Dearborn Councilman Robert Abraham says he is setting his sights on improving downtown west and east Dearborn  business districts because what he and other elected officials have done in the past “has not worked.”

In an open letter to Dearborn, a copy of which was e-mailed to us here,  the councilman says he is going to work with his council colleagues and the mayor to promote existing business and work to bring new business to our city.

“Two big goals I have for the City of Dearborn are focusing on seeing that our new Neighborhood Stabilization Program is successful, along with improving downtown west and east Dearborn,” Abraham says in his two-page letter. “These are two big challenges I believe our leaders can work on to help make business in Dearborn much better.

“Through our Dearborn Federation of Neighborhood Association (DFNA) my goal is to bring back the standards of our neighborhoods with more than 30 neighborhood associations. We are seeing far too many foreclosures and rentals in Dearborn and with that come unique challenges.

“Both of our downtown districts have suffered throughout this economic crisis and need our help. I am going to work with the council and Mayor to see that we meet regularly to address problems and issues and to develop new and fresh ideas to promote existing business. I am also going to work to see that the city puts forth extensive effort in bringing new business to Dearborn.

“Despite our best efforts, what we have done in the past has not worked and I believe it is time for some “out of the box” thinking. I am also going to be regularly asking the citizens for their input as to what we can do to help our business districts.”

Echoing what many readers of this site have said in the past, Abraham also is urging residents to support our local businesses. “Many of these business owners and employees are Dearborn residents and they contribute significantly to our tax base, local charities and civic organizations,” he writes. “To lose even one business to closing or to a move to another neighboring city is a tragedy we cannot afford. If we support them, then we contribute to making them successful, which helps the entire city, including our citizens.”

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