Primary election had its good and ugly sides
A congratulations goes out to all the candidates who participated in last week’s primary election.
It is heartening to see a whole new crop of candidates come forward and offer to serve the community. For those who made the final cut for the November election, by now we’re sure you realize what a daunting job ahead as an elected official.
But one disappointing thing stood out in this past election: The number of vicious attacks heaped on Mayor Karen Majewski.
It was over the top and, at the heart of it, dishonest.
Campaigning for a change in leadership is one thing, but misrepresenting the mayor’s position on issues or making things up is hitting below the belt.
However, as we have said before, Hamtramck politics can be rough and tumble at times.
It’s unfortunate that some folks go down into the gutter, but that’s, all-too-often, to be expected.
Mayor Majewski has served the city for 16 years, and we understand that after that, length of time, people get restless for change.
But know this: The mayor’s position, per the city charter, is largely ceremonial. The day-to-day operations of the city rest with the city manager.
Hamtramck has a boatload of problems and challenges, but very little money that is needed to fix them.
Anyone who says that all of it can be easily resolved is either an outright liar, or delusional.
Some even say that we should bring back a state-appointed emergency manager, because always, when they left, it was with a budget surplus.
Guess what? They got that surplus thanks to emergency loans by the state – loans the city begged for, before the state intervened.
Funny how that works, eh?
The point of all this is: watch out for folks who say a change in leadership will fix all our problems.
Hogwash.
Posted Aug. 13, 2021
2 Responses to Primary election had its good and ugly sides
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Fatema Hossain
August 14, 2021 at 12:50 pm
It is not only Mayor Majewski, but the whole clique of people who have run the city for the past 10-15 years that need to go!
It was the current leadership that requested the emergency manager appointment in order to avoid lucrative contracts that had been negotiated on behalf of the public service unions. They thought it was going to be only for 90 days – but it lasted for several years.
Residents are tired of the raucous City Council meetings presided over by Majewski and the fixation upon censures, mayor pro tempore appointments when the real focus should be on the decaying infrastructure of the sewer system that has led to chronic backups affecting thousands of city homeowners. Not to mention the streets that have been plagued by potholes and vacant storefronts on Joseph Campau Avenue.
The latest Zoning Board of Appeals controversy was another black eye for city government. Chronic incompetence and infighting has been the hallmark of city leadership.
It is “hogwash” that Majewski has little to do with the city management – when flooding issues arose she went on Facebook and led discussions. Majewski is the “face” of the city and must be expected to provide solutions and create public confidence in city government – she has not done so.
Can Majewski get re-elected? Many have their doubts.
Mark M. Koroi
August 14, 2021 at 7:44 pm
The impressive vote totals for Khalil Refai and Amanda Jaczkowski were a surprise given the candidate field that included well-known names – such as former City Council member Abu Musa.
Mr. Refai, a Yemeni-American, has served as a police chaplain, and Ms. Jaczkowski previously survived a catastrophic truck accident – she converted to Islam while in college; she has helped residents with information on FEMA assistance and has been endorsed by Young Michigan Democrats. Good to see such civic-minded persons seeking elected office in Hamtramck.
The 2021 City Council primary election was friendly and included excellent candidates.
I do, however, agree that there were some acrimonious comments directed toward Karen – but they to my knowledge, were not coming from mayoral candidates but rather other third parties opposed to her candidacy.