Wayne County commissioner presents $4 million for fire/rescue projects and announces resignation

At the July 14 Dearborn Heights City Council meeting, Wayne County Commissioner David Kanesick presented checks totaling $4 million to support regional first‑responder needs and training and announced that he submitted his resignation from the Wayne County Commission effective Friday, July 17.

Kanesick described a $1,000,000 appropriation to the Western Wayne Mutual Aid Association to buy equipment and support training, and a $3,000,000 contribution toward electronic signal preemption technology that allows emergency vehicles to communicate with intersection signals. "When our first responders who are experts tell us this is what we need to get the job done, we're happy to do our part," he said.

Kanesick also told the council he had accepted the presidency of Henry Ford College and that he submitted his resignation to the county commission earlier that day; he said the change takes effect July 17. The council presented Kanesick with a certificate of appreciation and he returned a 25‑year Dearborn Heights commemorative flag to the city. Council members praised his 14 years of public service to Dearborn Heights and the county.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the grant and project distribution across neighboring communities; Kanesick said the funds were intended to ensure contiguous coverage and to make up matching dollars for municipalities that did not participate in the original federal application.

No formal council action was required to accept the ceremonial checks or to acknowledge Kanesick’s announcement.

Kanesick named colleagues and staff who worked on the appropriations and noted county executive and deputy county executive contributions. He also thanked local staff and volunteers and said he planned to focus on his new role at Henry Ford College.