John Akouri Elected to City Council

-Lebanese American to be Sworn in Today-

(FARMINGTON HILLS, MI)...John Akouri, who ran a successful first time campaign for City Council in Farmington Hills, was sworn-in today at a City Hall ceremony as the city’s first American-born Lebanese Councilman. He had served as Washington, DC spokesman for US Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and beat three opponents to become the top vote getter and win a seat on the Council. Akouri was administered the oath of office by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly in the suburban community of Farmington Hills which is situated northwest of Detroit and is the largest city in Oakland County – one of the wealthiest in the nation.

Addressing a live television audience from his new seat on the dais at City Hall Council Chambers, Akouri thanked the 4000 residents of Farmington Hills who cast their ballots in his name for election commenting, “Through its vote last week, the electorate has assembled a great team of professionals to lead this city and I look forward to serving on Council with them. Our city’s neighborhoods are filled with a rich cultural, racial and religious diversity and I am honored and humbled that they have placed their vote of confidence in me to serve on their City Council.”

“When I started this campaign, I said then and I maintain today, that I want to make government rest in the hands of the people. Our campaign was one that dealt with issues, experience, loyalty and community service,” Akouri said. “We must continue to work to foster economic growth and prosperity for all residents, to strengthen the society we direct for our youth, children and families, to ensure first-rate public services, safeguard our city, enhance the quality of life for our residents and work to increase our property values.”

Akouri then thanked his family and grass-roots campaign supporters saying, “Their tireless efforts and hard work are a testament to a candidate in which they truly believed in and spread his message of vision and leadership in the 21st century throughout the community and for that I will forever be grateful to them.”

The youngest Member on Council, Akouri is extremely proud of his personal background and heritage as an American of Lebanese descent, and the accomplishments the Lebanese American community has achieved here in the United States. His family originally hails from the northern port city of Tripoli, Lebanon and upon immigrating to America, Akouri’s grandfather was the owner/operator of a market in Detroit that survived existence during the Great Depression. Hence, the strong Lebanese qualities of community service and work ethic were passed down through the generations.

Seven former Mayors, Boards & Commission Members, numerous Oakland County Commissioners, the Observer & Eccentric Newspaper, the Chaldean Detroit Times, the Mid-East News, Radio & TV Orient, the Arab American News, Michigan Arab Times, the Western Wayne Oakland County Association of Realtors (WWOCAR), the Farmington Area Republican Club and the Farmington/Farmington Hills Chamber of Commerce had all endorsed Akouri, during his campaign.