FEBRUARY 2009

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your LEttErS it’s obvious: Buy american I am an Engineering Senior Manager at Chrysler LLC and have been proudly employed there for more than 17 years. I and many of our recent Chaldean generation engineering professionals are employed by the Domestic Big Three or suppliers and depend on them for our livelihood. In my case alone, I have fi ve family members tied to the U.S. auto industry. It saddens me to read the “Car Trouble — Industry Blues Spread Throughout Community” article [January 2009] and the secondary economic impact it’s having on our community outside the auto business (liquor stores, doctor’s offi ces, banks, hotels, restaurants, etc.). Our community’s wealth and prosperity was built by the U.S. auto industry and all that it has provided to us when our grandparents fi rst stepped foot on this great country in the early 1900s. No one can deny that the U.S. auto industry built the foundation for the pillars that our Chaldean community stands for today. We all need to step back and ask ourselves, “what would happen to my or my parents’ or brothers’ or sisters’ business or job if the Big Three no longer existed?” The answer is not pretty nor do we want to imagine the potential devastation it will have to the Detroit Metro area, let alone the U.S. economy. When you put the “credit crunch” issue that is plaguing the industry as a whole to the side, the rest is up to us as consumers. The fact is our community has as much blame as the rest of the car consumers in this country with purchase of foreign-built cars over those made in the U.S. If you want to confi rm my statement just observe the ratio of foreign versus U.S. cars next time you attend a Chaldean function or when you go to one of our churches for Sunday mass. There are also those in our community who own foreign cars and will take the hypocrite approach and criticize the U.S. automakers and quality of their products. We quickly forget how dependent our liquor stores or gas stations are on the customer base that is employed by the Big Three and extended enterprise. I have personally witnessed these conversations and quite honestly it upsets me knowing it’s not true. The U.S. auto worker, its salaried leadership and suppliers are some of the hardest-working and dedicated people you will ever know. Those reading this letter who are engineering professionals employed by the Big Three or suppliers appreciate the passion and emotion in my voice, because outside of family we devote our life to our job and career. The perception that today’s foreignengineered and -built cars are better than U.S. for quality and safety is simply not true. U.S.-built cars have come a long way the past fi ve to seven years and are just as reliable and safe as foreign. How can our community help the U.S. auto industry and the economy that it relies so heavily on for its livelihood? The answer is simple and obvious. For those in our community who have always supported the Big Three, we sincerely thank you for your continued support. And for those who have purchased foreign cars in the past, please buy cars that are proudly engineered and manufactured by the Big Three when making your next purchase. I ask our community to rally behind the Big Three and make a 2009 new year’s resolution: If you are in the market for a new car, purchase one from the Big Three! – Hadeer Konja Farmington Hills Biting the hand that feeds I loved your cover story of “Car Trouble.” Kind of funny how many Chaldeans in the Detroit area drive tons of foreign cars, and when a Chaldean worker at Ford, like myself, and my father (a Ford retiree) who have told them for at least 10 years to drive American, we get strange looks or other responses that indicate our people still prefer foreign cars. Well, all I have to say is if you bite the hand that feeds you then you do not get fed, as is the case nowadays. Thank you for this article. A bumper sticker quote is beginning to surface in this area and it says, “Lost your job? Then sleep in your foreign car.” Same is also true for your business or store, etc. – Christian Yousif West Bloomfi eld ‘horrific consequences’ I’m a Chaldean American and I’m ecstatic to see our people living the socalled American Dream. However, I believe we have compromised our principles as well as tradition and culture to live this dream, thus disallowing us to foresee the horrifi c consequences of adopting this westernized mindset to obtain this dream. When we view our Eastern heritage that our ancestors govern their lives from, our principles were intact, our tradition practiced, and we lived within our culture that assured us we would develop from that culture men, women and children who would be fi lled with wisdom, morality and obedience to God, that we could strive for a destiny that held “greatness.” Our children and grandchildren must not have their future destroyed by remaining asleep to this western culture that has people living in it acting other than themselves. No matter where we are on God’s earth, we must be the people that God intended for us to be, righteous! Remember last year when Governor Jennifer Granholm gave acknowledgment to the Chaldean people for providing employment for the citizens of Michigan? Why then are we struggling to survive, losing our homes, behind on our bills and putting material things before family? Money – the root of all evils! Let’s end the war in Iraq by telling our people the truth, and getting the American forces and their allies out of Iraq as soon as possible. May God bless our country and our people to unite as One Family, with One Common Objective, and give our Submission to The One God. I pray that I haven’t offended any readers, but if I have please forgive me for it wasn’t my intent. Remember, “Don’t nothing come to a sleeper but a dream.” Peace! – Jeremiah Suleiman Kincheloe Letters to the editor are welcome. Please keep your letter to less than 500 words and include your city. The Chaldean News reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Submit your letter via email to info@chaldeannews.com or mail to: The Chaldean News, Letters to the Editor, 30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 10 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2009
GUEST column The truth about Shenandoah By Neb Mekani and Mike Sarafa The truth is that, today, Shenandoah Country Club stands as a testament to the vision of our forefathers; it remains one of the main centers of activity in the community; and it thrives as one of the premier destination banquet halls and public golf courses in the metropolitan Detroit area. It is also true that it is overloaded with a debt structure that is not viable in the long term. neb mekani Special to the chaldean news Many clubs and community centers around the country suffered badly as the wheels came off the economic bus in 2008. The Detroit area has been hit especially hard as declining real estate values and high unemployment were exacerbated by a floundering auto industry. These events severely impacted consumer spending across the board which has taken a toll on the retail sector. A recent national study by the National Golf Foundation found that golf rounds are down by 22 percent and nearly 60 percent of clubs operate at a loss. Amazingly, Shenandoah had its best year ever in terms of gross revenues in 2008. Also, most clubs have a waiting list to get out, meaning that their members cannot resign until someone is available to take their place; a provision that Shenandoah does not have but should. Even while picking up dozens of new members over the last couple years, overall membership numbers are on the decline. There were three main periods of attrition. The first occurred in late 2004 when Southfield Manor closed. Many members left due to the lack of proximity of Shenandoah to their homes or lack of interest in the new amenities being offered around the sports complex, swimming pool and proposed cultural center. The fact is that many simply wanted a coffee shop and weren’t willing to share the financial burden of a larger complex. The first year of operation of the new facility in 2005 was a bust. Gross revenues missed projections by 40 percent. The club was top heavy with excessive management. An attempt was made to quickly and dramatically change the culture, habits and traditions of the club which, even though they were being implemented with the best of intentions, ended up backfiring. It was a difficult year. Members were approached for temporary loans that came due this past year but were not repaid. These events caused the board to have to raise dues causing another round of resignations. The third round came over the course of 2008 as individual member’s businesses suffered, the stock market plummeted and commercial and real estate values declined. There can be no question Mike Sarafa Special to the chaldean news Times are tough — but Shenandoah is here to stay. that the economy has taken a toll on the community. We are not alone, however. The most prestigious clubs in the area are hurting as the “walk-away risk” of their membership becomes greater and greater. Golf courses are closing or being put up for sale all around us. (This actually helped Shenandoah as golf rounds in 2008 slightly surpassed those in 2007, reaching close to full capacity for Michigan golf courses.) Sources say two very prestigious Jewish clubs are talking about merging. Nonetheless, operations at Shenandoah are now stabilized under the leadership of Kamel Kassem. Since he joined us in 2006, the respective boards and he have been able to cut $1.5 million out of the operational costs. We know that service issues arise from time to time. We continue to try to improve in this area. It is an ongoing process made more difficult by the tough financial circumstances. On a positive note, the quality of food and consistency have never been better. Much of this is due to efforts of our head chef, Lee Sharkis. It remains true that there is not a better place to enjoy great Middle Eastern and continental cuisine in the area. Programs and activities are constantly in full swing whether it is children or adult basketball, soccer, indoor volleyball, pilates classes, kick-boxing classes, swimming lessons and more. On the social front, the New Year’s Eve Party was a huge success and Arabic Nights continue to be very popular. During the slow season, there is much to do from the Super Bowl Party, Valentine’s Dance, poker tournaments and other events. The point is that Shenandoah remains very vibrant. It is also true that it is not just a coffee house any more, and, if that is what one is looking for, Shenandoah is probably not for you. It is a true family club and community center. That was the vison, that is what was built and that is what exists. Of course, more could always be done in all these areas — membership, service, programs, etc. More could be done to drive revenues. And more is being done to cut costs such as the decision to move dining to the lower level for January and February. None of these things or even all of them together would help us dig out of this hole. We have just one problem: an unmanageable debt load for the existing operations and membership to support. We have hired a firm that specializes in turnaround and workout situations to advise us and negotiate with the banks. To date, all indications are that the banks want to work with us through this difficult period. What is still not clear is the final solution to the debt load. We know it has to be reduced and that there are only a couple of ways to get there. Everything remains on the table. There is no doubt that Shenandoah is struggling. As the membership goes, so goes it. If we could do it over again knowing what we know now, it would have been built smaller, less expensively and with greater care taken to avoid cost overruns and excessive change orders. The decision to redo and expand the lower level after it was already completed proved to be a huge financial detriment. This is water under the bridge. It has been four years. We need to move on and deal with the situation as it presents itself. We have lowered dues to make it more affordable for new members to join and current members to stay. We have an aggressive social membership program. We have gone to monthly payments to ease the burden on families that would like to be involved. You can now be a member for a mere $200 a month — absolutely one of the best deals in town and not much more than that family membership at Lifetime that you may or may not use. The current board and Finance Committee are working diligently towards a solution. It will take time. We’ve tapped some of the sharpest business people in our community for help and we are being guided by very knowledgeable consultants. While the truth is not pretty, it is not nearly as bad as some of the rumors out there. It is not very likely that those naysayers, who think the club will or want it to close, will get their way. It is more likely that future generations will be able to enjoy an even better place. But one way or another, Shenandoah will survive. Rest assured. That is the truth. Neb Mekani is president of Shenandoah and Mike Sarafa is a past president of the club. FEBRUARY 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS 11
Page 1 and 2: VoL. iSSuE i mEtro DEtroit CHALDEA
Page 3 and 4: FEBRUARY 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS
Page 5 and 6: FEBRUARY 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS 5
Page 7 and 8: CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2009 THE CHALDEAN
Page 9: FEBRUARY 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS
Page 13 and 14: Saad Tanyous, one of the candidates
Page 17 and 18: Gia Marie We thank the Lord who has
Page 21 and 22: RELIGION obituaries places of praye
Page 23 and 24: . community. introduce our redesign
Page 27 and 28: SPORTS roundup ‘ Dr. Crazy Legs
Page 29 and 30: work with key candidates around the
Page 31 and 32: ties, why do you want to be the per
Page 33 and 34: celebrating the epiphany Dozens of
Page 35 and 36: chaldean PALATE Larco’s of Troy:
Page 37 and 38: chaldean for KIDS SWEETHEART: ha-bi
Page 39 and 40: Shimoun, Yaldo, Kashat & Associates
Page 41 and 42: events 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 friends and fa

FEBRUARY 2009

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