Duggan Opts Not To Fill Detroit Deputy Mayor Position

DETROIT (AP) - Mayor Mike Duggan has announced that he will not fill the position of Detroit deputy mayor when it becomes vacant with Ike McKinnon's retirement.

Duggan says in a release Friday that Police Chief James Craig will take on the responsibilities of mayor if Duggan is absent from the city or incapacitated.

The Detroit City Charter allows the mayor to designate a director of a department of the city government's executive branch to serve as deputy mayor.

McKinnon, a former Detroit police chief, will step down at the end of June. Duggan says his "current management team is stable and functioning well" and he doesn't "see a reason to bring in another high-level employee if it isn't necessary."

Craig said he appreciates Duggan's confidence in the designation.