Candidate forum: A night to meet with mayoral, council candidates

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck voters got a chance to meet with, and hear, candidates for mayor and city council, and one of the top questions posed on social media is:
Who is Mister Bangladesh?
Unfortunately, Mister Bangladesh, who is running for mayor, was a no-show at last Friday’s candidate forum at the public library. So the question remains unanswered and the mystery grows.
We do know this, however: that is indeed his real, legal name. According to City Clerk Rana Faraj, Bangladesh changed his name when applying for citizenship.
Moving on.
The two-hour forum was a civilized and well-mannered affair that provided some insight into the candidates, but certainly no fireworks — as has sometimes happened in past forums.
And, as usual, there were some candidates who did not attend, including council candidates Nayeem Choudhury, who is a former councilmember, as well as Russ Gordon, Yousuf Saed, Abdumalik Kassim, Mahfuzur Rahman and Luqman Saleh.
The evening started out with candidates introducing themselves and talking about their platforms, and it then transitioned to questions gathered over the last few days, along with questions from those attending.
And, speaking of those who attended on Friday evening, about 50 people showed up, including Mayor Amer Ghalib, who is not seeking re-election, and City Manager Max Garbarino, who is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of allegations of improper administrative actions, such as putting the police chief of paid suspension for allegations of wrongdoing.
Here’s a brief rundown on what the candidates had to say about themselves, in the order that they spoke.
Former councilmember Joe Strzalka said Hamtramck is now at a “crossroads,” and that he is “a little concerned about the direction we’re going. I’ve heard this from a number of people that live in the city, want to invest in the city.”
Strzalka, a lawyer, left the city years ago to take a job with the U.S. State Department, where he was placed in various embassies throughout the world. He is now retired.
Council candidate Motahar Fadhel is a Housing Commission member and a business owner.
“I know what’s going on inside the city, and I know the problems residents face, and what they need,” Fadhel said. “I want to make sure they are treated the way they deserve.”
Adam Alharbi, a mayoral candidate who is being endorsed by Mayor Ghalib, is an engineer and business owner, and said, “I know what it takes to run city projects.”
“No one cares about the city more than me, and that’s why I’m running,” he said. “I’m not willing to just lead a city council meeting or to vote yes or not, but rather to implement real solid goals and deliver real results that will improve our city and improve services for all residents.”
Current Councilmember Abu Musa, who is seeking re-election, said he serves the community “with love, respect and patience.”
If elected to continue, he will seek to get the city to “the next level… I’m part of that journey.”
Mayoral candidate Khandaker Showkat Hossain, who is a political newcomer, said he’s seeking office “because I believe Hamtramck deserves leadership that listens, acts and includes every voice – not just during election season, but every day.”
The city’s “strength,” he said, is its “diversity, and our resilience and our deep sense of community.”
As for being in a position of leadership, Hossain said it means “service. It means rolling up your sleeves, showing up for people and getting things done with transparency, with fairness and with heart.”
Diane Elizabeth Frkan, who is running for council, injected some humor into the night by acknowledging what a number of people wonder about the curious spelling of her last name.
“Yes, that’s how I spell my name, and if you would like to buy a vowel, I’m selling them,” Frkan said.
With experience in being in administration, sales, marketing and with an early career as a journalist, Frkan said, “I believe in the power of our city and the power of diversity. I believe our city deserves leadership that reflects and respects every resident.”
As for her work as a journalist and covering city council meetings, that gave her “insight into how city government works, and how important transparency, accountability thoughtful leadership truly are.”
With Hamtramck being a small town (at just two-square miles) Frkan distances herself from being a “politician.”
“I am your neighbor. … I’m not here to make empty promises. I’m here to work and make sure every voice in Hamtramck is heard,” Frkan said.
Council candidate Rezaul Choudhury, who has a law degree from Bangladesh, said he has his ear to the community.
“I hear their concerns. I feel their pain, I live here with them, and in everyday life,” Choudhury said. “I know what residents need.”
Choudhury also said he’s raised concerns with city hall, “but (that) didn’t work. … Why is it not working?”
Muhith Mahmood, who is finishing his first term and decided to take a step up the political ladder to take a run for mayor, stressed that he has “stood by our community through tough times. … I’m not here with fancy promises. I’m here with the proven record, a clear vision and a heart.”
Just to recap, here’s the candidate lineup for the Aug. 5 Primary election:
The following candidates are seeking the city’s top job of mayor:
• Adam Alharbi
• Khandaker Showkat Hossain
• Mister Bangladesh
• Muhith Mahmood
And for city council, the ballot includes the following candidates:
• Joseph Strzalka
• Diane Frkan
• Rezaul Choudhury
• Nayeem Choudhury
• Motahar Fadhel
• Yousuf Saed
• Abdumalik Kassim
• Abu Musa
• Luqman Saleh
• Russ Gordon
• Mahfuzur Rahman

In the mayoral race, the primary election will whittle down the candidates to the two top-vote getters, who will go on to battle it out in the November General Election.
In the council election in August, the top six finishers will advance to the General Election where the final three candidates will be selected by voters.
Want to see the candidate forum to learn more about the candidates, or at least some of them?
Go online to the Hamtramck Public Library website (hamtramck.lib.mi.us), and click on the link for Hamtramck Public TV.

(In the printed version of this story, council candidate Mahfuzur Rahman was inadvertently not included in those candidates who did not attend the forum, and also in the list of candidates who will appear on the August Primary Election ballot.)
Posted June 27, 2025