City council kicks off the new year with a new face

City Councilmembers and the mayor, along with Congressman Shri Thanedar, pose for a photo in last Sunday’s inauguration ceremony for three newly-elected councilmembers.

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck’s newly-elected city councilmember summed up his inauguration with just a few words.
“Today is the best day of my life,” said Muhtasin Sadman.
The political newcomer joined Councilmembers Mohammed Hassan and Mohammed Alsomiri in being sworn into office on Sunday, at a ceremony held at the Hamtramck Public Library.
Following a Hamtramck tradition, the ceremony featured live music performances, a reading of poetry and a special guest – first-term U. S. Congressman Shri Thanedar.
Thanedar gave a brief sketch of his journey from his native India to America, and the five attempts it took to get the OK to emigrate here.
He went on to earn a doctorate in chemistry and start a business. He said his achievements here completed his “American dream.”
(Thanedar is up for re-election this year. His Congressional district includes Hamtramck.)
Thanedar presented the freshly-elected councilmembers with a certificate from Congress, which made Mayor Amer Ghalib joke:
“Looks like I’ll have to win another election to get one like that.”
Councilmember Hassan was first elected in 2009 – making him the longest serving councilmember.
Hassan said he puts the community first, and never serves “for my personal interests.”
The council went to work on Tuesday for its regular monthly meeting.
Mayor Ghalib used the event to give an overview of what has happened in the city since he took office two years ago.
(We’ll have more about what Ghalib said in next week’s issue. You can watch the inauguration ceremony on the public library’s website.)
Posted Jan. 12, 2024