Ferndale says Farewell to Former Mayor Bob Porter, and Raging Granny Nancy Goedert
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 6, 2020)
Ferndale, MI – The Ferndale community is mourning the loss of two active citizens – former Mayor Bob Porter and activist Nancy Goedert.
Porter was elected to City Council in 1995, and assumed office on January 1, 1996. After serving two terms on City Council he was elected to three terms as Mayor in 2001, 2003, and 2005.
Porter served on a variety of City boards and commissions and served as a member of Board of Zoning Appeals up until his death. He served on the State Fair Advisory Board and was appointed as Michigan’s State Fair Authority Manager in 2009 by Governor Granholm, managing Michigan’s last fair at the State Fairgrounds.  Porter died of cancer at age 71.
Goedert was an outspoken activist for many issues including social justice and the environment. In 2008 Goedert won a lawsuit against the city after she and others were ticketed for holding up signs that encouraged passing drivers to honk in support of peace. The City argued that horns are intended as a warning device and encouraging honking was a safety risk. Goedert teamed up with the American Civil Liberties Union and successfully sued under the First Amendment. The weekly peace protests at 9 Mile and Woodward continue still, each Monday after 3pm.  She was also the mother of former Mayor Chuck Goedert.
Mary Schusterbauer remembered Porter’s pre-mayor days.  “Bob’s community involvement started much earlier than his years on City Council and his tenure as Mayor. After seeing his leadership on the city’s committee that passed an infrastructure bond, Bob was invited to be one of three chairs (Nelson House, Bob Porter, me )of a citizen committee that designed the scope of a bond proposal for the schools. This committee went on to educate the community and ultimately pass this proposal in 1996 with overwhelming community support. His willingness to work hard, listen and include many voices and process the outcomes of all meetings over a beer at Como’s will never be forgotten.”
Former Mayor Craig Covey said “He was a strong backer of Ferndale Youth Assistance. “During the annual Ferndale Blues Festival, we would send Bob into the largest crowds to collect donations and after he had chatted up every single soul in the club, his blue piggy bank would be stuffed so full not another nickel could get squeezed in!”
Neighbor Judy Palmer said “Bob was a dear friend, our Mayor for a few terms, and was always making efforts to make Ferndale and Oakland County a better place to live. His compassion & integrity along with his dedication is something I will always remember and admire.”
“I will always remember Mayor Porter as being warm and encouraging,” said Councilperson Kat Bruner James.  “Prior to meeting him and some of his colleagues on Council in the early 2000s, I had never really talked to a local elected official before, much less sat down and talked policy with one. He made it easy for residents to get involved in local issues, and he was very generous with his time. His influence on our community will live on for generations to come.”
Rudy Sera remembered Goedert fondly. “Nancy Goedert was a friend, as well as a political activist who was an important part of the Ferndale community.  She was a progressive voice who helped make Ferndale what it is today.  She was a peace activist, a raging granny and caring person,” he said.
Former City Council person Dennis Whitte said “I have known Nancy since I was 15 years old. I have many great and fond memories of her while working on campaigns and issues that Ferndale was facing. One of my favorite memories is when I received an ACLU postcard from Nancy that had a picture of her and several police officers on the front.
“The ACLU represented Nancy and other citizens that appeared on Woodward and 9 Mile with signs for motorists to honk their horns to stand against the Iraq War after they were issued tickets for their actions. A federal judge ruled that the statute unconstitutional in the context in which it was enforced.
“As Nancy knew I wanted to become an attorney one day, the post card said that she thought of me when she saw the postcard and that to always keep up the good fight. Most memorable is when she wrote, “Remember, stay IN trouble.” This was a true statement that while most people find controversy uneasy, uncomfortable, and risky to themselves, that sometimes you must stand up for your beliefs.
“Another fond memory is when I was at the open house of our then, newly renovated library. She told me, “I am really proud of Ferndale today” and explained that even though Ferndalians have disagreements and hold to their own beliefs, that when we work together great things result and the library was just the latest example. Nancy was truly one of Ferndale’s best residents and a fierce advocate. Like those that agreed with her, those that didn’t also had a lot of respect for her. She will certainly be missed.”
Here’s a video of Goedert and the Raging Grannies singing about DTE…