Candidate Profile: Denise Malinowski Maxwell, Dearborn Hts. Mayor

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, MI — Voters in Dearborn Heights will vote their mayor in November's general elections.

To help readers make informed choices, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Denise Malinowski Maxwell is running against Bill Bazzi for Dearborn Heights Mayor. Here's how she filled out her profile:

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Age (as of Election Day)

61

Position Sought

Dearborn Heights Mayor

Party Affiliation

Non partisan

Family

Three grown children Brandon, Bethany and Danielle

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Crestwood High School, Madonna University graduate business administration, Henry Ford Community College alumni majored in IT.

Occupation

Currently Dearborn Heights City Council Chair -4 years previously Dearborn Heights Mayor Pro Tem, retired AT&T-retired as a project manager, Chief Union Steward for many years, retired Real Estate agent-20 years. Both AT&T and Real Estate were simultaneously.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently Dearborn Heights City Council Chairwoman, former Dearborn Heights Mayor Pro Tem after Mayor Paletko passed away.

Campaign website

N/a

Why are you seeking elective office?

As a lifelong resident of Dearborn Heights I under the dynamics of our great city. I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years. Some were good and some were not so good. I’ve been involved in many community projects throughout the years and I’ve heard what the residents want. As Mayor I will make many positive changes for the residents to make our great city even better.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There are two equally pressing issues both blight and flooding in Dearborn Heights. First is blight. I will work with the Ordinance Department to enforce our current ordinances and add new one as necessary to increase our property values.
Next is flooding. I will keep Warren Valley as a golf course because not only is it a golf course, it is also our biggest flood plain when we have heavy rains. I will move forward with a plan to deal with the Ecorse Creek flooding. We have done enough talking now it’s time to take action.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My experience and history in Dearborn Heights is more extensive. I’ve personally lived through a lot of changes. I have first hand experienced our school system. I know a lot of the residents from my lifetime of volunteering in the community since the age of 5. I have a lot of family in Dearborn Heights. When I make a decision it not only affects the residents but it also affects my family and me since we too are residents.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The current Mayor was only appointed by four council members (including himself as one of the four) temporarily. The elected Mayor Paletko passed due to Covid complications. The current appointed Mayor has lost touch with the residents in the short time he has been in office. We have more ordinance violations in just the past nine months than we have in the entire city history. The Mayor has not been transparent as he advocates. He has hired and appointed friends who may not be the most qualified choice. He cancelled a roof bid that was approved by city council,without coming back to us. He then tried to award a six figure contract for a roof that did not go out for for bids as required by our Charter, to a personal friend. There are several things he has done to bypass City Council which are in violation of our charter. He adjusted a large water bill for almost $33,000 without coming before City Council. That is also a violation of the Charter. Any adjustment that large must be approved by the City Council.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Since we are recipients in several Federal Grants I’d want to be in conformity with Federal guidelines and recommendations. That would include mask mandates and recommended vaccination mandates. Current we have neither at City Hall.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Retention of Law Enforcement Personnel

Recent studies have shown that police officers are retiring at a rate 45% greater than last year. Resignations are up nearly 20%. Lack of support and downright hostility for law enforcement is responsible for this trend. It is incumbent upon the City administration to make clear that “defunding the police” is the dumbest and most dangerous idea to come along in a long, long time. Additionally, our labor relations policy must signal that we value our experienced police force and retention is a top priority. The same goes for our firefighters.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My experience as project manager at AT&T gave me the experience to work on several projects at one time and to follow them through until the end. My time as a Real Estate agent showed me how a simple few changes to a community can increase the real estate values. My job as Council Chair got me out in the community and more involved than I have ever been. It gave me a real and up front view on what is really going on in our community. During my many years of volunteering in the community, I have kept in touch with what the community thought about the changes as they were happening. I am a Meals on Wheels volunteer, and work with Dearborn Heights seniors. I also volunteer with local Catholic Churches. I am a member and volunteer for Polish League of American Veterans, the American Legion – Stitt Post and the Veterans of Foreign Wars – Laskawa Post.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Do what is best for the residents and you can never go wrong.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am of the people and for the people. I have a long and deep connection to the City and its residents. That connection was forged long before my first successful run for elective office. That connection is authentic, not something trotted out for political gain. I want to be the mayor that knows the residents’ interests and has their best interests at heart, they should vote for me