By Brian Stone – YAN – Dearborn
Wayne County Commissioner Sam Baydoun sat down at a coffee shop in Dearborn to discuss his first year as county commissioner. Cup of coffee in hand, he was happy to dive in and discuss the many issues he’s tackling in Wayne County’s 13th county commission district, which includes Dearborn and Wayne County.
YAN: You’re about to complete your first year in office as county commissioner. What has surprised you the most about the job?
Well first of all, let me thank you, Brian, for sitting down with me and taking the time to get to know what I do with the county and on the commission, and quite honestly, the biggest surprise to me was how slow the county moves and, in general, all government. They don’t move at the same rate we do in the private sector. If you have a complaint about a traffic light, sometimes it takes some time to be corrected. The pace that counties and governments work, in general, do move – I’m not used to it.
YAN: You’ve focused a lot on the roads, including hosting a major summit to bring people together to discuss it. Why is this issue important to you and how do you think the condition of the roads impacts the community?
We did. We had the town hall meeting on the South End, and I chose the South End for a reason. The South End of Dearborn is an area that has been neglected for many years. During the campaign, I said I wanted to make it a priority. All of the areas of Dearborn and Allen Park are important, but I wanted to drive the point home by bringing that town hall to Salina School. And we talked to the county, city engineer about Miller road bridge, and I’m looking at having another meeting in the South End soon.
YAN: Did Governor Whitmer announce she was going to focus on Miller Road bridge before or after your summit?
She focused on it in May, and I really think she is committed to replacing the Miller road bridge. I saw her at the announcement with the old jail site, that Stephen Ross is announcing the new construction, and I saw her. I spoke to her and said, “I noticed you vetoed the Miller Road bridge,” and I asked her to ensure it gets funded. And she assured me it’s at the top of the list, and once they come to an agreement, we’ll be ready for them.
YAN: From what I understand, Wayne County’s getting ready for this somehow?
Yes. We’ve contracted with a consultant to do the design for Miller bridge and for the road, so that once the funding is there, they can start immediately. Also, the county is in the process – they’re going to submit for a grant – I believe the deadline is in March – so there’s a federal grant and they’re looking at multiple avenues. I’ve also spoken with Senator Peters and Senator Stabenow about the bridge, and even Senator Stabenow said that she might be able to find national funding in the transportation budget to repair the bridge. So, national attention, state – look, it’s all about Miller Bridge.
YAN: What other issues have you taken up as a county commissioner?
So, another big concern for us, especially on the South End of Dearborn, is the environmental injustice. The air quality. Representative Abdullah Hammoud was trying to introduce a bill and working with the city council to pass something locally, here, in Dearborn. As you know, Brian, when a big company goes to the state of Michigan they go to the DEQ and they bypass the city – it’s not right! When you look a the output of the pollution, when you combine all of them cumulative, it’s a lot more than the state or national level.
YAN: And DEQ just considers it on an individual basis.
Exactly, so we’re trying to change the game. I’m really supportive of what Abdullah Hammoud is doing and some of our city council members. It’s a crime what these residents are dealing with every day. In my opinion, it’s the next Flint crisis. These residents have suffered long enough, and they need relief. And I’m hoping we can have some kind of local ordinance to hold these polluters accountable.
YAN: What do you think most residents don’t know about the county commission that would be useful for them to know?
One of the things we’re working on is dealing with lead-based paint. We have a grant that can help people modify their homes and deal with lead-based paint. A lot of the time people call me about the tax foreclosure, and what if they lose their home, how can they get it back? That’s another area. But also – I’d like people to know, the Wayne County Commission is the legislative body of the county. It’s the city council of the county – and we have checks and balances. The fifteen commissioners are the legislative body of the county.
YAN: What’s the most common issue that you end up helping residents with as a county commissioner, and what do you do to help them?
A lot of the time I get calls from residents about buildings. You know, surprisingly, believe it or not Brian, I’ve employed my experience as a real estate broker more than I thought I would, in helping people stay in their homes. Because of my relationship with the county treasurer and some of the people in government, I’ve been able to help people who are dealing with tax foreclosure. There was once case – this one lady called out of nowhere – she called me as her Wayne County Commissioner. She didn’t know I was a real estate broker. She hadn’t been able to get a deed for her house after her divorce, and the divorce was final in 1984. Her ex husband was supposed to sign a quit claim deed signing the property to her, but he went away and then he died, and she didn’t have a deed. So I again, employed my experience in real estate, contacted the title company, and found the language in the divorce decree – which said the divorce could act as a quit claim deed if he doesn’t sign a deed – and the title company said this was clear, and we were able to put her name on the title. It was something very simple for someone like me, but very scary for someone who doesn’t know.
YAN: Have you gotten a chance to ask your predecessor, Gary Woronchak, for advice on your first term? What kind of advice, if any, did he give you?
Gary has been very instrumental in the transition period. I always, in the beginning, would ask him questions about the committee and some of the funding for the parks millage funding, and how the funding goes to each city. Gary has been very helpful in many aspects in terms of being a county commission.
YAN: You and Commissioner McCormick and Melissa Daub are “freshmen” on the county commission. How’s it feel to be the freshman on campus?
Well, you know, we came together, and we were treated with respect by our colleagues.
YAN: There was no hazing? No whoopy-cushions under your seat or anything?
[Laughs] No, no. Actually, after a few weeks, when real estate issues began coming up, they were coming up to me. And I’m honored to give my expertise to the county commission.
YAN: A lot of people, after first getting into office, tend to gain weight because they work a lot and don’t have time to eat healthy. They actually have a term for the extra weight: they call it the “Freshman fifteen.” Have you kept time for exercise and self-care?
You know, surprisingly, I do work out, I still do jog and walk three or four times a week, along the Andiamo trail. I run the Martian Marathon and did the Zaman marathon, and I try to stay very active. It’s important to be healthy.
YAN: Throughout the campaign, many people got to know you, not just as a candidate, but as a father. Your daughter was your biggest advocate, starring in some of your campaign advertisements. As a county commissioner, you’re now expected to go to all of these community events in the evening, plus serve on the commission during the day, in addition to your busy schedule as a successful realtor… How have you been able to make time loved ones?
Well, I do make time for my daughter. Usually, every morning I wake her up and drop her off at school. It’s funny, I missed the governor’s breakfast she had the same day for that announcement [for the Wayne county jail site] because I had to take my daughter to school. She said she missed me and I said, “Sorry, I have to take my daughter to school!” Family is first, family is important. Somehow, we can fit it all in – I’m very good at multitasking.
YAN: Lastly, is there anything else that you’d like to add or speak about?
You know, I always tell people to be involved. If you see something your community, that doesn’t seem right. For instance – people on the South End, they’re so good at it, they know whether something is the county or the city. They know they can reach out to me. I even created a Whatsapp chat group, called the South End Advocacy group – no political issues – just a place for us to discuss the issues on the South End. So I tell people – if you see something that doesn’t make sense to you: ask. Pick up the phone. Stay active in the community. It is the active members of a community that make a difference. I always tell people to get involved in the neighborhood organizations. The South End is very involved… and all of these individuals bring a lot to the table, and they make a difference. If you don’t organize and speak up, then we can’t get results.
