FEBRUARY 2004

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appointed to the chair Chaldean woman becomes the head of the Liquor Control Commission It’s been years since Nida Samona stood behind a register ringing up a bottle of beer or a pint of Hennessey. Little did she know that her experience working at her family’s liquor stores in the metro-Detroit area would prepare her for the highest-ranking appointed position a Chaldean has ever received in the state of Michigan. Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed the 38-year-old attorney, as chairperson of the Liquor Control Commission (LCC) at the end of 2003. “It’s an honor,” said Samona. “I am the first person of Middle Eastern heritage to be appointed to the commission.” Her experience to hold such a seat goes beyond the knowledge she has of owning a liquor store. Samona has worked for more than 10 years at the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. She has also been a member of the Southfield City Council for six years serving as president for two of those years. It wasn’t long ago when Samona had her eyes on the bench in 46th District Court but becoming a judge wasn’t meant to be, at least for right now, that’s the way Samona looks at the loss. “I have family members and other supporters who were more upset about the loss than I was,” explained Samona. “I believe everything BY VANESSA DENHA happens for a reason. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t.” Samona and other area Chaldeans believe this appointment is truly a win for the entire Chaldean community. “With the community owning more than 1,000 beer, wine and liquor licenses in the Detroit area, it is vital that we have an appointment on the LCC,” said Sabah Hermiz, chairperson of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce. “Nida’s new position moves the entire Chaldean community a step further ahead in this world.” Although humbled and grateful by the support of the Chaldean community, Samona realizes that certain sacrifices and obstacles will come with the territory, including favors asked of her that she won’t be able to fulfill. “People have been asking for advice from me for years,” explained Samona. “But this new position is different from being at the prosecutor’s office; it is a quasi-judicial position. I need to convey to the community, very gently, that it may not always be appropriate for me to discuss LCC matters. I would always tell those people with issues to hire an attorney who is competent and who has experience in this field.” The commission is a five-member team with a chairperson. Two of the members are hearing officers who travel throughout the state and hold hearings based on violations. The other three are administrative commissioners who hear appeals and license request, among other things. “I never thought about this job. If someone asked me a year ago what I thought about this, I would never have considered it,” said Samona. “It is completely “I never thought about this job. If someone asked me a year ago what I thought about this, I would never have considered it,” said Samona. “It is completely different from what I have done, but those experiences will make me a good commissioner.” different from what I have done, but those experiences will make me a good commissioner.” What the future has in store is yet to be determined — Samona is leaving open the possibility of running for a judicial seat. In the meantime, she is learning something new every day about how the LCC works. Nida came to the United States with her family in 1973 at the age of 8. She is the youngest of nine children born to Jamila and the late Dawood Samona. She is also the wife of Robert Haisha and mom to 4-yearold Spencer and 2-year-old Parker. “I appreciate the governor making such a vital appointment for this community within months of her administration,” said Samona. “I also want to thank the Chaldeans who have always been supportive of all my endeavors. I am so proud to be part of this community.” 16 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2004
limiting licenses Business leaders talk to Mayor Kilpatrick about his campaign to crack down on liquor stores Just before the holiday season, when consumers were purchasing champagne to toast the New Year, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick announced that he is launching a crackdown on liquor stores. “These stores have spread like a cancer throughout the city, pouring alcohol into the neighborhoods,” said the Mayor. The statement prompted an immediate reaction from the business community and led the Associated Food Dealers of Michigan (AFD) to issue a response. “Not only was the mayor’s statement devoid of truth, it is destructive to the goodwill and progress that many of us have worked toward for the last 20 Kilpatrick years,” said Michael Sarafa, president of the AFD. Sarafa, along with members of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, called storeowners together to discuss the concerns at an emergency meeting held at the Southfield Manor. Members of both groups discussed legal, public relations and communications strategies at the meeting. Storeowners expressed their outrage at the extent of the enforcement actions being taken that included many citations for food that actually belonged to workers or owners and was not being sold in the store. Members of the Chamber and the AFD also met with Mayor Kilpatrick in an attempt to educate the Mayor on the issues at hand. BY CHALDEAN NEWS STAFF Tel-5 Party Shop in Detroit While the actual number of active liquor licenses within Detroit’s limits has gone down nearly 5 percent in five years, the AFD and the Chamber agree with the Mayor that there are still too many unused liquor licenses available in Detroit. During the last 40 years, Detroit’s population — and its quota of licenses — has declined by about 38 percent. Although the quota has gone down substantially, the actual number of licenses has declined only by about 8 percent. The reason for this disparity is that, for years, every license created never expired. If a business closed, the license was either transferred or stayed on an “inactive” list indefinitely. The AFD, with the backing of other industry groups, supported a change in the rules that lets licenses expire if they are inactive for three years. “The mayor’s approach also needs to recognize the rights of individuals and businesses and stay within good code and law enforcement procedures,” said Sarafa. “When it comes to moratoriums and closures, neither storeowners nor mayors are above the law. If liquor license applicants meet the rigorous state requirements and the nearly insurmountable requirements of city ordinances, they are, as a matter of law, entitled to a license.” He further stated that “the mayor’s statements, which stressed signage over substance, seemed intended to throw out more than 30 years of cooperation and communication that dates back to the administrations of Coleman Young and Dennis Archer. According to the mayor’s office, the absence of dialogue between the office and the business community was an oversight. “The mayor had instructed staff members to LIMITING LICENSES continued on page 33 WHAT THE MAYOR PROPOSED • Forbid new neighborhood liquor or party stores from opening. Detroit has 338 liquor stores and 379 stores that sell only beer and wine, according to city officials. • Ask the state Liquor Control Commission, which issues licenses, to make it harder for people to keep inactive licenses and to transfer licenses. The city is 164 licenses over a state quota for party stores based on population, officials said. • Push for state or local legislation to increase to 1,500 feet the distance from schools where spirits can’t be sold. The current distance is 500 feet. • Crack down on the illegal sale of alcohol, drug paraphernalia and cigarettes at stores. Ten police officers and sergeants from the gang and vice units would be assigned to the task. • Have workers from the city’s Buildings and Safety Engineering Department inspect party stores over the next 30 days following the campaign kickoff, and ticket those that violate sign and food laws as well as building codes. FEBRUARY 2004 CHALDEAN NEWS 17
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Page 8 and 9: HALHOLE! [Engagements] Rochelle Yon
Page 10 and 11: RELIGION PLACES OF PRAYER CHALDEAN
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Page 32 and 33: kids’ CORNER DID YOU KNOW? MESOPO
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FEBRUARY 2004

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