By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – Incumbent City Clerk George Darany is being challenged by former employee Sami Elhady for the city clerk position.
Each were asked to introduce themselves, to explain why they were running and how they will handle the challenges the city clerk will face in the future.
George Darany
I’m your Dearborn city clerk. I am a lifelong resident and a graduate of Edsel Ford High School and the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a BA in Economics.
I have been a community activist for more than 30 years, working with many groups, including the Dearborn Goodfellows (past president twice), Dearborn Rotary (Rotarian of the Year), the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Sacred Heart Church and the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive.
I founded and owned Dearborn’s Classic Trolley Co. for 21 years. I served on the Dearborn City Council for four years, was Dearborn’s state representative for six years and have been Dearborn’s city clerk for nearly eight years.
I have taken city clerk classes at Central Michigan University and have now attained the distinguished designation of Certified Professional Municipal Clerk. I will be graduating from CMU’s Master Clerk program later this year. I am running for office to continue moving the city clerk’s office forward as one of the best in the state.
Residents should re-elect me because I have assembled a Dearborn clerk’s office that is one of the best in the state. The well-educated clerk’s office staff is customer-friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. We know the law, we know the rules and we apply them equally, without bias, to all Dearborn residents. We are very proud of the customer service compliments we have received consistently during the past eight years.
I should be re-elected because I have the experience and knowledge to act quickly to the ever-changing rules, laws and regulations of the Secretary of State’s Office as they relate to elections and voting. I am fair, honest and transparent. Dearborn deserves no less.
There are a number of challenges that every city clerk in Michigan faces. Voter apathy is an issue that is particularly concerning. It is important that residents engage in the voting process. Without large voter turnouts, a small minority gets to make the decisions for the majority of residents. This is not what makes for good government. That is why I attend neighborhood association meetings, hold coffee hours and provide information through Facebook and Instagram.
I meet monthly with an election and voting committee to discuss ways to improve voter turnout and make it easier for everyone to participate. We are currently working on how to make voting more efficient, convenient, safer and less expensive. I have learned a lot from the members of this group. I believe the more you engage residents, the more they want to become a part of the process and vote.
Another challenge is the upcoming change of voting systems, tabulators and printers that will be introduced in 2027 statewide. I am being pro-active on this issue because it will be a major change for me, my staff and voters. Early studies have estimated the cost to the city of Dearborn will be more than $1 million. I am preparing reports to present to the city’s finance department and the City Council for next year’s budget planning.
I have been the city clerk for nearly eight years and the clerk’s office does not look anything like it did when I first started. The rapid changes that occur constantly with elections are not for the faint of heart nor the inexperienced. Being a Certified Municipal Clerk and taking numerous continuing education classes has prepared me well to meet these and future challenges.
Sami Elhady
I’m running for Dearborn city clerk because I believe in strengthening trust between residents and their local government through transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. Having served in the Dearborn City Clerk’s office, with the city of Detroit, and in other government roles, I bring hands-on experience managing public records, supporting elections and serving residents across two of Michigan’s largest cities.
My career in public service has been rooted in helping people navigate government systems with dignity and fairness. While working in Dearborn, I gained firsthand knowledge of the daily responsibilities that keep our city running, from processing business licenses to ensuring that elections are accurate and secure. My time in Detroit further deepened my understanding of large-scale city operations, interdepartmental coordination and the importance of efficient service delivery.
As a lifelong Dearborn resident and the proud son of immigrants, I’m committed to ensuring that every resident, no matter their background or language, feels represented and respected by city hall employee. I’ll modernize the Clerk’s Office by digitizing records, expanding multilingual outreach and making information easier to access.
Voters should elect me because I combine proven government experience with a genuine passion for serving our city. I’m ready to lead an office that protects our elections, respects our residents and operates with the highest standards of integrity.
Today, each city clerk faces extraordinary challenges, from protecting the integrity of elections to keeping up with evolving technology and public expectations. My experience has uniquely prepared me to meet these challenges head-on.
In recent years, misinformation and distrust have made election administration more difficult than ever. I plan to restore confidence by prioritizing transparency and public education. Residents will have access to clear, factual information about how elections are run, and I’ll ensure that our election workers receive thorough training to maintain accuracy and fairness at every level.
Having worked in two major city governments, I understand the importance of efficiency and accountability. I’ll modernize record-keeping systems, streamline customer service processes, and enhance online access to forms, licenses and other documents. My goal is to make interacting with the City Clerk’s office simple, fast and transparent.
Dearborn’s strength lies in its diversity. I’ll expand multilingual services, increase community outreach, and make sure that every resident, from long-time citizens to new voters, has equal access to city information and elections.
My leadership approach is practical and principled: protect the integrity of our elections, modernize city systems and always put residents first. With my background in city government, I’m ready to deliver the professionalism, innovation and trust our city deserves.