DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The municipality race in Dearborn Heights this year has been rather low key, leading up to the General Election on November 5. The City did not have a primary, as not enough candidates pulled petitions to warrant one.

Several key positions are up for election in the City this year.  Two candidates are running for mayor and five candidates are vying for four city council seats. 

There appears to be a divide among residents when it comes to who they are backing for mayor. Current city councilwoman Janet Badalow is seeking to challenge current Mayor Dan Paletoko, who has served as the City’s mayor since 2003.

Mayoral candidate Janet Badalow.

Badalow tells The Arab American News that she has been engaging with residents, most of who claim they are frustrated with the direction the City has taken in the last ten years. Badalow says she would like to put a greater emphasis on bringing businesses into the City, as many continue to consider it a “bedroom community.”

Paletko, who recently received an endorsement from AAPAC, says that during his term as mayor, the City has already seen some progress, with the addition of several businesses along Ford Rd. In an interview earlier this year, Paletko told TAAN that he has several outlined plans that could potentially save the City money, including the possibility of merging police departments with neighboring Garden City.

At a recent debate, held at the Southwest Dearborn Heights Neighborhood Association, the two candidates discussed their ideas on improving the City. Badalow blamed bad management and missed opportunities on the City’s $5.6 million deficit, while Paletko says the deficit was inevitable, as surrounding cities had all faced deficits of their own, due to a bad economy and drops in property value.

Badalow added that the City’s website and computer systems need a technology overhaul, while Paletko said he would like to work on a plan with the City treasurer to allow residents to pay City bills online.

In the running for the four available city council seats is incumbent Lisa Farrens, Joseph V. Kosinksi, incumbent Margaret Horvath, former state representative Bob Constan and incumbent Thomas A. Berry. Berry is Lebanese and remains the only Arab American on the city council. 

While there may be some competition for the mayoral and city council seats, the city clerk and treasurer positions will go uncontested. Incumbent Walter J. Prusiewicz is seeking a second term as city clerk. He was appointed to the position in April 2011, before being elected in November 2011 to finish the remainder of the term. Incumbent John J. Riley, who has been city treasurer for over 20 years, is running unopposed for that position for an additional four years.