Cavanaugh Announces He'll Make Run For Wayne County Executive's Seat

DETROIT (WWJ) - There will be another well-known name in the race for Wayne County Executive. State representative Phil Cavanaugh (D-Redford Township) officially announced Monday he's a candidate.

Cavanaugh will be traveled throughout the county, including a stop at the gravesite of his parents at Mt. Elliot cemetary.

He notes on his State Representative website that a bill he introduced in 2013 "requiring a person purchasing property through a county auction that they will not be using as their personal homestead to place three years' worth of tax payments in escrow at the time of purchase.

"My legislation will thwart these buyers who have no intention of ever paying property taxes on the foreclosed homes they purchase. It's aimed at helping counties like Wayne County better manage foreclosed properties, and will give county governments more tools to break this continuous cycle of delinquent taxes caused by speculators who are purchasing properties, doing nothing to reduce blight and are simply aren't paying their tax bills," Cavanagh said. "This cycle undermines and erodes community stability, and makes it difficult for the investors out there who are playing by the rules and operating in good faith."

"In Wayne County, the system is clearly broken, and my legislation aims to help Wayne County and other counties work effectively by giving the counties a new tool to deal with this problem," Cavanagh added. "This bill provides a way for the county to ensure three years' worth of taxes are paid on these properties, and hopefully, this will act as a deterrent to the speculators out there who are taking advantage of a system that needs serious reform."

Wayne County Commissioner Kevin McNamara and Westland Mayor William Wild have already announced they are running.

Current executive Bob Ficano hasn't said if he'll seek re-election.