Mayor: ‘Nothing to do with personal funds or anyone’s pocket’

By Charles Sercombe
Mayor Adam Alharbi doesn’t want you to focus on the city paying for his legal fees to prevent the inclusion of 37 uncounted ballots from last November’s election.
Instead, he wants the public to think about the positive developments in the city, such as the purchase of 17 flower planters that are being installed in the city’s major intersections.
In an appeal to the public on his Facebook page, Mayor Alharbi outlined some of the recent developments the public should be aware of, in his own words:
• We also passed a major resolution to formally establish our cultural districts, including Yemen Town, Bangla Town, Polish Town, Bosnia Town, and World Town (exact naming is not final), to attract visitors, increase economic growth, and bringing real life to our slogan ‘The World In Two Square Miles.’
• On the youth and community side, it was fantastic partnering with Wayne County Community College to bring our residents together for public watch events to enjoy the World Cup matches.

• At our last council meeting, we also approved new street construction projects, including paving the way for repairs on Towebridge (sic) Street.

• We have also continued our visits and meetings with Wayne County officials to build bridges and (are) pushing to bring back as much of our revenue from the jail as possible to support our city’s financial stability.

As for taxpayers being responsible – although that may be in question — for paying $200,000 and more for Alharbi’s legal fees to prevent the uncounted ballots from being included in last November’s election, he has this to say on his Facebook page:
“I also want to clear the air directly about some noise circulating online regarding the recent council resolution on legal fees. Let us be clear, this has nothing to do with personal funds or anyone’s pocket.
“It is standard municipal protocol for a city to handle legal defense when an issue involves an official’s role, let alone when the entire issue stems from a clerical error made by the city itself regarding the 37 ballots.
“I have been serving this community, whether in local government or non-profit work, for over 20 years, and anyone who knows my track record knows I didn’t get into public service for a paycheck. I do this because I love Hamtramck, which is why my focus remains right where it belongs: on the progress we are building together every single day.”
On social media, the reaction has been mixed, with Alharbi’s supporters behind him, and others not so much.
Former Hamtramck City Councilmember Joe Strzalka objected to using public money for Alharbi’s legal fees.
“It’s wrong on so many levels as using public monies to help a candidate get elected is illegal,” said Strzalka, who is also an attorney.
Hamtramck School Boardmember Linda (Wolyniec) Stachowicz also took issue with the public paying for the mayor’s legal fight.
“Taxpayers do not need to bear the cost of your decision to fight for the discounting of 39 (37) voters’ rightful votes and fight the appeals court, which has ruled NOT in your favor. If you want to fight it, use your own money,” she said.
But former Hamtramck City Councilmember Adam Albarmaki supported Alharbi’s request for financial aid to prevent the uncounted ballots from being counted.
“Amazing work, Mr. Mayor. Keep it up! You’re doing great despite all the stones the city council is throwing in your way. I hope one day everyone gets along and works as a team, and I believe in your leadership to make that happen,” he said.

Posted Aug. 7, 2026