
A former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners chairman who wants a seat on the proposed Saginaw City Charter Commission may have to put his bid on hold.
Police arrested Al Holiday, 50, at his home Monday and booked him in the County Jail on suspicion of assault with intent to commit murder against his 40-year-old wife.
Police said she told them she was sitting in the bedroom of their home on Carter when Holiday walked in and started arguing about money and threatened to kill her.
Holiday left the room and returned a short time later and poured on her what she thought was water, she told police. When she realized it was gasoline, she fled the room as Holiday chased her with a lighter in his hand, police reported she said.
The woman ran to a neighbor's home and called police, they said.
Detectives today still were trying to gather additional information to take to the prosecutor's office to possibly bring charges, police said. Holiday remained in jail this morning.
Holiday, a former United Auto Workers employee assistance coordinator at Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems, served on the Board of Commissioners from 1980 to 1994, including a two-year stint as chairman in 1989 and 1990.
Holiday, who is now vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission, has taken out nominating petitions to appear on the Nov. 2 ballot for the proposed Saginaw City Charter Commission.
Holiday has had previous brushes with the law. In January 1985, Holiday tangled with police over a confrontation with a 17-year-old man in a pool hall on East Holland. Holiday said he followed the teen there after the youth struck him in the face with a snowball earlier in the evening. Police made no arrests and prosecutors filed no charges.
Police also arrested Holiday on Sept. 1, 1990, after his wife filed a domestic violence complaint, but prosecutors did not charge him.
Dec. 21, 1990, Saginaw police arrested Holiday after receiving reports of a shooting in the vicinity of his now-former wife's home on Sheridan. A District Court jury found Holiday not guilty of malicious destruction of property but guilty of leaving the scene of an auto crash in which his 1988 Chevrolet van collided with another car in the driveway of his wife's home.
In 1996, he paid a $300 fine for disturbing the peace at the KFC restaurant at Hess and Dixie in Buena Vista Township. Witnesses said a dispute over parking between Holiday and another man led to the confrontation.
Holiday unsuccessfully challenged then-state Rep. Michael J. Hanley for the 95th House District in the 1996 Democratic primary.
In 1998, Holiday suffered a stroke in Washington, D.C., while attending the National Association of Counties' legislative conference. He was representing the Region VII Area Agency on Aging when he became ill.
Holiday sent home from jail
THE SAGINAW NEWS
August 26, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1093530178132460.xml
Saginaw County authorities released a former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners chairman from jail, but they will continue investigating an assault case involving his wife. Al Holiday, who served on the county board from 1980 to 1994, including a stint as chairman in 1989 and 1990, left the lockup Wednesday, said Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas.
"File transcripts, reports and lab work are not complete," said Thomas, in reference to whether he will authorize charges against Holiday.
Police said Holiday's 40-year-old wife told them she was sitting in the bedroom of their home on Carter on Monday when Holiday walked in and started arguing about money and threatened to kill her. Holiday, 50, left the room and returned a short time later and poured gasoline on her, she told police. She fled the room as Holiday chased her with a lighter in his hand, police reported she said.
Police jailed Holiday Monday night.
Holiday, a former United Auto Workers employee assistance coordinator at Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems, now serves as vice chairman of the Saginaw Housing Commission.
Authorities await results from lab in Holiday case
THE SAGINAW NEWS
September 19, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news1/1095589726113930.xml
Authorities say they're still awaiting crime lab results before deciding whether to charge former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Holiday in an alleged assault against his wife.
The state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township is "absolutely swamped" because of budget cuts, said Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas. Technicians at the lab are prioritizing their work, for example handling evidence from murder cases first, he said.
"They will get to it as quickly as they can," Thomas said.
Holiday served on the county board from 1980 to 1994, including a stint as chairman in 1989 and 1990. Police arrested Holiday last month shortly after his 40-year-old wife told them he poured gasoline on her.
The woman said she was sitting in the bedroom of their home on Carter when Holiday started arguing about money and threatened to kill her. She told police that Holiday, 50, left the room and returned a short time later and poured gasoline on her. She said she fled the room as he chased her with a lighter in his hand.
Holiday, a former United Auto Workers employee assistance coordinator at Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems, serves as vice chairman of the Saginaw Housing Commission.
THE SAGINAW NEWS
September 19, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news1/1095589726113930.xml
Authorities say they're still awaiting crime lab results before deciding whether to charge former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Holiday in an alleged assault against his wife.
The state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township is "absolutely swamped" because of budget cuts, said Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas. Technicians at the lab are prioritizing their work, for example handling evidence from murder cases first, he said.
"They will get to it as quickly as they can," Thomas said.
Holiday served on the county board from 1980 to 1994, including a stint as chairman in 1989 and 1990. Police arrested Holiday last month shortly after his 40-year-old wife told them he poured gasoline on her.
The woman said she was sitting in the bedroom of their home on Carter when Holiday started arguing about money and threatened to kill her. She told police that Holiday, 50, left the room and returned a short time later and poured gasoline on her. She said she fled the room as he chased her with a lighter in his hand.
Holiday, a former United Auto Workers employee assistance coordinator at Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems, serves as vice chairman of the Saginaw Housing Commission.
Crime lab 'swamped;' assault case still on
THE SAGINAW NEWS
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-1/109819591487590.xml
Authorities say they have received lab work and are looking over a case involving allegations that former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Holiday assaulted his wife.
"We're still reviewing it," Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas said Monday.
"There's nothing to report now, and we won't discuss it."
Last month, Thomas said the state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township was "absolutely swamped" because of budget cuts.
Technicians were prioritizing their work -- for example, handling evidence from murder cases first, he said.
Holiday, 50, served on the county board from 1980 to 1994. He was its chairman in 1989 and 1990.
In August, police arrested Holiday shortly after his 40-year-old wife told them he poured gasoline on her.
Holiday, a former United Auto Workers employee assistance coordinator at Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems, serves as vice chairman of the Saginaw Housing Commission.
THE SAGINAW NEWS
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-1/109819591487590.xml
Authorities say they have received lab work and are looking over a case involving allegations that former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Holiday assaulted his wife.
"We're still reviewing it," Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas said Monday.
"There's nothing to report now, and we won't discuss it."
Last month, Thomas said the state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township was "absolutely swamped" because of budget cuts.
Technicians were prioritizing their work -- for example, handling evidence from murder cases first, he said.
Holiday, 50, served on the county board from 1980 to 1994. He was its chairman in 1989 and 1990.
In August, police arrested Holiday shortly after his 40-year-old wife told them he poured gasoline on her.
Holiday, a former United Auto Workers employee assistance coordinator at Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems, serves as vice chairman of the Saginaw Housing Commission.
Holiday facing assault charge
THE SAGINAW NEWS
Saturday, November 13, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1100344898203580.xml
A newly elected member of the Saginaw City Charter Commission is facing a charge he assaulted his wife.
After three months of investigation, Saginaw County prosecutors have issued a warrant charging Al Holiday, 50, of 3217 Carter, with domestic violence, Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas said.
The charge is a misdemeanor punishable by 93 days in jail.
THE SAGINAW NEWS
Saturday, November 13, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1100344898203580.xml
A newly elected member of the Saginaw City Charter Commission is facing a charge he assaulted his wife.
After three months of investigation, Saginaw County prosecutors have issued a warrant charging Al Holiday, 50, of 3217 Carter, with domestic violence, Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas said.
The charge is a misdemeanor punishable by 93 days in jail.
Domestic assault trial coming next year
THE SAGINAW NEWS
December 10, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1102693875170200.xml
Saginaw City Charter Commission member Al Holiday will face trial on a charge that he assaulted his wife in August.
Holiday, 50, of 3217 Carter will go on trial sometime after January on a charge of domestic violence. Court officials have not set a trial date.
A conviction could lead to a sentence of up to 93 days in jail.
Holiday's wife called police and claimed he had doused her with gasoline in their home Aug. 23 and then chased after her with a lighter.
Saginaw police arrested Holiday but released him while prosecutors reviewed evidence.
The investigation took three months to complete.
Police originally jailed Holiday on suspicion of assault with intent to commit murder, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Holiday, a former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners chairman, was one of nine residents elected Nov. 2 to review the City Charter. He also serves as vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission.
THE SAGINAW NEWS
December 10, 2004
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1102693875170200.xml
Saginaw City Charter Commission member Al Holiday will face trial on a charge that he assaulted his wife in August.
Holiday, 50, of 3217 Carter will go on trial sometime after January on a charge of domestic violence. Court officials have not set a trial date.
A conviction could lead to a sentence of up to 93 days in jail.
Holiday's wife called police and claimed he had doused her with gasoline in their home Aug. 23 and then chased after her with a lighter.
Saginaw police arrested Holiday but released him while prosecutors reviewed evidence.
The investigation took three months to complete.
Police originally jailed Holiday on suspicion of assault with intent to commit murder, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Holiday, a former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners chairman, was one of nine residents elected Nov. 2 to review the City Charter. He also serves as vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission.
Holiday's wife won't testify
THE SAGINAW NEWS
February 11, 2005
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news2/1108138932196890.xml
Authorities plan to proceed with a domestic violence trial against Saginaw City Charter Commission member Al Holiday even though his wife won't testify against him.
Holiday's wife, Cheryl Holiday, has declared her Fifth Amendment rights and has refused to testify, Saginaw County prosecutors said Thursday after a hearing.
Assistant Prosecutor Steven J. Fenner said Cheryl Holiday "will be unavailable unless she changes her mind."
At an earlier hearing, Cheryl Holiday, 40, declined to say anything about her husband, Fenner said. She gave only her name and date of birth.
Court officials have not set a trial date for Holiday, 51, who is vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission and former chairman of the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners. A conviction could lead to a sentence of up to 93 days in jail.
Defense attorney Thomas L. Frank said he needed more time to prepare for trial. District Judge Darnell Jackson granted him a delay.
Instead of Cheryl Holiday testifying, prosecutors will use statements she gave to police and the tape of an Aug. 23 phone call she made to Central Dispatch 911 as evidence against her husband.
Saginaw Police Officer Christine Chambers testified Thursday that she was near Saginaw High School when she received a dispatch about a man dousing his wife with gasoline at 3217 Carter.
Chambers said she arrived at the home within three minutes.
Al Holiday answered the door and then returned to the phone, she said. He indicated his wife was at another house across the street, and the officer proceeded there.
"(Cheryl Holiday) was crying," Chambers said. "She appeared upset. She then told me that her husband poured gasoline on her and tried to set her on fire."
The officer said she could smell gasoline in both houses.
The wife told investigators she was recovering from surgery and decided to lie on a couch and watch television. Her husband came in and began arguing about money, she said.
Al Holiday said he was going to hurt his wife, the officer testified that Cheryl Holiday told her. He left the room, then returned and poured what she believed was water on her, Chambers said. He had a lighter in his hand, she said.
Saginaw police arrested Holiday but released him while prosecutors reviewed evidence.
Police originally jailed Holiday on suspicion of assault with intent to commit murder, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Frank had argued that prosecutors can't prove their case based on testimony from one witness. Authorities need to present other evidence such as clothing or bedding with gasoline on it, he said.
Fenner disagreed and said the victim's statement to police will suffice.
Holiday has had previous brushes with the law.
In January 1985, Holiday tangled with police over a confrontation with a 17-year-old male in a pool hall on East Holland. Holiday said he followed the teen there after the youth struck him in the face with a snowball earlier in the evening. Police made no arrests and prosecutors filed no charges.
Police also arrested Holiday on Sept. 1, 1990, after his wife filed a domestic violence complaint, but prosecutors did not charge him.
Dec. 21, 1990, Saginaw police arrested Holiday after receiving reports of a shooting in the vicinity of his now-former wife's home on Sheridan. A District Court jury found Holiday not guilty of malicious destruction of property but guilty of leaving the scene of an auto crash in which his 1988 Chevrolet van collided with another car in the driveway of his wife's home.
In 1996, he paid a $300 fine for disturbing the peace at the KFC restaurant at Hess and Dixie in Buena Vista Township. Witnesses said a dispute over parking between Holiday and another man led to the confrontation.
Holiday unsuccessfully challenged then-state Rep. Michael J. Hanley for the 95th House District in the 1996 Democratic primary.
In 1998, Holiday suffered a stroke in Washington, D.C., while attending the National Association of Counties' legislative conference. He was representing the Region VII Area Agency on Aging when he became ill.
Holiday was one of nine residents elected Nov. 2, 2004, to review the City Charter.
THE SAGINAW NEWS
February 11, 2005
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news2/1108138932196890.xml
Authorities plan to proceed with a domestic violence trial against Saginaw City Charter Commission member Al Holiday even though his wife won't testify against him.
Holiday's wife, Cheryl Holiday, has declared her Fifth Amendment rights and has refused to testify, Saginaw County prosecutors said Thursday after a hearing.
Assistant Prosecutor Steven J. Fenner said Cheryl Holiday "will be unavailable unless she changes her mind."
At an earlier hearing, Cheryl Holiday, 40, declined to say anything about her husband, Fenner said. She gave only her name and date of birth.
Court officials have not set a trial date for Holiday, 51, who is vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission and former chairman of the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners. A conviction could lead to a sentence of up to 93 days in jail.
Defense attorney Thomas L. Frank said he needed more time to prepare for trial. District Judge Darnell Jackson granted him a delay.
Instead of Cheryl Holiday testifying, prosecutors will use statements she gave to police and the tape of an Aug. 23 phone call she made to Central Dispatch 911 as evidence against her husband.
Saginaw Police Officer Christine Chambers testified Thursday that she was near Saginaw High School when she received a dispatch about a man dousing his wife with gasoline at 3217 Carter.
Chambers said she arrived at the home within three minutes.
Al Holiday answered the door and then returned to the phone, she said. He indicated his wife was at another house across the street, and the officer proceeded there.
"(Cheryl Holiday) was crying," Chambers said. "She appeared upset. She then told me that her husband poured gasoline on her and tried to set her on fire."
The officer said she could smell gasoline in both houses.
The wife told investigators she was recovering from surgery and decided to lie on a couch and watch television. Her husband came in and began arguing about money, she said.
Al Holiday said he was going to hurt his wife, the officer testified that Cheryl Holiday told her. He left the room, then returned and poured what she believed was water on her, Chambers said. He had a lighter in his hand, she said.
Saginaw police arrested Holiday but released him while prosecutors reviewed evidence.
Police originally jailed Holiday on suspicion of assault with intent to commit murder, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Frank had argued that prosecutors can't prove their case based on testimony from one witness. Authorities need to present other evidence such as clothing or bedding with gasoline on it, he said.
Fenner disagreed and said the victim's statement to police will suffice.
Holiday has had previous brushes with the law.
In January 1985, Holiday tangled with police over a confrontation with a 17-year-old male in a pool hall on East Holland. Holiday said he followed the teen there after the youth struck him in the face with a snowball earlier in the evening. Police made no arrests and prosecutors filed no charges.
Police also arrested Holiday on Sept. 1, 1990, after his wife filed a domestic violence complaint, but prosecutors did not charge him.
Dec. 21, 1990, Saginaw police arrested Holiday after receiving reports of a shooting in the vicinity of his now-former wife's home on Sheridan. A District Court jury found Holiday not guilty of malicious destruction of property but guilty of leaving the scene of an auto crash in which his 1988 Chevrolet van collided with another car in the driveway of his wife's home.
In 1996, he paid a $300 fine for disturbing the peace at the KFC restaurant at Hess and Dixie in Buena Vista Township. Witnesses said a dispute over parking between Holiday and another man led to the confrontation.
Holiday unsuccessfully challenged then-state Rep. Michael J. Hanley for the 95th House District in the 1996 Democratic primary.
In 1998, Holiday suffered a stroke in Washington, D.C., while attending the National Association of Counties' legislative conference. He was representing the Region VII Area Agency on Aging when he became ill.
Holiday was one of nine residents elected Nov. 2, 2004, to review the City Charter.
Holiday's wife granted court protection order
THE SAGINAW NEWS
March 19, 2005
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news2/1111231283108280.xml
The wife of former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Holiday has filed court papers indicating her husband assaulted her in their home in August.
Cheryl Holiday, 40, now has court protection against Al Holiday, who also is vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission and a member of the Saginaw City Charter Review Commission. She has moved from their home at 3217 Carter and to Saginaw Township.
Saginaw County Family Court Judge Patrick J. McGraw on Thursday granted Cheryl Holiday a personal protection order, commonly known as a PPO, against her husband.
Al Holiday's attorney Thomas L. Frank said he doesn't know anything about the protection order request and can't comment.
The Saginaw News could not reach Holiday for comment.
Al Holiday has a Thursday, April 7, trial on a charge of domestic violence stemming from an incident in which his wife initially told police he doused her with gasoline and tried to set her on fire.
During a pre-trial hearing in February, however, Cheryl Holiday said she would not testify against her husband. In her protection order request, she described the February incident.
"On Aug. 23, Al Holiday doused gasoline on me," Cheryl Holiday wrote. "I did not press charges against him because I was afraid to."
Cheryl Holiday said she is not from Michigan, nor does she have family or a support system in Saginaw.
"I had no where to go and did not have enough money to move out at that time," Cheryl Holiday wrote. "Since the incident, I have saved up the money needed to move out."
Al Holiday was on a business trip to Washington, D.C., from Sunday to Thursday, March 13-17, she wrote.
"While he was away, I moved out," Cheryl Holiday wrote. "I am afraid that he may harass or threaten me. Therefore, I am asking to be provided with a PPO."
Cheryl Holiday, a county employee, indicated she and her husband married five years ago and that she moved out of the house March 15.
McGraw granted her the protection order, in effect until March 17, 2006. A violation could result in 93 days in jail and $500 in fines.
Any time during the year, Al Holiday can petition the court to remove the order.
Assistant Prosecutor Steven J. Fenner, who is handling the domestic violence case, said he will look into the order. He declined further comment.
Cheryl Holiday told police that she was watching television when she felt liquid poured over her body. At first, she thought it was water, she said. Then came the stench of gasoline, she told officers.
She said her husband began chasing her throughout their Saginaw home with a lighter in his hand. She ran from the house and called 911.
THE SAGINAW NEWS
March 19, 2005
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news2/1111231283108280.xml
The wife of former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Holiday has filed court papers indicating her husband assaulted her in their home in August.
Cheryl Holiday, 40, now has court protection against Al Holiday, who also is vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission and a member of the Saginaw City Charter Review Commission. She has moved from their home at 3217 Carter and to Saginaw Township.
Saginaw County Family Court Judge Patrick J. McGraw on Thursday granted Cheryl Holiday a personal protection order, commonly known as a PPO, against her husband.
Al Holiday's attorney Thomas L. Frank said he doesn't know anything about the protection order request and can't comment.
The Saginaw News could not reach Holiday for comment.
Al Holiday has a Thursday, April 7, trial on a charge of domestic violence stemming from an incident in which his wife initially told police he doused her with gasoline and tried to set her on fire.
During a pre-trial hearing in February, however, Cheryl Holiday said she would not testify against her husband. In her protection order request, she described the February incident.
"On Aug. 23, Al Holiday doused gasoline on me," Cheryl Holiday wrote. "I did not press charges against him because I was afraid to."
Cheryl Holiday said she is not from Michigan, nor does she have family or a support system in Saginaw.
"I had no where to go and did not have enough money to move out at that time," Cheryl Holiday wrote. "Since the incident, I have saved up the money needed to move out."
Al Holiday was on a business trip to Washington, D.C., from Sunday to Thursday, March 13-17, she wrote.
"While he was away, I moved out," Cheryl Holiday wrote. "I am afraid that he may harass or threaten me. Therefore, I am asking to be provided with a PPO."
Cheryl Holiday, a county employee, indicated she and her husband married five years ago and that she moved out of the house March 15.
McGraw granted her the protection order, in effect until March 17, 2006. A violation could result in 93 days in jail and $500 in fines.
Any time during the year, Al Holiday can petition the court to remove the order.
Assistant Prosecutor Steven J. Fenner, who is handling the domestic violence case, said he will look into the order. He declined further comment.
Cheryl Holiday told police that she was watching television when she felt liquid poured over her body. At first, she thought it was water, she said. Then came the stench of gasoline, she told officers.
She said her husband began chasing her throughout their Saginaw home with a lighter in his hand. She ran from the house and called 911.
Holiday facing jail term
The Saginaw News
Thursday, April 07, 2005
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news2/1112885446114540.xml
Former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Holiday has pleaded no contest to a charge of assaulting his wife in their home.
Holiday, who also is vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission and a member of the Saginaw City Charter Review Commission, entered his plea Wednesday on a charge of domestic violence stemming from an incident in which his wife, Cheryl Holiday, told police he doused her with gasoline and tried to set her on fire.
A no contest plea means that a defendant does not contest prosecutors' evidence and is willing to accept the punishment.
Saginaw County District Judge Darnell Jackson will sentence Holiday, 51, on Tuesday, May 10. Holiday, who was supposed to go to trial today on the domestic violence charge, faces 93 days in jail.
The Saginaw News could not reach Holiday for comment.
Last month, Family Court Judge Patrick J. McGraw granted Cheryl Holiday, 40, a personal protection order against her husband.
During a pre-trial hearing for her husband in February, Cheryl Holiday said she would not testify against him. In her protection order request, however, she described the August incident.
"On Aug. 23, Al Holiday doused gasoline on me," Cheryl Holiday wrote. "I did not press charges against him because I was afraid to."
She indicated she is not from Michigan and does not have family or a support system in Saginaw. She said she had nowhere to go and not did not have enough money to move out at that time.
Cheryl Holiday, a county employee, said she saved enough money to move out of their home at 3217 Carter, and did so while her husband was on a business trip to Washington, D.C., from March 13-17.
"I am afraid that he may harass or threaten me," Cheryl Holiday wrote.
She said she and her husband married five years ago.
McGraw granted her the protection order, which will remain in effect until March 17. A violation also could result in 93 days in jail and $500 in fines.
Court records also show that Cheryl Holiday has begun divorce proceedings against her husband.
The Saginaw News
Thursday, April 07, 2005
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news2/1112885446114540.xml
Former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Holiday has pleaded no contest to a charge of assaulting his wife in their home.
Holiday, who also is vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission and a member of the Saginaw City Charter Review Commission, entered his plea Wednesday on a charge of domestic violence stemming from an incident in which his wife, Cheryl Holiday, told police he doused her with gasoline and tried to set her on fire.
A no contest plea means that a defendant does not contest prosecutors' evidence and is willing to accept the punishment.
Saginaw County District Judge Darnell Jackson will sentence Holiday, 51, on Tuesday, May 10. Holiday, who was supposed to go to trial today on the domestic violence charge, faces 93 days in jail.
The Saginaw News could not reach Holiday for comment.
Last month, Family Court Judge Patrick J. McGraw granted Cheryl Holiday, 40, a personal protection order against her husband.
During a pre-trial hearing for her husband in February, Cheryl Holiday said she would not testify against him. In her protection order request, however, she described the August incident.
"On Aug. 23, Al Holiday doused gasoline on me," Cheryl Holiday wrote. "I did not press charges against him because I was afraid to."
She indicated she is not from Michigan and does not have family or a support system in Saginaw. She said she had nowhere to go and not did not have enough money to move out at that time.
Cheryl Holiday, a county employee, said she saved enough money to move out of their home at 3217 Carter, and did so while her husband was on a business trip to Washington, D.C., from March 13-17.
"I am afraid that he may harass or threaten me," Cheryl Holiday wrote.
She said she and her husband married five years ago.
McGraw granted her the protection order, which will remain in effect until March 17. A violation also could result in 93 days in jail and $500 in fines.
Court records also show that Cheryl Holiday has begun divorce proceedings against her husband.
Holiday given house arrest
The Saginaw News
May 11, 2005
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1115823048315620.xml
A Saginaw County judge will consider whether to allow Saginaw Housing Commission Vice President Al Holiday to attend meetings while he is on house arrest.
District Judge Darnell Jackson on Tuesday ordered Holiday to serve three months of house arrest for domestic violence against his wife, Cheryl Holiday, 40.
He warned the former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners chairman that if he violates any terms of his probation, he will spend 93 days in jail.
Authorities said Holiday doused his spouse with gasoline and tried to set her on fire Aug. 23 at their Carter Street home.
Holiday's punishment includes nine months of probation, orders to stay away from his estranged wife -- who has filed for divorce -- and to pay $609 in fees and fines.
Holiday, 51, pleaded no contest, meaning he does not contest prosecutors' evidence and is willing to accept the punishment. He did not speak during the hearing. The conviction also means that he cannot possess a gun.
Last month, Holiday resigned from the Saginaw City Charter Review Commission.
Assistant Prosecutor Steven J. Fenner told Jackson he wanted Holiday to serve jail time. "The facts indicate the act could have resulted in the death of Cheryl Holiday," he said.
Defense attorney Thomas L. Frank sought probation only for his client and no fees, fines or incarceration. Holiday lives on a fixed income of $2,400 a month and needs time to pay the fees and fines, he said.
Holiday also has an obligation to the community to attend Housing Commission meetings and an out-of-town conference later this month, Frank said.
Jackson said he would consider allowing Holiday to attend the meetings and conference.
During a February pre-trial hearing for Holiday, Cheryl Holiday said she would not testify against her husband.
A month later, Family Court Judge Patrick J. McGraw granted Cheryl Holiday a personal protection order against her husband. In her request, she described the August incident, saying he doused her with gasoline.
"I did not press charges against him because I was afraid to," she wrote.
The protection order will remain in effect until March 17. A violation also could result in 93 days in jail and $500 in fines.
Cheryl Holiday, a county employee, said she moved out of their home at 3217 Carter in March while her husband was on a business trip in Washington, D.C.
The Holidays have been married for five years.
The Saginaw News
May 11, 2005
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1115823048315620.xml
A Saginaw County judge will consider whether to allow Saginaw Housing Commission Vice President Al Holiday to attend meetings while he is on house arrest.
District Judge Darnell Jackson on Tuesday ordered Holiday to serve three months of house arrest for domestic violence against his wife, Cheryl Holiday, 40.
He warned the former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners chairman that if he violates any terms of his probation, he will spend 93 days in jail.
Authorities said Holiday doused his spouse with gasoline and tried to set her on fire Aug. 23 at their Carter Street home.
Holiday's punishment includes nine months of probation, orders to stay away from his estranged wife -- who has filed for divorce -- and to pay $609 in fees and fines.
Holiday, 51, pleaded no contest, meaning he does not contest prosecutors' evidence and is willing to accept the punishment. He did not speak during the hearing. The conviction also means that he cannot possess a gun.
Last month, Holiday resigned from the Saginaw City Charter Review Commission.
Assistant Prosecutor Steven J. Fenner told Jackson he wanted Holiday to serve jail time. "The facts indicate the act could have resulted in the death of Cheryl Holiday," he said.
Defense attorney Thomas L. Frank sought probation only for his client and no fees, fines or incarceration. Holiday lives on a fixed income of $2,400 a month and needs time to pay the fees and fines, he said.
Holiday also has an obligation to the community to attend Housing Commission meetings and an out-of-town conference later this month, Frank said.
Jackson said he would consider allowing Holiday to attend the meetings and conference.
During a February pre-trial hearing for Holiday, Cheryl Holiday said she would not testify against her husband.
A month later, Family Court Judge Patrick J. McGraw granted Cheryl Holiday a personal protection order against her husband. In her request, she described the August incident, saying he doused her with gasoline.
"I did not press charges against him because I was afraid to," she wrote.
The protection order will remain in effect until March 17. A violation also could result in 93 days in jail and $500 in fines.
Cheryl Holiday, a county employee, said she moved out of their home at 3217 Carter in March while her husband was on a business trip in Washington, D.C.
The Holidays have been married for five years.
Familiar face, crowded race
THE SAGINAW NEWS
May 17, 2006
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news19/1147872128252430.xml&coll=9
A controversial Saginaw public figure is looking to return to his seat on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners.
Former board Chairman Alfredia "Al" Holiday will face fellow Democrats Calvin Williams and Eddie F. Foxx in the August primary for the District 6 seat. No Republicans are on the ballot.
Tuesday was the candidate filing deadline for the Tuesday, Aug. 8, primary.
Holiday, 52, held the seat in 1994, when he lost a bid for the state House 95th district. He has since served on the Saginaw City Charter Review Commission and presently is vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission.
But Holiday's record in governance must compete with his personal history -- most recently, a sentence of three months house arrest last year for a domestic violence charge. Authorities said he doused his wife in gasoline and tried to set her on fire in the summer of 2004.
"Folks are probably going to remember that," Williams said, though he noted he does not consider it a concern for his campaign, which he plans to steer toward public health and other county services he believes residents in District 6 -- parts of the city of Saginaw and Buena Vista and Bridgeport townships -- don't fully use.
The News could not reach Holiday or Foxx. Foxx ran for the seat in 2004 and lost 746-865 in the primary to Terry W. Sangster, who this year is seeking the 95th District state House seat.
State races have opened three county board seats. The most crowded is District 2, the county's western townships, where two Democrats and three Republicans will compete in the Aug. 8 primary for the slot left by Democrat Robert D. Blaine, who is campaigning for 94th District state House seat.
Democrats Lindsey K. Read and Leonard "Lenny" J. LeFevre submitted their names.
"The commissioners run just as hard as the state reps," LeFevre said. "But ... I didn't want to have a Democrat not run. We need somebody to challenge the Republicans."
They are Timothy M. Krzeszewski, who lost a bid for county treasurer in 2004 and serves on the Swan Creek Township Planning Commission; Ronald L. Sholtz, who has served as Marion Township supervisor and lost the county board seat narrowly in 2004 with 3,434 votes to Blaine's 3,468; and Gary D. Lyvere, who has run previously for the county board and has served as a Richland Township trustee.
In District 4 -- Frankenmuth Township plus parts of Bridgeport and Birch Run townships -- one Republican and one Democrat are seeking to replace Frankenmuth Republican Kenneth B. Horn, who is running for the state House 94th District seat. Republican Dennis H. Krafft and Democrat Jean A. Schluckebier, both of Frankenmuth Township, will vie for his seat in the Nov. 7 general election.
THE SAGINAW NEWS
May 17, 2006
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news19/1147872128252430.xml&coll=9
A controversial Saginaw public figure is looking to return to his seat on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners.
Former board Chairman Alfredia "Al" Holiday will face fellow Democrats Calvin Williams and Eddie F. Foxx in the August primary for the District 6 seat. No Republicans are on the ballot.
Tuesday was the candidate filing deadline for the Tuesday, Aug. 8, primary.
Holiday, 52, held the seat in 1994, when he lost a bid for the state House 95th district. He has since served on the Saginaw City Charter Review Commission and presently is vice president of the Saginaw Housing Commission.
But Holiday's record in governance must compete with his personal history -- most recently, a sentence of three months house arrest last year for a domestic violence charge. Authorities said he doused his wife in gasoline and tried to set her on fire in the summer of 2004.
"Folks are probably going to remember that," Williams said, though he noted he does not consider it a concern for his campaign, which he plans to steer toward public health and other county services he believes residents in District 6 -- parts of the city of Saginaw and Buena Vista and Bridgeport townships -- don't fully use.
The News could not reach Holiday or Foxx. Foxx ran for the seat in 2004 and lost 746-865 in the primary to Terry W. Sangster, who this year is seeking the 95th District state House seat.
State races have opened three county board seats. The most crowded is District 2, the county's western townships, where two Democrats and three Republicans will compete in the Aug. 8 primary for the slot left by Democrat Robert D. Blaine, who is campaigning for 94th District state House seat.
Democrats Lindsey K. Read and Leonard "Lenny" J. LeFevre submitted their names.
"The commissioners run just as hard as the state reps," LeFevre said. "But ... I didn't want to have a Democrat not run. We need somebody to challenge the Republicans."
They are Timothy M. Krzeszewski, who lost a bid for county treasurer in 2004 and serves on the Swan Creek Township Planning Commission; Ronald L. Sholtz, who has served as Marion Township supervisor and lost the county board seat narrowly in 2004 with 3,434 votes to Blaine's 3,468; and Gary D. Lyvere, who has run previously for the county board and has served as a Richland Township trustee.
In District 4 -- Frankenmuth Township plus parts of Bridgeport and Birch Run townships -- one Republican and one Democrat are seeking to replace Frankenmuth Republican Kenneth B. Horn, who is running for the state House 94th District seat. Republican Dennis H. Krafft and Democrat Jean A. Schluckebier, both of Frankenmuth Township, will vie for his seat in the Nov. 7 general election.
Saginaw Housing Commission member Al Holiday ousted, executive director's performance deemed 'unsatisfactory'
The Saginaw News
Monday, October 24, 2011
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/10/saginaw_housing_commission_mem.html
The Saginaw News
Monday, October 24, 2011
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/10/saginaw_housing_commission_mem.html
Saginaw Housing Commission, Al Holiday
SAGINAW — In the wake of a Saginaw Housing Commission audit that revealed the commission misspent $2.8 million throughout the last decade, Executive Director Peter Chitekwe will be replaced in February, and Al Holiday has been expelled from the board.
Both decisions came to light Monday evening, with the Housing Commission voting to release Chitekwe and the Saginaw City Council, which met later in the evening, voting to remove Holiday from the Housing Commission oversight panel.
During a closed meeting, the Saginaw Housing Commission board voted 4-1 — Holiday cast the sole “nay” vote — in rating Chitekwe’s performance as “unsatisfactory.”
It issued a recommendation that his two-year contract not be renewed when it expires Feb. 29.
“If I found the place in good shape, I could have done better,” Chitekwe said. “But someone has to be blamed. They are not satisfied in the efforts I have put in... It was just too much. I don’t know if everybody fully understands the severity of the situation that this place was in.”
The commission hired Chitekwe as its financial manager in 2009, at a time Chitekwe said the commission was a “financial mess” and without its then-director, Director Duane L. Walker, who was battling cancer.
In March 2010, Chitekwe became the director.
The Office of the Inspector General selected the commission for audit released in August because a 2006 audit had showed the commission improperly spent $536,000 in federal funds to purchase the former Saginaw County Fairgrounds.
The 2011 audit revealed that Chitekwe, Holiday, one-time board President Parrish Anderson, who was no longer on the board at the time, and Kristi Jackson — the since-terminated grant coordinator whom a 2010 audit said intervened to help secure her two sons $20,816 in housing assistance benefits — attended Walker’s funeral in Chicago at taxpayers’ expense in 2010.
The board also authorized the purchase of a $32,000 2008 Lincoln SUV for Chitekwe to use for work.
The Saginaw mayor appoints commission board members, and the City Council may remove members but has no further authority, Saginaw Mayor Greg Branch said.
The City Council voted unanimously Monday to remove Holiday, a 14-year Housing Commission board member.
City Councilmen Daniel Fitzpatrick and Andrew Wendt were absent.
Branch said “a lot” of the problems the audit pointed to “had their genesis 10 years ago,” when the commission purchased the fairgrounds.
Holiday is “very passionate about public housing... I can’t say he’s done a bad job as a commissioner,” Branch said. “But the people of Saginaw need to have a sense of confidence in the Housing Commission, and I don’t think they are going to have it as long as anybody who was part of the fairgrounds (purchase) is still there.”
Branch appointed Thomas Begin and Odie Pruitt III to the commission board within the last year. Then-Mayor Joyce J. Seals appointed Delena Spates-Allen in 2007 and Dawn Genwright in 2008.
City Council members in September 2008 voted 6-3 against a recommendation from Seals to reappoint Holiday to the Saginaw Housing Commission.
Seals disregarded the vote and reappointed Holiday because council certification is not required.
Branch said he hopes to fill the vacancy “very soon” with a someone adept at financial management.
Al Holiday has 'no comment' after unanimous vote to remove him from Saginaw Housing Commission
The Saginaw News
October 25, 2011
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/10/al_holiday_has_no_comment_afte.html
SAGINAW — The Saginaw City Council voted 7-0 to remove long-time board member Al Holiday from the Saginaw Housing Commission Monday.
He’s been on the commission greater than a decade and is the only current member who was present in 2002 when the commission spent $536,000 to purchase the former 54-acre Saginaw County Fairgrounds, in spite of a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development ruling that federal funds could not be spent in such a manner.
The decision led to two audits by the Office of the Inspector General over the next 10 years — one in 2006 and another released in August — that revealed $2.8 million in misspent funds by the commission.
When contacted Tuesday morning for a response to his ousting, Holiday replied, “No comment.”
His removal from the board came less than two hours after he was the only board member in a 4-1 decision to vote against issuing an “unsatisfactory” evaluation to Saginaw Housing Commission Executive Director Peter Chitekwe.
In addition to the negative evaluation, Chitekwe’s contract expires Feb. 29 and will not be renewed.
Chitekwe said he doesn’t wish to sounds like a “disgruntled employee” and wouldn’t comment much about the board’s decision, but he said the financial situation was potentially wore than board members were aware.
He said he believes had it not been such a “financial mess” upon his appointment as director in March of 2010, he could have done better.
The Saginaw News
October 25, 2011
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/10/al_holiday_has_no_comment_afte.html
SAGINAW — The Saginaw City Council voted 7-0 to remove long-time board member Al Holiday from the Saginaw Housing Commission Monday.
He’s been on the commission greater than a decade and is the only current member who was present in 2002 when the commission spent $536,000 to purchase the former 54-acre Saginaw County Fairgrounds, in spite of a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development ruling that federal funds could not be spent in such a manner.
The decision led to two audits by the Office of the Inspector General over the next 10 years — one in 2006 and another released in August — that revealed $2.8 million in misspent funds by the commission.
When contacted Tuesday morning for a response to his ousting, Holiday replied, “No comment.”
His removal from the board came less than two hours after he was the only board member in a 4-1 decision to vote against issuing an “unsatisfactory” evaluation to Saginaw Housing Commission Executive Director Peter Chitekwe.
In addition to the negative evaluation, Chitekwe’s contract expires Feb. 29 and will not be renewed.
Chitekwe said he doesn’t wish to sounds like a “disgruntled employee” and wouldn’t comment much about the board’s decision, but he said the financial situation was potentially wore than board members were aware.
He said he believes had it not been such a “financial mess” upon his appointment as director in March of 2010, he could have done better.
