DEARBORN – After a marathon discussion session of about three hours and back-and-forth debates among members on Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Arab American Political Action Committee reached decisions on key endorsements and proposals for upcoming ballots in the Dearborn and Dearborn Heights area. 

Abdel-Hak

The committee opted to endorse a “no” vote on the following proposals according to President Mariam Bazzi: Dearborn operating millage, Dearborn library millage, and the elimination of the civil service committee in Dearborn. 

Also recommended for endorsement were Kathy Abdel-Hak for Dearborn Hieghts City Council along with Joseph Guido and Roxanne McDonald for the Dearborn School Board. 

Abdel-Hak is running for one open seat while Guido and McDonald are running for two seats; Guido is an incumbent in the race. 

“Our members engaged in a lively debate on the Dearborn issues,” said attorney and AAPAC member Ali Hammoud. “We concluded that it would be difficult for us to ask voters to approve a tax hike during this tough economic climate. Some of our citizens are finding it difficult to make their mortgage payments and a tax increase of over $200 would only worsen the situation,” he said. 

Fellow attorney and member Tarek Baydoun said that he and other members also expressed disappointment in the lack of hiring more Arab Americans in positions within the city at the meeting.  

McDonald

“Our meeting centered around the community’s priorities and the lack of attention given to the community’s priorities which was reflected in our endorsements (in Dearborn),” he said. 

“We’ve been generally disappointed in response to concerns about low numbers of Arab Americans in police, fire, and City Hall openings.” 

For the School Board race, the organization chose one incumbent, Guido and a challenger in McDonald. 

“Roxanne and Joe reached out to the community,” Baydoun said. “We are responding by supporting their outreach and willingness to work with the community…so far the School Board and School District has a far better record than the city on issues of priority for AAPAC and the community in general,” he said.

AAPAC is also seeking volunteers for the polls on Election Day. Students may receive community service credit for volunteering, but they need to confirm eligibility with their schools.  

For more information on how to volunteer or info on tickets or tables for AAPAC’s 14th Annual Endorsement Banquet, which will be held on Friday, Oct. 28 at Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn, contact Bazzi at msbazzi1@gmail.com. 

Guido