{ ELECTION NIGHT INVITATION}
Mayoral candidate Craig Covey is inviting the entire community to join him on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Boogie Fever, 22901 Woodward Ave., one block north of Nine Mile Road in downtown Ferndale. Watch the results come in or dance the night away – the party is family-friendly and open to the public.
FERNDALE – With less than one week left before Ferndale residents determine his political future, a confident Craig Covey sat in his office at the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project – which is based in the city – and reflected upon a campaign that will end Nov. 6 with his possible election to the city's highest office.
"It's really gratifying," the three-term city councilman said of the support his mayoral campaign has received from all corners of his south Oakland County community. "This is my fourth election, and the campaign is running like a fine-tuned watch."
Running against Covey is Republican Thomas Gagne, a name some in the LGBT community may recall when he unsuccessfully lead the effort to defeat the city's recent Human Rights Ordinance that finally passed in 2005 after three tries. The ordinance provides basic civil protections for minorities including LGBT people in housing, employment and public accommodation.
It's been a "Cadillac campaign," Covey said of his operation: professional, classy and grassroots, which is what Covey believes Ferndale residents expect from their politicians. "There's no reason we can't do things well or do things right," he said.
Fundraising has been so successful that the campaign has had no shortage of money to purchase whatever it has needed – for which, in the region's tough economic times, Covey is especially grateful. "People have been very generous – and not strictly the GLBT community," Covey said who is the first openly gay man to run for mayor in Ferndale. "My campaigns have always been very broad-based. If I think about the folks really involved in the day-to-day campaign, it's about three-quarters straight people and one-quarter gay people – both men and women."
The business community has been particularly supportive, Covey said. "That's exciting, because I'm probably known as somewhat of a slightly-liberal Democrat."
Such a convergence, Covey believes, is indicative of an electorate that understands – and is in agreement with – the direction that Covey has taken, along with outgoing mayor Robert Porter and others. "I think the voters have been on board all along with what we've been talking about – showing the region a new way (of doing things)," Covey said. Porter is running for Ferndale city council this time around.
One such person is 85-year-old "Lillie," a 55-year resident of Ferndale's east side, who Covey said recently sent him a handwritten letter with a $10 donation.
"The note said, in effect, 'I think you're doing a good job. I love the way Ferndale looks. Keep up the good work,'" Covey recalled. "She's been here decades longer than I. She was here in the '50s and '60s when the downtown was still bustling, but she also stuck it out in the '70s and '80s, when the downtown was empty and we had a porn theater in the heart of it.
"And now she's seen it come full circle – and that's just extremely gratifying to hear Lillie is going to vote for me."
Gays: the non-issue
What hasn't been brought up during this election cycle – at least not as of yet – is Covey's homosexuality. Nor have any other gay issues.
"In Ferndale, we've dealt with the issue," is Covey's explanation. "The discussion of whether or not the gay community is welcome or legitimate or a part of Ferndale has been settled once and for all. Because so many live here and are out – and pride flags are all over – it's a non-issue.
"It's not that everyone is pro-gay; it's that everyone is just content. As long as everyone is going in the same direction and takes care of their yard, we're pretty happy here."
Yet that doesn't mean the subject won't be raised. There's still almost a week left until voters head to the polls.
"And typically, in Ferndale, the nastiness doesn't happen till the last two or three days of the campaign," Covey said.
All the same, the candidate doesn't think that will happen. "Any nastiness will backfire and will actually increase my voter turnout," he predicted.
Effective leadership
A political veteran, Covey said he understands what voters are looking for when they elect their leaders. "In a little town like this, they don't want to just see your picture in an ad; they want to shake your hand and talk to you. They want to know what you're made of," he said.
And that's precisely what Covey has set out to do over the years. "I know the streets. I know the people. I know the players," he said. "You've got to get out and talk to people – sit down with them and listen to them. That's what they appreciate."
And then, he added, you have to deliver. "People are very proud and pleased with the way the city looks," Covey said, "and I don't think they're looking for a change right now."
Voter concerns
Ferndale's transition from a slightly-rough-around-the-edges, working-class suburb at risk to – 15 years later – a bustling business community with a gleaming downtown has managed to grab attention. Metro Detroiters flock to the city for shopping and entertainment. And residents are continuing to fix up their homes, despite the recent real estate crash.
"We have record numbers of permits being pulled to put up garages, put up siding or add rooms," Covey said. "And we've changed our zoning so we have more mixed-use. Now it's OK to live above your store. We want to populate our downtown – and it's working."
Pledge on taxes
Another issue Covey said he hears about from constituents is taxes: They think they're too high. "And I commiserate with them," Covey said. "And I agree with them. Even though I'm a liberal, I'm known as the most conservative when it comes to taxes. I've resisted the efforts to raise our taxes even more."
And he says he won't – should he be elected mayor. "This is the third election that I've made a pledge that while I'm in office, I will not vote to raise taxes – a pledge I've kept the first two times."
Of course, at the same time, updating municipal services does demand funding.
"There are discussions about, do we need a new city hall; the police department is cramped; the court needs to be compliant with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act); we need a parking deck," Covey said. "And that's all true. But there's just no way right now I would support a tax increase.
"The people can barely hold on to their homes now. There's no way that this is the time to raise their taxes."
Going green
With national leadership lacking on environmental issues, Covey said, he believes it is up to communities like Ferndale to take charge. "The city has already taken steps towards greener policies," he said, noting the parking ordinance that allows hybrids and other high-mileage vehicles to park free at city meters. "We've installed bike lanes; we've made the city walkable. And we did an energy audit that reduced our energy use.
"But there's more we can do."
During his first term as mayor, Covey said he wants to plant 1,000 new trees throughout the city. Plus, he would like to increase business recycling. "It brings in income and reduces waste," he said.
Why vote
Covey encouraged all registered voters to head to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 6. "Please don't forget to vote," he said. "The saddest thing about the election is that only one out of five registered voters will go to the polls for city elections. And your vote is worth a lot."
For those undecided about which mayoral candidate should get his or her vote, Covey made his case this way: "I'd ask them to just look around; look at the city, look at the neighborhoods and the downtown, and tell me if they think Ferndale is better off today than it was eight years ago. And if they think it is better off today, then they should vote for me – because I had a role, working with others, to make it what it is today."
