At last Tuesday’s (Aug. 24) City Council meeting, the council decided it would pass on grass.

Or, rather, it will wait to decide what zoning law to adopt that will regulate where medical marijuana can be grown here.

Along with the legalization of medical marijuana in Michigan came a whole set of questions on how to control the growing industry, as well as what exactly the role is that cities should play in regulating it. For the past three months, council members have been working on finding the answers to those questions and others.

The solution, according to an ordinance proposed by Councilmember Tom Jankowski, is a zoning ordinance that would limit the areas of Hamtramck where the plant can be grown and sold to areas outside of residential districts. He says that this would allow the city to have greater oversight of the overall industry.

However, since the draft proposal has circulated, several questions have been raised. At last Tuesday’s council meeting, Councilmember Catrina Stackpoole had reservations over the law, saying that she felt it may be too restrictive by not giving patients an adequate opportunity to procure their medication. That, according to Stackpoole, is in direct conflict with the law, which she says was written not for economic reasons but medicinal purposes.

“I think the spirit of the law is for patients to have the right to access,” she said. “I’m concerned that forcing production to be in commercial areas will prohibit people from accessing the medication.”

To counter her argument, Jankowski said that Stackpoole was looking at the issue through too narrow of a perspective. He said that patients would have other opportunities to obtain their medication, and that the point of his ordinance was to keep the growth of marijuana away from neighborhoods.

“The assumption shouldn’t be made that the only access the patient will have will be in Hamtramck,” he said. “Quite frankly, I didn’t want to see it in the residential areas. I wanted to see it in the commercial district.”

After further back-and-forth debate over the merit of the proposed ordinance, as well as a discussion of the legal interpretation of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, Stackpoole said that she didn’t think there was a solid enough understanding of the law for the council to make any decisions concerning the matter.

She also said that on Sept. 21 she was scheduled to attend a medical marijuana seminar hosted by the Michigan Municipal League, suggesting the issue be tabled until after that meeting. But because any new ordinance must be read three times before it can be voted on, it was agreed that the first reading of the law would be read on Sept. 14. That would give her a chance to attend the meeting before the second reading.

It seems the one thing that everyone could agree on was that more time was needed to hash out the ordinance. But if City Attorney Jim Allen’s explanation to Stackpoole about the deficiencies of the proposed ordinance is any indication of where the issue is headed, it may be one long, bad trip.

“What we have here is an imperfect draft,” said Allen. “We’re still operating in the dark, so to speak, because the State of Michigan hasn’t passed any precedents relating to the issue. I won’t sit here and tell you with any certainty that I know how this will play out.”

Hamtramck traffic police, you’re on the radar of the National Motorists Association.

According to a recent report released by the group, Hamtramck has three speed traps.

The NMA actually says the city has five speed traps, but three of them basically cover the entire northbound stretch of the I-75 service drive, starting at Holbrook and continuing north of Caniff.

Besides the I-75 drive, the other two sites are Hamtramck Drive near Jos. Campau and the area near Conant at Holbrook.

Here’s what the organization has to say about Hamtramck’s hotspots:

Northbound I-75 service drive: Starting at Holbrook: First off, the 25 miles per hour speed limit is called “ridiculously low.”

“Most motorists drive 40 to 50 along this stretch due to the lack of cross streets or signage. The only speed limit sign is small and partially obscured by other signs. The officer likes to sit at the bottom of the dip, where gravity easily pulls cars over the limit unless they ride the brakes. “

At just before Caniff:

“There is a curve in the wall on the service drive just enough for a police car to hide on the shoulder of the service drive where you cannot see him until it is way too late. This is the stretch between Holbrook and Caniff. Hamtramck police hide there and write tickets. The speed limit on the service drive is 30. People drive on the service drive at 50-55 and sometimes 60 mph. BE AWARE!”

And just north of Caniff:

“The police sit in front of the second house north of Commor on the service drive of the freeway to meet their monthly quota. …. I watched it for years at a house on the next block on St. Aubin and could see them there daily.”

For Hamtramck Drive:

“When you travel northbound on Hamtramck Drive from West Grand Blvd, you pass under a railroad bridge which is the city limit between Hamtramck and Detroit. They’re usually sitting at the top of the hill as you come under the bridge. Last time I was through there, it was posted 25 mph. Hamtramck PD let’s NO ONE off with a warning.”

On Conant near Holbrook:

“Police park at the entrance to apartment complex on the east side of the road just over a slight rise. When travelling south bound you will not be able to see the car until it is too late!”

(Editor’s note: We have no idea what area they are talking about.)

Although Hamtramck has long been notorious for speed traps, Livonia wins the dubious distinction of being the worst offender.

No matter, Hamtramck, consider yourself warned where to be extra cautious when driving.

Veterans Memorial Park never looked cooler than on last Saturday.

That was the scene of the annual “Hamtramck Hustle” – which featured “kustom” cars, ratrods and choppers.

It was a day to celebrate outside culture with a soundtrack of rockabilly, punk and hillbilly. Unlike most owners of classic cars, these owners live the life: Levis blue jeans, greased back hair, pin-up worthy busty babes and beer.

Yeah, the afternoon sun was insanely hot, but that just greased the wheels for hell raising at the Painted Lady Lounge and Belmont later in the evening.

Roll on Hustle. Can’t wait for next year.

By Walter Wasacz

If Hamtramck street life is one of your primary interests, as it is for me, then Labor Day weekend is the motherlode.

The streets and sidewalks fill up with festivalgoers both local and regional, former residents and new ones, hip rock ‘n’ rollers and ladies and gents who’ve been around long before one of the metro area’s best parties was launched in 1980.

To whet my appetite for this year’s event, I looked through some of my photos from the last few festivals and parades. Music, food, carnival rides, adults and kids having fun. Here are some of my favorites:

A lot has been said about the musical acts playing at this year’s Labor Day Festival who have already made it to the top, but what about the rising stars still on the ascent?

One of them is local rapper HUSH, a National Hip-Hop/Rock Artist that is best known for his work on the NBC show “The Contender.”

Right now his new album, “The Open Book,” is receiving critical acclaim for its rough, edgy production and very personal lyrics. And while you can hear HUSH almost anywhere on TV and in movies, his performances are definitely a must see. We recently caught up with HUSH to get to know a little more of the man behind the music.

What got you into rapping in the first place?
“I was big into Hip-Hop music first – Planet Rock, Boogie Down Bronx, etc. – as a breakdancer. Then I saw Ice-T perform Reckless on Breakin’ and started writing parody rhymes (taking a famous Pop hit and changing the words). I was 12.”

How does it feel to have your songs played on national TV?

“It’s great! It’s recognition for the work. I am really appreciative. When studio execs dig it and can give it a bigger stage it really helps promote the sound and get my words to listeners across the globe.”

What separates you from the rest of the game?
“I front a Rock band without losing the Hip-Hop element, and right now I think the game is really watered down. There is a formula that everyone seems to be using, but I think they are so caught up in the game that they don’t realize it’s damaging their credibility.

“There was a time when there were artists and groups trying to merge this hybrid sound of Hip-Hop and Rock. For the most part it sucked. There weren’t any real emcee’s fronting a rock band. Rage Against The Machine was probably the closest – their sound was a lot harder. Fred Durst was never a rapper, and Linkin Park turned into this watered down version of U2. I’ve battled; I freestyle; I came up with the best of ‘em – Eminem, Slum Village – in Detroit’s underground.

“That’s what will always give me a leg up on my competition. When I combine the two worlds of Hip-Hop and Rock it’s organic and not created. It’s progressive and a transition of maturity in my music.”

What does performing at the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival mean to you?

“It’s great to have fans from Hamtramck and friends that I went to school with (Our Lady Queen of Apostles 1-6 grade) pushing me to be a part of it. The girls who put this together [Kathleen Bittner and Rachel Srodek] have done a tremendous job and their tenacity is going to bring Hamtramck back to where it needs to be.

“ It needs work as does every community, but that takes time and patience and throwing a weekend Festival and performing for the people helps ease the pain for a couple days.”

Why should people see your show, and what can they expect?
“The biggest response I get from people who have seen my show, they walk up to me and 99% of the time say ‘I hate rap but I love what you do.’ So I guess that’s what they can expect. It’s the perfect fusion of pure Hip-Hop/Rock and high energy.”

Anything else we should know?

“Look for us opening the Ludacris show at The Sound Board inside Motor City Casino September 10. Add us on Facebook www.facebook.com/mchush. Pick up our album “The Open Book” under HUSH on iTunes.”

See HUSH perform at this year’s Hamtramck Labor Day Festival on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. on the south stage at Caniff and Jos. Campau.

The annual Hamtramck Labor Day Festival almost didn’t happen this weekend. The city is so broke it had to lay off its special events coordinator, who, by the way, was considered a part-time employee.

But thanks to two volunteers – and several other supporters – the event will be held. There’s going to be a lot of finger-crossing this weekend in hopes that the turnout will be at least as good as last year and that the weather cooperates.

Now that Oakland County’s Arts, Beats & Eats has moved down from Pontiac to Royal Oak there is some concern that Hamtramck’s party won’t attract as many people.

Well, from what we can tell, Hamtramck’s entertainment schedule blows away the Beats & Eats, which it usually does anyway. And if you like a more hometown feeling, well, Hamtramck has that in spades.

But more important than the number of people attending, the festival is a way for our residents to celebrate all things Hamtramck. And it’s fitting that this year’s theme is “Homegrown.” Hamtramck has always had to rely on itself to survive, so celebrating that spirit is especially timely considering the economic pressures facing us.

This weekend, it’s time to kick back and enjoy. We also open our city this weekend to many visitors, some who will undoubtedly be coming here for the first time.

Let’s make a good impression.

And what better way to celebrate Hamtramck and our hospitality than to have our very own native son, Mitch Ryder, perform Monday evening. Rock on Mitch and thanks for giving Hamtramck special consideration in your busy schedule.

As volunteer festival organizers our mission was not only to put on the best event ever, but to do so without further burdening the city financially. Last year’s festival was not a financial success and cost the city over $19,000 after all the bills were paid. The Council and Mayor made a brave decision to support our effort this year given what they knew about festival costs in 2009. We certainly did not want to disappoint them after receiving their overwhelming endorsement of our plans.

With this in mind our first strategy was to review the 2009 financial statement before planning anything. After examining vendor contracts, sales revenues, financial sponsors and costs for security, insurance and the like it became obvious some things had to change if we were to at least break even. As a result we had to break tradition by making changes to our vendor contracts in order to create a financial win-win for both our vendors and our city.

Overall the new contracts have been very well received as you will see in both the quality and quantity of vendors both new and old that have chosen to participate this year. Copies of the new vendor contracts are posted online for all to see at the festival website: http://hamtownfest.com/vendors.html.

We especially welcome the Hamtramck Police Reserves as our designated non-profit organization and hope you will support them as strongly as you have the Hamtramck Firefighters in the past.

Kathleeen Bittner and Rachel Srodek
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival Committee

Good news for anyone who missed their favorite flavors from the former Gandhi restaurant on Conant – it’s back (sort of) and better than ever. Rechristened ZamZam, the business celebrated its grand re-opening on Aug. 3.

The establishment takes its name from the ZamZam Well, which is located within the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Revered for its uniqueness, Hamtramck’s own ZamZam is no different and well worth the pilgrimage.

Owned by former Ghandi partner Kollol Ahmed, the restaurant retains much of its past in terms of the food offered, but the similarities end there. With an all-halal menu, ZamZam features lower prices yet a higher-class dining experience. Patrons can choose between two completely remodeled seating areas – a casual café and a formal dining room – the latter of which can serve as a banquet hall that can accommodate all occasions. But in both areas, you’ll be waited on by pleasant servers in classy uniforms.

Though it’s currently Ramadan, ZamZam is still running its buffet special Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The buffet varies each day, but it always offers a wide assortment of both meat and vegetarian dishes that are sure to please the most discerning palette. Manager Abul Kasham, who often greets customers with a smile as they walk through the door, says the buffet is a great deal.

“People can eat for less but it’s still good quality,” he says. “It’s the same food we regularly serve.”

In addition to serving appetizers, soups, salads and breads in the traditional styles of Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani cuisines, ZamZam has seafood specialties, lamb, chicken & rice dishes, vegetables and desserts. The eatery also serves up Shan E-Tandoori, which is food grilled in a clay oven on charcoal and, at ZamZam, served with Basmati rice.

Also on the menu at ZamZam is a variety of appetizers and desserts to go. Individually packaged and labeled with the restaurant’s information, they’re a great way to incite a friend to make the trip to Hamtramck if they’re not from the city. And if security is a question, tell them it’s covered – cameras monitor the entire restaurant and its parking lot.

“It’s a nice quiet place and we have quality food at less expense, and excellent customer service,” says Kasham. “If you’re not from Hamtramck it’s worth the trip.”