Big changes made at the top in the Wayne County Executive office

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Late Thursday after noon Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano called a press conference at the Guardian building in downtown Detroit to announce staff changes at the top that shake up his administration and strain long time friendships.

As he has for weeks, Ficano acknowledged mistakes with payouts and vowed to rebuild his administration's credibility with transparency and reforms.

"We are going to earn back everybody's trust one day at a time," Ficano said.

"I'm sorry for the events that have brought us to this point. The recent events I can tell you have been the most challenging I've had to face in my public life."

Ficano's closest aide, Azzam Elder has been replaced by Jeffrey Collins, a former judge and U.S. attorney.
At age 52 Collins has been a practicing lawyer, Collins & Collins, Detroit, since 2008; U.S. attorney for Detroit, 2001-2004. Former judge, Michigan Court of Appeals, Wayne County Circuit Court and Detroit Recorder's Court and will earn $150,873. Collins said, "I know we will get the ship on the right course."

Zenna Faraj Elhasan age 34 will now become Corporation counsel with a salery of $137,714. Raymond L. Byers will be the new Economic development chief and at age 68 he will earn a salary of $100,000.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson applauded the appointments and called the moves necessary.

"It's something he absolutely had to do to begin the long tedious process of restoring confidence in his administration," Patterson said. "He probably has more bleeding-out to do, but this is a good first step."