BTL Editorial
Craig Covey is the best choice for Mayor of Ferndale in the Nov. 6 election. He has proven his abilities to lead in the public and private sectors. He has served on the Ferndale City Council for the past eight years, and he has led the non-profit agency, Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, since 1987.
Covey bought his home in Ferndale 19 years ago, long before it became the chic/gay mecca it is today, and invested in fixing it up and beautifying the landscaping. In the late 1980's and into the early 1990's, Covey was quick to speak up about Ferndale, and was a cheer leader in attracting both businesses and residents to the city. In 1992, Covey was a leader in the first effort to get Ferndale to pass a non-discrimination ordinance. At that time the city council was populated by old-time residents who were content with the "status quo" evidenced by an exclusionary vision for the city.
It took until 2006 for the ordinance to finally pass in Ferndale.
Covey appeared before the council frequently, requesting the city leaders to be more open to LGBT issues. It surprised no one when he decided to move onto the other side of the table and run for city council himself in 1995.
The first time Covey ran for city council he lost. But, undaunted, he kept at it, learning from his first run for office, and he won a seat on the city council on his second try. As a member of the council he has worked hard on committees, including the Finance Committee, the Sidewalk Review and Appeal Committee and the Council Ordinance Committee. He authored the parking ordinance that allows high mileage cars and hybrids free parking downtown with the purchase of a low cost permit.
In collaboration with the city manager, Covey helped attract the huge Motor City Pride celebration to Ferndale and has been instrumental in improving the police departments approach to all minorities, including LGBT people.
In his role as executive director of MAPP, Covey has extensive experience in the complexities of governmental funding. He has maintained that agency through 22 years, in tough economies and strong, and has demonstrated he has the managerial talent to keep MAPP going and true to its mission.
Covey has earned the respect of his fellow city leaders, and his candidacy has been endorsed by the outgoing Ferndale mayor, Bob Porter, and fellow councilpeople Tomiko Gumbleton and Mike Lennon. State Senator Gilda Jacobs has also endorsed Covey for mayor.
Covey has shown he is not afraid of controversy, and has been an outspoken opponent of an increase in the Downtown Development Authority budget, arguing that the increased revenue to support such an expansion would amount to "tax" on downtown businesses that they can ill afford in Michigan's weak economy. Others disagree as to what is the best way to grow the downtown area, but Covey has been clear in his position and explains it without hedging.
Covey is ready to be mayor. He has a vision for the city that includes strong social support services for seniors and youth, well maintained police and fire departments, low taxes, balanced budgets and a vibrant downtown area. He has the political and managerial experience to handle the job, and a passion for Ferndale that is contagious.
Oh, by the way, he happens to be a gay man.
