Meeting introduces new chamber director Fay Beydoun

DEARBORN — Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. addressed a group of Arab American businesspeople Wednesday during an American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) reception at Byblos Banquet Hall, as the group introduced its new executive director, Fay Beydoun, ahead of its annual banquet set for Nov. 20 at the Detroit Marriott.

Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr.

Cockrel spoke about the state of his administration two months into his mayorship, highlighting efforts to address abandoned buildings and vacant homes in the city, reassuring business owners of progress the city is making.
“I know that many of you may not live in Detroit, but many of you are doing business in Detroit,” Cockrel said. “We want you to succeed and if you want to grow your business, we want you to succeed in that as well. We have far more that unites us than divides us.”

He said last week’s election proved that.

“We have come a long way. But we can go much further.”

He spoke about tax incentive programs that make business development projects in the city easier.

“There are some programs that, despite the economy, can make it easier for people to come into the city and help out.”

AACC Chairman James Allen

AACC Chairman James Allen, who lives in Detroit, said Detroit’s economic vitality means a lot to business owners and residents throughout the region.
“If our city is weak, then the region is weak. We can’t have a strong Dearborn if we don’t have a strong Detroit. We can’t have a strong Redford if we don’t have a strong Detroit. We can’t have a strong Warren if we don’t have a strong Detroit… I think the city is headed in the right direction.”

Allen became chairman of the AACC Board of Directors in May. He said harsh economic times make the group’s role particularly vital.

“This is the most important time for us to be here. Businesses need advocates out there right now,” he said.

Detroit Police Chief James Barren, whom Cockrel appointed in September, also spoke to the group, addressing concerns business owners in the city frequently express about safety.

He said a meeting among police chiefs of cities bordering Detroit is scheduled for Nov. 17 to discuss better regional cooperation.

He talked about the opening of Detroit Police mini-stations that began with four locations in October, intended to provide better response times, police visibility and strengthen police-community partnerships.

The city has called on Detroit businesses to offer space for mini-stations in more communities. The mini-stations are staffed with one police officer, one reserve officer and volunteers. Officers can file reports there and the stations are equipped with a police car to respond to calls along with police districts.

“It is paramount that we establish relationships with the citizens,” Barren said.

An Arab American Detroit Police Sergeant suggested the creation of a business response unit within the Police Department to help follow up on robberies and other crimes committed at businesses. He said the department currently has trouble following up with business owners in the aftermath of crimes.

Both Cockrel and Barren expressed agreement with the need for such a division, but Barren said he’s severely short on personnel.

“I do not have the resources to do something like that,” Barren said. “Sometimes I have to be a little creative in what has to be done… If I can get the resources at some point to do something like that… It’s not something I’ll let die. It’s not something I’ll forget. If I can do something, I will.”

AACC Executive Director Fay Beydoun

Beydoun said it meant a lot to the group to hear from the mayor and the chief on working together.
“Once the mayor learned that security was a main concern for Arab American business owners in the city, he brought Dr. Barren with him. He shows a genuine concern for safety for Detroit businesses.”

Allen said that since starting as executive director in August, Beydoun has energized and motivated the Chamber’s staff.

Beydoun spoke to the crowd about working to forge strategic partnerships to build sustainable economic development.

“This chamber is your chamber. We look forward to you being more active and more involved,” she told the crowd.