JANUARY 2024

FEATURE
Re-elected
New Baltimore reelects Chaldean Mayor Thomas Semaan
BY CAL ABBO
When Thomas Semaan was
elected as New Baltimore’s
Mayor two years ago, he
became one of the highest elected officials
in the Chaldean community.
Since then, he proved his worth to the
small town located on Anchor Bay and
his constituents returned the favor by
reelecting him in November.
Semaan’s family moved out of Detroit
and to the New Baltimore area
when he was three years old. His father,
Aziz Semaan, immigrated to Detroit
in 1929 and lived there until 1963
when a friend advised Aziz to leave
Detroit because of its worsening safety
and economic conditions.
Thomas has lived in New Baltimore
and watched it develop since his childhood.
For many decades, he lived and
thrived in this community, contributing
to its economy, starting a family,
volunteering with its fire department,
and participating in local charities.
More than 35 years ago, Semaan
served on New Baltimore’s city council
and dipped his toes into the local
politics scene. He left politics for the
most part to pursue his career in medical
consulting before returning to the
profession years later and running for
mayor in 2022. He ousted incumbent
John W. Dupray, who led the town
for eight years straight, by about 100
votes.
Semaan was also elected to SEM-
COG, the Southeast Michigan Council
of Governments, which allows him to
coordinate initiatives and plan with
other towns and counties in the area.
Two years ago, Semaan set out to
develop the city’s waterfront and bring
more business to the downtown area.
The mayor has achieved and is expanding
those goals. He has already
helped secure plenty of opportunities
for the city.
According to Semaan, his proudest
accomplishment is balancing the
city’s budget and even returning a surplus
to its general fund. In addition, he
helped secure several grants for city
Mayor Thomas Semaan
of New Baltimore
development that total over $1 million.
The Chaldean mayor works closely
with the building department to expedite
the permit process for new buildings
and businesses looking to develop
the area. In addition, he makes it
easier for new businesses to enter New
Baltimore and service its residents.
New Baltimore’s oldest building
currently sits vacant in its downtown
area as it has for many years. The
building, which is now 150 years old,
was purchased several years ago by
locals who wanted to use it to open a
food and drink establishment. In 2018,
however, they discovered issues with
the building that would require about
twice as much money as they had expected
to bring it to code, according to
a local newspaper, The Voice.
Semaan has worked with the
building’s owners to help smooth out
these issues and bring some life to the
project, eventually receiving an approval
from the planning commission.
“As of right now,” Semaan said, “the
building will feature two high-end
apartments, one boutique apartment
upstairs, and retail space downstairs.”
New Baltimore’s newest addition
to the bustling downtown area is Tashmoo
Distilling, a brand-new high-end
distillery. It opened in December with
a retail section as well as a tasting area
where you can try what you buy. Small
and locally owned businesses like
Tashmoo help smaller cities like New
Baltimore, which has a population of
around 12,000 people, attract tourists
as well as new residents while keeping
money in the local economy.
“People are looking to come and
open a business here because the
economy is strong and our residents
are so supportive,” Semaan said.
“When a house goes up, it sells almost
immediately.”
Semaan sees New Baltimore as a
great place for Chaldean families in
particular, with a small and relatively
quiet community. “At one time, my
family were the only Chaldeans that
lived here,” he said. “Now, there are
dozens more.”
Since he won his second election, in
which he ran unopposed, Semaan will
now occupy the mayor’s office until at
least 2026. Developing the waterfront
and downtown area is still at the top
of his agenda. His first two years were
critical, he said, in order to gain confidence
and a network of people to navigate
New Baltimore’s local politics.
On the waterfront, Semaan has big
plans. “We are currently in the process
of engineering and designing a habitat
restoration project in our main city
park,” he said. “It will include things
like piers, a kayak launch, breakwater,
and safe harbor for boats.” In total, the
project may cost $4-8 million.
New Baltimore, according to
Semaan, has some dire needs that
must be addressed this term. His priorities
include housing the fire department,
relining sewers to limit lake
leakage, and repairing the city’s roads.
“We’re an extremely welcoming
and diverse community,” Semaan
said. “We are a crown jewel that is still
being polished.”
30 CHALDEAN NEWS JANUARY 2024