Hamtramck Star

As always, this guide was compiled using a variety of online, print, and other sources. I have done my very best to make sure that the information is accurate, but corrections are absolutely welcome.

Mayor

Abdul Algazali: Resident of Hamtramck more than 30 years. Licensed Chiropractor in the State of Michigan. Earned an associates degree at Wayne County Community College, and a doctorate from Life University of Chiropractic School in Atlanta, GA. Former board member of the Chamber of Commerce. Former member of the Plan Commission and Human Relations Commission. Appointed to "acting mayor pro tem"*, not mayor pro tem. Co-sponsored the Anti-profiling ordinance. Always votes against tax and rate increases. Was the only councilperson to vote against the most recent, unjustified, water rate increase. Does not support the DDA, EDC, or BRA, and advocates for focusing on essential services. Frequently cites the statistic that 50% of all businesses in the USA are small business. Has stated that he will end traffic patrols, after receiving tickets. Wants to make up for lost revenue with 5-10% pay cuts for elected, appointed, and city employees.

Follow up:

Karen Majewski (incumbent): Member of the Solidarity Slate and strongly associated with Councilman Scott Klein. 54 years old. Resident of Hamtramck 10 years. First female Mayor of Hamtramck. Ph.D. in American Culture from the University of Michigan. Curator of the Polish and Rare Books Collection at Orchard Lake Schools. Former executive secretary and Director of the Polish American Historical Association for 10 years. President of the City Council 2003-2005. Mayor 2005 to present. Former member of the Hamtramck Historical Commission. Appointed to the MML Board of Trustees in 2008. Supports publicly-funded surveillance cameras on Joseph Campau. Supported taxpayer-funded demolition of Shopper's World for an Aldi. Purposefully limits the ability of long-term residents and business owners to comment on public affairs. Quarrels with residents during pubic comment. Accused of vandalizing the archive collection at Orchard Lake where she is still employed. Took responsibility for filing the residency complaint against Cathie Gordon. Claims not to want a merger of police and fire services with another municipality, but participated in the lay off of 6 firefighters on Fourth of July weekend, and voted to issue an illegal RFP for fire suppression services in 2006. Participated in an illegal meeting with a potential city manager. Member of the council when it failed to remove Housing Commission appointees who were later removed by HUD. Supports continuing the EDC, BRA and DDA TIF. Raises campaign contributions primarily from city contractors. Filed campaign statements with the County Clerk showing that her campaign fund had a negative balance from the Primary Election of 2005 until mid 2007, with outstanding debts of more than $6000. An amended filing for 2008 shows an opening balance that is roughly $4000 more than her ending balance in 2007.

City Council

Kathy Kristy: Attended Wayne State University. 18-year resident of Hamtramck**. Tax preparer and insurance agent. President of Friends of the Hamtramck Public Library. Current President of the Polish Day Parade Committee. Former Hamtramck council president. Worked on SMART busing, CHORE home-help services for seniors, and created the youth advisory council and senior advisory council as a councilwoman. Took classes offered by the MML.

Kazi Miah: 30 years old. Resident more than 10 years. Founder of the Bangladeshi American Youth Action (BAYA), an after-school program that serves 40 to 50 kids annually. Board member of People's Community Services since 2008. Former member of the Human Relations Commission. Current member of the Hamtramck Recreation Commission. Executive board member for the Hamtramck Branch of the NAACP. Captain of the Hamtramck-area voter registration drive for Barack Obama's Presidential campaign. Member of the Piast Institute's Drug-Free Coalition. Organizes clean-ups with youth. Advocate for "a citizen oriented government where everyone's voice will be heard." Intends to improve the relationship between the police department and citizens. Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2008.

Anam Ahmed Miah: 24-year resident. President of United Steel Workers, Local 690L, since 2006. Current member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Promises to make Hamtramck safer, improve city services, bring federal and state funded programs, and better the communication between the citizens of Hamtramck and city officials. Encourages residents to spend money in Hamtramck by shopping and eating here to improve the business environment. Had more than one property in property tax foreclosure between 5 and 10 years ago.

Alan M. Shulgon (incumbent): Member of the Solidarity slate. Lifetime resident of Hamtramck, about 65 years. Investigator for the State of Michigan. Bachelor of Arts in Law Enforcement and Protection from Mercy College Detroit. Retired detective in the Hamtramck Police Department, having joined at 21-years-old after serving in the Navy. Served 9 years on the school board, prior to being recalled. Sworn in as a councilman secretly in March of 2007 after the death of Councilman Cedar. Currently sits as both a city councilman and as President of the Hamtramck Housing Commission, against an opinion by HUD’s Office of General Counsel. Was president of the HHC when LDP'd former director Fred Zajdel was rehired. Strongly and correctly supported bidding on the new trash contract. Primary proponent on the council for traffic patrols and a juvenile officer. Also supports publicly funded surveillance cameras on Joseph Campau. Tendency to boycott meetings and votes with Solidarity, even when the vote is against his personal beliefs.

Thomas Jankowski: Is clearly allied with Karen Majewski and Solidarity. 49 years old. Lifetime resident of Hamtramck. Proprietor of Whiskey in the Jar. Salesperson for Capital Waste. Community Liaison for Moe Blackwell the last two years. BS Candidate Wayne State University. Serves on the Recreation Commission, Recycling Commission, and US Census Complete Count Committee, and Hamtramck Drug-Free Coalition. Former Mayor of Hamtramck. Former chairman of the Hamtramck Zoning Board. Former chairman of the Hamtramck City Plan Commission. Well versed in Robert's Rules. Supports code enforcement and rental inspections. Wants to improve oversight of administrative employees and intergovernmental cooperation. Believes that better coordination of public safety, code enforcement, and the CEDD is needed to increase economic development. Likes the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the idea of a community land bank. Supports using crime data to improve service. Does not stand behind our pedestrian-friendly zoning ordinance. Accused of leaving nasty messages, assaults, and stealing campaign signs, but has never been formally charged with any of the above.

Mohammed Hassan: 42 years old. 15-year resident. Bachelor of Science (with honors) in Mathematics, Statistics, physics, and a MS in Mathematics, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Pursuing a mechanical engineering degree from UDM, Detroit***. Production Supervisor, Visteon Corporation. President of the Chittagong Association of Michigan***. VP of Ganit Samiti (CU, Bangladesh). A member of many celebration committees. Wants to reduce taxes, and said he may get rid of the city manager, changing the charter if he has to. Objectives include increasing diversity at City Hall by hiring city residents first, improve ethnic relations, and "re-assess property taxes every year to make taxes more reasonable".

*There really is a position in the charter for "acting mayor pro tem", but this is not the same as mayor pro tem.
**The primary edition listed Kathy Kristy as a lifetime resident, which was incorrect. She lived in the University District of Detroit previously, though her family has lived in Hamtramck for around 90 years.
***The primary edition stated that he received a degree from UDM and was President of the Chowdury Society. The resume he sent after the primary indicates that he is pursuing a degree from UDM and is President of the Chittagong Association. In all honesty, I have a very difficult time understanding his English.