Longest serving member of Wayne County Commission gives up his seat

Bernard Parker plans to pursue other interests after serving on Wayne County board for 20 years

DETROIT – The longest serving member of the Wayne County Commission has given up his seat to pursue other interests.

Bernard Parker has served on the Wayne County Commission for 20 years, but decided to vacate his seat after his district was redrawn to include the Grosse Pointes.

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The 62-year-old said he plans to spend more time working at a charter school which he runs.

He also is considering running for a seat on Detroit's City Council.

Parker has been an outspoken critic of Wayne County Commissioner Robert Ficano, who has been wrapped up in a scandal involving the former Airport Authority CEO Turkia Mullin.