Get to Know Your Mayoral Candidate: Dave Coulter

Dave Coulter was appointed mayor in January after former Ferndale Mayor Craig Covey won his bid for Oakland County commissioner in the 25th District. Coulter is running now for the mayor's seat against resident Ray Willis in the Nov. 8 election.

Prior to being appointed mayor, Coulter spent eight years as Ferndale's county commissioner.

As part of Ferndale Patch's election coverage, we asked Coulter to answer a few questions about not only the election, but what he sees in Ferndale, what he thinks Ferndale needs and his favorite things about the city.

During the next week, we'll run Q&As with the three council candidates and the two mayoral candidates who are vying for votes in the upcoming election.

Ferndale Patch: Tell Ferndale about yourself.

Dave Coulter: Ferndale is a great place to be involved in your community, and that's what I did after moving here 20 years ago. I volunteered on the Community Center task force with , the Human Rights Ordinance Committee and the board, to name a few. Eventually, I ran for office, and I'm honored to have represented our city as Oakland County commissioner for eight years and as mayor since January. It's a privilege I take seriously and work hard to live up to every day.

Ferndale Patch: What are your passions?

Coulter: I'm most passionate about my family and friends, my faith and my community. But some of my more fun interests include roller coasters, MSU sports, travel, history, golf and gardening.

Ferndale Patch: Why are you running for mayor?

Coulter: We're still feeling the effects of the worst economy in our lifetime, and there's much work left to make sure the city has a solid foundation for the future. I want to use my experience and leadership to help us build on our past successes even as we struggle with less revenue and less help from Lansing and Washington.  

Ferndale Patch: What is Ferndale's biggest challenge(s)?

Coulter: Shrinking revenues are here for the foreseeable future, making it hard to balance our budget. The gave us a five-year window to continue to cut costs and rethink the way we do city business. What we can't do, however, is cut so deeply that we destroy the services and programs that distinguish us from other cities and will help us lead an economic recovery. This balance between cuts and strategic investments is our biggest challenge.

Ferndale Patch: What is Ferndale's biggest asset(s)?

Coulter: 1. Our people. Long before Ferndale was "cool," there was a community of residents who were passionate about the city, inclusive in their attitudes and willing to work together to make the city better. 2. Our employees. Despite pay cuts and staff reductions, our city employees work hard every day to provide outstanding service to our residents.  I couldn't do my job without them.

Ferndale Patch: What will you do/work toward if elected?

Coulter: No city can afford to "go it alone" and succeed in the new economy.  I'll use my relationships with other community leaders to partner on new ways to provide services and collaborate on projects that benefit not only Ferndale but also our entire region. And I'll continue to promote Ferndale to attract the new residents, businesses and events that will help keep us a great city.

Ferndale Patch: What are FIVE things Ferndale needs?

Coulter:

1. Light rail transportation
2. Rising property values
3. Championship sports team ... go Eagles!
4. More parking
5. Dave Coulter for mayor!

Ferndale Patch: What are your FIVE favorite things about Ferndale?

Coulter:

1. Walkable, fun downtown
2. Garden Fresh Salsa
3. Community spirit
4. Nancy Goedert
5. My Leroy Street neighbors

Come back to Ferndale Patch tomorrow to read our next Q&A session with a Nov. 8 election candidate.