DEARBORN — Voters in metro Detroit will have a chance to exercise their Democratic rights again on Tuesday, August 2 in the 2011 primary elections as cities narrow down candidate lists for the November 8 general election. 

The city of Dearborn does not have a primary ballot this year as it waits for a millage vote and a school board election in November, but the City Clerk race in Dearborn Heights could be one of the most hotly contested local races. 

Constan

Five candidates will be vying for the spot of appointed City Clerk Walter Prusiewicz, who is running to retain his seat. Prusiewicz was appointed to the City Clerk position this April by the City Council after former clerk Judy Dudzinski retired.

The other candidates for the spot are Councilwoman Janet Badalow, State Rep. Bob Contstan, Deborah Ann Tutro, and Michelle Doumont. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 2 for the election. 

Prusiewicz grew up in Detroit and Hamtramck and has lived in Dearborn Heights since his marriage 21 years ago. He has an MBA from Wayne State University and has worked for 30 years for Wayne County including 21 years as a supervisor. He also has placed City Council documents online for city residents to read and also said he has started a new program in the city since taking over where officials have begun checking to see which businesses are currently unlicensed. He believes it will generate extra revenue for the city. 

Councilwoman Badalow has a BSBA from Lawrence Tech and an MBA from Wayne State. She has been active in several city organizations and wants to consolidate precincts while maintaining convenient voter access to save tax dollars; and to create technological updates within the clerk’s office if elected.                              

Constan (D-Dearborn Heights) is a State Rep. who has a B.A. From the University of Michigan and Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Detroit. He is a long-time attorney who served on the city council for six years and was former Council Chair Pro-Tem. Constan also wants technological updates and says the new clerk must do more with less. He also wants to eliminate the early retirement incentive program for clerks which he believes has been taken advantage of in the past. 

Doumont served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force and is a volunteer teacher, education commission chairperson and parish council member at St. Sabina Church. She also wants to implement more technology in the office to go paperless and save money and has plans to increase registered voters at various city events. 

Tutro is a 31-year city resident who held various clerking responsibilities as a Federal Service-U.S. Treasury worker and believes they would translate well to the job. She wants to improve accessibility in the office and also increase the office’s reliance on technology. She also worked 18 years with the Detroit Election Commission.  

Yemeni American Abdul Algazali, who narrowly lost to incumbent Mayor Karen Majewski in 2009 by 123 votes for the city’s top position, is trying to reclaim a council seat along with incumbent Cathie Gordon and 11 others in Hamtramck’s council primary. 

The diverse field of competitors includes Dilshad Chowdhury, Showkat Chowdhury, Susan Dunn-Rahdar, Richard Fabiszak, Mohamed Delawar Hussain, Roger A. Lamm, Abu Mahfuz, Anam Miah, Ian Perrotta, Steve Selim Shaya, and Robert Zwolak.