Dearborn Councilman Thomas Addresses Residency Question: ‘Permanent Resident for 77 Years’
Councilman Doug Thomas says he's been a Dearborn resident for 77 years.
Less than 24 hours after having the legitimacy of his Dearborn residency called into question at a city council meeting, Dearborn Councilman Doug Thomas tells Deepsaidwhat.com that he removed the homestead tax exemption from his Florida residence and now only maintains the tax exemption on his Dearborn home.
“The property in Florida is no longer homestead,” Thomas said Tuesday. “I had that eliminated today (Tuesday). I am still homestead in Dearborn where I have been a permanent resident for 77 years. I have never missed an election . . . I am here more than six months out of the year.”
At Monday night’s city council meeting, Dearborn resident and former council candidate Nancy Siwik presented the City Council with documents that she says supports her claim that the legal residency of Councilman Thomas is a condominium in the city of Bonita Springs, Florida, and not Dearborn. Siwik said Thomas was in violation of the City Charter for not being a Dearborn resident and asked the council to remove him from office and his name from the November ballot.
Thomas doesn’t deny owning a home in Florida but he says it is the primary residence of his wife, Jane, who is a Florida resident and works there. Thomas said he and his wife were given bad information by Bonita Springs officials who said she could homestead the property because she is a Florida resident and lives there year round. Doug Thomas said his name appears on the property in Florida simply because the deed lists both he and his wife but his homestead and primary residence has always been here in Dearborn.
“As it stands right now, she should have never applied for a homestead down there,” Thomas said. “I didn’t know I was homesteaded down there.”
Thomas, a Dearborn councilman for 21 years, said the allegations raised by Siwik were indeed politically motivated. He said in 2001, Siwik, then with the backing of the late Mayor Michael Guido, attacked him in that election year and he was unseated coming in eight place. However, he regained his seat on the council after then Councilman Gino Polidori won a seat as a state representative.
“If it wasn’t political why wouldn’t she have raised this before the primary?” he said.
October 13th, 2009 at 6:58 am
1. The contents of the letter. An employer or anyone else can make accusations, doesn’t mean that they are true. Where did someone acquire the info about parking tickets … is that public information … where’s the documentation? Taxable value of homes is dependent on SO many things (when home was purchased, condition at purchase, etc) … I’ve looked, his taxable value doesn’t look that “off” of what his neighbors are. … All I see is a letter of more accusations with no documentation.
2. I am not a lawyer and don’t have time to read the 17 pages of the lawsuit … were the charges found to be true? Has the suit been settled? If not, anyone can file a lawsuit … doesn’t mean that any of it it true.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Food and Election, what proof do you have that this is councilperson Tom Tafelski? I have read through these documents and also performed a google search. It would appear there are several TT’s in the area. I cannot find any identifying information in the Order. Do you have any other documents tying this matter to the council person? If so, please provide it! I and others are anxious to see it. If not, then, as I previously suggested in another of Deep’s columns, you are slandering someone and please stop it.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Just a fact correction, Deabornette, concerning Dobkowski”s removal from Charter Commission- he was removed for non payment of thousands of dollars in back taxes on his residence. And this was only after he was asked as to why he was so in arrears every year ( habitual). He was given the opportunity to explain – I was at the Council hearing- and it was stated- “because he could”.- refering to the laws that allow one to hold off tax payments for three years before the courts take over the property, then pay only the oldest delinquency to keep title. The Charter requires any office holder to not be “in default” to the City and, while the Council has discretion with any removal, Dobkowski gave no valid reason at the hearing to be given a pass.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
FC, thanks for your loud defense of Abraham and the other spineless council members who threw Mr. Dobkowski off the charter commission. It’s my understanding that the house belonged to one of his parent’s estates, and was not actually owned by Mr. Dobkowski. So, I guess Mr. Dobkowski might have had a similar argument to that used by Mr. Abraham. Too bad these “rules” were not equally applied to Mr. Abraham; I bet everyone really appreciated his hiding behind his LLC to claim that he wasn’t obligated to pay any of those DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES. The fact that this was called to his attention, that no one took any action to throw him off the council, and that he was forced into paying these obligations should make everyone question this process in its entirety.
I would further like to suggest that Food and TPT is/are using city computers to improperly obtain information on candidates who are not deemed administration-friendly; of course, this is also being done on city time, as well. The link cited is to official federal court records which most people would not have access to, absent a subscription service. A subscription service would of course be something a legal department would be interested in. Hmm, I wonder who might be doing this?
Amazing how many little trolls can be manipulated and used for administration benefit. I had hoped that this administration would be different, but just more of the same, just like the previous one. How very disappointing when there was such promise…
October 13th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Dearbornette – good point!
October 13th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Okay, I read the lawsuit … my perspective (assuming that TT in the suit is also TT on our city council) … he had a disagreement with his employer and sued. The lawsuit was unsuccessful. However, I fail to see how that damages TT’s credibility as a city council person.
The employer does make allegations that a TT (possibly ours) falsified something, but the court doesn’t actually state that those allegations were found to be true, just that the allegations were made.
I don’t see a smoking gun here.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Is it politickin’ season around here or what? Goodness is some nasty stuff flying. In my reading of the “Tafelski Papers” I see a letter that:
-Makes dubious, unsubstantiated claims about dismissed parking tickets.
-Makes dubious, unsubstantiated claims about property tax discrepancies.
-And (intentionally misleadingly) presents as substantial accusations by a former employer that Tafelski defrauded the company. . . Even though there were never any criminal charges filed.
I’ve gotta call bollocks on this one.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Thanks to “Food for Thought” for posting the lawsuit, as I am now delighted to learn that at least one council member, in this case, Tom Tafelski, actually had or has another job, unlike the lifetime politicians who are milking the part-time council positions to the max for the benefits and pensions.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Old All Day it doesn’t bother you that Tafelski falsified records? There is enough lying and cheating in City Hall. This is not who I want for Council President. I want better for my City. There are plenty of honest and hard working newbies that want a chance to do well for the public. I’d rather give them my vote in hopes they will be transparent with us. They don’t owe anyone anything. They just want a chance to better this City and keep our Mayor accountable.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:25 am
The court says that the employer made an allegation that TT falsified records, it does NOT say that those allegations were found to be true. As far as I can see, no charges were filed and no unbiased person investigated these claims of fraud and found those allegations to be true. My interpretation is that the employer made those claims in an attempt to make TT look bad so that they’d win the lawsuit that he filed against them … otherwise, why wouldn’t they have pursued it?
October 14th, 2009 at 7:19 am
This topic is getting ridonkculous
all day school mom, which big powerful city council members have been life long politicos?
October 14th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Hubbard, Sarini, and Thomas are all going for there 6th term equal to 24 years! Shoos is going for his 5th term equal to 20 years! They’ve all have had jobs this helps to get more money, food and drinks! Leeches!
October 14th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I believe 3 council are retired so ….there is an accountant, realtor, teacher and a salesman. Who is unemployed??? Some have held the same job for over a decade … I don’t know where old all day is coming from or am I wrong about the employment??
The document states that in his resignation letter he ONLY stipulated to one count of fraud but the employer says there were actually 11. (Last Page)
A drug rep. said that looking in the documents mentioned there are 3 scenarios 1 the call logs were stating visits NOT actually made-a doctor must be present and sign just hanging out with the office staff does not qualify 2 expense reports not legit or 3 there is a discrepancy with the supply of drugs they are responsible for 3 is not a likely scenario in this case because that is considered a federal offense and would be difficult to dismiss lightly The lawsuit was filed after the resignation seems greedy or not so smart on the plaintiffs part. It also states in the document that there were less than stellar performance reports prior. The funniest part is the handwritten note to the employer saying he had surgery scheduled-like Epsteins notes in Welcome Back Kotter!!!! I think some of you were skimming the text and as they told us in school that is a bad strategy because you often miss the important points.
October 14th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Does anyone know what “job” Nancy Hubbard had prior to joining the council?
October 14th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Old All DAy we all know she is running on my daddy was Mayor. Nothing more, nothing less. Her only claim to fame. That and she is good at sending condolences.
Dearborn Mom please read Food for Thought … TAFELSKI ADMITTED TO FRAUD. That is a little more than just accused.
I beg you, vote all new people including Mayor. Dearborn needs a fresh start.
October 15th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Once again, how do we know this is the SAME Tom Tafelski? Please show me some proof.
October 15th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Nancy has worked in several city departments including Building & Safety and Public Works.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Just Facts:
Let’s drop the argument that his is “not” our President Tafelski; it is him and the facts prove it.
Tommy’s resignation letters showing former home address and signature; the signature matches his campaign literature and other documents (read all 6 pages), if there was no wrongdoing, why did he resign?:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/20843658/Tom-Tafelski-Resignation-Info
His taxes are far below is neighbors at an assessment of about $75/square and a taxable value of $37/square foot…is anyone paying taxes at this rate that purchased a home in 2003 in West Dearborn? Most folks on Fairmount pay between $110-150/sq. ft. (check out the City Website and look for yourself) Also note the PO box used on these documents is the same TT uses on his campaign literature…so we can be sure it is the same TPT.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/20643632/Tom-Tafelski-Tax-Information
Finally, the State of Michigan documents from their public website will link TPT’s signature, his former home address, PO box, etc. Is that enough proof we are talking about the TPT Council President?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/20643539/Tom-Tafelski-Franco-Properties-LLC
Moreover the lawsuit is published on the internet; no subscription required:
http://www.websupp.org/data/EDMI/2:05-cv-71547-28-EDMI.pdf
Let’s drop the argument that his is “not” our President; it is him and the facts prove it.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
If the tax assessment facts are correct then something really smells. Somebody at City Hall needs to investigate this one.
What concerns me the most is that if Mr. Tafelski is involved in something shady with his taxes; then we should look into every elected officials tax assessments. If he could do it why couldn’t someone else get away with it too?
October 15th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Maybe I am not seeing it, but to Wanting Better where does TT “admit” to fraud, and to Food, where does he “stipulate” to one incident of it in his resignation letter or in his lawsuit against his former employer?
October 15th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Okay, I don’t have time to reread it all … where does he admit to fraud?
As for all this documentation … who is WE CARE FOR DEARBORN and how did they get access to his resignation letter?
October 15th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
You’re missing the key here…. TT admitted to the frauds and was allowed to “resign” rather than be prosecuted. He gave up his job and benefits in exchange for keeping his name clean. A couple years later he re-thought his position and decided to get a lawyer and go after the company claiming that he was dismissed over a problem concerning a family care leave. The real question is whether or not his previous employer will “re-think” their position since TT didn’t hold up his end of the bargain and prosecute him…
October 15th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Dearborn Mom
“we care for dearborn” is just a fake name for a someone wanting to do a mailer..
Maybe it is a new challenger, like Brian O’Donnell..
October 16th, 2009 at 1:45 am
YoungGibraltar says:
Nancy has worked in several city departments including Building & Safety and Public Works.
Owns a bunch of rentals & worked in B & S–as the Church Lady used to say “How conveeeenient”
October 16th, 2009 at 1:48 am
At least Nancy S. had the guts to raise this issue herself, not hiding behind a pseudonym or 3 like Wanting Better For Dbn, etc.
October 16th, 2009 at 7:40 am
@Emanon
it was on her profile on council website.. 😛
October 16th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I still don’t see where he admits to fraud??? Are you all making up some supposed conversation that you wish happened or is there actual proof somewhere?
Brian O’Donnell would not hide behind a name … I know him personally, it’s not his style.
October 16th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
This is your President: The records are only available directly at the Federal Court building in Detroit or online through the PACER system FOR FEES! (Do a google search, folks). You either have paid for this information yourself, or you work at a place that has regular access to this; I strongly suggest the latter, because of your predilictions. Again, you or FACT or whichever pseudonym you choose to use, are using your employer’s computers to get this information. It is posted on the internet because you and your like-minded TROLLS have posted it after you obtained it. I, like others, believe that there is no smoking gun here, even if this is the council president. Hopefully everyone will seriously look at a certain bloated budget for a certain department in the city, because at least one of the folks there should be out of a job for misuse of taxpayer resources.
Homegrown, this smacks of a certain political consultant’s usual dirty tricks. I would suggest that the current administration has a lot to lose by Mr. Tafelski being re-elected, moreso than a council newcomer; so I suggest you re-evaluate your comments about Mr. O’Donnell.
October 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
nah, ill stick with my comments. Brian O’Donnell is a giant tool, in a physical and literal sense.
October 16th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Hey are Dearbornette’s initials JG? if so the strong defense makes sense.
Very few people use their names here emanon (probably for a variety of reasons)- i am assuming emanon is on your birth certificate (LOL) If it isn’t then is it hypocrite emanon or emanon hypocrite? Maybe just clever and its really noname hypocrite (emanon backwards)!!
October 16th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I don’t care where ‘This is your President’ got the info, I appreciate him sharing it. To many of us vote the same people in because we assume they are doing their job. Without a local paper to point out the facts or investigate, we all have to get the news from somewhere. Let the facts come out and Tafelski can explain just like Thomas had to do. Dearbornette, denial is a great place to live. Myself, I would rather live in the now and get some new blood in there than recycle unethical people.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
D is denial, it is also for Dearborn..XoXo…
October 16th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
It appears that “Food” and “Wanting Better” and some of the others posting here have not been able to qualify their positions regarding what they keep presenting as a point of fact. There was no admission of any wrongdoing by TT to his supervisor regarding his activity records. Food and the others keep using the word “fraud”. I have read and re-read and find no “stipulation”, no admission, not anything to do with a charge of criminal fraud. It appears to be a disagreement between a first line supervisor and an employee regarding activity logs and/or records. No one is coming on this blog to clarify. “Amazed” says we are missing the key point, and yet “Amazed” also cannot clarify this key point, and then bases several of his conclusions on this erroneous premise of some admission of criminal fraud. I would like to know the truth, why all the subterfuge; present it so we as voters can make an informed decision. Why present it as some murky mystery that I must spend time investigating now that my curiousity is piqued? My own conclusion on this fraud matter is that it is groundless, and a veiled attempt to stir up a controversy that doesn’t exist, and to get folks riled up and off and running with bad information. Food, you offered your “take” on this “fraud” issue, and you presented your interpretation of that 17 page document but you deliberately misled people. Now this issue of property taxes is the next subject this group of people are trying to get started, and it appears groundless as well. Show me the numbers, show me where TT has been woefully and unlawfully undertaxed, give me an amount of money that you are accusing him of not paying. How about if you do the math. You made the accusation. I would like to be informed.
October 16th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Sorry, Wanting, you are barking way, way up the wrong tree…I am campaigning for no one, but I have no tolerance for liars, cheats, and thieves. Apparently you feel it is ethical to throw something out because you and your cohorts want it to be true and then make up your proof. Your proof is not there, as Mary M so eloquently points out. Interesting how you and your pals start personal attacks on anyone who disagrees with you…sounds so familiar, where have I seen this before? Have an especially nice weekend planning your next character assassination! Me, I think I will relax and read a good book…
October 17th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Food for Thought says:
Very few people use their names here emanon (probably for a variety of reasons)- i am assuming emanon is on your birth certificate (LOL) If it isn’t then is it hypocrite emanon or emanon hypocrite? Maybe just clever and its really noname hypocrite (emanon backwards)!!
Of course almost everyone here uses a pseudonym, but what I really was referring to was the letter about TT, (was it signed by Wanting Better For Dearborn? are you the same being? does it even matter?) Whoever wrote that is being a coward & truly hiding. At least Nancy S. didn’t circulate an anynmous letter about Doug’s residency issues.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Dearbornette,
I did as you suggested. I tried a google search for the information dug up by “This is your President”. You are wrong about having to pay for that information. I was, in fact, able to find it for free at http://www.scribd.com. I didn’t have to pay for it or be an insider as you suggest.
Don’t believe me? You try it. In fact, let’s have other readers try it too and report back.
Just go to http://www.scribd.com and from there, enter a name in the search field and press enter. It will return links to all the information presented by “This is your President”.
It surely doesn’t cost to find this information. In fact, while you are there, search on a few names yourself–you may be surprised at what you find.
There are dozens of sites that provide information for free. If you are not very sharp, you might have to pay for information. But if you are even a little PC/internet literate, it’s easy to find oodles of stuff for free, including the stuff provided by “This is your President”.
Try it. It’s fun.
That being said, what “This is your President” dug up for free wasn’t very compelling, exciting, or revealing. Unless some bigger issue comes up to sway me, I’m voting for TT.
October 19th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Sorry Thomas, I am not the net illiterate one: here is the google information found for this site: “Scribd is a document-sharing website which allows users to post documents of various formats, and embed them into a web page using its iPaper format.” What this means is you must have the document first and then you post it.
Try this: do a search on that site for Thomas Tafelski: not all the documents from that case come up, do they? Where is the original complaint? Not there, because no one posted it. Don’t believe me, try searching for Julie Pucci. Remember the case against the 19th District Court? It’s not there, because you have to first obtain the document from the federal court and someone has to post it. No court officially posts its documents there. Again, you may be able to find whatever information someone chooses to post there, but you will not be getting the full or by any means accurate picture.
Hope you are now clear.
October 20th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Dearbornette – I want to add to what you said … just because it’s posted on Scribd doesn’t mean that it’s been authenticated in any way.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Dearbornette, I understand what Scribd is–a document sharing website. Obviously a document must first be posted to be shared. It doesn’t mean it was necessarily obtained underhandedly or at a cost.
By using such sites (and they are numerous), as well as search engines, etc. you don’t always have to pay for this information. But if you are willing to pay, (without a subscription to a service) there are even greater web resources. But whether it’s free or for a fee, it’s available and public.
As the OP indicated, “Moreover the lawsuit is published on the internet; no subscription required”. He/She is right. It’s there, like it or not. How it got there is out of scope.
Do I think the person who pulled the Tafelski info from Scribd is the same person who posted it to begin with? Probably. Or maybe, like me, they simply found it there and tossed it on Deepsaidwhat. Surely, they want to make it difficult for TT. There isn’t anything in the documents that is meaningful or can sway me because, as you say, it isn’t a complete or accurate picture.
I am voting for him.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Good point Mom. It sure doesn’t.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Thomas,
Denial is a GREAT place to live but does nothing to help our City.