City Hall Insider … 9/9/25

By Charles Sercombe
The city council met on Sept. 9, and all councilmembers were in attendance except for Khalil Refai and Muhith Mahmood. Mayor Amer Ghalib was also absent.
City Attorney Odey Meroueh announced that Councilmember Refai submitted a letter informing the city that he is stepping down from his position of Mayor Pro Tem.
The first order of business was for councilmembers to appoint a colleague as the new Mayor Pro Tem. Councilmembers unanimously supported Councilmember Abu Musa to the position.
Next up, the Executive Director of the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy, Tom Habitz, said that a “Family Game Night” will be held on Sept. 30 in the newly paved Goodson St. alley that runs next to Veterans Park.
The event, now already past, was a celebration for both the neighborhood and the public for the overall improvements to the park.
Later in the meeting, the council approved the temporary closure of the alley to allow the event to take place.
A proclamation was read, thanking the volunteers of the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival.
It said, in part:
“… In recent years, the Labor Day Festival has been thoughtfully organized and successfully carried out under the leadership of Konrad Maziarz and Shannon Lowell, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, whose tireless work, creativity, and commitment have ensured its continued success, and the Festival provides invaluable opportunities for local businesses, community organizations, artists, and performers to share their contributions and highlight the unique spirit of Hamtramck.
“And, the event not only enhances the city’s cultural vibrancy but also fosters civic pride, strengthens community bonds, and supports local economic vitality.”
During public comment, Shaker Sakead spoke about the pending election fraud allegations and other election allegations.
“I have been in this city’s politics for a long time,” Sakead said. “Some of our city officials have used the law enforcement of the City of Hamtramck and media to be weaponized against the citizens, and the vote fraud thing has become a joke.”
Sakead complained that police investigators have been knocking on residents’ doors to inquire about election issues, but they fail to tell the people being interviewed that they don’t have to say anything.
He said the investigations have intimidated voters, which will possibly cause some to not vote.
Sakead asked for an independent investigation into the matter.
“People have been misguided,” he said.
He also accused authorities of unfairly focusing on Councilmember Mohammed Hassan, who has been charged, along with Councilmember Muhtasin Sadman, of various election law violations stemming from the 2023 election.
Investigators, Sakead said, have an “agenda” “to take Hassan down, and I’ve been part of it.”
Back in January, the state Attorney General’s Office sought warrants for Hassan and Sadman, as well as for Sakead.
At the time, the state alleged Sakead of the following: Impersonating another (person) to vote at an election, absentee ballot tampering, and inducing an unqualified voter to apply for an absentee ballot.
Ultimately, no charges were ever filed against Sakead.
The council OK’d another step for the city to become a part of the state’s Michigan Main Street Program.
The program would allow the city to “gain access to a range of resources, including design and business assistance, organizational support, and promotional strategies.”
The council also OK’d renewing its liability and property insurance policy through the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority.
Interim City Manager Syed Aamir Ahsan said there is a 3 percent increase from last year in cost, but it’s also about half of what the city paid two years ago.
The cost for the policy is about $400,000. Ashan said the slight increase is due to increased property values.
In the segment for councilmembers to comment, Councilmember Musa praised Mayor Ghalib.
“Our beloved mayor is in Washington, D.C. … I wish him very, very good luck, and don’t forget us. Bring some special funding for the City of Hamtramck,” Musa said.
Councilmember Hassan spoke about the ongoing election investigation and the charges he faces.
“The truth will come out very soon,” Hassan said. “Please be patient and pay attention to what you speak, what you do. Don’t listen to the people and make the comment on what maybe is not truth.”
Regarding the mayor’s effort with President Trump’s administration to channel funding to Hamtramck, Hassan said “he is still working very hard in the White House. Try to get some fund for Hamtramck city. Hopefully we’re going to get it and we’ll work together make a better one Hamtramck.”
As for accusations of corruption in the city, Hassan again said “the truth will come out who is the corrupted, where is the corruption. I don’t have to speak. Please be patient.”
Hassan closed with a request on an update on city finances, such as the revenue coming in and the city’s expenses and retirement costs.
“People have a right to know where we stand,” Hassan said.
Councilmember Mohammed Alsomiri said that “Hamtramck will stand for years and years. It’s not going to be bad.”
Posted Oct. 3, 2025