Reader feedback … Tackling the city’s financial crunch
By Charles Sercombe Readers have once again been busy discussing the issues of the week. Former Hamtramck School Boardmember Nasr Hussain had the most to say in our comment sections…
City council needs to clarify what a ‘defaulter’ means
Now that a legal opinion has come down clearing City Councilmember Saad Almasmari of being a “defaulter,” here’s a job for the council to tackle: Either come up with new…
New city budget gives officials one year to act
For the first time in several years, city officials are faced with a budget deficit. Fortunately, the city has a $6 million budget surplus to dip into. In addition…
Of charter rules and marijuana dispensaries
The issue of an elected official being in default to the city has once again come up. A city council candidate filed a complaint about an incumbent councilmcmber seeking re-election,…
‘Banglatown’ gets its proper due with a huge investment
There are big improvements coming. Although not in Hamtramck itself, the Detroit Strategic Neighborhood Fund has ambitious plans for what’s commonly called “Banglatown” – located just east and north of…
Federal judge leaves a huge legacy for Hamtramck
Hamtramck’s long-standing housing discrimination lawsuit has lost a key player. Federal Justice Damon Keith, who oversaw the case since the 1970s, died recently at the age of 96. Keith, an…
Towing lawsuit underscores need to tighten regulatory laws
The expanded federal lawsuit regarding the behavior of a towing company operator underscores a need for local and state officials to step up. The towing industry in Michigan is known…
Filling the role of school superintendent is no easy job
This past week the Hamtramck Board of Education interviewed six candidates for the position of superintendent. Next week, those who made the cut will be interviewed one more time. This…
Budget crunch will require some hard choices
Last week’s announcement that the Holbrook repaving project started back up will be about the only good news for street improvements this year. It is likely that the city will…
Hamtramck might be small, but it’s not small-town minded
Recently, a good friend of Hamtramck, journalist Michael Jackman, posted on his Facebook page an article he wrote a couple of years ago that got us thinking. Jackman is a…
