By Omar Thabet
The Hamtramck City Council Primary voting will take place on Tuesday, August 8th. Citizens can go out and vote from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in select Hamtramck locations.
The candidates who will be running for mayor in Hamtramck will be incumbent Mayor Karen Majewski, as well as Asm Rahman, Mohammed Hassan and Cathie Gordon.
There are ten candidates that are running for council. There are three positions available that are for a four-year term. Six candidates will be selected on August 8th. Then, three of the six candidates will be selected November 7th.
Below is a short profile on the ten candidates who will be running for the Hamtramck City Council, with each challenger and incumbent listed in alphabetical order.
We also had each challenger/incumbent answer two following question: 1. What do you do for a living? 2. As a challenger or incumbent, explain why you are running for office?
Challenger Akil Al-Halemi
1.“Educator and social activist for Hamtramck since 2007.”
2.“I work hard to raise the awareness of education among young men and focus on developing our schools system. Also, I will encourage new local business to open in Hamtramck and promote them to grow bigger. The city cleanliness and safety are major things that need to have our attention.”
Challenger Fadel Almarsoumi
1.“Technology service technician for Raymond James Service Delivery and Support.”
2.“We must come together as a group of people looking to better the city that we call home. As a person who was raised in Hamtramck, I feel the need to give back to the city that gave me so much. Bringing about change is difficult and at times it may be that only so much can be done. By knowing what needs to be addressed, we can set achievable goals and compromise when needed for the greater good of the community as a whole.”
Challenger Mohammed Al-Somiri-
1.“Business/property owner in Hamtramck since 2007.”
2.“I’ve lived in Hamtramck my whole life ever since I came from Yemen. I want to know everything about the city. I want to help the city. The city is not clean. The taxes are high. If you leave this city, you’ll see a difference with how other cities are ran. It’s in my heart to be in this city and on the council so I can help this place out. The place I call home.”
Challenger Nayeem Choudhury
1.“Managing Director at Walee Enterprise Incorporated. I am also a business owner, community Activist and civil volunteer.”
2.“I plan to help my community by advocating for their causes such as lowering utility costs, improving social service assistance, create a safer environment for every family and localize the city’s funding to ensure economic stability, cultural unification, and governmental cooperation with its residents.”
Challenger Showkat Choudhury
1. “Factory worker and is also on the Hamtramck School Board.”
2. “ I want to make Hamtramck a great city. I want to bring in a lot of businesses into this city. I want to make the city nice and clean. I want this city to have no violence. I want to see everyone in the community working together. “
Incumbent Andrea Karpinski
1. “Currently I am Secretary to the Assistant Principal at Hamtramck High School and also a member of the Hamtramck City Council.”
2. “I am seeking re-election because my life is Hamtramck, I was born and raised here, along with most of my family. My parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephew all still live here. My friends are here. My family has businesses in the City. My heart and soul bleed Hamtramck. I want to see the City continue to move forward so that people can be proud to live and work here. I believe we’ve come very far in the last few years, and the residents, business owners and visitors deserve someone fighting for the best that Hamtramck has to offer.”
Challenger Saiida Miah
1.“General Manager of foreign imports.”
2.“My biggest thing that needs to be tweaked is the businesses here in Hamtramck. We need to be developing Hamtramck economically. Bringing different residents in who can start businesses. We need creativity in our business industry. We need a yoga studio, an art museum; stuff the young people will enjoy. We shouldn’t have to waist our gas or time driving to other cities to spend our money. We should be spending our money here.”
Incumbent Ian Perrotta
1.“Business owner; student at Wayne State University Law School; Hamtramck City Councilman.”
2.“I am running for office because I believe I have the knowledge and skill to be an effective leader. I understand the issues that the city faces and know the role a councilman should play in solving them. I make decisions based on the good of the community and am willing to stand up for what I believe in. As a homeowner and business owner I can balance residential and commercial needs and ensure that taxes are effectively used to for both interests. I live here, I work here, and I play here. My entire life can be found in Hamtramck, and I only want what is best for this city – not just for me, but for my friends, family, and neighbors as well.”
Challenger Gias Talukder
1.“Businessman/owner at Bengal Auto Sales LLC.”
2.“Definitely for the well-being of our residents, better business environment, more amusement for our children, affordable water and sewerage bills, safer road conditions and create more businesses. Also, easy zoning options.”
The tenth candidate, Monzurul Karim, decided not to be profiled.
Good luck to all of the candidates!
