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Detroit's Mayor-Elect Announces Incoming Administration

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Mayor-elect Mike Duggan announces who will be in his Cabinet. And there are names that many Detroiters will recognize.

Isaiah "Ike" McKinnon, a former police chief in Detroit, will serve as deputy mayor. While former State Rep. Lisa Howze, who ran against Duggan in the mayoral primary, is his Chief of Staff.

Also, Attorney F. Thomas Lewand is now Group Executive of Jobs and Economic Growth. So what will that mean for George Jackson, who heads the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation?

"George and I have been friends for 12 years, we worked together on many projects, economic development projects in the city. Some projects where he's had to take a very courageous and principled stand. He's a man of great courage, runs an extremely fine organization. He and I have met a number of times over the last few weeks and we're going to continue our partnership that we've had for years," says Lewand.

Lewand says the mayor's office will work in concert with the Economic Growth Corporation, currently overseeing a new hockey development. Meantime, Ike McKinnon says among his responsibilities will be oversight of the Detroit Fire Department, which McKinnon says will be his top priority.

"And I've been talking with a number of the people with the fire department, from the top to the bottom, and they certainly have not been reluctant to talk with me because as you know they have some problems. And I'm happy that they have been doing so, and I'll continue to talk with them. You'll see in the next few weeks or so, probably starting next week, there's going to be some changes," says McKinnon.

No word yet on what those details will entail, but McKinnon says to expect an announcement in the coming days.

Mayor-elect Mike Duggan also discussing a Delegation of Authority Agreement with the Office of the Emergency Manager.

"The emergency manager, of course, remains in charge under the law and certainly will have full responsibility in everything related to the bankruptcy proceedings. I'll have primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of city government other than the police department, which Mr. Orr will continue to supervise directly," says Duggan.

Duggan will hire senior managers, appointing board and commission members with the EM's approval on people in contracts of more than $50,000. And while Duggan will control the city's day-to-day operations as Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr retains control of the city's finances, Duggan voiced disappointment at not getting everything he would have liked, namely control of the police department.

"Obviously public safety is something that's a big issue, but in any event that's certainly the most significant issue that I will not be responsible for," says Duggan.

Under an agreement with the emergency manager the mayor-elect won't make any decisions that would be inconsistent with or compromise the EM's plan of adjustment.

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