Community Corner
Dearborn Removes Rima Fakih Reference on City Welcome Signs
Officials say the decision to remove the former Miss USA pageant winner's name was due primarily to the passage of time.
Signs welcoming visitors to the city of Dearborn no longer tout the city's connection to former Miss USA pageant winner Rima Fakih.
According to the city's Public Service Division, plaques that read "Hometown of Rima Fakih" that were attached to four "Welcome to Dearborn" signs were removed earlier this year.
"The plaques were removed simply due to the passage of time," Mary Laundroche, director of public information said.
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Last year several Dearborn residents started an online petition on Facebook asking the city to remove Fakih's name from the welcome signs, stating that the city should recognize automotive pioneer Henry Ford instead.
In May 2010, Fakih became the first Arab-American and Muslim to be crowned as Miss USA. Her success was quickly shrouded in scandal, however, when pictures of the 26-year-old participating in a pole dancing competition surfaced. In April 2012, Fakih pleaded guilty in a drunken driving case after being arrested by Highland Park Police.
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City officials said there are currently no plans to add another plaque to the welcome signs.
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