Liliana Baydoun (left), swears in her father, Sam Baydoun (right), to his seat as the new 13th District Wayne County Commission representative Jan. 8.
Sam Baydoun (D-Dearborn) was sworn in as the 13th District Wayne County Commission representative Jan. 8, during the commission’s organizational meeting for its 2019-20 session.
Baydoun — whose district represents Dearborn and Allen Park — was elected to a two-year commission term during the Nov. 6 general election. He received the oath of office from his daughter, Liliana Baydoun.
During the meeting, Baydoun issued a memorial statement for the members of the Abbas family of Northville, killed Jan. 6 during a tragic traffic accident involving a wrong-way driver, suspected of driving while intoxicated, on I-75 near Lexington, Ky. while on their way home from a holiday vacation in Florida.
“I never thought this would be my first statement as a commissioner,” he said in continuing his call for tougher drunken driving standards and enforcement.
Funeral services for Issam Abbas, 42, his wife, Dr. Rima Abbas, 38, and their children: Ali, 14; Isabella, 13; and Giselle 7, were held that day at the Islamic Center of America.
Baydoun said Issam Abbas was a longtime friend and business colleague and that Rima Abbas, a member of the Beaumont Medical Group, was the granddaughter of the late Imam Mohamad Jawad Chirri, who founded the Islamic Center of American in the early 1960s.
Baydoun also praised his predecessor, Gary Woronchak, calling the former Wayne County Commission chairman an outstanding leader and mentor.
Woronchak, who served 14 years on the commission, chose not to seek an additional term in last year’s election.