Wayne County Gets Second New Treasurer in 3 Months

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WAYNE COUNTY, MI – The chief deputy in the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office was appointed Monday to fill the vacancy created by the unexpected retirement of a newly appointed treasurer, Richard Hathaway, last month.

Eric Sabree, who had been chief deputy treasurer since 2011, was selected over several applicants for the position by a three-person panel comprised of Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and Chief Probate Judge Freddie Burton Jr., the Detroit Free Press.

The decision was unanimous.

Sabree had been serving in the role since Hathaway’s resignation, which he said was due to family obligations, after only a few months on the job. Hathaway, a former chief assistant prosecutor in Wayne County, was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Treasurer Raymond Wojtowicz and was sworn into office on Dec. 11.

Others applying for the position included former state Rep. Phil Cavanaugh; Edgar Vann III, an administrator of the Wayne Community College District; and D. Etta Wilcoxon, a lawyer and publisher of the Renaissance Observer.

Sabree, a graduate of Michigan State University and Detroit College of Law, also had spent five years as chief of the real-estate and tax section of Wayne County Corporation Counsel, which oversees the county’s legal affairs.

"While the collection of taxes is of utmost importance, it's essential that the Treasurer's Office is aware of and sensitive to the needs of its residents,” Sabree said in a statement. “Keeping people in their homes is critical. In doing so, we help stabilize neighborhoods and ensure that Wayne County remains a desirable place to live, raise a family, work and invest."

County Executive Warren C. Evans said Sabree’s appointment provides continuity in the Treasurer’s Office.

“His many years of service in the Treasurer’s Office provides him a wealth of knowledge about its operations,” Evans said. “I look forward to working with Mr. Sabree in his new role to help Wayne County families remain in their homes whenever possible by improving efficiencies and customer service in the Treasurer’s Office.”