Candidates for council weigh in on local issues

The Aug. 2 Primary Election is just around the corner, and to help voters find out where City Council candidates stand on several local issues, we invited the candidates to participate in a survey.

This week, we have candidates Cathie Gordon (who is the only incumbent running for re-election), Robert Zwolak and Roger Lamm.

Name: Cathie Ladzinski Gordon

Education: Associate Degree … Nursing. MCC, 12 –year student & 1965 graduate St. Florian High School

Employment: Local Hospitals within tri-county area, co-owner and operator: New Dodge Lounge … 26 years

Many cities are facing financial hardship. Hamtramck is also facing a financial shortfall in the coming year or two. What steps would you take to keep the city’s budget balanced?

Gordon: This has been a very tough year, financially, for our city. AND there’s more to come.
With the cuts in revenue sharing, not to mention the deterioration of the automotive economy & the closing of American Axle, our city is facing further money problems.

As the sponsor of the “cost-recovery ordinance” I firmly believe we MUST find more ways to increase our revenue … bring in more money!! We must look into an amnesty program….it will bring in $$$$ as well as provide relief for our property owners. … We MUST continue to provide services to other cities, such as the income-tax services we provide Highland Park, AND investigate partnering with other entities within our city.

Budget cuts must continue, AND as elected officials, we must be fiscally responsible … no more “pet projects” … no more “incidental expenditures” … WE MUST TIGHTEN OUR BELTS!!

Some cities are turning to merging public services with other communities. Are you in favor of taking this action? If so, what would you propose to merge and with whom?

Gordon: Before we entertain thoughts of merging, we must look into the re-structuring of certain departments, as well as department head accountability. Then, and only then, can we take the next step of investigating the cost effectiveness of merging.

On the other hand, there ARE other entities within the city that we can partner with, such as Hamtramck Housing & Hamtramck public schools, to mention a few.

I believe it is possible to provide Hamtramck Housing a payroll service which is now being contracted out by them…….we can pick up their garbage, another service contracted out…..we can even combine legal services, as many housing commissions do, another additional contract .

Hamtramck public schools have services they can possibly provide TO the city, hopefully, at a decreased cost …….they employ plumbers and electricians…services the city contracts out……we can partner our garbage pick-up…..many services that WE can both benefit $$$$ from … i.e. an increase in revenue sharing per Gov. Snyder’s new plan.

Also, some cities are turning their police and fire departments into one department, often called a Public Safety Department. Under this plan, firefighters and police officers cross-train to be able to perform both duties. Are you for or against this plan? Please explain your position.

Gordon: Let me begin by saying……the transition from fire/police to public safety is a long process to implement (Kalamazoo says it took approximately 18 months to 2 years) which says we would not reap those $$$$ benefits for a long time. … AND the cost of re-training all our employees. … WELL, with the financial state of our city I don’t feel we can afford it at this time.

However, we must not dismiss the idea … just “put it on the back burner” for now. At this point in time, I feel that with the strict accountability of those department heads and some re-structuring within those departments, we CAN provide independent safety services to the community without burdening ourselves with the needs of another community.

How would you rate the job of our city manager? Please explain.

Gordon: It’s 2011 and our city manager is entering his 4th year. Overall I feel that he has done the “best he can.” However, I have disagreed with many of the decisions he has made … from the suggestion to take a loan from the state (related to the Detroit non-payment) to the request to file bankruptcy with the state of Michigan. He must re-direct the city and be creative with that re-direction.

Briefly, what are the strengths and weaknesses of Hamtramck?

Gordon: In my estimation, Hamtramck is a very gifted city with a lot of potential. Our diversity lends itself to a variety of restaurants, retail shops and entertainment. Our density provides adequate and affordable housing, and encourages our pedestrian-friendly attitude.

Centrally located, Hamtramck is easily accessible by two freeways, and is surrounded by Detroit (on three sides) and Highland Park, which makes us even more unique than most.

Last but not least, let’s not forget the wealth of history that lies within our 2-square miles. …

On the other hand, we are not a city without flaws. Abandoned homes, empty storefronts, and un-kept alleys tend to discourage growth and progress. Struggling economics together with poor marketing makes for a sad-looking business district, not to mention a financially distraught city.

In order to succeed, we must build on who we are and what we have, rather than who we can be or what we can do.

What do you stand for as a candidate, and what do you hope to accomplish while in office?

Gordon: As the only incumbent seeking re-election my attitude remains … “a government of the people, by the people and for the people.” Government transparency is a must … accountability is a must … adherence to the rules is a must.

As an official elected by the people, I believe I have been, and will continue to be a person who is in tune to the people’s needs, a person who keeps those needs a priority, and a person who CAN make quick crucial decisions.

Ultimately, accountability starts and ends with our elected officials. As one of those elected officials, I hope to improve the state of our city … market and develop our business districts … improve quality of life issues with increased code enforcement & increased public safety … improve the financial stability of our city with increased revenue, rather than increased cuts … improve transparency within our city with open police log books, published crime stats, and mandatory airing of all council and commission meetings…with recordings available on line and in the library … and lastly improve communication between elected officials and our residents by changing “council rules” in order to prioritize and recognize the feelings/needs of our residents … by allowing them to speak about ANYTHING at the beginning of council meetings and allowing elected officials to respond.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

(Editor’s note: No answer.)

Name: Robert Zwolak

Education: Fourteen years of formal education, six years California and Michigan Air National Guard, various courses in municipal and business training and upgrades.

Employment: Retired, past retailer and publisher in the City of Hamtramck as well as former Hamtramck City Clerk, City Councilmember, Civil Service Commissioner and two terms as City Charter Revision Commissioner.

Many cities are facing financial hardship. Hamtramck is also facing a financial shortfall in the coming year or two. What steps would you take to keep the city’s budget balanced?

Zwolak: Hamtramck financial shortfalls and keeping budget balanced: The city of Hamtramck’s existence, the past 89 years, has evolved into a very complicated status.

The city has accumulated a very expensive legacy cost in its police, fire pension and health benefits, which amount to $3.5 million a year out of our city budget and over $60 million in long term obligations. The city has a diminishing tax base and increasing expenses and must aggressively pursue collections for those monies due the city.

I have emphasized this to the council at many council meetings previously and have reminded them that it is their responsibility to monitor expenses and income in the budget in a timely manner.

It is the responsibility of the city Council to question unnecessary and excessive expenses.

Some cities are turning to merging public services with other communities. Are you in favor of taking this action? If so, what would you propose to merge and with whom?

Zwolak: I have at numerous council meetings urged the city Council to explore sharing and collaborating services with other governmental entities not merging.

Presently our city services are mainly contracted out therefore the city only needs to enter into dialogue and agreement with other communities. We need to do this ourselves before an emergency financial manager does it for us.

Also, some cities are turning their police and fire departments into one department, often called a Public Safety Department. Under this plan, firefighters and police officers cross-train to be able to perform both duties. Are you for or against this plan? Please explain your position.

Zwolak: Presently the city of Hamtramck has contracts with the police and fire departments.
Whatever is established is between the police and fire and the city which is in the best interests of the community as well as members of the police and fire departments.

The young policeman and firemen presently working for the city of Hamtramck should consider the future of their careers and their pensions with the city of Hamtramck.

Any change in the police and fire structure could be possibly implemented with an emergency financial manager.

How would you rate the job of our city manager? Please explain.

Zwolak: I have at council meetings been critical of the city managers performance especially in keeping up with the basic appearance of this community.

I have not been encouraged by the city managers lack of reports and information that has become difficult to obtain, relative to the city affairs.

In recent months there has been an improvement in some of the reporting thankfully to the efforts of Councilman Tom Jankowski and Councilwoman Cathy Gordon.

Previously when I was a City Councilman I sought to have improvements with our previous city manager.

Briefly, what are the strengths and weaknesses of Hamtramck?

Zwolak: Without a doubt the strengths of this community is with the people, the weaknesses are with those select few who continue to take advantage of us in the system by pushing us into bankruptcy.

The fact that this community lost so few people in the last census and we have one of the youngest median ages in the State of Michigan shows the city still has great potential and resilience.

We continue to see small investments in this community, not enough to offset the bigger losses. We can do a better job of promoting the city of Hamtramck and encouraging people and businesses to become part of our community.

What do you stand for as a candidate, and what do you hope to accomplish while in office?

Zwolak: Most important thing to stand for is to represent all the people of this community not just the ones that elected you.

Blood may be thicker than water but of the candidates running for city council do not have a clue to the problems of the city or have any solutions, than we are still in trouble.

We have a good new city charter that was adopted a few years ago but has been sabotaged by some of our former elected officials and it is my challenge to make a new city charter work for the betterment of the Hamtramck community.

We have learned the last few years that there needs to be some minor changes in the city charter, again minor changes.

I will continue to promote the city of Hamtramck and to accomplish turning many vacant homes being restored to occupancy.

Another important task is to communicate to the community their responsibilities and awareness of what is expected of them.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Zwolak: I have over the past 40 years had a great privilege working in and for the community of Hamtramck.
I have received a rich experience and knowledge of this community and have it seen it evolve these many years.
I have made a commitment to ask this community to allow me to serve as their councilman again.

With all due respect to the candidates that are running for city Council in their sincere concerns many do not have a clue to the complexities and problems of this community.

I have the background and experience as well as the commitment to the entire community.

Those that have a strong awareness of the problems of this community are Councilwoman Kathy Gordon, the former city councilman Dr. Abdul Algazali, Steve Shaya former DPW Superintendent and currently contractor with the City of Hamtramck, Susan Dunn Rahdar city activist, and Anam Miah a strong leader within his many communities.

Name: Roger Lamm

Education: I recently attained an associate degree from Macomb Community College.
I am currently dual enrolled part time at MCC and Wayne State University. I am working towards a bachelor in mechanical engineering with a renewable energy stamp.

Employment: I am currently employed with the Michigan Department of Corrections-Oakland County Probation Department and have been for the past four years.

From 2000-2005 I was owner of Arcanus Press, the publisher of a local magazine/newsletter. I have two years experience at RGIS archiving and retrieving customer files.

I also spent roughly 10 years working for the McDonald’s Corporation where I held the position of shift manager before leaving for better opportunities.

Many cities are facing financial hardship. Hamtramck is also facing a financial shortfall in the coming year or two. What steps would you take to keep the city’s budget balanced?

Lamm: I would like to bring back in force the traffic patrol program. It is the only safety program we have that has a proven record of not only paying for itself, but also providing additional revenue for the city.

I would suggest and approve an amnesty program similar to that of Detroit’s and other cash strapped municipalities for people who have found it difficult to pay back taxes, due to fines and interest.

Some cities are turning to merging public services with other communities. Are you in favor of taking this action? If so, what would you propose to merge and with whom?

Lamm: I am adamantly against merging police and fire services with neighboring municipalities. Although it may save money on administrative costs, these savings do not justify the loss of Hamtramck’s well-known speedy response times.

Also, some cities are turning their police and fire departments into one department, often called a Public Safety Department. Under this plan, firefighters and police officers cross-train to be able to perform both duties. Are you for or against this plan? Please explain your position.

Lamm: I am against cross training our police and fire departments at this point in time, as it would put undue stress on our already limited budget.

The IAFF did a study that showed that the extra training and equipment necessary for cross training costs more in the long run.

Although it may provide a more flexible public safety base, it is not economically viable until we can overcome our current monetary shortfalls, at which time such an idea may be reconsidered.

How would you rate the job of our city manager? Please explain.

Lamm: In my opinion, I believe the city manager is playing a potentially dangerous game between the city, the state and the unions in an attempt to force large concessions from the police and fire departments.
I think the city manager should consider the repercussions of his decisions and actions more thoroughly before making final decisions.

Briefly, what are the strengths and weaknesses of Hamtramck?

Lamm: Strengths: Growing population, lower crime rate compared to surrounding areas, affordable housing, cultural diversity, small town feel with large city amenities. Independent fire and police allowing fast response times and thorough city patrols.

Weaknesses: Influx of crime from Detroit and Highland Park, failure by city contractors to fulfill sanitary obligations, code enforcement shortfalls, lack of synergy between citizens and government, too many financial obligations from previous and current administrations’ mistakes.

What do you stand for as a candidate, and what do you hope to accomplish while in office?

Lamm: Protect public safety programs, promote citizen involvement, continue to research and implement budgeting cuts and reorganize spending.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Lamm: In addition to the aforementioned proposals and solutions, I will continue to aggressively work on bringing additional monies into the city.

This will be accomplished by; tapping into the local workforce, implementing business support programs, decreasing blight through repopulation of neighborhoods and increasing walkability.

To that end, I look forward to implementing the best objectives from the Hamtramck Master Plan in a timely and financially beneficial manner.