Candidates will have their night to win voters

Candidates will get a chance to convince voters to vote for them at a candidate forum to be held on Oct. 24.

By Charles Sercombe

          Still haven’t made up your mind about this year’s election for mayor and city council?

          Set aside Thursday, Oct. 24 for a Meet the Candidates Night at People’s Community Center at 8625 Jos. Campau, starting at 7 p.m.

          The 3c7 Block Club is organizing the event. Candidates who have not yet been contacted to participate can call Heather Martin at (313) 525-5090, or email her at: heatherm1969@yahoo.com.

          This election is a unique one for Hamtramck. There are four seats in city council up for grabs. The only council incumbent running is Mohammed Hassan.

          Councilmember Tom Jankowski is not seeking re-election, and Councilmembers Abdul Algazali and Cathie Gordon opted to challenge Mayor Karen Majewski for the mayor’s job.

          Gordon got knocked out in the primary election held in August. Looking at the results of the primary election it appears Hassan stands a good chance of being re-elected.

          But Mayor Majewski may have a fight on her hand. She trailed Algazali by 62 votes in the primary election.

          Four years ago she beat Algazali by 142 votes in her second bid for re-election.      

          Algazali almost got kicked off the ballot when it was revealed he was behind in paying property taxes for several buildings he owns. As it turned out, he was behind two years on taxes on only one building.

          He paid nearly $3,000 owed on the property a week after the primary election when it came to light that he was delinquent.

          The city charter says that any elected official who is a “defaulter” to the city or any other government body will have their election results voided. The charter further states that any elected official who violates the charter will be kicked out of office.

          Hamtramck Emergency Manager Cathy Square and City Attorney John Clark said that after reviewing the matter, Algazali’s delinquent tax issue was an “oversight,” and that he will remain in the election and in office.

          Algazali was a no-show at a mayoral candidate forum held before the August primary election.