Polish Times - Czas Polski - tygodnik polski w Detroit, USA

On Sunday, January 3, Karen Majewski officially started her second term as the Hamtramck Mayor during a Swearing-In ceremony at the Hamtramck Public Library.

It is her second term as the Mayor of Hamtramck.  She beat Abdul Algazali in the November election.

During her inauguration speech she reminded everyone present that four years ago “we were beginning a new era of city government, installing our first set of officials elected under our new charter.  We were welcoming our first Arab American city council member.  And our first woman mayor,” she said.  “It seems like a long time ago.  So much has happened in those four years, in our city of Hamtramck, in our state, and in our nation,” she continued.  “The last year has been especially hard for all of us, as we watched the unimaginable collapse of the industry that created the Hamtramck we know and love; as we felt the dependable earth waver beneath our feet, and wondered where to lay our anchor.

Answering the question, she expressed that people of Hamtramck are “the anchor”.  “We, the people of Hamtramck - with whatever strength of spirit we take from our personal and collective histories, from our minds and hearts, and from our creator - We are responsible for propping each other up, and holding each other steady.  We - the people who take office today, and those whom they prepare to serve - We are responsible for Hamtramck.”

She also reminded everyone about the fact that many people have remarked on the spirit of Hamtramck, about their determination in the face of adversity, about their stubborn refusal to give up, about their willingness to roughen their hands in honorable labor.  “We take pride in that identity,” Mayor Majewski said.  “It’s also true that we are - not for the first time - facing daunting challenges.  But look around you.  Your families, and your neighbors’ families, are here because they weren’t easily intimidated.  They were brave enough, and ambitious enough, to gamble on a trip across an ocean, or across a continent; bold enough to take a chance on a new life, and to open their eyes to a new world.  We now stand charged with the great responsibility - and the great opportunity - of reshaping that world yet again.

She continued saying that it won’t be an easy work.  “But it will be interesting, and meaningful.  And we’ve got strong material to work with.  Hamtramck has good bones - intact neighborhoods, walkable streets, a lively downtown, close proximity to the cultural and educational institutions of our largest neighbor, an exciting ethnic mix - you’ve heard all this before, but maybe you need to be reminded of how valued these resources are considered outside of Hamtramck, and what a workable foundation they give us, especially as Southeast Michigan re-crafts itself.  2010, in fact, looks to be a year of exciting projects, for the city and for the region.  And we are all participants in this process. (...) Together we have the opportunity, the talent, the initiative, and we certainly have the imperative”.

Karen Majewski was sworn-in along new Hamtramck councilmembers Kazi Miah, Tom Jankowski and Mohammed Hassan, and Hamtramck School Board members Hedy Shulgon and Betty Zwolak.  The ceremony was conducted by Hon. Judge Paul Paruk.