Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana Won’t Be Seeking Re-Election
(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 8, 2023)
Ferndale, MI – Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana has announced that she won’t be seeking another term in office. She made her decision public on Facebook, stating:
“When I ran for Ferndale city council for the first time in 2009, a resident asked me, “are you going to work hard?”. Yes, I answered.
For over 13 years, I worked hard for the city. I listened, learned, uplifted, and adapted.
“Although I had the titles of mayor and city council member, YOU, the residents who have changed my life, led the way. You are the Ferndale voters who believed in me to represent us. This time supporting you has been rewarding, fruitful, and profound.
Now, it’s time for me to fully pursue my professional goals and spend more time with my family. This will be my last term serving Ferndale as your mayor. I am stepping aside to support new leaders that will help write our next chapter together.
“The end of the year concludes my 14 years of public service on your behalf. It’s been a difficult decision.
“I love Ferndale. Together we have made our city a model of inclusion, equitable development, and sound policy, especially around mobility and sustainability. You can count on me to work hard until the end. Thank you for being on this journey with me.
I’m looking forward to uplifting my successor, whomever it may be.”
In her time on City Council, Piana has been active both in Ferndale and beyond, including accepting a Harvard fellowship and a term as Michigan Municipal League President. She’s also worked on regional collaborations, including with neighbors to the south in Detroit. As an advocate for “complete streets,” Piana and fellow officials increased bike lanes in the city, as well as the Woodward Avenue road diet which is in progress.
She and fellow councilmembers have kept Ferndale at the forefront of discussions on race and equity, and she’s added a moment of quiet reflection to the start of council meetings to help set a harmonious tone.
Piana told Oakland County Times that “it’s time for me to support new leaders.”
This year there are two council seats, plus the mayor position on the ballot.
The election is Nov. 7, 2023, with the Mayor being a two-year seat, and council being four years.
In Ferndale, residents must be 25 years of age or older, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Ferndale for at least two years immediately preceding the election date. The positions are nonpartisan.
Those interested in running for office can find more information on the City of Ferndale website at https://www.ferndalemi.gov/resources/run-for-mayor-or-city-council
For previous stories regarding Piana, click HERE.
