Dearborn Heights Mayor Outlines First-Month Priorities

New mayor discusses campaign promises and early actions to improve city finances, public safety, and transparency.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:47pm

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Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun spoke with CBS News Detroit about his goals and early actions in his first month of office, including finding new revenue sources, improving public safety by restructuring department leadership, and increasing transparency through a new communications team and social media engagement.

Why it matters

Baydoun's campaign promises and early moves as mayor provide insight into his priorities and approach to governing, which could have significant impacts on the city's finances, public services, and relationship between City Hall and residents.

The details

Baydoun said he has already taken steps to fulfill key campaign promises, such as hiring a grant writer who secured $1.8 million in funding for new fire equipment and police body cameras. He also required all department heads, including the police and fire chiefs, to reapply for their jobs through a 'Transformation Team' review process, resulting in the replacement of the police chief. Baydoun also touted new efforts to improve transparency, including a new communications director, open office spaces, and increased social media engagement.

  • Baydoun was elected mayor in November 2025.
  • Baydoun spoke with CBS News Detroit about his goals in an interview in October 2025, prior to being elected.
  • Baydoun began his four-year term as mayor in January 2026.

The players

Mo Baydoun

The newly elected mayor of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, who took office in January 2026 after campaigning on promises to find new revenue, improve public safety, and increase transparency in city government.

Nicole Hefty

The new grant writer hired by Mayor Baydoun's administration who has already secured $1.8 million in funding for the city.

Michael Guzowski

The new police chief recommended by Mayor Baydoun's 'Transformation Team' after the previous police chief was required to reapply for the position.

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What they’re saying

“She went out for a $1.8 million grant, and it's going to offer a new fire truck, new bodycams for our police department, and some new vehicles between police and fire.”

— Mo Baydoun, Mayor (CBS News Detroit)

“This was not something directed toward our police chief; this was our fire chief, who's been with us for 36 years. This was our building and engineering director, who's been with us for 30-plus years, who all submitted their resignation letters, all came back, submitted to apply, and our police chief did the same. The transformation team felt Michael Guzowski was the best fit for the job.”

— Mo Baydoun, Mayor (CBS News Detroit)

“We have a communications department. We have a new communications director. We have opened up all the glass, and we're trying to be more accessible. I'm seeing a lot of positive energy coming from social media, opening up our comments, and now you're starting to see a lot of the good and the bad.”

— Mo Baydoun, Mayor (CBS News Detroit)

What’s next

Mayor Baydoun plans to continue pursuing new revenue sources and public safety improvements in the coming months, while also maintaining a focus on increasing transparency and engagement with Dearborn Heights residents.

The takeaway

In his first month in office, Mayor Baydoun has taken concrete steps to fulfill his campaign promises, demonstrating a proactive approach to governing and a willingness to make bold changes to city leadership and operations. His early actions suggest a mayor focused on improving the city's financial standing, public services, and relationship with the community.