ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Delta County will soon have a new official leading one of its departments, as well as a returning one.
In April County Administrator Ashleigh Young was chosen to become the new manager of the Delta County Airport. On Tuesday, the County Board of Commissioners voted to offer the soon-to-be-vacant manager position to Emily DeSalvo.
Notably, DeSalvo held the title of administrator for a few years until 2023, when she was fired by a previous makeup of the County Board. That decision was cited as the primary reason for the recall of the three commissioners who voted in favor of DeSalvo’s firing that spring. One of those recalled former commissioners, Bob Barron, attended Tuesday’s County Board meeting to speak against DeSalvo and explain why he voted to fire her.
Barron stated that DeSalvo pushed to remove prayer from County Board meetings “due to complaints” but could not provide proof of those complaints. He said she also “fleeced the County” of $50,000.
“DeSalvo’s contract… had a severance package if terminated of six months’ salary and fringe,” Barron said. “If she resigns, no severance. On February 7, 2023, DeSalvo—with the direct help of [Board Chair] John Malnar—goaded the Board into firing her with her eleven-minute manifesto as the disgruntled, insubordinate employee degrading and attacking three of her five bosses… To bring DeSalvo back is telling the Delta County taxpayers you have only contempt for their integrity and dollars.”
All five sitting commissioners voted in favor of offering DeSalvo the administrator position.
With County Parks Manager Stephen Wery stepping down later this month, the County Board also ratified a Parks subcommittee’s decision to hire Conservation District Manager Heather LeDuc as Wery’s replacement. LeDuc will be leaving the Conservation District, although she will continue her role until a new manager is found.
LeDuc told WZMQ 19 that while she is sad to move on from the Conservation District, she feels good about its current state. She says she is honored to join the County in working for its community members and visitors.
“I’m excited to contribute to the growth and preservation of our beautiful parks and recreation areas and will work hard to ensure that we have amazing spaces that everyone can use for future generations that also respect the beauty of our natural resources,” LeDuc said.
LeDuc will step into her new position in the coming weeks. As for DeSalvo, the County will now begin creating a contract and enter into negotiations.