Nov. 8, 2016 Presidential Election: What's on the Ballot in Dearborn?

DEARBORN, MI – As is typical in presidential election years, contests at the top of the ballot grab all the headlines; this year even more than usual. But voters in Dearborn have a few things at the bottom of the ballot; it's these smaller races that often go unheralded, but really have more to do with our day-to-day lives than who sits in the White House. Here are some things to prepare for on next week's ballot:

Dearborn Public School Board election:

Six-year term (2 seats):

• Fadwa Hammoud (incumbent)
• Hussein Berry
• Khodr Farhat
• Adel Mozip

Two-year term (1 seat)

• Jim Thorpe
• Faize El-Khali

REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

A Proposal Authorizing the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) to Levy an Assessment
The proposal would authorize the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) to levy within Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties a
property tax assessment:
- at a rate of 1.2 mills ($1.20 per $1,000 of taxable value);
- for 20 years beginning in 2016 and ending in 2035;
- that may not be increased, renewed, or used for other purposes without direct voter approval; and
- to be used upon the affirmative vote of an RTA board member from each RTA member jurisdiction for the purpose of construction and operation of a public transportation system connecting Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties, including rapid transit bus routes across county lines, specialized service for senior citizens and people with disabilities, commuter rail, airport express service, and other public transportation purposes permitted by law, consistent with RTA bylaws and subject to the limitations of the Regional Transit Authority Act.
If this new additional assessment is approved and levied, revenue will be disbursed to the RTA. It is estimated that $160,907,285 will be collected in the first year.
Should this assessment be approved?

WAYNE COUNTY REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY
REGIONAL ENHANCEMENT MILLAGE PROPOSAL
Pursuant to state law, the revenue raised by the proposed enhancement millage will be collected by the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency and distributed to local public school districts within the boundaries of the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency based on pupil membership count.
Shall the limitation on the amount of ad valorem taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency, Michigan, be increased by 2.00 mills ($2.00 per thousand dollars of taxable value) for a period of six (6) years, 2016 to 2021, inclusive, as new additional millage to provide operating funds to enhance other state and local funding for local school district operating purposes? It is estimated that 2 mills would raise approximately $80,000,000 when first levied in 2016.

If you are in the Dearborn area, the city clerk has posted a precinct map with polling places on the city website. Find it here.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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