Candidate Profile: Kamel Elkadri For Dearborn City Council

Kamel Elkadri

Age (as of Election Day)

36

Position Sought

Dearborn City Council

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

Wife Mariam she 36 and a long-time Dearborn Public School Teacher, Son Mohamed is 10, Daugthers Maya 8 and Mera 4

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None for politics but my wife, sister and brother in law work for Dearborn Public Schools

Education

MBA in Business Leadership, bachelors in Business Management, Associates in Applied Science HVAC

Occupation

I have been working at Henry Ford Village for the past 22 years, I started when I was 14 in hight school and loved every minute there. For the past 5 years I am the Director of Dining Services, before that Restaurant Manager for 5 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Appointed as Dearborn Police Traffic Commission

Campaign website

www.VoteElkadri.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

Dearborn has given me and my family so much and it's a city that I am dedicated to and love. I want the same opportunities for everyone. I was lucky enough to be born, raised, educated, work and start my own family in Dearborn. I have seen the good and the bad in Dearborn and see the potential Dearborn has.
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There are a couple issues, traffic safety is a big issue right now, speeding and reckless driving is becoming out of control and many accidents are occurring in a city that already has one of the highest insurance rates in state. We will need to work with our outstanding police department and work on a traffic division to not just enforce traffic but also work with out school district to educate on safe driving at a younger age to teach them about the concequences of reckless and distractive driving. Another issue is transparency that is huge right now and it is even more of an issue with the recent flooding in the city. Unfortunately, previous flooding there was a call for an Independent investigation on what occurred, there was no support for this and that is an issue. I would support an investigation on this as well as be transparent about issues.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

With my educational and professional leadership skills I have what it takes to collaborate with others, build the bridges that are needed to grow. I am visible and putting in the hard work needed for the job. I have no issue facing issues head on, I have the ability to make the tough choices needed.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

transparency and availability to the community is an issue with the current city officials. Many on the current Council have not been seen since covid. During meetings on zoom majority had their cameras off and also made negative comments about the meetings they were on while they through they were muted when they were not.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I feel they current officials did not respond to coronavirus as well as they could have. It seems that they were always reactive and never proactive, Michigan was one of the last states that had a case and we should have been well prepared. Current officials were not seen during and after Covid which at times like this leadership is needed and the community needs to see that their elected officials are there for them. Dearborn was one of the leaders with covid cases which is very unfortunate. An example would be outdoor dining was a very popular during covid and unfortunately the officials tried to put tents and closed off streets to try and help the local businesses but it was too late and no one even used them, this is something that should have happened in early summer not late winter.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Traffic safety, improvement to city services as well as equal services for all of Dearborn, pollution to air, sound and water is an issue that we need to address as well.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I was able to obtain over 1000 doses of the covid vaccines for the residents at Henry Ford Village in early February of 2020 by working with State and regional officials, while everyone was telling me no it was not possible and others had to wait hours for theirs and some had their appointments canceled because of vaccine supply I was determined to set up these onsite vaccine clinics for the residents. I have received numerous nationwide awards for leading in innovation and operations, as well as nationally recognized as a rising star for my leadership, innovated and operational skills.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My father told me to put my head down and work, not to worry about anyone else's negativity and just keep working.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Dearborn is family to me and I am someone that is not afraid to put in the work. I will work for you and if I can't help you I will find the correct person to help you. Your issue is my issue and I am here to serve.