Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge count of 37 ballots and praise police response to protest; calls grow to hire acting chief
Summary
During public comment and written submissions, residents urged Hamtramck officials to count 37 ballots after a Michigan Court of Appeals decision, praised police for managing a recent protest, and urged the council to consider officially hiring the acting police chief.
Multiple written and in-person public comments at the May 12 Hamtramck City Council meeting urged the city to resolve an election-ballot dispute and praised police for handling a recent protest.
The city clerk read several written submissions that said the Michigan Court of Appeals denied reconsideration of a request not to count 37 ballots and urged the city to count those ballots to "protect voters rights." One written comment, submitted by Shamina Sha., said "it is time to count the 37 votes and move on." Another written commenter echoed the same request and urged the city to stop spending taxpayer money on litigation over the matter.
A council member responded during the reading that, on the record, "if they're legit, they will be counted," and noted that higher courts may still decide outstanding legal questions.
Several in-person speakers and written commenters praised the police department and mutual aid partners (Dearborn, Detroit and Wayne County) for managing a recent demonstration and preventing violence. Multiple speakers urged the council and mayor to move from public praise to a formal hiring decision for the acting police chief; residents said the chief performed professionally during the event.
Other written comments urged greater civility at council meetings and suggested a public forum on water infrastructure with state officials. The council agreed to hear more items and then moved to a closed session for city business.
