Dearborn Candidates Make Case for Election to City Council

Editor's note: In September, Dearborn Patch asked residents in the community to submit questions for the 14 city council candidates to answer. The questions were emailed to all of the council candidates. Only nine responded by the requested deadline.

This is part four of a four-part series.

What is the single biggest issue for you? Why are you running for Dearborn City Council?

Colette Richards
My biggest issue is making Dearborn the place to raise your family by building our business community and residential neighborhoods. We all know we can’t have what Dearborn once was but we can improve Dearborn and make sure it is the first place a realtor will suggest to a young family to raise their children in and make sure that it is the first place a business will want to open.

I am running for office because I bring a very unique ability to see all sides of an issue and find a compromise that everyone can live with. I am an advocate for residents across Dearborn and have been for many years. I have proven that my leadership ability is top notch and when it comes right down to it, I get the job done.

I will work tirelessly for all of Dearborn’s citizens by being approachable; listening to their needs, finding a way to resolve any issues that will make everyone who is involved happy and be fair. I am an independent voice who knows how to get all the facts first before making any decisions. I am running for every citizen of Dearborn; I am running to improve our city while preserving our past; and I can promise you that I will continue to advocate for you and will serve you to the best of my abilities.

Tarek Baydoun:
Maintaining strong neighborhoods. City government must help us maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods by enforcing high standards for our properties and businesses. At the same time, city government must extend a welcome, nurturing hand to businesses, new residents, property owners and young professionals.

When families, young professionals, students and business owners need to decide whereto locate, where to invest, and where to raise their families, I want the answer to be clear and resounding. I want the answer to be Dearborn. If we elect city council members that will have the courage of leadership to bring communities together, and to take risks in order to succeed, I think we will all be better off. That is why I am running for city council.

Sharon Dulmage:
There is more than one major issue for me but they are tied together. Revenue and funding of what is near and dear to us is the basis for nearly everything. To increase the revenue, the tax base must be improved. This means growing business districts and increasing property values.

Everything is tied to revenue. A vibrant business district attracts people to live and shop in Dearborn. Supply and demand of housing in Dearborn impacts cost of housing, which in turn impacts property values. I am prepared and have a plan to grow the business district.

I am running for Dearborn City Council because I have 22 years of experience with public funding and grants. I am a proven leader. I have been involved for many years in the past, I am presently involved and my only goal for the future is to serve the people. I am able to make decisions based on fact and not emotion. I am independent and have always been upfront, honest and have always listened to the views of others before making a decision.

David Bazzy:
The biggest issue right now is the deterioration of some of the neighborhoods. We need a plan to stabilize these areas that have become overrun with bad rentals and terrible landlords. If we don't start weeding these out, what we can expect is an exodus of the good taxpaying homeowner who has lived here and deserves better from us as a city council.

I am running to be the voice of the taxpayer so when they call and need help they get the service they need. I do not have an agenda, I simply want Dearborn to be a great community to raise a family. As a 55-year resident, homeowner, parent and parishioner, my commitment is to the community.
Robert Abraham:
Experience and leadership. I am asking for one of your votes to maintain stability, experience and strong leadership on the city council. As the recession is ending, it is important to keep the institutional knowledge on the council to help guide new council members through better economic conditions.

The combination of almost 12 years of council experience and more than 20 years of professional accounting and financial experience are a perfect mix to position Dearborn as the premier community in Michigan over the next four years.

The most significant issues we will face is balancing the budget and delivering the high quality services the community has traditionally expected. To do this, we will need to work together to find creative and new ways to do “more with less." We must work toward reducing the property taxes, cutting expenses and maintaining the best fire and police departments possible. Public safety will always come first.

Kristyn Taylor:
The biggest issue for me is transparency. I am running for office because I believe the Dearborn residents' voices are continually shut out of the decisions made in the city.

Because, too often, residents believe decisions are a foregone conclusion and there is no space for actual dialogue. This has lead to a severe lack of trust, and for good reason. The city hall move issue is a great example of this lack of trust and an example of why I chose to run.

It is unacceptable for a major issue like that to come before the city council for a vote, with almost no information and little public input. I stood up and demanded that the public have information and the chance to participate. As your city councilwoman, I would be proactive to open lines of communication so that we can have an informed discussion together.

Please visit my blog to learn more about this and other issues: www.kristyn4council.wordpress.com. Please vote Kristyn Taylor on Nov. 5.
Mike Sareini:
It is my turn to give back and to continue the legacy of serving the people of Dearborn. I am 41, married with five children and a lifelong Dearborn resident. As a child growing up in Dearborn my parents taught the importance of community service.

My 18-plus years of sales experience has taught me the people skills needed and my law degree affords me the knowledge necessary to make those critical decisions that are in the best interest of Dearborn as a councilman.

I am a very passionate person that sets goals and achieves them. Dearborn is a great place to live and raise a family. I am asking for one of your seven votes on Nov. 5.

Tom Tafelski:
The best thing that I or any city council member can do is to expect ethics, accountability and transparency in the conduct of government. Also, I feel my role is to listen and ask the tough questions.

A city council member also should collaborate with residents and business owners, when possible. I have taken an active stand against moving the historic Dearborn City Hall and replacing it with low-income housing and art studios. We haven’t conducted the sufficient due diligence associated with making such a significant move.

We haven’t adequately tackled the issues of rental properties, crime and neighborhood recreational options. As our times continually change, we must understand that service, creativity and energy are vital to a community’s success.

Brian O'Donnell:
I love this city and want it to remain a great place to raise a family, live, work and play. I am raising my own young family here, and I want what most people desire: safe streets, good services, parks, schools, etc.

My political agenda is that I do not have one, therefore I am motivated to use my personal and professional background to make each of my decisions on the council based on the greatest good for the city, period.

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