Arab Americans eye voter unity, representation in city government ahead of Nov. 7 elections
November 3rd, 20170 DEARBORN – Since it was established in 1927, Dearborn has become recognized as a model city where families enjoy top-notch public schools, safety, city services and national landmarks. Unified on maintaining that level of city services, residents have taken a particular interest in their municipal elections throughout the decades,...
Misconduct allegations resurface against Dearborn Councilman Tafelski
November 3rd, 20170 DEARBORN ― Longtime Dearborn City Councilman Tom Tafelski and candidate for mayor, has been accused by multiple citizens of abusing his power while on the council. Tafelski, who has held the position since 2001, is fighting a heated race against Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly. He denies that any of allegations are true, calling...
Dearborn Heights City Council set to see new faces; Arab Americans hope to expand representation
October 27th, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The main races in the November 7 election are between incumbent Mayor Dan Paletko and challenger Lisa Hicks-Clayton, and also for the four open City Council seats. Paletko has been mayor since 2004. He came in first in the Aug. 8 primary election, with about 1,000 votes more than Hicks-Clayton. In the City...
Dearborn to elect seven council members, new clerk in lukewarm races
October 27th, 20170 DEARBORN — There are only ten days left until the November 7 general election and residents are still considering their options, but not much has changed since the primary election. The city council and clerk races are still overshadowed by the contentious mayoral race. City Council President Susan Dabaja and Councilman Michael...
Detroit: The comeback city to hold first post-bankruptcy elections
October 27th, 20170 By Farah Harb The Arab American News – intern DETROIT – On Nov. 7, Detroiters will vote for mayor, elect City Council candidates and choose a city clerk. These elections are the first to take place since the city emerged from state control under Michigan’s emergency manager law. Because it has come a long way since 2013,...
Mayor O’Reilly discusses achievements, lays out his plans for Dearborn
October 27th, 20170 DEARBORN — There is a lot on the line in the city — from major investments and revitalization projects, to alleviating high property taxes and diversifying the workforce. As they battle in a heated race, the two mayoral candidates say that on Nov. 7, Dearbornites will have a chance for the first time since 2001 to stick with already...
Tafelski shares why he should be Dearborn’s next mayor
October 27th, 20170 DEARBORN — This Monday, mayoral candidate and council President Pro-Tem Tom Tafelski was supposed to take part in a video interview with reporters from The AANews, as Mayor Jack O’Reilly had done, but due to a bout of laryngitis, he was unable to participate. Instead, he answered our questions via email. Some people believe...
Hamtramck: Fair representation, voter fraud allegations steer elections
October 27th, 20171 HAMTRMACK – A few divisive races and shake ups in the City Council are bound to emerge during elections in a town as diverse as Hamtramck. After a contentious debate over who to appoint as the new city manager, disparaging remarks by a Council member and a state investigation over voter fraud by an incumbent Council candidate,...
AAPAC announces endorsements for key municipal races
October 20th, 20170 DEARBORN – It was an unfavorable outcome for some new candidates in Dearborn and neighboring cities' primary elections, but some might have another shot at making it into office on Nov. 7. After a passionate debate on Tuesday, Oct. 17, The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) endorsed candidates in the general elections...
Land deal puts Dearborn mayoral race in media crossfire
October 17th, 20170 DEARBORN — The city has had its fair share of shock and scandal during recent elections, but it took the first contested mayoral race since 2001 to land incumbent Mayor Jack O'Reilly and his opponent, long-time City Councilman Tom Tafelski, in a media frenzy over poor judgment and regretted deals. Increasing transparency in...
Hamtramck: Arab Americans make headway in council race
August 11th, 20170 HAMTRAMCK — Even though 33 percent of Hamtramck's residents are Yemeni, only one Yemeni candidate— Mohammad Al-Somiri— made it to the general elections this year. Yemeni American Councilman Saad Almasmari said the community was hoping educator Akil Al-Halemi would make it through the City Council primary race because of his high...
Dearborn Heights mayoral race: Paletko, Hicks-Clayton to face off on Nov. 7
August 11th, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — On August 8, Dearborn Heights held its municipal primary elections for mayor, City Council, City Clerk and treasurer. Mayor Dan Paletko won first place in the mayoral race, followed by Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton who came in second. The two candidates will face off in the general election on November 7. Eduardo...
Detroit primary election results
August 11th, 20170 DETROIT — Incumbents in Detroit proved their favorability among residents. Mayor Mike Duggan received 67 percent (43,488 votes) of the total votes cast, while State Sen. Coleman Young II received 27 percent (17,155 votes). The two will compete in the November 7 general election. "Thank you, Detroit," Duggan said at his election...
Beyond the ballot boxes: Rules about campaign signs
August 11th, 20171 DEARBORN — While lawn signs, bumper stickers, handbills and lots of red, white and blue are all pieces of the campaign paraphernalia, these materials can be an eyesore if candidates don't follow city ordinance for placement and cleanup. So, what are some of the do's and don'ts of campaigning? "For the campaign workers, they need...
Dearborn mayoral race: O’Reilly, Tafelski head for Nov. 7 showdown
August 11th, 20172 DEARBORN — Despite excitement about this year's primary elections, the bustle of many campaign volunteers outside polling locations and significant mayoral races, the average voter turnout in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Hamtramck was about 22 percent. Several incumbent Arab American candidates in the three cities secured their......
High candidate representation in Dearborn Heights, low voter turnout
August 8th, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS-- There was low voter turnout throughout the day at various precincts in Dearborn Heights, but there was an abundance of representation for the candidates at each station. Candidate Mo Baydoun had several people at each precinct with signs, Cheez-Its, and conversation for people going to the polls. Baydoun said he...
Dearborn volunteers remain enthusiastic despite low voter turnout
August 8th, 20170 DEARBORN- Even though the primary voting in Dearborn has been slow since the polls opened at 8 a.m. this morning, volunteers remain optimistic. According to data from the city clerk’s office, there are 50 precincts and a total of 60,752 registered voters. At McDonald Elementary School, the turnout seemed to be unfavorably low......
Low number of voters at the polls in Hamtramck
August 8th, 20170 HAMTRAMCK- So far, a low number of voters showed up at the Hamtramck precincts for this year’s primary. According to City Clerk August Gitschlag, there are 1385 registered voters in precinct 1, 2076 in precinct 2, 1635 in precinct 3, 2738 in precinct 4, 1131 in precinct 5, 1099 in precinct 6 and 1421 in precinct 7. A total of...
Our endorsements for Dearborn, Hamtramck and Detroit municipal elections
August 4th, 20170 One might think that Dearborn prospers businesswise— mainly as home to Ford Motor Company's world headquarters—yet it doesn't, due to the lack of change in the system and in the administration. Many businesses have moved out after Dearborn established restrictive ordinances. Business owners began setting up shops in nearby cities...
The Dearborn Heights 2017 primary elections: Our endorsements
July 28th, 20171 As Dearborn Heights' community and economic landscape transforms to reflect its neighboring city of Dearborn, so must the city's government transform to reflect its constituents. Over the years, many Arab Americans have steadily moved from Dearborn to Dearborn Heights, a bedroom community whose obstacle to tremendous ambitions has...
Meet Dearborn’s City Clerk candidates
July 24th, 20170 Five candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for Dearborn's City Clerk. Four of them are Arab Americans. Their names will appear on the August 8 primary election ballot. The four will advance to the general election on November 7 to compete for two seats. The AANews asked the candidates the following question: Q. Why do you......
Meet Dearborn’s City Council candidates
July 24th, 20170 There are 16 candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring for Dearborn's City Council. Their names will appear on the August 8 primary election ballot. The top 14 will advance to the general elections on November 7. The AANews asked the candidates two questions: Q1. Why do you feel you are qualified candidate for the...
Meet Dearborn Heights’ City Council candidates
July 22nd, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS - A changing city requires a change in leadership. That is the premise many of Dearborn Heights' City Council candidates are running their campaigns on as the August 8 primary elections draw closer. Reflected in the increase in Arab Americans running, the city's demographics are drastically changing. Many residents......
Meet Dearborn Heights’ mayoral candidates
July 22nd, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS - Three candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for Dearborn Heights' mayor. Their names will appear on the August 8 primary election ballot. The top two will advance to the general elections on November 7. The AANews asked the candidates the following three questions: Q1. Why do you feel you are a qualified...
Meet Dearborn’s mayoral candidates
July 22nd, 20170 DEARBORN - Five candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for Dearborn's mayor. Their names will appear on the August 8 primary election ballot. The top two will advance to the general elections on November 7. The AANews asked the candidates the following questions: Q1. Why do you feel you are a qualified candidate for the......
