Newly approved full-time Wyandotte Deputy City Clerk Edana Hughes introduces herself during the Jan. 12 City Council meeting.
City clerk to become a part-time position
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – The City Council unanimously approved hiring a full-time deputy clerk during its Jan. 12 meeting, while transitioning the role of elected city clerk to a part-time position.
The move, following the resignation of City Clerk Larry Stec at the end of 2025, allows the hiring of Edana Hughes of Ecorse as a full-time deputy city clerk without requiring her to live in the city, which is required for the city clerk position, whether it be appointed or elected.
Hughes, who comes to the role with 12 years of experience, served as Franklin Village clerk for from 2022 to 2025, and as Ecorse city clerk from 2014 to 2022.
She is a certified Michigan Professional Municipal Clerk and is working toward completion of her Certified Municipal Clerk designation.
Edana Hughes
Hughes graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on management.
Mayor Robert DeSana said the decision followed a thorough and deliberate review process and reflects the city’s commitment to ensuring that the city clerk’s office is staffed with experienced, qualified professionals who can meet the specific demands of the position.
He said of the 13 candidates interviewed, Hughes stood out as the candidate with the experience, certification and professional background necessary for the responsibilities of the clerk’s office.
DeSana said her background includes election administration, records management, compliance of state and local requirements, and direct support to elected officials and the public.
“This depth of experience is critical in an office that carries steep learning curves, significant legal responsibilities and a high level of public trust,” he said. “As mayor, I struggle with the idea of appointing someone to a full-time city clerk position with a salary of approximately $60,000 per year plus benefits without the appropriate background and experience.”
DeSana said that after meeting with Hughes, he realized that while she was highly qualified, she would not be able to fulfill the residency requirement of the city clerk position.
“Given her credentials and the value she brings, I did not want the city to lose the opportunity to strengthen the clerk’s office,” he said. “To balance these considerations, I proposed a reconfiguration of the clerk’s office under this structure.”
He said Hughes will assume the vacant deputy clerk position, which does not require her to reside in Wyandotte.
DeSana said the city is creating a new full-time position of assistant to the deputy clerk to support the daily operations of the office.
“Under this proposal, the city clerk position will be adjusted to a part-time role with a salary of $12,000,” he said. “This structure would align the city clerk position with the city’s other elected officials, the city treasurer and the city assessor, which also operate under a part-time framework with full-time staff running the day-to-day duties.”
DeSana said interviews for the position of assistant to the deputy clerk are ongoing, as is the process of appointing a city clerk.
“These decisions are being made carefully to ensure the long-term stability, professionalism and effectiveness of the city clerk’s office,” he said. “My priority remains ensuring the city of Wyandotte is well-served by experienced, capable individuals whose roles are essential to transparent, effective local government.”
DeSana said Stec is a tough act to follow.
Councilmember Patrick Sutka praised Hughes and said she will “hit the ground running.”
“She’s going to fit very well into our staff family that we have working here at city hall, and will continue to serve the citizens,” he said. “It was a tough decision, but I think it’s the best plan going forward.”