Macomb Executive Mark Hackel still without an office

It’s been nearly a year-and-a-half since Macomb County, the home of political bright lights like Gil DiNello, David Jaye, and Carey Torrice, implemented their new “big boy” government, but their first Executive, Mark Hackel, remains without an office of his own.

Sad.

The problem started when Hackel proposed a $400,000 renovation to convert the county building’s ninth floor--the top floor--into the Executive's office. After all, the County Executive is the big dog so he should have the top bunk floor of the county’s headquarters. The ninth floor traditionally housed the County Commission.

The Commission balked at this plan because $400,000 is a lot of money. Plus moving the Honorable County Commission one floor down is an intolerable insult to their good name. They looked Hackel dead in the eye and were like: “This aggression will not stand, man.” 

Hackel agreed to set up his office on the eighth floor, but it wasn't simple. The Commission at one point vacated the ninth floor, then they moved back.

Sixteen months later, entire floors of the county building remain under construction, Hackel doesn’t have a real office, and several county departments have been scattered into temporary offices while this mess gets sorted out.

Good old Macomb County. You can always count on Macomb County for fun stories about ridiculous political shenanigans. It could only get better if they elect Monica Conyers as their drain commissioner.