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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Dearborn Residents and Taxpayers,Mayor John B. OReilly, Jr.,Council President Thomas P. Tafelski,Council President-Pro Tem Nancy A. Hubbard,Councilman Douglas B. Thomas,Councilwoman Suzanne Sareini,Councilman Mark Shooshanian,Councilman George T. Darany,Corporation Counsel Debra A. Walling,

In response to the article in the Times-Herald Newspaper regarding

unpaid property taxes on the Garrison Oaks Condominium development, I

feel compelled to write this letter. I want everyone to clearly understand

that I am a member of the corporation that built this development but not

legally responsible for its obligations. However, because of the concern

this situation has caused many in this community, I am personally

promising to pay the taxes on behalf of the organization in the next thirty

days.

I want to offer a sincere apology to everyone who has been affected

by this issue especially my colleagues on the City Council and the Mayor of

the great City of Dearborn. I also want to apologize to the citizens of

Dearborn for any unrest this matter may have caused them.

As you may know, the Garrison Oaks Condominium development was

intended to use an under-developed and under-utilized parcel of land in

downtown West Dearborn. The plan was to build eleven condominium

units and sell each unit. This plan started in late 2003; construction began

in 2004, and the first units were sold in 2006. Unfortunately, after

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completing a majority of the construction and incurring a significant portion

of the $1.975 million in development costs, the real estate market began

its downward spiral which has had a significant impact in our community.

This development, like most homeowners, Ford Motor Company, and

businesses throughout Michigan, has not been immune to the economic

downturn, decline in the housing market, or the financial crisis and

conditions of recent times.

These factors put an unusual and uncontrollable financial burden on

this development. The first priority from planning stages through the most

recent times was to complete the project that was started, create a high

quality condominium site, and respect the expectations of the current

condominium owners and neighbors in the area. In this effort, financial

decisions were made to prioritize the available financial resources and

objectives. In the end, all of the units have been issued Certificates of

Occupancy. Four of the units are still held by the development company as

registered rental properties and have tenants.The combination of the unique, unpredictable, and devastating

financial circumstances beyond my control are the reasons that the real

estate property taxes owed by the corporation are not yet paid. There is

also one other commercial property owned by a corporation that is in the

same situation due to the culmination of economic hardships.

Again, I am sorry that the corporation is in this position. I am also

sorry for the unrest this unavoidable situation has caused. That is why I am

taking this step to resolve this matter to the best of my ability

I hope this promise to pay will be considered as a genuine attempt to

put this issue behind all of us. I truly enjoy serving the people of Dearborn,

and I do not want to jeopardize my position on our Council, the integrity of

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the Council, and other elected officials. As you contemplate your course of

action, please consider the contents of this letter, the circumstances I have

outlined, my personal character, my record as Dearborn Councilman, my

desire to serve people of Dearborn, and, most importantly, the resolution

noted that will correct this matter.

Sincerely,

Councilman Robert A. AbrahamCity of Dearborn