Dearborn Heights Mayor Daniel Paletko was on the receiving end of witticism and barbs at the 15th Annual Polish Day Parade Roast on Thursday, June 12, at the American Legion Carl E. Stitt Post 232 banquet hall in Dearborn Heights.
Daniel Paletko has been a Mayor of the city of Dearborn Heights since 2004. He was born in 1950 in Detroit, but was raised in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights with his siblings, Claudia and Gerard. He was educated at St. Stephens, Divine Child then St. Linus Catholic School and graduated from Crestwood High School in 1969. He received an Associate’s Degree from Henry Ford Community College, a BBA from University of Michigan – Dearborn and a Masters of Business from University of Detroit before working as CPA at Ernst & Ernst. He then worked as a manager at Ford Motor Company and obtained a Masters of Tax from Wayne State University during his tenure. In 2003, Dan retired from Ford Motor Company.
At the age of 21, he was elected onto the Dearborn Heights City Council and served until he was elected State Representative of the 17th District in 2003. In late December 2004, he was asked by City Council to return to Dearborn Heights as the Mayor where he continues to this day.
While working full-time, continuing his education and serving the public, Mayor Paletko always found time for his two daughters, Marie and Ann, and cannot be more proud of them. He has instilled good values in them, stressing the importance of faith, heritage, schooling and serving the community.
Mayor Paletko is “Proud to be Polish” and never misses an opportunity to enrich his culture and celebrate his heritage. He knows Hamtramck very well and remembers how, as a child and adolescent, he worked alongside his father who owned the Tondryk’s Home Appliance on Joseph Campau.
Mayor Paletko has always been a huge UofM fan and never misses a home game with his daughter Ann during the football season. Paletko also loves racing and has been an MI5 season ticket holder since 1974.
The Polish Day Parade Committee chose Mayor Daniel Paletko as their 2014 Polish Day Parade Grand Marshal. Since 1999, a “Roast” is being held ahead of the parade, during which the Grand Marshal has to withstand sometimes a bit naughty (but healthy and entertaining) jokes and humorous tells about the “guest of honor”.
This year, Mayor Paletko’s scheduled line-up of roasters included Ron Amen (Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Dearborn Heights), Hon. Judge Mark Plawecki (Dearborn Heights 20th District Court), Hon. Judge Greg Bill (Wayne County Circuit Court) and Retired Judge Tony Guerriero (former Allen Park District Court).
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Gary Miotke, Dearborn Heighs City attorney.
The event was attended by Mayor Paletko’s friends, colleagues, family members, as well as members of the Polish Day Parade committee.
Proceeds from the roast will benefit the annual Polish Day Parade held on Labor Day in Hamtramck. The parade is sponsored by the Polish American Congress Michigan Division.
In a special address published in the occasional program book for “The Roast”, the Chairman of the Polish Day Parade Committee, Hon. Judge John Chmura writes: “The Polish Day Parade, with dancers wearing brightly colored costumes, polka bands, singers, and veterans groups, brings back all those wonderful Hamtramck memories. The Polish Day Parade is Hamtramck”.
The Polish Day Parade Committee includes: Henry Anonick, Wally Banka, Bob Bielenda, Terry A. Bogusz, John M. Chmura, Ann Felczak, Victor Jiompkowski, Mike Kiefer, Kathy Kristy, Barbara Lemecha, Hank Luks, Karen Majewski, Brian Malski, Edward Mandell, Jerrold Marsh, Rafał Nowakowski, Michelle Odrobina, Dennis Orlowski, Christopher Ozog, Keith Sadowski, Thomas Schemanski, Mariusz Szajnert, Sebastian Szczepański, Stella Szczęsny, Barbara Toboy, Mary Ellen Tyszka and Cheryl Zipay.
(Story courtesy of “Polish Times”)
GO TO GALLERY TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
The Polish American Congress (PAC) is a U.S. umbrella organization of Polish-Americans and Polish-American organizations. Its membership is composed of fraternal, educational, veterans, religious, cultural, social, business, and political organizations, as well as individuals.