Ben Dascal

Thanks to all who went out and voted for me. Thanks to all who helped out and showed your support. But good news, I may decide to try out for a position on city council since I got my name out there so its not all bad.
- Ben
Hi! My name is Benjamin F. Dascal. I've been a resident of the city of Dearborn, Michigan for over 25 years. I'm currently running for mayoral candidacy for the city of Dearborn. Elections for Dearborn mayor takes place February 27, 2007. Remember and mention me to friends, family, and neighbors. Please take the time to go out and vote! I need your support!
Thanks!
As I grew up in Dearborn I noticed Dearborn growing up with me. In my mature years I realized that behind the Dearborn renaissance / rebirth, among other factors an important one was its mayor Mr. Michael Guido. Consequently my purpose for running is to continue Mr. Guido’s legacy. It is a great legacy that I consider worth continuing:
i. Keep making Dearborn attractive for business: temporary tax breaks that can partially offset the startup costs of a company.
ii. Thriving businesses drives community prosperity by means of job creation. A prosperous community in turn is a community that stimulates more growth both in the economy but also in recreation, arts, etc. It is like a chain reaction.
iii. Thriving businesses increase city tax revenue which in turn can be used in maintaining and upgrading the Dearborn tourist attractions and recreational facilities. iv. A prosperous Dearborn will be able to invest in the education of the future generation (UMD, HFCC) while not forgetting the older generation who contributed to this prosperity.
As I mentioned I grew up in East Dearborn in a fatherless home (my father died when I was 2). My mom worked hard to provide for my siblings and me but I had to “take life by the horns” early which I did. I was armed with a keen sense of what is right and knew that hard work, honesty, integrity, will be rewarded. All these essential traits were instilled in me by a Christian mom and relatives and by a good church. I am presently working as a Senior Designer for a utility company that services the entire Southeast region. I respond to communities’ requests for improvement on their services by designing jobs that meet their needs. The experience that I have acquired working with the community will help me to communicate with Dearborn residents and be their voice if I am elected Mayor of Dearborn. I am compassionate, understanding and have the ability to get along with people regardless of race, sex or religion without compromising the principles of integrity and honesty, and this is a sketchy portrait of who I am and where I stand.
P.S. Below are quotes of some articles and some references about me and what I have to say.
Also, check out my new website:
WWW.DASCAL4MAYOR.COM
It includes additional information on me such as some personal background and will be changed/updated often.
P.P.S. This myspace site will also be updated frequently so please come back and visit!
THANK YOU Local 223 for your endorsement & contribution!
This Endorsement was given on February 1st, 2007 by Union President, Jim Harrison & executive board.
http://local223uwua.org
Mayoral candidates meet to discuss the issues
By Delia Habhab / The Arab American News
Excerpt:
A recurring topic of the night was the city’s budget, an area of concern for many Dearborn residents. Each candidate had a different idea of how to generate revenue in the city. Most candidates were in favor of setting up new businesses in both East and West Dearborn. Benjamin Dascal suggested building a hospital in place of the former Montgomery Ward Building, claiming, “This way, the entire city benefits. Once this building becomes developed, it’s going to generate tax revenue.”
Detroit Free Press; February 1, 2007
Mayoral hopefuls see need to listen
BY NIRAJ WARIKOO, FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Excerpt:
A field of mayoral candidates criticized City Hall on Wednesday night for being out of touch with Dearborn residents and businesses.
Dearborn government needs fresh ideas and faces, the candidates -- most of them political newcomers -- told the crowd of about 100 residents gathered at the City Council chambers for a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters...
...Benjamin Dascal, 30, echoed those concerns, saying that City Hall should "let citizens know you can approach the city for information."
The Detroit News; January 31, 2007
Dearborn Mayoral Race Nears Finish Line http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/M ETRO/701310396/1003
By Darren A. Nichols
Excerpt:
Most opponents are like Ben Dascal, 30, a worker at DTE Energy. His campaign committee of five isn't expected to host its first fundraiser until two weeks before the Feb. 27 election, he said.
"I'm challenging him aggressively to show that the underdog can be a leader and the right person for the job," Dascal said.
Charter changes on candidates' minds
http://www.pressandguide.com/stories/013107/loc_20070131001. shtml
By Cristen Kis, Press & Guide Newspapers
PUBLISHED: January 31, 2007
Excerpt:
"Do you have any changes that you would propose for the current city charter and when will you present them to the Charter Commission?
Benjamin Dascal suggested strengthening the Charter to include an ordinance that would protect residents from vacant homes and rental properties."
January 28, 2007; By Cristen Kis, Press & Guide Newspapers
Would-be mayors talk; Outline strategies to combat city's challenges
Excerpt:
"Ben Dascal agreed Ford is creating challenges for the city and would like to increase communication with the auto manufacturer.
Dascal also said he was concerned about foreclosed homes and abandoned and unkempt property. He said he would like to form a committee to get to the heart of the problem."
Serious candidates, showboats all part of chamber's forum
http://www.pressandguide.com/stories/012407/loc_20070124002. shtml
By Cristen Kis, Press & Guide Newspapers
PUBLISHED: January 24, 2007
Excerpt:
"Benjamin Dascal said transportation issues, road and sidewalk improvements and continuing effective police and fire responses are all at the top of his to-do list."
Mayoral Candidate Field Continues to Expand
Filing deadline 2 days away
By Cristen Kis, Press & Guide Newspapers
PUBLISHED: January 7, 2007
Excerpt:
"I want people to share with me the concerns that they have," Dascal said. "One of the issues that I would like to address is the plethora of homes that are for sale. We, as a city, need to do more to keep people wanting to stay in Dearborn and have others wanting to move to this wonderful city that we all live in."
By Cristen Kis, Press & Guide Newspapers
PUBLISHED: December 31, 2006
Mayoral Field at 16 and Growing
Thus far, only four candidates — Benjamin Dascal, Abd Elgouhri, Mario Fundarski and Jack O'Reilly — have turned in their signed petitions. The filing deadline is 4 p.m. Jan. 9 while the withdrawal deadline is 4 p.m. Jan. 12. "I am honored to have had the chance to speak with the (residents) of Dearborn and listen to their innovative ideas for the city. I want to thank them for their interest, support and signing my nomination sheet," Dascal said.
"I will continue to campaign and present my ideals and stance on relevant issues. I will also work to bring traditional services back to the city and listen to the residents of Dearborn for other places where improvement is needed."
Thursday December 28, 2006, petitions turned in and paper work filed with City Clerk for running in Mayoral race. It's official!
Detroit News,Wayne Briefs
Dearborn: Dascal Will Run for Mayor
"Benjamin Dascal, 29, a senior designer at DTE and 25-year resident, announced he plans to submit paperwork at City Hall to finalize his candidacy for mayor."
By Cristen Kis, Press & Guide Newspapers
PUBLISHED: December 27, 2006
Potential Mayoral Candidates Out Hitting the Streets
Those running for the post in the city's front office have only two weeks to collect signatures and meet the filing cut-off date. Even Christmas wasn't enough to slow down candidate Ben Dascal who spent Christmas Eve walking through Dearborn neighborhoods and collecting signatures.
Along the way, Dascal, 29, talked to residents about their concerns, including rented homes in disarray, cars speeding down residential streets and struggling community pools and small businesses.
"If I was elected mayor of Dearborn, I would continue to pick random streets once every few weeks and walk down neighborhood streets asking neighbors the issues they have and ways we could fix the problems," said Dascal, a senior designer for DTE. "I don't want to lose touch with residents and the issues they have, we all live and love this wonderful city we call home."
While Dascal and other candidates are hoping to have a chance to shape Dearborn's future, they aren't forgetting the past.
Dearborn Press&Guide quoted article from December 24, 2006
http://www.pressandguide.com/stories/122406/loc_20061224002. shtml
"As I grew up in Dearborn I noticed Dearborn growing up with me. In my mature years I realized that behind the Dearborn renaissance/ rebirth, among other factors an important one was its mayor Mr. Michael Guido," said candidate Ben Dascal. "Consequently my purpose for running is to continue Mr. Guido's legacy."
Dascal said he would like to continue making Dearborn attractive for businesses and offer temporary tax breaks that can partially offset the startup costs of a company. He feels that would create thriving businesses that would drive community prosperity by means of job creation.
"(More businesses would) increase city tax revenue, which in turn can be used in maintaining and upgrading the Dearborn tourist attractions and recreational facilities," he said.
Dascal, 29, works as a senior designer for DTE.
"I respond to communities' requests for improvement on their services by designing jobs that meet their needs," he said. "The experience that I have acquired working with the community will help me to communicate with Dearborn residents and be their voice if I am elected mayor of Dearborn."