City Hall Insider … 4/8/25

By Charles Sercombe
The city council met on April 8, and all councilmembers were in attendance.
Isabel Allaway, the Director of the Community Economic Development Department, gave an update on city-owned properties that were auctioned off.
She said that, out of 26 properties (most of which were empty lots), 18 were purchased and 17 were finalized.
“The auction went very well,” Allaway said. “We’re pleased with the outcome.”

During public comment, Abraham Aljahim said that Arabic speakers are needed in city hall because, when he goes there, he spends an hour translating for people.
Later in the meeting, City Manager Max Garbarino said there are several Arabic speakers in city hall who are or can be called on for assistance.
Aljahim also said the issue of whether elected officials are residents has taken on heightened concern.
“We’re sick and tired as citizens of Hamtramck,” he said. “You don’t live in the city, you don’t belong in the city. … You guys got to wake up. It’s very serious.”
Aljahim said that the public school board handled the matter of residency that came up for one board member several years ago, hiring a private investigator who discovered the board member was not a resident.
The school board then declared that seat vacant, and the board member was booted off.
“Stop playing games, please,” he added.

Next up was Dearborn resident Hassan Aoun, who aimed his comments at Councilmember Mohammed Hassan, whom he referred to as “Brother Mohammed” repeatedly.
Aoun “congratulated” Hassan for being indicted by the state attorney general.
(Hassan has not been indicted, but there are allegations of him, and five others, violating election laws. No charges have been filed, but the state is seeking a special prosecutor to take the case.)
“Brother Mohammed loves the sticky fingers,” Aoun said, without explaining what he meant.
Aoun, who is a convicted felon for assaulting a police officer, among other charges, said Hassan will be “blessed” with experiencing getting a police mug shot.
And, in a veiled reference of prison sexual assault, Aoun warned Hassan: “Don’t drop the soap. You know what I mean.”

Kamal Rahman, who is a member of the Hamtramck Housing Commission, said he supports a request on the agenda to purchase three vehicles for the Public Works Department.
As for those elected officials who are alleged to have violated election law, he advised them to “cut a deal.”
Moving on, a request was made for the city to print election ballots in the Yugoslavian language.
City Clerk Rana Faraj said that it would be costly for the city to do that.
(The city currently prints ballots in English, Arabic, and Bengali.)
Faraj also said there have been few requests for ballots printed in another language.
“It’s not needed,” she said.

A public hearing was held on the city’s seeking of a 20-year loan for almost $20 million to make improvements to the city’s water lines.
John DeAngelis, the Director of the Public Services Department, said that some water lines are 75 years old or older.
Mayor Amer Ghalib questioned, “Is it that urgent to get this loan?”
City Manager Garbarino said that it is hoped the state will give the city the funding as a grant, but that, if it is only available as a loan, it’s unlikely the city will accept it.
No matter what, he said, at some point “the city has to do it – one way or another,” in reference to making the needed repairs.

Under new business, the council approved, with some councilmembers objecting, a series of public work projects, as well as the purchase of three vehicles for the Public Works Department.
Most of the projects involved various water and sewer line replacements in various areas of the city. The council OK’d the hiring of Hennessey Engineers to begin preliminary plans on how the improvements should be carried out.
In all, the various projects would cost upward of $300 million to complete – a cost that the city cannot afford without getting various state and federal grants.
During the votes, Councilmembers Khalil Refai and Mohammed Alsomiri often voted in objection, prompting Mayor Ghalib to joke:
“Seems like somebody is not happy tonight, so your lunch, your dinner, is on us tonight.”
As for the many road and infrastructure projects underway, with many streets blocked off, Mayor Ghalib said “eventually they (residents) will enjoy the new roads and alleys, and the drinking water will be healthier.”
Ghalib also said that he is open to “discussing any issues with everyone.”
He encouraged more people to run for elected office, and noted that it is difficult to find qualified people to volunteer for public service.

Back into late public comment, Hassan Aoun, of Dearborn, once again focused his comments on Councilmember Hassan.
“I love when you take a picture with the radical Dana Nessel, and she comes back to hit you two weeks later,” with criminal allegations, Aoun said, in reference to Hassan recently posing in a photo with Nessel.
Aoun made another reference to prison sexual assault, warning Hassan:
“I just pray you don’t drop the soap in there. Brother, you drop the soap there, everything is going to be over with.”
A resident followed, thanking the council for approving the various infrastructure repairs. As to Aoun, the resident said: “This guy’s a clown right here.”
Aoun replied, saying: “Thank you buddy, I love it.”
Posted May 2, 2025