Martha Reeves's council absences noted

DETROIT, June 30 (UPI) -- Detroit City Councilwoman Martha Reeves missed one of the most historic days in council history Monday as she barnstormed England performing, observers said.

Six political colleagues of Reeves, leader of the legendary '60s Motown group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, called for the resignation of Councilwoman Monica Conyers after she pleaded guilty to bribery charges. But Reeves told interviewers she wasn't even aware Conyers had acceded to the requests and had resigned, the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday.

Reeves has called her City Council gig a "second job" to her singing, although it comes with an $81,000-a-year salary, a car and a staff. The newspaper said her absence Monday was the sixth straight day of work she had missed in a week of historic proportions for the city.

Reeves, however, defended her absences after returning to Detroit Monday evening.

"There's nine council members," she told the Free Press. "All you need is a majority vote. My staff was there at every meeting. I got full reports."