Pure Ferndale?

Ferndale is lacking something.

As much as I love everything about the city and how far it has come over the recent years by adding new restaurants, bars, entertainment, and shopping to become a place where anyone and everyone can enjoy a good time, there’s still something missing.

During the summer of 2004 I lived in Austin, Texas. Austin is like Ferndale on steroids. They obviously have a major size advantage by being 74 times as large. Despite the size difference Austin and Ferndale share a similar vibe: Everyone is accepted and people are encouraged to stray from the norm. In fact, their official slogan says it all: “Keep Austin Weird.”

A group in fear that Austin was losing their independent roots created the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” in order to fight the ever-growing commercialism around the city. The slogan spread like wildfire and has truly become a way of life for the city of Austin. Austin has a credo that fits their residents and gives them something to live up to.

Look at the state of Michigan. Since 2006 they have run an ad campaign entitled “Pure Michigan.” Anyone who has had to wait at the Secretary of State is all too familiar with the soothing voice of Tim Allen and the relaxing piano tune playing on repeat. As nauseating as it may be on repeat, it is still memorable.

The sole purpose for Michigan’s new slogan was to drive tourism throughout the state to generate revenue and jobs. Last year, the state of Michigan saw 10,000 new jobs and out of state spending rise 21 percent. Whether Tim Allen is solely to blame for the increase is debatable, but either way the increased attention didn’t hurt.

Ferndale should have the same. Ferndale deserves the same. Ferndale needs a credo. Ferndale needs a slogan.

For years, people have referred to Ferndale as “Fashionable” or “Fabulous.” Both phrases are catchy names, but they are often said with a negative connotation. And, even though I believe Ferndale is both “Fashionable” and “Fabulous,” I don’t think that either slogan truly encompasses everything Ferndale is today.

Ferndale is made up of a group of strong, artistic, and proud people. We’re the city that often acts as the buffer between the city of Detroit and such suburbs as Royal Oak, Berkley, and Birmingham. Our residents have a combination of grit and flash, which makes us unlike any other city in the metro Detroit area.

A slogan can be a draw for a city. With the right slogan, local business can flourish with added customers. A slogan can make a city trendy - or in our case, trendier. It makes a city marketable. People would come from far and wide just to get a Ferndale slogan t-shirt.

What was Austin before it was officially “Weird”? What was Michigan before it was “Pure”?

What do you think Ferndale? What is Ferndale? What is our credo? What is our slogan?