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Joseph Palamara (Dist. 15)

Joe Palamara is vice-chair of the Wayne County Commission. A lifelong resident of the Downriver area, he is a 1971 graduate of Wyandotte Roosevelt High School and, in 2018, was inducted into his high school's Distinguished Graduate Hall of Fame. He attended Michigan State University on an Evans (caddy) Scholarship, and in 1975 he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in business. In 1985, Joe received his juris doctorate degree from the Detroit College of Law, and as a member of the State Bar of Michigan has been licensed to practice law in Michigan for more than 35 years.

While at Michigan State University, Joe was a walk-on member of the baseball team. In his senior year, Joe led the Spartans in hitting, received his team's Sportsmanship Award and was named to the All-Big Ten and All-America teams as a second baseman. He serves as a member of the Michigan Association of Counties Board of Directors and is a lifetime member of the Michigan State University Varsity Alumni Club.

The Democrat was first elected to serve Downriver residents as a state representative in 1984, and he served for seven terms in the Michigan House of Representatives until term limits first took effect. In 1998, Palamara was elected to the Wayne County Commission, where he now serves as vice-chairman of the Committee on Public Services, and also sits on the Economic Development Committee. He is an ardent champion of the Downriver communities in District 15, which include: Allen Park, Grosse Ile Township, Riverview, Southgate, Trenton and Wyandotte.

During his tenure as an elected official, he served as the Master of Ceremonies during President Bill Clinton's visit to Wyandotte. He has also served as a guest lecturer at the Detroit College of Law (now at Michigan State University) and at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

A Grosse Ile resident, Joe and his wife have three children and six grandchildren.

Representing: Allen Park (part), Grosse Ile Township, Riverview, Southgate, Trenton and Wyandotte.

Staff: Martha Toth and Karen Pitts, (313) 224-0880

Fax: (313) 967-1241

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News & Events

20
Alisha Bell unanimously re-elected as Wayne County Commission Chair
Alisha Bell unanimously re-elected as Wayne County Commission Chair
Friday, January 6, 2023
Alisha Bell was unanimously re-elected as Wayne County Commission chair on Jan. 5, with Joseph Palamara unanimously re-elected vice-chair and Sam Baydoun unanimously re-elected chair pro-tem for the 2023-24 commission session.
Wayne County Commission opposes water rate dispute from being subsidized by other communities
Wayne County Commission opposes water rate dispute from being subsidized by other communities
Friday, April 15, 2022
Wayne County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 12, approved a resolution opposing how a water rate dispute should be resolved between the Great Lakes Water Authority and a member community.
Commission takes action to protect front line medical workers
Commission takes action to protect front line medical workers
Friday, January 21, 2022
A resolution by Vice-Chair Joseph Palamara (D-Grosse Ile) that proposes greater protections for front line health care workers against violent attacks has been unanimously approved by the full Wayne County Commission.
Wayne County Commission urges reform to state's new no fault auto insurance law
Wayne County Commission urges reform to state's new no fault auto insurance law
Friday, December 17, 2021
Wayne County Commissioners on Dec. 16 unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Commission Vice-Chair Joseph Palamara (D-Grosse Ile) calling for reforms to Michigan's newly adopted no fault auto insurance law.
Commissioners remember former representative Plawicki
Commissioners remember former representative Plawicki
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Wayne County Commissioners Joseph Palamara, David Knezek, Sam Baydoun and Judge Mark Plawicki all took part in dedication ceremonies for a section of Telegraph Road honoring the late Michigan Rep. Julie Plawicki.
Commission passes Palamara resolution requesting Grosse Ile Toll Bridge schedule change
Commission passes Palamara resolution requesting Grosse Ile Toll Bridge schedule change
Friday, August 6, 2021
Wayne County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by commission Vice-Chair Joseph Palamara requesting the U.S. Coast Guard to prohibit non-emergency openings of the drawbridge for water vessel traffic during peak motor traffic hours.
Wayne County Commission approves emergency repairs to Grosse Ile Bridge
Wayne County Commission approves emergency repairs to Grosse Ile Bridge
Friday, February 5, 2021
Wayne County Commissioners on Feb. 4 unanimously approved a $9.33 million contract to provide emergency repairs to six support piers under the Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge, allowing the free bridge to reopen by early fall.
Alisha Bell re-elected as Wayne County Commission Chair, other officers also chosen
Alisha Bell re-elected as Wayne County Commission Chair, other officers also chosen
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Wayne County Commissioner Alisha Bell (D-Detroit) was unanimously re-elected as commission Chair on Thursday during the board organizational meeting for 2021-22. Joseph Palamara was elected vice-chair and Sam Baydoun vice-chair pro tem.
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's newsletter for fall 2020
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's newsletter for fall 2020
Monday, September 21, 2020
Newsletter for District 15
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's newsletter for summer 2020
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's newsletter for summer 2020
Monday, June 29, 2020
District 15 newsletter
Wayne County Commission honors former Detroit News sportswriter Lynn Henning
Wayne County Commission honors former Detroit News sportswriter Lynn Henning
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Wayne County Commissioners honored former Detroit News sportswriter Lynn Henning March 7 with a resolution acknowledging his long, distinguished, journalism career.
Wayne County Commissioners honor former Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley
Wayne County Commissioners honor former Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Wayne County Commissioners on March 7 adopted a resolution honoring former Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley for her distinguished, award-winning career in journalism.
Commissioner Palamara fights to keep Downriver EPA office open
Commissioner Palamara fights to keep Downriver EPA office open
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Wayne County Commissioner Joseph Palamara is leading efforts to prevent the Downriver EPA office from moving to Washtenaw County.
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's fall 2018 newsletter
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's fall 2018 newsletter
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Commissioner Joseph Palamara represents the 15th District, which covers Ecorse, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile Township, River Rouge, Riverview, Southgate, Trenton and Wyandotte.
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's Fall 2017 newsletter
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's Fall 2017 newsletter
Monday, October 30, 2017
Commissioner Joseph Palamara serves the 15th District, which covers Ecorse, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile Township, River Rouge, Riverview, Southgate, Trenton and Wyandotte.
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's fall 2016 newsletter.
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's fall 2016 newsletter.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Commissioner Joseph Palamara represents the 15th District, which covers Ecorse, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile Township, River Rouge, Rivervew, Southgate, Trenton and Wyandotte.
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's summer 2016 newsletter
Commissioner Joseph Palamara's summer 2016 newsletter
Monday, June 20, 2016
Commissioner Joseph Palamara represents the 15th District, which covers Ecorse, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile Township, River Rouge, Rivervew, Southgate, Trenton and Wyandotte.
Commission approves $1 million to help build boat dock, fishing pier at International Wildlife Refuge
Commission approves $1 million to help build boat dock, fishing pier at International Wildlife Refuge
Thursday, November 5, 2015
A major addition to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Gateway in Trenton and Gibraltar is one step closer to reality.
Wayne County Commission adopts balanced countywide budget for 2015-16 fiscal year
Wayne County Commission adopts balanced countywide budget for 2015-16 fiscal year
Thursday, September 17, 2015
The Wayne County Commission voted 14-0 Sept. 17 to approve a $1.56 billion balanced budget for Wayne County for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1.
Commission awards contract for long-awaited West Jefferson bridge repairs over Rouge River
Commission awards contract for long-awaited West Jefferson bridge repairs over Rouge River
Friday, July 17, 2015
After more than a two-year wait, relief is in sight for residents and business owners in River Rouge and southwest Detroit.