DEARBORN — The Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive is hosting a fundraiser for the care of an ailing six-year-old Dearborn girl, Meghan Salter, on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Avenue.

Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly, Jr. (right, front), City Council President Tom Tafelski (left, front) and Firefighters Lt. Steve Worden (left) and Brian Keith visit with Meghan Salter at her home while planning a fundraiser with Meagan’s family. Photo courtesy city of Dearborn.

Called “Meghan’s Miracles II Benefit,” the event is supported by Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly, City Council President Tom Tafelski and the city’s firefighters.
Scheduled from 6-11 p.m., the fundraiser is to feature a “strolling dinner” provided by a growing list of sponsoring area restaurants.

As of January 20, restaurants include Andiamo, Levy Restaurants, Ford Field Caterers, Park Place Caterers, Tim Horton’s, Shield’s Pizza, Mexican Fiesta Restaurant, Joe’s Top Dog, LaPita and PM Catering, with more restaurants planning to join in support Meghan and her family.

“Catholic Connection” radio talk show host and motivational speaker Teresa Tomeo will emcee the event, which includes guest speakers, dancing, a tin can raffle, entertainment and a cash bar. The cost for tickets is $50 per person.

Meghan Marie Salter was born a healthy girl in October, 2002. However, within months of her birth, her health deteriorated. Now six years old, Meghan has experienced seizures and life-threatening physical illnesses so that she is totally dependent upon medical equipment for life support.

Taken to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for testing, the doctors were unable to determine the cause for her decline or diagnose her condition.

For more information about the benefit, including how to make reservations, donate money, become a sponsor or donate items for the raffle, please visit Meghan’s website at: www.meghansmiracles.com.

Checks should be made out to Fr. Patrick O’Kelley KofC #3860—Meghan’s Fund. Include the bottom portion of the reservation/donation form found on the web and mail to

Fr. Patrick O’Kelley

Council/Meghan’s Fund

C/O Mary Lockwood

11836 Tall Tree Dr.,

Plymouth, MI 48170.

All donations are tax-deductible.

City to test reduced-hours parking enforcement

A short-term test period for a new reduced-hours paid parking system in west Dearborn is expected to be implemented starting Feb. 17.

City Council gave the order on Monday to temporarily change hours of enforcement during the trial period to between 9 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Saturday. The parking system enforced from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in metered locations and 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. in cashiered locations

The parking system test could last as long as 90 days but could be shorter, based on the reaction by citizens.

The changes to the parking hours will be shown on signs placed at the entry points to each parking lot and the test will give the city a chance to see how customers’ parking behaviors are affected and what the reduced hours will do to revenues in west Dearborn.

Businesses in the area lobbied for the changes because they believe reduced paid parking enforcement hours will help increase customer traffic in slow post-holiday season, when sales decline. The Dearborn Chamber of Commerce recommended the changes in order to help alleviate economic woes that have plagued the area.

Candidates begin preparing for November elections

The deadline for petitions to run for public office in the city is 4 p.m. on May 4, and all of Dearborn’s seats will be up for grabs in the fall of 2009.

The seats include mayor, city clerk, and city council. A primary election might be necessary depending on how many petitions are received. If more than two petitions are received for mayor or clerk or more than 14 petitions are received for city council, a primary would deemed be necessary.

Mayor Jack O’Reilly has already filed but it is not known who his main opponent will be in the race. Dearborn resident Ziad Abdul Malik is one potential candidate who has pulled petitions.

Resident Rabih Hammoud has also launched a campaign for a run at a City Council spot, but has not yet pulled petitions.

The requirements for city council state that the person running must be a registered voter from Dearborn and at least 18 years old.

The Clerk’s Office in Dearborn, located at 14165 Michigan Avenue, is the place to pick up petitions for the race. The office can be reached by phone at 1.313.943.2010.