Mayor Mike Duggan named Melia Howard as his new deputy on Wednesday, replacing Todd Bettison — who becomes Detroit’s interim police chief on Nov. 11. 

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Howard  — the second woman to serve as deputy mayor in Detroit’s history — has served as the mayor’s director of community engagement for the past two years. Before that, she worked as a director of special projects and the department of neighborhoods manager for District 5.   

“Melia has been a fierce advocate for residents and absolutely critical in making sure Detroiters have a strong voice at City Hall and in developments proposed in their neighborhoods,” said Duggan in a statement. “Projects like the renovation of Michigan Central and Fisher Body 21, as well as the $3 billion Future of Health development, might not have happened if not for the trust Melia has built in the community and among developers.”

Howard also spearheaded the Saturdays in the D program, which provides Detroit youths and adults on-campus educational activities at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.

According to the city, Howard will continue the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) work that has been led by Bettison.

“As a little girl from the east side, I never thought this was possible and I am truly humbled and honored that Mayor Duggan has trusted me with this enormous opportunity,” she said. “My residents mean so much to me and I will continue to work hard for them.”

Other headlines for Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024:

• A new poll from the Detroit News and WDIV-TV shows just how close the presidential race is in Michigan.
• A soft opening is taking place from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday for the Old Redford Arts Alley in northwest Detroit. It is the first of nine “Arts Alleys” being transformed by the city of Detroit as part of Mayor Duggan’s Blight to Beauty initiative.
• Detroit police are investigating an incident involving Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams related to a weapons violation during a traffic stop, WXYZ reports.
• Gas prices are falling across metro Detroit, with the average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded iat $3.19 — five cents lower than a week ago.

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