New Baltimore Reelects Chaldean Mayor Thomas Semaan
Mayor Thomas Semaan of New Baltimore
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 SEMCOG, 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 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.”