DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With partial and full terms on the ballot for the 2021 elections, only the mayor’s position is up for election in the August 3 primary.

The partial terms are for mayor, ending on Dec. 31, city clerk, ending on Dec. 31, and a City Council seat, ending on Dec. 31, 2023. 

Mayor

The partial term for mayor is to finish former Mayor Daniel Paletko’s term, as he passed away suddenly in December from COVID-19.

The full term for mayor will end on Dec. 31, 2025.

Vying for both positions are Bill Bazzi, Denise Malinowski-Maxwell and Anthony Camilleri.

Bazzi, a former marine, was elected to the City Council in 2017 and appointed mayor in January, following Paletko’s death. 

Malinowski-Maxwell is the City Council chairwoman and has been in that role since 2018. She served as the mayor pro-tem before Bazzi was appointed by the Council.

Camilleri, a local businessman, had put his name in for consideration at the time of the appointments and had interviewed for the position, but was not selected.

Residents will select their top two choices to proceed to the general election in November.

Dearborn Heights mayoral candidates

Clerk

The partial term for the city clerk is to finish out former Clerk Walter Prusiewicz’s term after he resigned last May due to COVID-related issues.

The full term for the clerk position will end on Dec. 31, 2025.

Clerk Lynne Senia, who was appointed by the City Council following Prusiewicz’s resignation, is running uncontested for both terms.

Senia had been the City Council secretary prior to interviewing and being appointed to the clerk’s position.

City Council

The candidates for the partial term on the City Council are incumbent Mo Baydoun, who was appointed in January to fill the vacancy left by Lisa Hicks-Clayton when she was elected treasurer last year, and former Councilman Ned Apigian.

There are currently six candidates for the full Council term.

Incumbents Zouher Abdel-Hak, who was appointed to the City Council in January to fill Bazzi’s seat; Tom Wencel, who was elected in 2017, and Robert Constan, who served in the Michigan House of Representatives and has been a Councilman since 2013, are running for re-election.

Hassan Ahmad, a local realtor, is also vying for one of four Council seats up for grabs.

Nancy Bryer, who had interviewed for the vacant City Council positions before, is also running, along with Rachel LaPointe, who is an avid volunteer with many organizations throughout the community.