Novi Mayor To Face Two Challengers in November: Reports

NOVI, MI — Mayor Bob Gatt will face two challengers in seeking a fourth two-year term in November as the leader of this city of nearly 60,000. The challengers include Bin Qamruzzaman, an engineer at Ford Motor Co., and Jason Dorsch, who has run for mayor three times, according to a media report

The three candidates filed papers last week with the Novi city clerk's office to appear on the Nov. 7 ballot, according to the Novi Information Network, a local website.

Gatt, a former Novi policeman, is the manager of the Oakland County Animal Control Division. He has served as Novi's mayor since 2011, and in a news release announcing his candidacy, he said the city is "robust and strong," the Canton Observer & Eccentric reported.

Dorsch, who owns a local technology firm, says he's wlling to serve as mayor for free, according to the Observer & Eccentric. He has also twice run for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, but lost both times.

Qamruzzaman, a Novi native, says he's running because he wants to give back to the city, the Observer & Eccentric reported.

In addition, seven candidates are running for seats on the Novi City Council, according to the Novi Information Network. They include three incumbents: Brian Burke, Gwen Markham and Andrew Mutch. The four others include Kelly Breen, Cindy Gronachan, Sam Olsen and Bryan Valentine.

Image: Mayor Bob Gatt (City of Novi)