When voters head to the polls in Dearborn Heights on Nov. 7, they will be picking three people for the Dearborn Heights City Council. There will also be a ballot proposal for the Westwood Community School District.
There are no local elections in Dearborn this year.
Bond Proposal
The Westwood district is mostly in Dearborn Heights, with a small part stretching into Inkster.
The specific question voters will be asked to select “yes,” or “no” to is:
“Shall Westwood Community School District, Wayne County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Twenty-Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($24,500,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of:
erecting an addition to, remodeling, including security improvements to, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings; and equipping, developing and improving athletic fields and facilities, driveways and sites?”
If passed, the bond would cost a homeowner of a $100,000 market-rate home less than $175 per year, or $14.58 per month, officials said.
“We are an ascending school district, meaning that our growth is a part of our culture as a community, and we seize every opportunity to positively impact our students,” school Supt. Stiles Simmons said. “Westwood Community School District is home to future leaders, professional athletes, politicians and so much more. Our last bond was passed in 1958 to build Robichaud High School. In that time, our buildings have aged to need improvements that cannot be covered under our General Fund budget to provide our students with a 21st-century learning environment to help them reach their full potential.”
Simmons said that many of the systems in the district are beyond their useful life and need to be replaced.
City Council
Following the resignation of Councilman Ray Muscat, and his vow not to accept the nomination if he finishes in the top three, there are still five candidates vying for the three seats that are up for grabs.
Council Chair Pro-Tem Mo Baydoun, and the recently appointed Zouher Abdel-Hak, are seeking reelection.
Former Council Chair Denise Malinowski-Maxwell is looking to return to the council, and newcomers Ahmad Alkaabi and Hassan Saab are the remaining candidates.
With 3,593 votes, Baydoun was the top candidate in the primary. Malinowski-Maxwell (3,097) was second, and Muscat (2,647) was third. Abdel-Hak (1,252), Saab (1,218) and Alkaabi (733) finished in that order.
Each candidate was asked for a short biography of themselves. Here is how each responded.
Abdel-Hak: Graduate Electrical Engineer, Bachelor of Science Degree, from Wayne State University. Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Cairo American University. A resident of Dearborn Heights for 32 years. Married and the father of six and grandfather of four.
In 2020 he was appointed as the interim Treasurer by City Council, and in both 2021, and 2023 he was appointed to the City Council.
Alkaabi: Alkaabi has lived in Dearborn Heights for 16 years. Alkaabi is the principal consultant for ALA Group, a government and political consulting firm. He is also the founder and president of the Iraqi American Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the purpose of empowering and uplifting the Iraqi American community through civic engagement, mentorship, and social impact initiatives.
In 2021, Alkaabi was awarded 30 Under 30 by the Arab America Foundation. Ahmad has a BA in Sociology from the University of Michigan – Dearborn.
Baydoun: A life-long resident of the City of Dearborn Heights and holds a BA and an MPA. In addition to being a proud husband to Dr. Laila Baydoun and father to my beautiful son and expected daughter, I am a small business owner in Dearborn Heights.
Malinowski-Maxwell: I am a lifelong resident of Dearborn Heights. I graduated from Crestwood High school, retired from AT&T, Madonna University graduate. Member of STITT and VFW. As a lifelong resident of Dearborn Heights I have seen many changes over the years. Some have been good and some not so good. I volunteer a lot in the community so I hear from the residents their concerns. I still have a lot of family and friends living in Dearborn Heights. I take pride in doing what is right for the residents.
Saab: I am a 37-year-old, 13 year resident of Dearborn Heights. I have led a fulfilling life as a licensed builder and engineer. With a passion for construction and a drive to create remarkable structures my journey began with a pursuit of an engineering degree, where I have laid a solid foundation of technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. After completing my degree, I obtained my builder’s license, allowing myself to turn my passion for construction into a thriving career.
My eye for detail and dedication to quality ensure that each structure I build stands as a testament to my expertise and commitment to excellence.
Beyond my professional achievements, my life is enriched by my loving family. As a devoted husband, I find joy and support in the company of my loved ones. My family serves as a constant source of inspiration and motivation, encouraging me to strive for both personal and professional growth.
A member of the Dearborn Heights community, I currently serve on multiple commissions, the Westland DDA and the Dearborn Heights planning Commission. I actively engage with local initiatives and organizations, contributing to the betterment of the neighborhood. He believes in giving back to the community that has supported me throughout his journey.
