The Oakland County Board of Commissioners confirmed the appointment of Tylene N. Henry to the Road Commission for a partial term ending Dec. 31, 2026, after extended debate at its October meeting that also featured calls for public disclosure of an internal investigation into conduct by a sitting road commissioner.

The appointment motion, moved by Commissioner Bridal Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Smith Charles, survived procedural challenges and was confirmed by a roll-call vote. The clerk reported a sufficient affirmative vote and the appointment was recorded as confirmed.

The confirmation came amid wider controversy over the June 20 incident involving Road Commissioner James Ashaki and subsequent inquiry. Commissioner Gershenson defended the apologies Ashaki has made and questioned the independence of the road commission’s investigator, saying, “Mister Ashaki was wrong in his actions to mister Marcinto. He has apologized to him personally, written an apology to the road commission board, and the board of commissioners.” Gershenson added that the firm that prepared the report “is a firm that the road commission uses regularly. How independent is that?”

Commissioner Nelson pressed for fuller public disclosure of the investigation’s findings and corrective steps. Nelson said the investigation concluded that “mister Ashaki violated the workplace conduct policy adopted by the road commission by engaging in behavior and making comments that constituted threats of violence, intimidation, and harassment toward a road commission employee.” She also told the board that four employees had been disciplined as a result of a related internal review and that one professional services contract tied to CLEMIS (the courts and law enforcement management information system) — a roughly $450,000 contract to Zadiologic — had been canceled after a conflict of interest was identified.

Several commissioners and members of the public said the investigative report has not been posted for the public. Commissioner Spitz and others pressed the administration for a release date; an administration representative told the board the findings would be released “soon” and later clarified the expectation as “less than 2 weeks.” The board agreed to refer a related resolution requesting public disclosure to the Legislative Affairs and Government Operations (LAGO) committee for review.

A motion by Commissioner Spitz to suspend the rules and take up a separate resolution seeking written notice of charges and a hearing regarding Road Commissioner Jim Mishockey failed on a roll call. The clerk recorded 7 yeas and 9 nays on the suspension motion; other procedural calls on immediate consideration likewise failed earlier in the meeting.

Public commenters urged decisive action. Walter Mercino, who identified himself as an Oakland County resident, said of the accused commissioner, “He needs to go,” and warned the board that an apology alone should not substitute for consequences. Robin McGregor, an Oakland County employee, warned the county could be exposed to lawsuits if workplace threats go without consistent discipline.

The board did not take formal disciplinary action during the session. The matter will move through committee review, with commissioners expecting the full investigative findings and recommended corrective actions to be referred to LAGO and discussed in committee before any formal board decision.

For now, the confirmed appointment of Tylene N. Henry fills the immediate vacancy on the Road Commission; the board’s continued discussion of the investigation means further committee consideration and possible follow-up votes are likely in the coming weeks.