Haidar Aims To Tackle Substance Abuse Problem

DEARBORN, MI — Tuesday’s primary election is an important one in Dearborn. Voters will be asked to select single candidates for mayor and clerk to run in November’s general election. Likewise, more than a dozen candidates are vying for seven seats on city council.

Patch recently sent questions to the candidates. The idea is for the candidates to introduce themselves and their ideas to voters. Three profiles were published on Friday, including David Bazzy, Robert Abraham and Sharon Dulmage. More candidates will follow on Sunday and Monday.

What follows is a verbatim transcript of the questions and answers from candidate Ramez Haidar, who is seeking a city council slot:

Biographical Information
Married with 4 children
Senior Electrical Engineer at FLEX Automotive
• I belong to many organizations and different civic groups. I care about the Arts deeply; Social and Political Engagement, Feeding the less fortunate, providing medical assistance for those that don’t have insurance, and Supporting our local libraries.
• AAPAC – Arab American Political Action Committee
• LPA – Lebanese Physician Association
• WCSR- Commander with the Wayne County Sheriff Reserves
• Dearborn Democratic Club
• Member of Edison Welding Institute (EWI)
• Member of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
• Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Member of Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
• Member of Professional Order of Engineering Technology (POET)
• US-CAR 38-1 & US-CAR 45 Committee member
• Notary Public for Wayne County, MI

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Why are you running for City Council?

As a proud Dearborn resident for over 30 years, I have watched our city evolve and understand the needs of our residents and our city government. Spending the majority of my adult life, studying in Metro Detroit, marrying and raising a family in Dearborn, I have shared in many opportunities for understanding, advancement, and success. Through my employment, I have gained knowledge and experience in the field of Electrical Engineering, understanding the structural and developmental needs of our city.

Having volunteered my services to protect and serve residents of Wayne County over the years, achieving the position of Commander, working in law enforcement has provided me with experiential opportunities to understand the needs of both residents and law enforcement agencies.

What are your top priorities for your term if you win?

Basically, I just want people to be happy in the city and stop moving outside the city. I have been waiting and watching to see if things will get better but they haven’t. I want us to work together to make Dearborn better, resolve concerns on issues that I have been talking about for many years now. I also want to enhance the beauty our city already has.

• Taxes are way too high
• Insurance rates need to come down
• Our senior’s need better services
• Traffic control
• Drugs and substance abuse
• Law enforcement and Fire
• People with special needs

My top issue is “Drugs and Substance abuse.” I am committed to providing support for substance abuse prevention and intervention programs and engaging youth in understanding the legal and social impacts of substance abuse. I will work on creating a clinic inside the city that provide help 24 hours similar to Eastwood clinic in other counties.