How Do YOU Feel About Ferndale's Future?

On Thursday night, Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter presented his State of the City address at where .

Coulter highlighted many positives for the city including a vibrant downtown, decreasing vacancy rate and recent cost-savings partnerships. He said the city has been tested in recent years with falling property values and unemployment, but said he believes the worst is over and the city is "poised to prosper" from the economic recovery that is just beginning.

What do you think?

Here's what some community members thought about Coulter's speech and the state of the Ferndale:

• Councilman Mike Lennon: "I think Dave is right on target. Ferndale is a community that has vision. We don't think in the past, we don't think in the present, we look to the future."
• Councilman Dan Martin: "He painted a very realistic and positive outlook for Ferndale," Martin said. "We live in a great town and I think the mayor was able to highlight that tonight."
• Jeannie Davis, president of the Ferndale Seniors group: "I thought it was very forward thinking," she said, adding that she appreciated the mayor's comments on diversity. "Our diversity and our open-mindedness is what gives us strength. I never thought of that before."
• Councilwoman Melanie Piana: "I think he struck the right balance of looking at some of the financial issues the city is facing and also putting the city on the future path of more growth," she said, adding that the city staff is very influential. "We have a fantastic team."
• Jeff King, owner of the : "My experience in Ferndale has been nothing but positive so far," he said. "It's a great time to be here and we are ecstatic we got in when we did."
• Cristina Sheppard-Decius, executive director: "I agree with all of it. I think Ferndale is definitely on the cusp of exponentially growing."
  

How would you describe the current "state of the city" for Ferndale? How do you feel about the city's future? Tell us in the comments section below.