County Executive Dave Coulter Will Seek Seat in 2020
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 31, 2019)
Ferndale, MI- Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter gathered with workers at Brass Aluminum Forging to announce that he will run for a full four-year term as Oakland County executive in 2020.
Coulter was appointed to the County Executive position after the passing of L. Brooks Patterson in August. He has been conducting community discussions throughout the County, and was part of passing the County budget.
“In just a few short months, I have seen the bright possibilities we can create for our county,” said Coulter. “As I talk to residents, community leaders and business owners, they are eager for both stability and forward progress. We have an historic opportunity to leverage the tremendous strengths within our county to create the next and best version of Oakland County. To build on this momentum, I have decided to seek the full term for county executive next year.”
Coulter talked about his plans for improving access to healthcare services, uplifting the diversity of Oakland County, and focusing on the County’s reputation for being on the cutting-edge of technology and services while making sure all parts of the county have opportunities to prosper.
“It is also important that we recognize our neighbors in southeast Michigan as partners and open the doors to regional progress,” said Coulter. “Oakland County has a lot to offer the region, just as the region has a lot to offer us. We need to see and act like our futures are intertwined, because they are.”
His campaign provided the following biographical information:
Dave Coulter was raised in St. Clair Shores where he attended St. Joan of Arc School. He graduated from Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods. Coulter earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and an executive education certificate from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
He chose Oakland County as a young adult. He built his house on a lot in Ferndale and quickly became active in the community. He worked at Michigan Consolidated Gas and ran a non-profit focused on HIV prevention. Prior to his appointment as county executive, Coulter served as the director of external relations for the Children’s Foundation of Michigan.
He represented southeast Oakland County on the Board of Commissioners from 2002–2010 where, as a member of the finance committee and Democratic Caucus chair, he was well respected on both sides of the aisle.
He served as mayor of Ferndale from January 2011 through August 2019. As mayor, he instituted numerous good government policies, tackled key challenges and brought progressive initiatives to City Hall. Under his leadership, Ferndale adopted the county’s policy of having a three-year budget and a five-year forecast. He started the first Mayor’s Business Council to be more responsive to industrial and large businesses. His stewardship resulted in lower city taxes, fewer industrial vacancies and a three-step improvement in Ferndale’s bond rating from A+ to AA-.
Coulter’s tenure as mayor also saw key investments as the City revised its master plan and created a strategic plan to focus on affordable housing, an overhaul of the parks systems and a formal plan for its thriving downtown. Ferndale was one of the first communities to create a complete streets plan for pedestrians, bikers and vehicles.
Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner has also been campaigning for the County Executive position. Chair of the County Commission Dave Woodward had expressed interest, but today appeared with Coulter to give his endorsement.
For more information, visit Coulter’s official website at www.davecoulter.com.