Dearborn Councilman Thomas Addresses Residency Question: ‘Permanent Resident for 77 Years’
Councilman Doug Thomas says he's been a Dearborn resident for 77 years.
Less than 24 hours after having the legitimacy of his Dearborn residency called into question at a city council meeting, Dearborn Councilman Doug Thomas tells Deepsaidwhat.com that he removed the homestead tax exemption from his Florida residence and now only maintains the tax exemption on his Dearborn home.
“The property in Florida is no longer homestead,” Thomas said Tuesday. “I had that eliminated today (Tuesday). I am still homestead in Dearborn where I have been a permanent resident for 77 years. I have never missed an election . . . I am here more than six months out of the year.”
At Monday night’s city council meeting, Dearborn resident and former council candidate Nancy Siwik presented the City Council with documents that she says supports her claim that the legal residency of Councilman Thomas is a condominium in the city of Bonita Springs, Florida, and not Dearborn. Siwik said Thomas was in violation of the City Charter for not being a Dearborn resident and asked the council to remove him from office and his name from the November ballot.
Thomas doesn’t deny owning a home in Florida but he says it is the primary residence of his wife, Jane, who is a Florida resident and works there. Thomas said he and his wife were given bad information by Bonita Springs officials who said she could homestead the property because she is a Florida resident and lives there year round. Doug Thomas said his name appears on the property in Florida simply because the deed lists both he and his wife but his homestead and primary residence has always been here in Dearborn.
“As it stands right now, she should have never applied for a homestead down there,” Thomas said. “I didn’t know I was homesteaded down there.”
Thomas, a Dearborn councilman for 21 years, said the allegations raised by Siwik were indeed politically motivated. He said in 2001, Siwik, then with the backing of the late Mayor Michael Guido, attacked him in that election year and he was unseated coming in eight place. However, he regained his seat on the council after then Councilman Gino Polidori won a seat as a state representative.
“If it wasn’t political why wouldn’t she have raised this before the primary?” he said.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:15 am
If it is true that he canceled his homestead in Florida yesterday, it would mean that he lied and falsified his affidavit to run for office. It would also mean that he was not a Dearborn resident at the time of filing and that the City Clerk should have his name removed from the November ballot. In fact, if he was homesteaded in Florida and Michigan as a married couple he was breaking the law in Florida and Michigan by lying on an affidavit of residence. And what about the back taxes that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas will then owe. This is Dearborn, not Detroit. As Ricky said to Lucy, “Sounds like Mr. Thomas has some splanin to do”.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:22 am
He said this? —> “…I am here more than six months out of the year.”
We need a full-time resident, not a part-timer. In no way can he possibly serve the citizens of Dearborn to the best of his ability if he isn’t here full time.
I have voted for Mr. Thomas in the past. I will not vote for him this time and will make sure my neighbors know he isn’t a full time resident.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Thomas needs to go to Florida and stay there. Siwik needs to go back and deal with her business … it doesn’t have the best reviews from what I’ve read. Our mayor, our council, and our citizens need to go back to dealing with real issues that affect our everyday lives.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I feel the same way, I have supported Doug for years. I must say most of us knew – along with the council, mayor and legal that he was not showing up for meetings and it really didn’t seem to make a difference. I find it hard to believe that if this is ‘illegal’ someone from the city has not come forward months ago. It just doesn’t make sense to me at all, course not much in this city does anymore.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Thomas is only here 6 months out of year? Buh Bye Doug. I have voted for you and supported you on issues before but this revelation is just a slap in the face to voters.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:32 am
I am with you Darren–I always appreciated Thomas as a lone voice of dissent on the council, but a resident only 1/2 a year? I know this has been rumored forever, but to admit to being a part time resident & act as if that’s o.k.? Major arrogance. Reminds me of Martha Reeves calling Detroit CC her ’second job’. We all know what a fine councilwomen she was & she righfully did not get re-elected. Time for Doug to become a full time Fla. resident–Dbn. has enough problems as it is.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Maybe a part-time council is a good idea for Dearborn, as well as a part-time legislature for the state of Michigan. Based upon the actions and inaction of both groups, it’s time to say buh-bye to that outmoded and costly bureaucratic structure.
Seriously, what does the Dearborn city council do but vote to spend our money?
October 7th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
A council position is a part-time position with part-time pay … many of the council members hold full-time positions elsewhere. But I don’t believe that means that a council member should live in another city (especially another state) part-time.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Is there anyone else that does not live here MOST of the year that we should worry about?
October 7th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Becki, not that I’m aware of.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Should Mr. Thomas be finally removed from office, the next question everyone had better ask is what amount of money he gets in a pension for his part-time work in Dearborn and full-time work as a Floridian? I am going to tell you something folks, you might be very shocked at what the answer is.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Susan Hubbard lives in Oakland Co. but owns the home her parents live in. and votes in Dearborn at that address. But she isn’t running for anything this year. Maybe for judge again next year. Lets wait and see.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Detroit stood up and got rid of their trash and come November Dearborn needs to step up and take out theirs. Dearborn needs to start with fresh faces with new ideas.
First, if Dearborn voters want change then they have to educate themselves about all of the candidates.
Second, just because it says vote for no more than seven candidates does not mean you have to vote for all seven. You can vote for less and still not go to election hell. You only like one candidate then only vote for one candidate. Don’t vote for someone just to fill up your card.
Third, if you want change pay attention to which candidates being supported by people who are part of this administration.
Fourth, watch out for the Dearborn Press and Guide and it’s obvious candidate slant.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
mytwosensetoo is right. Do your homework and vote for who you believe in.
You can vote for 1 or all 7, and anything inbetween. The main thing is, do a little research and get out and vote!
Have a great day everyone!!
October 8th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Given Dearborn’s lack of term limits or even staggered terms (i.e. not everyone’s term expires at the same time), about the only alternative to attrition (resignation, death, et al) we have left to get new people on the city council is to minimize the number of candidates we vote for. That is a strategy that appears to have worked well for Ali Sayed, who made the cut from the primary into the general election. An analysis of votes cast in a couple of key precincts shows voters were voting for just one candidate, Mr. Sayed. Smart thinking by his supporters.
October 8th, 2009 at 11:40 am
I used to vote for Doug, but never again. You lied, and got caught, now you will pay. Good bye and good riddance. Enjoy yourself in Fla., because we won’t miss you. You proved what Big Jack said, you are a con-man.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Hmmmm…..Old All Day School Mom Mr. Sayed’s strategy did work for him but people need to look into the people associated with the current administration to see who is supporting him. Will there be change?
October 8th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
This is all political. Siwik is a suck up for O’Reilley and because Jack doesn’t have the balls to not support Thomas, he has a crony do it.
Thomas is the only one not afraid to stand up for what is right. All the rest of the Council are like puppets and rubber stamp whatever the Mayor want.
Corruption at City Hall from the Guido era continued with O’Reilly. Did they do anything with the mess Dave Norwood made of Building and Safety? Sure, they moved him to another Department. WOW big punishment.
We need NEW blood on Council and people who are willing to challege the Major and move this City forward. If you vote for the same, you get the same. Before long the signs will say ‘the last person leaving Dearborn please shut off the lights’ Check out Michigan Ave and look at the ghost town. Then check out Allen Park. Where would you rather live????
October 9th, 2009 at 6:00 am
I agree – I’ll be voting for Tom Tafelski and 6 newbies.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:10 am
I have to wonder, Dearborn Mom? why would you just vote for TT and not a candidate like George Darany?
ps., I must say it is GREAT to have this site back to working, I was soo tired of the summer when people would turn it in to a personal attacking instead of stayin on the topics
October 9th, 2009 at 8:46 am
If Nancy claims she is NOT political, then where was she when Abraham did not pay his taxes. Bobby tried to get away with it while the rest of us struggle to pay ours. Isn’t that a violation. Fair is fair but it doesn’t fit Big O’s agenda. Abraham is a yes man. Thomas is not. Abraham only paid when it came to light and could damage his chances of re-election. I want a politician to do the right thing behind closed doors and not be shady by only doing the right thing when the public finds out. Thomas is not afraid to say the City made a BIG mistake with paid parking. Jack will NEVER admit to this mistake. That would mean Doug was right from the start. We need NEW people starting with the Mayor or at least NEW council members who will challenge the Mayor.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
wanting better for dearborn…I second that!!!
So if Thomas is actually ousted one way or another, this means Siwik will have to run on real issues, not just “Doug sucks & I’m not him”. Or perhaps she’ll lock her sights on someone else. Did Nancy S. actually get $ from Guido’s campaign funds when he was unopposed, or was that just rumor?
October 9th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
emanon – she said at the council meeting that she was not going to run even if Doug had to drop out. Time will tell won’t it.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
wanting better for Dbn – I totally disagree with you. Thomas doesn’t stand up for what is right. He simply wants the roll of “watch dog” so bad that he’ll latch on to anything contrary to “popular” thinking. I’m not taking a side on the parking issue, I’m simply saying it’s not the issue that matters to Doug, but the fact that he can be the opposition to ANY issue and use that as his only platform for re-election. It’s a sad and sorry way to get elected. What is even more sad is the fact that the citizens of Dbn have fallen for this for 21 years!
October 9th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Of the seven incumbents running … the only one I’ve ever see actually DO anything beyond showing up for ribbon cuttings and meetings is TT. Maybe I’ve missed what Darany has done for Dearborn, sell me on him and what he’s done, I’m always interested in learning more about the canidates.
But here’s my problem with most of the canidates … they want to run on the fact that experience is all that matters. Times have changed, experience from the past 10 or 20 years doesn’t matter, because the economy and the city have changed. And I don’t see most of the canidates changing with the times, that’s why I won’t vote for them … they’re just “stuck” and I don’t want Dearborn to be stuck because of them.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Actually, their job isn’t necessarily to “do something,” it’s to be a check and balance on the administration. It’s the administration that proposes the policies, the council is supposed to review, analyze and decide whether they’re good or not.
How has TT out shined?
October 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I do want to add that GD did end in the top third spot from primaries, considering he was the 8th spot in 2005 and moved up only after Mayor Guido’s sudden passing.
With that said, MANY voters have noticed how much of an asset GD is to Dearborn. With the limited amount of time he has been in office, to make such a huge leap..
October 10th, 2009 at 12:47 am
I just thought of a slogan: “Reelect Tafelski and nobody else-ski”
October 10th, 2009 at 6:38 am
I agree with you YG, George may be a very quiet person at the council meetings but usually when he asks questions there is a purpose behind the question. He has been and will continue to be an asset on the council.
October 10th, 2009 at 7:58 am
YG – When I’ve contacted the mayor and council members with concerns … I don’t usually get a response from everyone. TT responds and usually has a solution for my concern. I’ve heard that time and again from my neighbors also.
And I disagree with their role … it’s more than just the meetings and putting their votes in to act as “checks and balances”. That’s just the bare minimum of what I expect from a canidate that I’m going to vote for.
YG — you haven’t told my why I should vote for Darany.
October 10th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Is Abraham getting a free pass because of a ‘fire’ at his home? Was the fire a political move? People are talking about the ‘fire’ instead of his failure to pay his taxes. Why is Tafelski being held in such high honor? O”Reilly was afraid to oppose Guido and now Tafelski is afraid to challenge O”Reilley. I agree with wanting better for Dearborn, lets vote in some new blood that will challenge O’Reilley and get this City moving away from Guido’s mess. O’Reilley has done NOTHING to clean up the corruption Guido left behind. He figured it worked for Guido and it will work for him. It’s all about keeping the job instead of doing the job. I’m willing to give Prus a shot. He has the balls to step up and try to improve the City. It seems like team Nancy and Jack cannot find any dirt on him except for being to sick to show up to a forum. It’s a good thing O”reilley has never been sick!!!
October 10th, 2009 at 10:40 am
who is talking about the fire, that was a tragic event for his family. Abraham wont get his seat back. BUT for you to even joke that was the fire a political move is just plain bullshit. Have you ever dealt with not having a home and the aftermath of what comes with it due to a fire. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 10th, 2009 at 10:55 am
GD is always in his office, checking on concerns. When ever I have had issues he has always came to help. Supports Dearborn schools, and has participated on important committees and projects related to the schools. Since everyone is talking about DT record on attendance, GD has the best attendance on our City Council.
GD is passionate about the city.
Tafelski is great also, He has supported my Long School PTA Family often, but I can say that about Abraham, Darany, Hubbard.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
YG — Define support … does that mean showing up for an event? Or actually doing something that assisted your school?
October 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Both, donating to fundraisers, cars washes, Long school 5th grade vegetable garden, showing up supporting book fair family night, Abraham helped Long receive Recycling bins when for months the city waste management gave us the run around. In fact, I believe GD was at Nowlin last night at their Book fair event..
October 10th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
George is trying to help us obtain recycling bins for Whitmore Bolles, I would definitely call that supporting schools, he was also at the Clean-up Parade. I guess that qualifies for support and doing.
October 10th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
YG,
Meny people commit arson for meny reason. Lets just hope it’s not arson and only accidental.
October 11th, 2009 at 8:09 am
The only thing I regret in this entire conversation is that somehow, George Darany, who had nothing to do with this discussion has somehow had his name associated with arson! I don’t know him, but WOW!
Shame on whoever made that twisted allegation.
October 11th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I was not aware the arson was even a factor in this?
October 11th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Yes, Millwood, they do, just like people for many reasons plant dangerous and outrageous seeds of suspicion with no basis other than their own imagination. “Let’s just hope”?? Come on …. next topic, please.
October 11th, 2009 at 10:43 am
The fact that Abraham’s family is without a home for at least 6months is a tragic situation. Knowing that their daughter is young and has lost a pet , her home. To even think this is arson is unbelievable. Too many people have far to much time on their hands to be pondering such a horrific idea in one family’s life. Regardless if he had tax issues in the past or what some people think him.
There is no way this was a political move, ITS A CITY COUNCIL RACE. You go 2 miles outside the radius of Dearborn and NO ONE cares who you are or about this city, so dont kid your self for a moment that a house fire is all for a few votes.
October 11th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
YG — there is no allegation of arson, just someone trying to make trouble where there is none … a horrible accusation to make against someone who has just suffered a personal tragedy. Unreal.
October 11th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I wish the best for Mr. Abraham and his family. A home fire is a very tragic event. As well as the loss of a pet! So please lets drop the fire for votes topic. That is totally outrageous!
Have a great day everyone!
October 11th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
@ Council Watcher,
Great idea,, Im only looking for Just the facts…
October 12th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Wow, I don’t see anyone accusing anyone of anything here, but most of you apparently did. Do you folks know something the rest of us don’t? It is ironic that Mr. Abraham was one of the leaders of the ‘throw Dobkowski off the Charter commission’ because his family home and residence also suffered a fire. It would have been nice if everyone, including the council and administration, had shown Mr. Dobkowski the same sympathy and caring…May the rumours be put to a quick end and the family be back in their home very soon.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Now what’s this about an arson? Are you saying Doug Thomas torched his own Mustang ragtop for sympathy votes? Oh, wait, nevermind…
October 12th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Good point Dearbornette about the Dobkowski family house fire and residency issues raised afterwards that ended up in him being bounced off the charter commission.
I had almost forgotten about that—as well as almost forgetting about the unsolved firebombing of Doug Thomas’ Mustang parked across the street from his now-for-sale house on Elmwood during the Guido years. I also almost forgot about the recent fire at the Dearborn County Club Estates home of Judge Bill Hultgren.
And the fire at Ciao, and the subsequent fire at that other west Dearborn restaurant just east of Ciao on Michigan.
Fortunately/coincidentally?, all of the houses, restaurants, and the car were unoccupied.
Any other fires to add to this list?
October 12th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
A couple of corrections to my post above. “Dearborn County Club Estates” should read “Dearborn Country Club Estates.” And, the subsequent fire at that other west Dearborn restaurant which had the word “Pita” in its name, actually is west of Ciao.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Try looking at these sites for a glance at TT it is some food for thought.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/20574376/Thomas-P-Tafelski-dearborn-City-Council and the really piece de resistance and main course
http://www.websupp.org/data/EDMI/2:05-cv-71547-28-EDMI.pdf
October 12th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Tom Tafelski is not the saint everyone is making him out to be. Take the time to read Food for Thoughts links. She/he has proof, not just heresay. This should be in the Press and Guide not just this blog. Why isn’t Nancy Siwik on top of this?
Thanks Food for Thought
October 13th, 2009 at 6:58 am
1. The contents of the letter. An employer or anyone else can make accusations, doesn’t mean that they are true. Where did someone acquire the info about parking tickets … is that public information … where’s the documentation? Taxable value of homes is dependent on SO many things (when home was purchased, condition at purchase, etc) … I’ve looked, his taxable value doesn’t look that “off” of what his neighbors are. … All I see is a letter of more accusations with no documentation.
2. I am not a lawyer and don’t have time to read the 17 pages of the lawsuit … were the charges found to be true? Has the suit been settled? If not, anyone can file a lawsuit … doesn’t mean that any of it it true.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Food and Election, what proof do you have that this is councilperson Tom Tafelski? I have read through these documents and also performed a google search. It would appear there are several TT’s in the area. I cannot find any identifying information in the Order. Do you have any other documents tying this matter to the council person? If so, please provide it! I and others are anxious to see it. If not, then, as I previously suggested in another of Deep’s columns, you are slandering someone and please stop it.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Just a fact correction, Deabornette, concerning Dobkowski”s removal from Charter Commission- he was removed for non payment of thousands of dollars in back taxes on his residence. And this was only after he was asked as to why he was so in arrears every year ( habitual). He was given the opportunity to explain – I was at the Council hearing- and it was stated- “because he could”.- refering to the laws that allow one to hold off tax payments for three years before the courts take over the property, then pay only the oldest delinquency to keep title. The Charter requires any office holder to not be “in default” to the City and, while the Council has discretion with any removal, Dobkowski gave no valid reason at the hearing to be given a pass.