MANSFIELD — Laura Burns and Rev. El Akuchie arrived on Mansfield City Council two years apart.
They left together on Tuesday night, both honored by their fellow lawmakers for their time on council and lauded for their efforts which at times came during moments of personal adversity.
Burns chose not to seek another term as the 1st Ward representative and Akuchie was defeated in his re-election bid for a second term in the 3rd Ward in November.
Republican Michael Miranda will replace Burns in January and Democrat Crystal Davis Weese will take the 3rd Ward seat.
‘I would not trade it for anything,’ Burns says
Burns was appointed to fill an unexpired term in January 2020, just as the global COVID pandemic was about to wreak havoc. The Republican was elected to the seat in 2022 by gaining nearly 70 percent of the vote.
She announced in December 2024 she would not seek re-election due to the impacts of a horrific ice-skating accident in New York City in December 2023.
“I’ve been thinking about what I was going to say for weeks. And every time, I considered what I would say, I was completely calm. Now that I’m here, I’m less calm,” a tearful Burns said Tuesday night.
“When I started on City Council, I was so optimistic and definitely naive and really just came bubbling my way in here and I thought everything was going to be peachy keen.
“I have been humbled in so many different ways and I have learned so much from the people who have come in here … the people that I’ve worked with who have mentored me and been my friends.
“I would not trade it for anything, even on the days that were really, really hard,” Burns said.
Burns chaired council’s public utilities committee and helped shepherd through many bills related to water/sewer services and infrastructure, as well as leading efforts to improve utility department billing transparency.
One of her most difficult votes came in August of 2020 when a divided City Council — still meeting remotely during the pandemic — voted 5-4 against a resolution that would have declared racism a public health crisis in the city.
The vote came as the country grappled with racism issues after the murder of George Floyd by police in Minnesota three months earlier.
“My personal feelings aside, I am here to represent the people of the 1st Ward. I reached out to people. People reached out to me. Three times as many people told me they were against the resolution as were in favor,” Burns said after the vote nearly five years ago.
“I honestly thought it would pass. I really did,” said Burns. “I thought about it long and hard and I just couldn’t support it.”
(Below is the Mansfield City Council livestream from its meeting Tuesday night. Discussions and votes on resolutions honoring Burns and Akuchie begin around the 59:50 mark of the video.)
Two years ago, Burns fell while skating on the famous rink at Rockefeller Center with her daughter, suffering broken bones in her skull and bleeding in her brain. She spent five days in Bellevue Hospital in New York City before returning home to begin a long, slow rehabilitation.
A year ago, in announcing her plans not to run again, Burns said the accident had impacted her thinking.
“It has been difficult … keeping (legislation) straight, being able to speak clearly in meetings, maintaining my focus and my memory … it’s hard,” she said last year.
She reflected on her journey on Tuesday night and made it clear she would miss her work on council.
“I’m sad to end this chapter of my life. I have so appreciated working with this administration. I cannot wait to see what is next for Mansfield,” Burns said.
Every council member praised Burns, including 2nd Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Meier, who sat next to her 1st Ward friend since the duo took office. Meier was elected in November of 2019 and took office in January 2020.
“I’m going to keep it short and sweet because I’m going to be emotional,” Meier said.
“Laura and I came on together … and I sure do hate to see you go,” she said. “I think that’s going to be a loss. You have got big shoes to fill, Mike,” she told Miranda, sitting in the audience.
Turning back to Burns, Meier said, “I appreciated your level-headedness. We’ve had many phone calls to go over things and talk. And the best thing about all of it is that I now call you a friend.”
Fifth Ward Councilman Aurelio Diaz recalled meeting Burns while campaigning in 2021.
“You have so many qualities that I admire. I didn’t really know you (yet), but what stood out was your respect and your politeness to your opponent. When there were outsiders who really wanted you to be combative and petty … you weren’t that.
“You’re very warm and I think you are definitely a big factor why City Council has become so respectful and not divisive. You’re a new wave of leadership that I really admire and I’m really proud to call you my friend,” Diaz said.
‘I can’t help but thank God,’ Akuchie says
Akuchie, known affectionately in the community as “Rev. El,” was a part of two remarkably close elections in the 3rd Ward.
The Republican unseated Democratic incumbent Jon VanHarlingen by 16 votes in 2021 (425-409). He then lost in November to Democratic challenger Davis Weese by 10 votes (501-491).
A lifelong minister who came to the United States from Nigeria, Akuchie wore his religious faith in his heart — and on his sleeve. For the past four years, he was launched council legislative sessions with an opening prayer.
He continued that on Tuesday evening, thanking God for his time on council.
He also thanked lawmakers and community members for their support when his daughter, Ruthie Akuchie, died unexpectedly in November 2024 at age 35.
“I can’t help but thank God every day, but particularly every Tuesday. I pray for every one of you by name,” Akuchie told council, “and every Monday for the whole city.
“When my daughter died, all of you just came around me and it was just what I needed at the time. You have not left since then. You still support me and still remind me you’re praying for me. That’s a blessing,” Akuchie said.
Like Burns, Akuchie also had key votes on council, including his opposition to recreational cannabis stores being allowed in city limits. He was outspoken in his opposition, ultimately coming out on the losing end of a 5-3 vote in June 2024.
Akuchie, who successfully lobbied against medical cannabis dispensaries as a citizen in 2017, said during the debate that his 30 years of experience as a youth counselor had convinced him marijuana is a “gateway” to other drugs.
“I am not willing to sell the soul of my children in this city to the best bidder from anywhere out of this city, out of this nation, so that they can make money and get out. None of them is going to live here.
“Tell me you’re going to give us a million dollars. Excuse me … you can’t fool me,” Akuchie said before the vote in 2024.
On Tuesday, Akuchie said his time on council was a blessing and he recited Psalm 121 to demonstrate God’s support of His people.
“I want to thank the people of my 3rd Ward who elected me to serve them and to the whole City of Mansfield … I want to thank everyone for the opportunity and the privilege to be called your councilman,” Akuchie said.
“I’ve learned a lot from all of you and you have taught me things that I will take with me wherever I go,” he said.
Just like with Burns, every lawmaker praised Akuchie.
At-large Councilwoman Shari Robertson, a retired Mansfield police captain, said she worked with Akuchie more than two decades ago with violent juvenile offenders.
“That’s when I first met Reverend El and I can tell you that his passion for this community, for these kids, for his family, for Mansfield itself has always been his top priority while he’s been here and he’s shown that on council,” Robertson said.
“It’s my pleasure to call you my friend and I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing you around. I don’t expect you to disappear anywhere,” she said.
Diaz became emotional during his remarks.
“The name, Reverend El is a Mansfield household name in itself. Everyone knows who you are and you are pure love,” Diaz said.
“Like Councilwoman Burns, you both had some pretty hard times. Seeing how you handle it, how you’ve handled it, comforting other people in your own pain and grief. It really does solidify your leadership even for those who are not faith believers,” he said.
“It didn’t matter because you pray for everyone with such unconditional love. You just love everyone and you are beyond having a servant’s heart,” Diaz said.