FAQ Why did you oppose the DDA expansion and tax increase? Growth is best achieved slowly and with good planning. The original project to double the size and budget of the DDA was too ambitious. Such exponential growth can hurt an organization, and many of our business leaders and citizens opposed the plan as presented. With Michigan’s economy on the skids, we should not place new burdens (taxes) on our loyal and hard-working businesses downtown and along Woodward Ave. We will keep growing, but should do so at a sustainable pace. Why did you join the Green Party? While the Ferndale City Council is non-partisan, and we do not run under party labels, I have been an active Democrat since I was 13 years old. I am still a card-carrying Democrat, belonging to both the state and county Democratic parties. But I also joined the Greens, who have strong positions against the Iraq war, support for environmental issues, and who believe in fair trade, a living wage, and equal rights and dignity for all citizens. Have we had to lay off city workers? No. In spite of budget cuts from the state and county, we have not had to lay off any city employees. We do have a hiring freeze, and we have reduced our overall city staff levels by a half dozen persons over the past four years. This saves the city hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money. We have not filled several positions due to staff retiring or moving away. Do you want to cut police and fire positions? No. We must keep staffing levels adequate in order to fully protect our citizens and homes from crime and fire. We must be smart and efficient, however, and use modern technology, sharing of resources, and efficient methods to keep costs in line. I trust our Chiefs to do what is necessary to protect our city while squeezing the most efficient services out of dwindling taxpayer funds. Nothing is more important to the people of Ferndale than safe homes and safe streets. Some people used to say you were anti-family, or anti-Christian? Is this true? Absolutely not true. I have a loving family, and I support in every way the traditional American family. But I also recognize and value the diverse kinds of non-traditional families that occur across our society today. We must accept and accommodate all types of families and individuals, be they senior citizens, singles living alone or with roommates, single parents with children, childless couples, same-sex couples, traditional families and blended or step-families. I was born, baptized, and confirmed into the United Methodist Church, and am a product of a Christian upbringing. Today I incorporate many values and beliefs from the Christian faith, as well as other traditions, into my life. I strongly believe in tolerance and acceptance of diversity, and believe that we as a society must not favor one religion over another, but rather value individual choices when it comes to faith and religion. Unfortunately, my respect for diverse cultures and nationalities sometimes comes into conflict with those whose conservative fundamentalism results in treating others unfairly. I would not want government interfering with religion, and vice-versa. Some fear that you are too “pro-gay”. I have worked for gay rights for thirty-two years. I came out as a Gay man when I was 18 years old. Such an orientation is not a choice, but simply a fact. One of my happiest moments was last year when Ferndale voters overwhelmingly passed the human rights ordinance, which protects all of us, straight and gay alike. I support diversity, which means all kinds of people working together. I am pro-gay, as well as pro-straight and pro-seniors and pro-working families. Where do you get your support? My support comes from a large variety of Ferndale voters, including families, seniors, professionals and businesses.  This is a middle and working class city, and those who like the way Ferndale looks these days usually vote for me.  They work hard and pay their taxes, and they like a leader who is honest and plainspoken. The younger couple who has chosen Ferndale as the place to buy their home and the senior who has seen Ferndale hit bottom and come back up, the new gay resident and the old-timers, these are the people voting for me. Why do you do all this work, for no pay? Because I live here too. I have invested my work and life into my home and the community. My work is here in Ferndale. We each get about 70 years on this earth, and I want the quality of my life to be as good as it can be…and where you live is central to that quality of life. Somebody’s got to do it, so it may as well be me. It gives me great satisfaction to see how wonderful we have made Ferndale turn out. Plus I have fun. Friends of Craig Covey 425 Livernois Street Ferndale, MI 48220 248-399-4362 coveyforferndale@sbcglobal.net