DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Five residents interviewed for the vacant City Council seat, despite seven individuals submitting letters of intent.

The interviews were held during a special meeting on Oct. 6 and are intended to fill the seat vacated by former Council Chairman Hassan Ahmad.

The candidates included former Councilman Ray Muscat, Omar Kange, Mohammed Almawla, Mohamed Aboutaam, Nicholas Grenon, Justin Toth and Inas Wahab. Kange and Aboutaam were not present at the meeting and were not interviewed.

Each candidate was given five minutes to speak and answer any questions the City Council might have had.

Muscat presented first and referenced his previous times serving on the Council from 2015 until 2024 and then again in 2025 when he was appointed to fill a vacant seat. He stated that he had originally resigned due to “medical concerns.”

“I’ve lived in this city since 1969 and I’ve been active in the city for 30 years,” he said. “I’ve served on this honorable board, been elected twice. Unfortunately, I had to leave for a health scare that I had, but my heart is in this city. I love this city. I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t do for this city.”

Muscat said that he has the knowledge and experience for the job and has a lot that he still wants to accomplish in the city.

Almawla, owner of Visual Lion LLC, came to the United States in 1995 and is now raising his daughter in the city with his wife. He previously has served as special assistant to the director of the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs and has also volunteered with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy sheriff reserve CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and has connected the Dearborn Heights Fire Department with Dialed and Defend, a nonprofit focused on firefighter health and wellness regarding a planned sauna donation for the new fire station and potential firefighter-training opportunities.

“I believe public service often means identifying an opportunity, bringing the right people together and following through to turn it into something useful for the community,” he said. “If appointed, I would come prepared, review proposals and expenditures carefully, ask questions and listen to residents. My approach is even-keeled and objective and I would be a genuine partner to my colleagues and the administration while exercising independent judgment. I will always do what is in the public interest, not personal or political interests.”

With communication being a strong skill, Almawla also said that the appointment of a new Council member is a chance for the council to welcome new voices, fresh ideas, and emerging talent into city leadership.

“Every Council member brings a different perspective, and that range of experience is what makes the council strong,” he said. “I would bring the voice of a younger generation of residents who are building careers, starting businesses and raising families in Dearborn Heights, and I would work to make sure they see themselves in their city government.”

Grenon, a lifelong resident of the city, has a bachelor’s degree in public administration and political science and a technical certificate as an electrical technician. Having previously worked for Ford Motor Company and JP Morgan, he currently works with St. Vincent de Paul’s energy assistance program where he works directly with residents seeking assistance with their energy bills and says that service to the community is important to him.

Grenon has also volunteered with The Greening of Detroit, the local Cub Scout pack and Divine Child.

“As a lifelong Dearborn Heights resident, I have had the opportunity to see our city grow and change over the years,” he said. “I believe that serving on the City Council requires listening to residents, carefully considering the issues before the Council, working respectfully with others and remembering that the purpose of local government is to serve the people of the community. My interest in this position is simple; I enjoy serving the public and I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents of Dearborn Heights to the best of my ability. If selected, I would approach the position with an open mind, a willingness to listen and learn, and a commitment to making thoughtful decisions in the best interests of the city and its residents.”

Toth, a former recreation department employee, is a lifelong resident and former instructor at the Advanced Technology Academy, where he built his foundation of budgeting knowledge and said that his current role as a field service representative with AAA has given him a lot of experience with the public.

“Written communication is my strength,” he said. “I am big into journaling and how that has helped me in both my professional and personal life is that it’s gotten me to hone in on how am I spending my calendar year and how I am spending my time. It’s helped me to track growth, it’s given me a strategic growth mindset.”

Toth holds a master of arts degree in secondary education and majored in career and technical education with a minor in physical education and a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a major in marketing, He said this strength helps him to look forward to what he wants to achieve in the immediate and distant future.

Wahab, a 28-year resident, has a master’s degree in business with more than 20 years of experience in auditing and regulatory compliance. 

“I bring a strong foundation in leadership, accountability, policy and organizational improvement,” she said. “My work requires me to collaborate with senior leadership, interpret federal, state and local regulations, assess risk, prioritize resources and help turn identified gaps into corrective actions. It has taught me how to approach complex challenges thoughtfully, balance competing priorities and never lose sight of the people affected by the decisions we make.”

Wahab said that she would bring a fresh set of eyes to the table and work with the Council and city leadership to build upon what is working and find what can be done better.

The City Council will appoint a new member to the vacant seat at the Oct. 13 regular scheduled meeting at 6 p.m.