Dearborn mayoral candidate Michael J. Prus was a no-show Tuesday evening at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Dearborn/Dearborn Heights.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly Jr., was on hand to face his challenger in the City Council Chambers but without Mr. Prus the LWV decided to cancel the forum rather than hold a question and answer session with just Mayor O’Reilly.

It isn’t entirely clear why Mr. Prus — who ran unsuccessfully for Dearborn mayor in the 2007 special election (he had 63 votes to O’Reilly’s 16,060 in that election) — was unable to attend Tuesday’s forum.

Mr. Prus earlier sent a letter to Mayor O’Reilly inviting him to take part in a series of debates. Let’s hope the two can find another evening to discuss the many challenges our city faces.

Separately, the forum for the 14 city council candidates did take place in the City Council Chambers as scheduled.

The home of Dearborn City Councilman Robert Abraham suffered severe fire damage Saturday night in a blaze believe caused by an electrical failure.

No was home at the time of the fire, except the family’s pet dog, Dublin. The animal was killed in the blaze.

The fire did considerable damage and it will be at least six months to a year before the family can return to their home. Councilman Abraham said fire officials told him the blaze appears to have started in the basement ceiling and kitchen floor. The blaze was so severe by the time Dearborn Fire arrived at 8:54 p.m. that the entire kitchen essentially fell into the basement. An official determination by the Dearborn Fire Department on the exact cause of the fire should be known in a week or two.

Councilman Abraham said while the fire to the family’s home and the loss of their pet dog has been hard on he and his wife and their children, they are grateful no one was injured in the fire. He said the outreach from neighbors and people in the community offering their support to he and his family has been heartwarming and greatly appreciated.

“We have had overwhelming support from the community,” he said. “We are so very fortunate . . . Thank God no one was hurt or home at the time. We lost a lot but we will get through this.”

Abraham said many people have offered gifts of financial assistance to his family, as well.  While those offers are sincerely appreciated, he said the family invites anyone interested in making such a gesture to instead give a donation to the Dearborn Animal Shelter in Dublin’s memory.

Those interested in making a donation to the Dearborn Animal Shelter can do so online at www.dearborn-animals.com, by phone at 313.943.2697 or by mail to Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter, 2661 Greenfield, Dearborn, MI, 48120.

Our prayers and support go out to the Abraham family.