Voter Guide Primary Election · August 3, 2021
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Dearborn · Dearborn Heights Voter Guide Primary Election · August 3, 2021 In This Guide Race Page No. Mayor – City of Dearborn 3–6 City Council – City of Dearborn 7–15 Proposals – City of Dearborn 16 Mayor – City of Dearborn Heights (Full- and Partial-terms) 18–19 ©2021 League of Women Voters of Dearborn – Dearborn Heights. Mary Jo Durivage, President. Jennifer Oliver, Voter Service Chair and Editor. About this Guide Publication of this guide is solely in the interest of public service and in no way is to be construed as an endorsement of candidates by the League of Women Voters. The League takes no responsibility for any of the views or facts stated by the candidates. Candidates’ words are printed as submitted, including any misspellings and grammatical errors. The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 as a nonpartisan political organization to encourage informed and active participation in government, increase understanding of major policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy. The League never supports or opposes a political party or candidate. Membership in the League is open to all men and women aged 16 years or older. Please visit LWVDDH.org for more information, or contact us at [email protected] or (313) 278-6476. Paper copies of this Voter Guide are available at your local clerk’s office, library branches, and other locations. Please visit VOTE411.org for complete Voter Guide information about upcoming elections, including uncontested races. 2 MAYOR – CITY OF DEARBORN 4-year Term ending 1/1/26 · Vote for 1 Please provide biographical information and Dearborn is a diverse city in terms of Do you see places in the budget where experience, including community race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and additional funds are needed and/or places Candidate involvement, and explain why you are neighborhood: as mayor, what is your plan to where funds can be cut? If additional revenue running for this office. represent all of Dearborn? is needed, how will you secure it? My story is Dearborn's story. I became a I believe in a vision of One Dearborn. My I believe that our city's budgeting for parks, Hussein Berry successful Realtor, raised a family and helped campaign promotes a message of inclusion, recreation, cultural and arts activities need to develop many of the youth recreation diversity and respect for all residents. A big be increased. I also want to increase activities activities that still thrive today. I'm running to part of valuing diversity is listening to people. for our youth and ensure our city's vibrant become Dearborn's Mayor because we need a As Mayor, I would ensure listening is historical, cultural and culinary attractions Occupation: Realtor well-rounded leader with integrity and I embedded into every decision-making process receive the attention they deserve. I would Website: http://www.onedearborn.com believe now is the time for bold leadership. As within our city. However, Dearbornites are not support this increase through a combination a trustee of the school board, I managed a as different as we think. Whether at backyard of grant funding from non-profits and Email: [email protected] budget larger than the City of Dearborn’s with tea parties on the West End, or barbecues on corporations, in addition to finding significantly more full-time employees. COVID- the East End, I have heard the same things operational efficiencies throughout the city Education: B.A. in Public Affairs, Wayne State 19 faced us with tough choices. I stand by the brought up over and over again by residents. budget. University decisions I made. Not one parent, teacher or They want an active, lively mayor. They want a student died from community spread in our safe, clean city with vibrant downtowns, schools. That's leadership. beautiful parks and excellent services. They also want a fiscally responsible government. I am serving my second term as the City My record as Council President is proof of my If elected as Mayor, I will work to identify and Susan A. Dabaja Council president. I was born and raised in unyielding commitment to every resident in reduce wasteful spending, conducting a line- Dearborn, and now raising my three children Dearborn, regardless of race, ethnicity, by-line review of the city budget to remove with my husband. I have been a Dearborn socioeconomic status, or neighborhood. If any excess spending and find ways to deliver attorney for over 17 years, representing many elected, I will continue to represent every part city services more efficiently. With the Occupation: Attorney, Dearborn City Council Dearborn families and businesses. I am co- of our diverse Dearborn, including and assistance of lean consultants, I will work to President chair of the Dearborn Education Foundation engaging folks from across our city in the reassess each department’s funding levels, Website: http://susandabaja.com and chair of the Local Community Stabilization governing process so each and every person building a new budget vertically from the Authority. I’m running for Mayor because I who calls Dearborn home will have a voice, ground up instead of our horizontal model. I Email: [email protected] have worked diligently as Council President to access, and support. As Mayor, I will also plan on investing more in technology to tackle tough challenges and forge solutions actively recruit and appoint qualified Dearborn improve customer service. I will establish a Education: Edsel Ford High School (1995) B.S.- that work for all of us and I know that I can residents with diverse backgrounds and Grants and Developments team which will be University of Michigan-Dearborn (2000) J.D.- accomplish more as Mayor. I am confident different parts of our city to serve on our tasked with identifying grant opportunities for University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Class that with my leadership, institutional boards and commissions. Moreover, I will Dearborn. I will also work with state and Rank #1 (2004) knowledge, municipal experience and passion, build a diverse administration team that is federal partners to earmark more dollars to Dearborn can thrive. reflective of our City. the City. 3 MAYOR – CITY OF DEARBORN 4-year Term ending 1/1/26 · Vote for 1 Please provide biographical information and Dearborn is a diverse city in terms of Do you see places in the budget where experience, including community race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and additional funds are needed and/or places Candidate involvement, and explain why you are neighborhood: as mayor, what is your plan to where funds can be cut? If additional revenue running for this office. represent all of Dearborn? is needed, how will you secure it? I am currently serving my 3rd & final term in As Mayor, I will ensure my administration Presently, the city of Dearborn levies some of Abdullah Hammoud the Michigan House of Representatives. As a reflects the diversity of Dearborn. We will the highest local taxes in Wayne County proud son of immigrant parents, I learned the make resources available in multiple because our city’s leadership has relied on value of hard work & community. During my languages, hold town halls & coffee hours millage increases to support Dearborn’s time in Lansing, I was recognized as an across our city, and meet people where they overall budget. In order for Dearborn to Occupation: State Representative economic development champion for my work are - that is accessible leadership. I believe we prosper and compete with neighboring Website: http://votehammoud.com/ supporting small business, a healthcare can build stronger bridges of understanding communities, we must find a solution that champion of hope for my work to increase across racial & ethnic lines - finding new ways brings relief to its families’ pockets while Email: [email protected] access to quality care, & a leader in the fight to come together and celebrate our diversity. supporting them in the process. My team and I to protect our land, air, and water. From While canvassing across our city, we have have thought carefully about how to maintain Education: I have earned a bachelor’s in science volunteering at community cleanups to raising heard that people feel as if their Dearborn’s current budget without increasing from the UofM-Dearborn, a master’s in public awareness for mental health conditions, I have neighborhood does not receive the same property taxes and ensure that all city services health from the UofM-Ann Arbor, and an MBA from consistently given back to the community that attention and resources as others do. As and long-term infrastructure projects are U of M-Ross. fostered my growth & success. As Mayor, I will Mayor, I will ensure equitable resources carried out. You can read more about our always prioritize Dearborn and fight for across the board, and improve transparency in policy at votehammoud.com/issues working families. city operations. I have been here my entire life. From my My campaign motto has always been: Dearborn has always been known for our Jim Parrelly childhood days in East Dearborn, to my Diversity. Unity. Prosperity. At different times great services, like police, fire, pools, libraries, graduation from HFCC, Fordson, & U-M, to in our history, various immigrant communities and so on. Many of the career politicians say building a number of highly successful have made Dearborn their home. My father’s we cannot cut property taxes without cutting businesses, this city has always been at the parents came here from Italy to work for Ford services. This simply isn't true. I have Occupation: Entrepreneur and Financial Advisor center of my life. With my wife Denise of 39 Motor Company for $5.00 a day.