Ferndale Teacher Wants to Restore 'Positive Leadership' to Troy Mayor Position

Ferndale High School social studies teacher Scott Welborn will be on the ballot Tuesday when voters in Troy select a new mayor.

Welborn, a Troy resident, is one of six candidates running for one partial term in the May 7 special election. Incumbent Mayor Dane Slater, who was appointed Nov. 26 following the Nov. 7 ouster of former Mayor Janice Daniels, is among the candidates vying to serve the term that expires Nov. 9, 2015.

The other candidates include former state Rep. Marty Knollenberg, David Elsas, Jon Desjardins and Faris Alami.

Welborn, who began teaching in 1993 and joined Ferndale High School in 2001, told the League of Women Voters Troy Area in April that his education experience could help him unify a city as diverse as Troy.

"I teach in a very diverse school at Ferndale High School," the married father of two said. "I know what it’s like to be poor. I’ve seen a destitute situation and realized that education was a good way to get out of that situation."

Welborn, in a radio interview with WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter, explained his motivation for entering the race for such a high-stress position.

"It really has to do with being a part of the community of Troy and wanting to keep positive things happening for the community," he said. "Having seen the previous mayor and the different trials and tribulations that the city was going through was really kind of shocking and a little embarrassing, I think, for the city and I'd like to kind of restore that positive leadership to the position."

Visit Scott Welborn's campaign page on Facebook for more information.