Last week was not a good image for city

There is a lot to untangle from last week’s news here in Hamtramck.
First, we start with a bizarre discussion from the city council and mayor regarding this year’s Hamtramck Labor Day Festival.
Both the council and mayor made vague references to things regarding the festival, including a threat by one councilmember to shut down the festival at any moment if he sees something happening not to his liking.
And just what could arise for anyone to put a sudden end to the weekend festival?
Well, that wasn’t said. In fact, a lot of what was said was purposely vague.
After being questioned by The Review, Mayor Amer Ghalib admitted it has to do with the LGBTQ community being in the Labor Day Parade.
Last year, if you remember, the mayor and a couple of councilmembers were aghast when they were placed in the parade marching order just ahead of the Hamtramck Queer Alliance.
They insisted that was done to embarrass them and, worse, the mayor claimed it was meant to “destroy” his political career. We had no idea his political future was that fragile.
Next up, Mayor Ghalib became upset over not being told about a surprise visit to the city by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Whitmer attended a major city event at Keyworth Stadium a week ago Wednesday, where a Juneteenth celebration was taking place honoring past Negro League baseball players.
Ghalib more or less threatened to have heads roll over why he was not told about her visit.
Well, guess what? It was a surprise visit – as in, unannounced; as in, no one knew until moments before.
What’s most baffling is, why wasn’t the mayor – or even a single city councilmember — at the event, no matter whether the governor was going to be there or not?
The mayor’s excuse was that he was at another Juneteenth event. Well, that other event started at 10 a.m. and the Keyworth event started at noon.
Wasn’t it possible to attend both?
The mayor’s temper tantrum also drew the attention of the Metro Times, a circumstance which thus amplified the situation.
Folks, the last thing Hamtramck needs is for our elected officials to further alienate our elected officials in Lansing.
People in elected positions have to learn to develop thicker skins.
Posted June 28, 2024