Bill Bazzi
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Bill Bazzi | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Dearborn Heights | |
| Assumed office January 26, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Denise Malinowski-Maxwell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 5, 1963 Lebanon |
| Political party | Republican Party (United States) |
| Education | Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach (BS) |
Bill Bazzi is an American politician serving as mayor of Dearborn Heights, Michigan since 2021.
Early life and education
[edit]Bill Bazzi was born in Lebanon[1] and immigrated to the United States at the age of 10. Settling in Dearborn, Michigan in 1997,[2] he attended Fordson High School, where he graduated. Following high school, Bazzi earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.[3]
Family
[edit]Bill Bazzi is married to Nadia Fadel-Bazzi.[1]
Military service
[edit]Bazzi enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating high school, serving on active duty from 1984 to 1988. After completing his active duty, he continued his military career in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1999 to 2016.[2] During his time in the reserves, Bazzi achieved the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and served in various roles, including with military police and intelligence units. His service included deployments to locations around the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and other regions. Bazzi retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 2016, concluding a 32-year military career.[3]
In 2022, Bazzi was honored as the Veteran of Honor by the Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition. The recognition took place during the organization's 17th annual Veterans Day Parade held in Corktown neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan.[4]
Professional career
[edit]In addition to his military service, Bazzi established a career in the aerospace and automotive industries. He worked at Boeing as a quality manager and lead auditor. In 1999, he joined Ford Motor Company as a product development engineer.[3]
Tenure as mayor
[edit]In July 2023, a former council member of Dearborn Heights petitioned the Wayne County Elections Commission to recall Mayor Bazzi after he created the role of police commissioner and hired a new police chief. This recall was unanimously rejected.[5] The recall was appealed to the Wayne County Circuit Court which also rejected the recall.[6]
In January 2024, the city council passed a vote of no confidence against Bazzi.[7] This vote of no confidence was because of issues over the police department. The city council claims that Bazzi illegally created high up positions in the police department. Bazzi said that the city council is trying to stop investigations into corruption in the police department.
In June 2024, the mayor and the city council sparred over proposed budgets from Bazzi. The city council did not want to approve the budget because of the positions that they claimed were created illegally in the police department leadership. Bazzi proposed multiple budgets that were not acceptable to the city council and claimed that the city council was not working with him.[8] The shutdown was later avoided after compromises were made.[9] Also in June 2024, the chief of Police for Dearborn Heights resigned due to issues with the city council.[10] Bazzi promoted the Police Department Director, Kevin Swope, to the role of Police Chief.
Trump endorsement
[edit]In October 2024, Bazzi gained national attention after endorsing presidential candidate Donald Trump, citing his belief that Trump would limit American involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.[11] Bazzi stated that the reasons for his endorsement included: current wars, economic issues, and immigration.[12] He asserted that the Biden administration started significant wars that he said could potentially escalate to the level of World War III. Additionally, he referred to candidate Trump as a “man of peace”, stating that no wars had begun under his previous Presidential term. His second reason, promoting economic prosperity, stemmed from observing the financial challenges of local residents, such as struggles to afford basic necessities such as food and housing. Bazzi also stated immigration was a serious issue for him, expressing that he is responsible for the security and safety of his residents.[12] He has previously aligned his perspective while discussing Trump's claims to start a mass deportation of criminal immigrants.[13]
In addition to these reasons, he indicated that a turning point in his support occurred when candidate Kamala Harris campaigned alongside former United States Representative Liz Cheney in Michigan during October 2024. Bazzi expressed dissatisfaction with this decision due to Liz Cheney's association with her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney,[12] who had a large involvement with the initial invasions of Iraq in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.[14] Following the start of the campaigning efforts by Harris and Liz Cheney, Bazzi decided to speak with Donald Trump, after which he released his public endorsement.
After Trump's final campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 4, Bazzi held his own speech in the evening. He states that his endorsement for Donald Trump was not impromptu, saying his mind was made up before candidate Joe Biden had dropped out of the 2024 race. Prior to the 2024 election, he had also voted for Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Bill Bazzi becomes first Arab American to be elected mayor; beats Council chair". ArabAmericanNews. 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ a b Bosch, Kelli Vanden (2023-12-21). "Mayors of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights to Address Area Leaders and the Public on the State of the Community at Annual Chamber Breakfast". Dearborn Area Chamber. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ a b c Warikoo, Niraj. "Bill Bazzi, Marine vet and Ford engineer, is Dearborn Heights' first Muslim mayor". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ "Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition honors Dearborn Heights Mayor & USMC Veteran Bill Bazzi as Veteran of Honor". dearborn.org. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ "Wayne County Elections Commission unanimously rejects petition to recall Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi". ArabAmericanNews. 2023-07-26. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Press, Dave Herndon |; Guide (2023-09-06). "Appeal fails in attempt to recall Dearborn Heights mayor". Press and Guide. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ "Dearborn Heights City Council's "no confidence" resolution against mayor deepens division in city". ArabAmericanNews. 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Warikoo, Niraj. "Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi warns of city services shutting down amid budget battle". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Booth-Singleton, DeJanay (2024-06-28). "Dearborn Heights City Council passes budget, avoids July 1 government shutdown - CBS Detroit". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Dearborn Heights police chief resigns, citing ongoing issues with city council". FOX 2 Detroit. 2024-07-03. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Harb, Ali. "Why many Arab voters in Michigan are flocking to Trump ahead of US election". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ a b c d Booker, Brakkton (2024-11-05). "He's an Arab mayor in Michigan. Here's why he's unapologetically pro-Trump". POLITICO. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
- ^ "Trump vows to end birthright citizenship". The Independent. 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
- ^ "Cheney: WMD or not, Iraq invasion was correct". NBC News. 2006-09-10. Retrieved 2024-12-13.