Election 2018: Our endorsements for local office

There are two local elections coming up on Election Day, Nov. 6.
One race is for the Hamtramck Public School Board and the other is for Hamtramck 31st District Court Judge.
The school board race has two positions, one of which no one signed up to be a candidate before the ballots were printed. Board President Magdalena Srodek is seeking re-election.
School Boardmember Ataur Khan initially did not want to seek another term, but he has since changed his mind and is now running as a write-in candidate.
Also running as a write-in candidate is Jihan Aiyash.
The two highest vote-getters will fill the two board seats.
Magdalena Srodek has proved to be a competent and conscientious team player. She has served as board president with a fair hand and a passion in getting board members and the public involved.
There are some important issues coming up for the school district – namely working with the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation to seek grants to make huge improvements at Keyworth Stadium and Veterans Park.
We need Srodek’s experience to continue the huge strides the district has been making in recent years. Now is not the time to bring in an inexperienced person to replace her.
We highly recommend the re-election of MAGDALENA SRODEK for another term on the board.
Ataur Khan has also proved to be a team player. Although often quiet during board meetings he has been a faithful public servant, and has worked behind the scenes to make sure our students are receiving a proper education, as well as have the necessary tools to compete in the world.
We recommend voters give ATAUR KHAN another term in office.
Running for district court judge is Alexis Krot who is currently serving in that position after being appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to fill a vacancy created when former Judge Paul Paruk stepped down to take a new job with the State Court Administration.
Challenging Krot is newcomer John Gorniak, who moved here several months ago from the suburbs to become a candidate.
While Gorniak says he has roots in the city, Krot has been living here for many years, and her family, who owns Krot Funeral Home on Caniff, has deep roots in the city.
More importantly, Krot has proved she can competently run the city’s district court, and has been sensitive to the needs of residents. This is not an easy town to be a judge in.
Many folks here do not speak fluid English and often need extra help in navigating the legal system. And this must be done with empathy and a fair hand.
ALEXIS KROT deserves to remain judge. We highly recommend voters keep her as Hamtramck’s first female District Court Judge.

Nov. 2, 2018

4 Responses to Election 2018: Our endorsements for local office

  1. Gary Krantz

    November 2, 2018 at 7:15 pm

    What an interesting school board race – only one person filed to be on the ballot where two seats were open.

  2. Fatema Hossain

    November 3, 2018 at 3:24 pm

    Interestingly, every elected public officeholder in the City of Hamtramck came to the town hall meeting to addressed the proposed local medical marijuana ordinance – with the notable exception of Judge Alexis G. Krot.

    Since violations of this proposed ordinance come would come before the District Court in which she sits, one would think the public discussion at this meeting would be informative and helping her obtain insight on medical marijuana issues – but Judge Krot did NOT appear.

    Her election opponent John Gorniak did appear – shaking hands with local residents and religious leaders and he delivered public commentary that was applauded by the audience.

  3. Advokat

    November 3, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    My understanding is that judges follow the law. A court of law is not a court of public opinion.

    It is also my understanding that there are three branches of government – legislative, judicial and executive. Judge Krot, as a member of the judicial branch, would be barred from input on an issue before the legislative branch.

    The Judicial Canons specifically addresses this exact issue. See Canon 7. A Judge or a Candidate for Judicial Office Should Refrain from Political Activity Inappropriate to Judicial Office. 7B(1)(c) A candidate, including an incumbent judge, for a judicial office SHALL NOT, in connection with cases, controversies, or issues that are likely to come before the court, make pledges, promises, or commitments about conduct in office that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of adjudicative duties of judicial office. (Interestingly enough, Canon 7 was amended on October 25, 2018).

    It doesn’t really seem fair that Judge Krot’s opponent criticizes her for following the rules.

  4. John Dory

    November 4, 2018 at 11:23 am

    Advokat:

    I believe that the prior poster criticized Judge Krot for not APPEARING at the Town Hall – not that she did not make any public commitment statements regarding the Medical Marijuana Act or a local ordinance being considered regarding that issue.

    I also do not recall any claim that Mr. Gorniak made any promises at the Town Hall meeting – although he has made his opposition known to the proposed ordinance known at City Council meetings.

    I can recall an instance where there was some claim that Judge Paul Paruk had at one point advocated for a pot ordinance – but he publicly disavowed that claim as nonsense.

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