DEARBORN — As the election nears, State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) has secured several more endorsements for his campaign to become the city’s next mayor.
Hammoud’s former competitors in the primary election, Tom Tafelski, Jim Parrelly and Council President Susan Dabaja, all have announced their support for him.
“Tom and I met several times to talk about our hometown and the city we all love and call home,” Hammoud said in a Facebook post. “We both want the same for our city — the opportunity to move it forward and ensure that all of Dearborn’s working families are prioritized.”
Tafelski said that while he and Hammoud may not always see eye to eye, Dearborn comes first.
“I believe and trust that Hammoud will be the catalyst for change that Dearborn desperately needs,” he said. “While Hammoud and I don’t always agree, we both believe that Dearborn needs to change for a brighter future. I hope you will join me in supporting Abdullah Hammoud to be Dearborn’s next mayor.”
Parrelly said that Hammoud is the only one with a solid plan.
“I have always said that economic revitalization is essential to the future of our city,” he said. “Abdullah is the only candidate with a plan to rebuild and reinvent Dearborn’s modern economy. He has my full support.”
Hammoud said that he and Dabaja have had many conversations and that her commitment is clear.
“Council President Dabaja and I have had many conversations about the future of our city,” he said. “One thing is very clear: Her commitment to the people of Dearborn has been and always will be strong. I’m thankful for her service to Dearborn and for leading the City Council over the last eight years — especially during some of our Dearborn community’s most turbulent times.”
Dabaja said that Hammoud is a visionary.
“I know Dearborn and what we need is a strong leader who will move us into the future, while honoring our traditions,” she said. “I believe that Abdullah Hammoud is a visionary who can best serve all parts of Dearborn. His service at the state level has proven his commitment to those who are traditionally underserved and I am confident he will bring the same vigor and tenacity to the role of mayor.”
1 Comment
Lee Jacobsen
October 11, 2021 at 12:50 pmA comment on the race for Mayor between Hammoud and Wollenchak
Hammoud has pluses and minuses, but the latter are easy enough to address. What are they? First of all, loyalty to America above all else. We are all ‘Americans’. Not Asian Americans, African Americans, Muslim Americans, White or Black Americans, etc. yet reading in the media, one would think race was a priority aka CRT. In the Olympics for example, an American won the race, not a ‘black’ , white, asian, etc American. See my point?
Our common unity as a country is that we are all Americans despite coming from many ethnic backgrounds, such as Muslims of which I am assuming Hammoud is one. That means American laws prevail, not any other laws, and Sharia Law comes to mind, as that is now the new ‘law’ in Afghanistan , right? Men prevail etc.
George Washington said in his 1795 writings, , “Any person who says they are an ‘American’, but something else also, isn’t an American at all”. That means that loyalty to ‘America’, the USA, comes first before any religious creed or faith. In America, we have separation of government and faith, and some of our elected officials, Rashida comes to mind, seem to have forgotten that fact.
Where does Hammoud stand with respect to loyalty to the USA versus his Muslim faith? Which comes first? A deflective answer is not appreciated. It is one or the other that comes first, one’s country or one’s religion. Religion is a powerful force. The pilgrims came to America for religious freedom. William Penn left the colonies and founded Pennsylvania for religious freedom, (Amish) . The Mormons went to Utah for the same reasons.
Dearborn is heavily Muslim. Will the established neighborhoods lose their character as deed restrictions are ‘relaxed’, pillars and spires are added, to reflect Muslim tastes.? McMansions are a reality in Dearborn Hts, and in some areas of Dearborn already. That’s fine, but not fine in neighborhoods with Civic Associations that like the homes as they are now, have been for decades, such as the Ford Homes or Dearborn Hills.
Dearborn has 26+ neighborhoods, and not all of them have associations. Let new civic associations and new neighborhoods arise, but leave the established ones alone.
Bottom line, Dearborn consists of a mix of ethnic cultures, but we are all Americans first in our allegiance, religion and ethnic second, and by working together, with those priorities established, Dearborn will move forward as a stronger community..
So Hammoud, , where does your priority in allegiances lie?
Regards, Lee Jacobsen, Dearborn, MI 734-564-7165