HAMTRAMCK — Emergency Manager Cathy Square has determined that mayoral candidate and city councilman Dr. Abdul Algazali is not a defaulter to the City.  Square says the finding was made by the City attorney. 

There was much speculation that Dr. Algazali’s name would be removed from the November General Election ballot, and that his seat on the city council was in jeopardy, because of the possibility that he defaulted in taxes to the City.  

Dr. Algazali was the top vote-getter in the Aug. 6 Primary Election and is still in the race. He will not lose his seat on the city council now that the issue has been resolved. 

“My name is clear, and I just wanted to tell my supporters that,” Dr. Algazali said.  

The City charter states, no person can be elected to any office who is a defaulter to Hamtramck, and all votes for the candidate will be termed void as a result.  According to a report, Square said Dr. Algazali showed proof that he paid his taxes.  

Dr. Algazali.

An article in the Detroit News had stated that the Wayne County Treasurer’s online site showed Dr. Algazali, who works as a chiropractor, was behind on property tax payments by $17,000. 

Dr. Algazali managed to beat incumbent Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski by 61 votes, during the primary election.  The City, which is home to 22,000 residents, is known for its diversity.

A recount of the primary election showed that Dr. Algazali actually beat Majewski by one extra vote. 

The recount took place after allegations of voter fraud in the election surfaced. Dr. Algazali had nothing to do with the election fraud, and this week three people are facing felony charges for delivering absentee ballots to the city clerk’s office in the names of individuals who are not related to them.  

Dr. Algazali has served on the Hamtramck City Council for two terms, and has also acted as the Mayor Pro Tem. He was elected to the Hamtramck Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; appointed to the Hamtramck Planning Commission and appointed to the City’s Human Relations Commission.  

While in public office, Dr. Algazali has been vocal in trying to protect and defend the rights of minorities. His campaign logo is: “One city, one goal, one future.” 

“I encourage fair treatment for all, regardless of race,” Dr. Algazali said.  When complaints from residents were raised about police profiling and stopping minorities in the City, Dr. Algazali says he introduced a resolution to the city council, in an effort to get a city ordinance passed that would limit local law enforcement from profiling minorities and make it illegal. 

Dr. Algazali also took pride in speaking out against complaints from residents that were aimed at stopping the Muslim call to prayer, which has drawn a lot of controversy over the years. Muslim Americans comprise more than half the City’s population. 

Dr. Algazali also says that he convinced the Secretary of State to extend its hours; repeatedly voted against tax increases and worked hard to keep the department of human services and post office in Hamtramck. 

He says if elected, he plans on bringing transparency to City government. “Government should be transparent to all the citizens,” he said. 

Dr. Algazali looks forward to working with the City’s emergency manager, to help balance the budget. He says that for years he has pushed to try and get City employees to take concessions and is happy to see that the move is taking place under the new EM.