Ferndale Appoints Dan Martin to Mayor Position
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 9, 2019)
Ferndale, MI- Ferndale City Council appointed Dan Martin to serve as Mayor though the end of the year.
Martin had announced earlier in the year that he would not be seeking re-election to City Council.  He urged Council to select him because he is not a contender in the race.
He resigned from his City Council seat Monday night and was sworn in.  There is now a vacancy on City Council through the end of the year. The City will accept applications on their website.
Dan Martin was elected in 2011 to his first term on City Council. He’s served on many boards and commissions including as Chair of the Ferndale Community Foundation, and Board Member of Ferndale Youth Assistance. His professional experience is provider services in the medical insurance industry.
Five people turned in applications for the spot:
Melinda Cupples
Daniel Martin
Melanie Piana
Brian Stawowy
Sherry Wells
Martin abstained from the vote because he was under consideration.  Council members Dennis Whittie and Raylon Leaks May, as well as Acting Mayor Greg Pawlica voted unanimously for his appointment.
In August Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter resigned in order to take the helm as County Executive.  Mayor Pro Tem Greg Pawlica then stepped into the Acting Mayor position. According to the rules set forth by the City Charter, Council must appoint a Mayor within 30 days of the resignation.  They decided to accept applications, and the deadline was Sept 3.
Piana and Brian Stowowy are the only two contenders for the position in the Nov. 5 election. Martin spoke to council, urging them to select him because he was not a contender in the race.
Also on Nov. 5, there are two seats for City Council with a full four-year term. Candidates for that race are Ben Buttolph, Nada Daher, Augusto Flores, Kat Bruner James, and incumbent Councilperson Raylon Leaks-May.
And there is a two year partial term following Piana’s resignation.  Rolanda Kelley, Laura Mikulski, Maryanne Wessels, and Dennis G. Whitttie are vying for that position.  Whittie was appointed to temporarily fill the seat through the end of the year.
Martin closed Monday’s meeting saying “I do truly view this as a collaborative effort to work though the end of the term and keep things moving… to make sure we stay on course and are able to provide the stellar services our residents have come to expect.”
More information:
Oakland County Clerk
Michigan Secretary of State
Oakland County Times Nov. 5, 2019 candidate interviews
Oakland County Times 2019 election news page
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