2011 Dearborn Election Guide

You already know it's important to get out and vote on Nov. 8. But equally important is knowing what you're voting on, and whom you're voting for. Here's what you need to know when you head to the polls.

Ballot Proposals

Proposal 1: Operating Millage

The City of Dearborn has cut 35 percent of its non-Police and Fire workforce and reduced spending by $12 million annually. Lower tax revenues will require more reductions and impact services and programs further. An additional 5-year millage will allow Dearborn to maintain core services while permanently reducing operating costs.

Shall Section 13.2 of the Dearborn City Charter be amended to temporarily allow the City to levy an additional ad valorem tax up to $3.50 per $1,000 in taxable value (3.5 mills) which will raise approximately $12,250,000 in the first year it is levied, for no more than five years?

Proposal 2: Library Millage

State law allows citizens to authorize that 1 mill be dedicated to offset the costs of providing library services. Due to declining revenues, library services have been reduced. Additional revenues will be used to support greater technology so that the City of Dearborn can provide effective and efficient access to informational, developmental, and entertainment-oriented materials in order to meet current and future user demands.

Shall the City of Dearborn in accordance with state law MCL 397.201 levy an additional ad valorem tax in an amount not to exceed $1 per $1,000 in taxable value which equals 1 mill, or approximately $3,500,00 in the first year it is levied, for no more than 10 years dedicated to fund the ongoing operational and capital costs of a library system?

Proposal 3: Elimination of the Civil Service System

The Civil Service System as defined in Chapter 11 of the Dearborn City Charter was created before city employees formed eight different labor unions to represent them in negotiating contracts covering ages, benefits, and work rules. The provisions in these contracts take preceence over Civil Service policies. Dearborn is one of a few Michigan cities that still has a Civil Service System. If necessary, the City Council could create a Human Resources Commission by ordinance to oversee any employment issues for city employees.

Shall the Dearborn City Charter be amended to eliminate the Civil Service System by repealing Chapter 11?

More Information

The City of Dearborn has published detailed information, including frequently asked questions, about the two millage proposals. Find out what you need to know on the City of Dearborn website.

Lawn signs are available in support of the Dearborn Public Library millage. Find out how to get yours, and how to contribute to the campaign by Also, read two Letters to the Editor on Proposal 2:

• A from Steven Roberts of the Library Ballot Committee and Dearborn Public Library Foundation.
• A , written by Library Commissioner Candyce Abbatt.

The Civil Service System ballot question has caused much debate among city employees and citizens alike. Here's what you need to know:

• .
• . The case has been moved to federal court, but .
• .

Dearborn Board of Education Candidates

Stephen Dobkowski Jr.: This lifelong resident of Dearborn is a former Dearborn City Charter Commissioner, business owner and former teacher. He says his biggest hope is to find new funding streams for the schools, and to increase adult education prorams.

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Joseph Guido: A Dearborn architect, Guido has been on the Board of Education since 1993, and is the longest serving trustee currently on the board. He wants to continue his legacy, and help the district through a difficult financial time.

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Roxanne McDonald: The current vice-president of the Dearborn PTSA, McDonald is running for her first term on the board. An avid protester of budget cuts to education, she says she hopes to reduce unnecessary spending and help solve the budget crisis by bringing a new voice to the table.

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Mary Petlichkoff: A jill of all trades, Petlichkoff is not only a trustee of the Board of Education, but also a City Beautiful commissioner and the president of the Daerborn Federation of Neighborhood Associations. She also served as a Charter commissioner. Petlichkoff puts increasing student achievement and balancing the budget at the top of her to-do list.

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Precinct Voting Locations

Precincts 1 and 2: , 10151 Diversey

Precinct 3: , 7500 Schaefer Road

Precincts 4 and 5: , 7545 Chase

Precinct 6: , 10821 Henson

Precinct 7: , 6601 Jonathon

Precincts 8 and 9: , 6801 Mead

Precinct 10: Hubbard Manor East, 5500 Calhoun

Precincts 11 and 12: , 14749 Alber

Precinct 13: , 15101 Ford Road

Precinct 14: Kennedy Plaza, 5111 Bingham

Precincts 15 and 16: , 4951 Ternes

Precinct 17: , 16140 Driscoll

Precinct 18: , 4824 Lois

Precinct 19: , 13615 Michigan Ave.

Precincts 20 and 21: , 2700 Ferney

Precincts 22 and 23: , 16101 Rotunda Drive

Precinct 24: , 1515 Mason

Precincts 25 and 26: , 2000 Culver

Precinct 27: DPS Administrative Services Center, 18700 Audette

Precinct 28: , 20601 Rotunda Drive

Precincts 29 and 30: , 21501 Whitmore

Precincts 31 and 32: , 22100 Michigan Ave.

Precincts 33 and 34: , 1611 N. York

Precincts 35 and 36: , 500 N. Waverly

Precincts 37 and 38: , 460 N. Vernon

Precinct 39: , 25001 Herbert Weier Drive

Precincts 40 and 41: , 601 N. Silvery Lane

Precincts 42 and 43: , 19501 Outer Drive

Precinct 44: , 22561 Beech

Precinct 45: , 21360 Donaldson

Precinct 46: , 23851 Yale

Precincts 47 and 48: , 23600 Penn

Precincts 49 and 50: , 3100 Westwood

Hours

Polls are open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Absentee ballots can be obtained from the City Clerk's office at Dearborn City Hall, or on the City of Dearborn website.

More information

Visit the Wayne County Elections Division website for more information about candidates and ballot proposals, as well as steps for registering as a voter, or changing your address or other information in future elections. Or, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center, where voters can also find out which precinct their home is in.

Watch the Candidate's Forum, hosted Oct. 4 by the League of Women Voters of Dearborn-Dearborn Heights, on City of Dearborn Television. Click for showtimes and more information.