Mayor William R. Wild has named several volunteers to city commissions and committees, including appointments to the Commission on Aging, Disability Concerns Committee, Downtown Development Authority, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission, Economic Development Corporations/ Tax Increment Finance Authority/ Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Westland Historical Commission, Local Development Finance Authority, Municipal Services Bureau, Parks & Recreation Advisory Council and Youth Assistance Advisory Council.
Commission on Aging
Desmond Jackson has been reappointed to a two-year term expiring April 2023. Jackson has served on the Commission on Aging since October 2018 and has brought innovative programs to the Friendship Center and is very involved in the community, Wild said.
Mel Tockstein has been reappointed to a four-year term expiring February 2025. Tockstein has served on the Commission on Aging since September 2005 and is the chairperson of the Commission on Aging.
The Commission on Aging assists the Senior Resources Department Director in promoting the enrichment of the lives of senior citizens.
Disability Concerns Committee
Lisa Kurzynski has been appointed to the Disabilities Concerns Committee for a term expiring July 2022. Kurzynski will bring her personal life experiences to this board and she is employed with Trinity Health and is furthering her education in the medical field.
The Committee on Disability Concerns promotes the involvement and acknowledgment of the concerns of disabled citizens through research, education, and encouragement.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission
Patrick Quinn has been appointed to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission for a term expiring October 2021. Quinn is retired from Ford Motor Co. and is the past president of the Westland Civitan Organization.
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission (DEI) Commission promotes, supports and advocates for the vision and values around diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.
Downtown Development Authority
The Rev. Henrietta Grossoehme has been appointed to the Downtown Development Authority for a term expiring May 2025. Grossoehme has been very involved in the Westland Community and is the priest in charge at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Gerilyn Maurer has been appointed to the Downtown Development Authority for a term expiring October 2022. She has participated in Wayne-Westland Community Schools College and Career Readiness. Maurer is employed at the Wayne Westland Federal Credit Union.
Westland City Council members confirmed these positions at the May 17, council meeting.
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)/Tax Increment Finance Authority(TIFA)/ Brownfield Redevelopment Authority(BRA)
Selvan Murugan has been appointed to serve on EDC/TIFA/BRA for a term expiring September 2021. Murugan is a Regional Chief Nursing Officer of Prime Health Care, Inc.
Andrew Ward has been appointed to serve on EDC/TIFA/BRA for a term expiring March 2023. Ward is employed at University of Michigan Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs as a program manager.
The Economic Development Corporation/ Tax Increment Finance Authority/ Brownfield Redevelopment Authority were combined to facilitate and coordinate the work of improving and redeveloping properties throughout the City for the betterment of its residents and businesses.
Westland Historical Commission
Brett Mahaffey has been appointed to the Westland Historical Commission for a term expiring in November 2023. Mahaffey works for Renewal by Anderson as a permit and inspection coordinator. He has been a Westland resident for 3 years.
Sharon Sullivan has been appointed to the Westland Historical Commission for a term expiring April 2023. Sullivan has been a teacher for the Wayne Westland Community School District since 1998.
Julie Slabaugh has been appointed to the Westland Historical Commission for a term expiring in November 2023. She also is appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council. Slabaugh has lived in Westland for many years and is involved in several volunteer organizations. She retired from Ford/Visteon in Global Manufacturing IT.
The Westland Historical Commission collects, maintains, and preserves any materials and documents relating the history of Westland and Nankin Township.
Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA)
John Sullivan has been appointed to the Local Development Finance Authority for a term expiring in February 2022. Sullivan is a local attorney and also served as a Wayne County Commissioner from 1999 to 2007.
The Local Development Authority primary objective is to encourage local development to prevent conditions of unemployment and to promote economic growth.
Westland City Council confirmed this position at the April 5, 2021 Council Meeting.
Municipal Service Bureau
Lekisha Maxwell has been appointed to the Municipal Service Bureau for a term expiring in July 2022. Maxwell is employed at University of Michigan as a populations studies research administrator.
The Municipal Services Bureau oversees operations of the Mike Modano Ice Arena, the Municipal Golf Course, a home chores program, a park ranger program, and a crossing guard unit.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Council
Lashon Hart has been appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council for a term expiring in December 2021. Hart is employed at Covenant Community Care. She has lived in Westland for 15 years.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Council assists and advises the city with various agencies and programs, conducts outreach, enrollment, training, and orientation; development programs and activities, makes recommendations regarding the acquisition, development, and administration of properties with recreational activities.
Westland City Council confirmed these positions at the May 17 meeting.
Youth Assistance Advisory Council
John Sullivan has been appointed to the Youth Assistance Advisory Council. Sullivan is a local attorney and also served as a Wayne County Commissioner from 1999 to 2007.
Matthew Morrow has been appointed to the Youth Assistance Advisory Council. Morrow is employed at the City of Ann Arbor as an administrative assistant.
There are no term limits for members. Members must reside or work in the City of Westland. The members assists the YAP Director with necessary community resources
