As always, campaign signs can say a lot about a candidate

Hamtramck campaign signs are always interesting in what they have to say about a candidate.

By Charles Sercombe
The Aug. 3 Primary Election is less than a month away.
And Hamtramck candidates have been busy participating in various Zoom debates; campaigning door-door, sometimes as a group; holding various clean-ups; and being active on social media.
There are eight candidates seeking one of the three open seats on city council. There are also four mayoral candidates, including the incumbent, Mayor Karen Majewski, seeking that position.
The primary election will whittle the council candidate field down to six for the general election in November, and narrow the mayoral field down to two candidates squaring off then, as well.
Campaign signs, a staple in any election, are, of course, everywhere to be seen throughout the neighborhoods.
As usual, some of those signs caught our attention.
Take, for example, mayoral candidate Asm “Kamal” Rahman. His slogan is “Change is at your hands.”
Hmmm … That phrase is not quite right. It’s the preposition “at.” The saying is actually “Change is in your hands,” or you could even say “Change is at hand.”

We will admit that we are also prepositionally-challenged at times.
Another mayoral candidate, Saad Almasmari (who is currently a city councilmember), has signs that boast of the candidate’s following qualities: “Honesty, Bravery, Experience.”
Bravery?
Well, it does take a bit of bravery to sit through two-hour-plus city council meetings that should take only 20 minutes.
Seriously, though, Almasmari told The Review that “It means for you to be brave to take action for the good of this community.”
Council candidate Muhith Mahmood modified a slogan from President Joe Biden’s campaign last year, saying “Build back a better Hamtramck.”
Council candidates Armani Asad and Khalil Refai went for more economical signs. Asad’s simply say “Elect Armani Asad for city council.” Refai’s likewise tout him in simple terms.

Also opting for the less-is-more approach are Cody Lown and Amanda Jaczkowski. Lown’s sign says “Vote Cody Lown, Hamtramck City Council.”
Jaczkowski’s say: “Amanda Jaczkowski for city council.”
Mayor Majewski has taken the economical approach to another level. Her signs are not out at all yet – but she always starts her promotion closer to the election date.
Mayoral candidate Amer Ghalib has come under question for why some of his supporters refer to him as a medical doctor.
The state of Michigan has him licensed as a nurse – not as a doctor.
We asked Dr. Ghalib, er, Ghalib to clarify this issue.
Here is what he said about the matter:
“People call me doctor because I finished medical school in an American foreign medical school, and I’m still working on equivalency to obtain full certification. …
“In the meantime, while I’m waiting for residency, I’m working on another route to obtain certification as a DNP, Doctor Nurse Practitioner, which is done online these days, especially someone with strong medical background like me.
“That’s why I did accelerated nursing degree to be the key for continuing the DNP route. I am working on both routes, and whichever comes first to obtain full certification, I’ll use it for independent medical practice.”
A question has also come up as to what happens when he is offered a residency, which could be anywhere, meaning that he might well have to move away.
Ghalib cleared that up as well.
“I’ll make sure that I only apply to nearby hospitals from now on. I’m adjusting many of my plans, including buying a new house; I was about to buy one in Dearborn Heights last year, but when I decided to run for mayor, I cancelled that plan.”
Want to throw your hat in the ring for either position?
To qualify as a write-in candidate, you have until July 23 to file a Declaration of Intent form.
Posted July 9, 2021