Former Mayors See Coulter into Center Seat

(Crystal A. Proxmire, 2/14/2011)

Dave Coulter was sworn in as the 17th Mayor of the City of Ferndale at the City Council meeting of Feb. 14, 2011.  He was surrounded by supporters from throughout the community, including previous Mayors Pamela McCullough (1994-1996), Charles (Chuck) Goedert (1996-2002), Robert (Bob) Porter (2002-2008), Craig Covey (2008-2010), and Kate Baker who served as Mayor Pro Tem during the weeks following Covey’s resignation.  Covey resigned after being elected to serve on the Oakland County Board of Commissions, ironically the position that Coulter held until he resigned in order to run, unsuccessfully, for State Senate in the Nov. 2010 election.  (For more on the Covey/Coulter “switch-a-roo, check out our previous story (http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/01/25/switch-a-roo-coulter-covey).

A pre-Council Meeting reception was held and residents were able to mingle with their former and current Mayors.  Then Coulter, emphasizing the importance of recognizing our City’s history, introduced his predecessors.

He was then sworn in by Goedert, who recently became a 43rd District Court Judge serving in Hazel Park.To read about Goedert’s judicial appointment, and about his experience as Mayor, please read his story at http://oaklandcounty115.com/2010/10/04/goedert.

The other former Mayors are, for the most part, active in the community.  Pamela McCullough has moved to Madison Heights, but says she still reads about what is going on sometimes.

Porter recently co-chaired the Citizen’s Financial Committee, and will likely be involved as the City considers a potential Headlee Override.  (http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/01/13/financial-committee-makes-final-recommendations-for-headlee-override/)

The Mayor of Royal Oak, Jim Ellison, also came to express his well-wishes.  “I’ve had the pleasure of having Mr. Coulter as my County Commissioner… I want to congratulate the City… for selecting Mr. Wollenweber as the City Manager.  If the opinion of the Mayor of Royal Oak means anything to the people of Ferndale, I think you’re in good hands.”

The night was also special because it was the first meeting for Interim City Manager Mark Wollenwebber, who is expected to serve through May as City Council goes through the hiring process for a permanent City Manager.  Wollenwebber shared his views for the City in this Ferndale 115 News interview http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/01/23/what-will-wollenweber-do.

For more stories about local politics and government, please see The Ferndale 115 News section at http://oaklandcounty115.com/category/politics/.