By Simon Albaugh \u2013 Yemeni American News<\/p>\n
HAMTRAMCK, Mich. \u2013 Hamtramck\u2019s newly elected officials, including its new mayor and three new city council members, will be sworn-in on Sunday, Jan. 2 at the Hamtramck High School Community Center.<\/p>\n
After this year\u2019s high-energy election, the new mayor \u2013 Amer Ghalib \u2013 will take the leadership of the city. His campaign centered around a more intuitive dialogue between residents and their elected officials. One of the most concrete plans for Ghalib\u2019s time in office, he says, is making sure to listen to the residents he leads.<\/p>\n
The three city councilmember-elects also needed to run exceptional campaigns during a crowded election. Adam Albarmaki, Amanda Jaczkowski and Khalil Refai will compose an almost entirely new body of elected officials. The only remaining councilmembers from the previous city government are Mohammed Hassan, Nayeem Choudhury and Mohammed Alsomiri.<\/p>\n
The swearing-in will take place on Jan. 2, at 1:00pm. Doors open at 12:30, with light refreshments served. Attendants are requested to wear a mask.<\/p>\n
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This Government is Different<\/strong><\/p>\n For the first time in American History, a Muslim mayor will be leading not just one, but three US Cities, including Hamtramck. While this is a historical moment for Muslim and Arab Americans in the diaspora, Hamtramck has taken this historic moment even further.<\/p>\n With the election of the three new city councilmembers, Hamtramck will have an elected body entirely composed of Muslim Americans. Adam Albarmaki, Khalil Refai and Mohammed Alsomiri are Yemeni Americans who have earned a spot on the council while emerging from Hamtramck\u2019s numerous Yemeni American population.<\/p>\n Mohammed Hassan and Nayeem Choudhury are from the famous Bangladeshi American enclave. And Amanda Jaczkowski seems to bridge the old and new definitions of the city by being a Polish American follower of the faith.<\/p>\n This new composition for the city\u2019s leadership has been highlighted by many, including the Arab American News<\/span><\/a> and even CNN<\/span><\/a>. But while the photo-ops and celebrations are still ongoing, the work begins soon after the new year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Campaign Proposals for City Government<\/strong><\/p>\n Ghalib, Albarmaki and Jaczkowski previously talked with the Yemeni American News about their plans for the new era in Hamtramck\u2019s History. A unifying goal for the candidates was concrete action to alleviate the risk of flooding, as seen over the previous summer.<\/p>\n For Albarmaki, this was at the same place of importance as his goals of resolving City Budget issues. Over this summer, the Hamtramck City Government was told that by the year 2024, the city would go bankrupt. At the root of the city\u2019s challenge is the pension obligation for the city\u2019s retired emergency responders.<\/p>\n \u201cI plan to work on prioritizing funds within our budget to tackle current issues, including pensions for the police and fire department,\u201d Albarmaki said.<\/p>\n