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Craig Covey Talks Breaking Down Barriers in the Fight for Gay Rights

The Ferndale resident and former mayor shares his past struggles and future hopes. Sponsored by Post Grape-Nuts.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. Ferndale resident Craig Covey is a pioneer behind the city we've come to know today. As the first openly gay mayor in the state of Michigan, Covey is a firm believer that everyone should be entitled to the same privileges, no matter their sexual orientation. Covey is the creator of the city's Pride Festival, an event that attracted 15,000 people last year with equality-focused events such as the Rainbow Run and Light the Night Against Hate. For 22 years, he served as the CEO of the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project…

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Jessica Nunez

1:52 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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Craig Covey Back to Work for Oakland County

The former county commissioner, who was defeated in his re-election bid by Helaine Zack of Huntington Woods in August, has been appointed to serve as special assistant to Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash.

Former Oakland County Commissioner and two-term Ferndale mayor Craig Covey has been appointed to serve as special assistant to Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash. His duties will include working on environmental issues, helping to set up town hall meetings, outreach into communities, educational programs and communications. "As a kid I was always interested in the environment," Covey said, noting that he often spent time reading about pollution. "Even as a kid that was one of the very first things I had gotten interested in." Covey, who was first elected as mayor of Ferndale in 2007 and served on the Ferndale City Council from 1999 to 2008, was elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in 2010 representing …

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'Fracking' the Focus of Oakland County Town Hall

Approximately 100 turned out to hear from activists, elected officials, and industry experts on the controversial issue involving natural gas underneath area waterways.

PONTIAC — Three hundred, twenty-two thousand, six hundred and nine. Activist LuAnne Kozma won't deny that it's a lot of signatures required to get her favored proposal for a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," on the Nov. 2014 ballot, but after a special town hall meeting on the subject, she feels optimistic. "I don't think we can rely on the current state government, or frankly, the future government to do this. It's a power that we, the people, have, and we need to do this for ourselves and future generations," said Kozma, the campaign director of the Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan. Approximately 100 turned out to the Oakland County Commissioners Auditorium Wednesday night to learn more on the subject and to …

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Craig Covey Thanks Supporters, Says He'll Stay Involved in Politics

Oakland County Commissioner Helaine Zack of Huntington Woods beat the Ferndale resident, who was a fellow Democrat incumbent, in Tuesday's primary race in the new 18th District.

Oakland County Commission candidate Craig Covey expressed gratitude to his supporters Wednesday and said he plans to stay involved in local and national politics. The current commissioner for the 25th District and former Ferndale mayor was defeated Tuesday by fellow Democrat and Oakland County Commissioner Helaine Zack of Huntington Woods to represent the new 18th District. Zack received approximately 54 percent of the vote, with 3,862 ballots cast, while Covey received approximately 46 percent, with 3,300 ballots cast. Republican Steven Zimberg of Huntington Woods ran unopposed. Covey and Zack currently serve on the commission but, due to redistricting, were competing to represent the new 18th district, which includes Huntington Woods, …

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Oakland County Commissioner Helaine Zack Beats Fellow Democrat Incumbent

Craig Covey of Ferndale loses his seat to the Huntington Woods resident; Republican candidate Steven Zimberg, also of Huntington Woods, ran unopposed to represent the new 18th District.

Oakland County Commissioner Helaine Zack of Huntington Woods defeated incumbent challenger Craig Covey of Ferndale to represent the new 18th District on Tuesday. Zack received approximately 54 percent of the vote, with 3,862 ballots cast, while Covey received approximately 46 percent, with 3,300 ballots cast. "People have been wonderful," Zack said during an election party Tuesday night at her house. "Team Zack! We've knocked on at least 5,000 doors." The incumbent's kitchen was abuzz with activity as friends, family and supporters crowded around her daughter, Emily Zack, 25, who kept track of results as they came in on her computer. "I was calmer before," Helaine Zack said. "I'm getting nervous as the results are coming in." Covey, who …

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Letter to the Editor: Vote Craig Covey for Oakland County Commissioner

The incumbent makes a case for why he should be elected to represent the new 18th District, which includes Huntington Woods, in the Aug. 7 election.

I am running for re-election as the Democratic Oakland County Commissioner for the new 18th district, which now includes Huntington Woods, Oak Park, Hazel Park, Charter Township of Royal Oak, and Ferndale.  Having served the people of Ferndale and the surrounding region for the past 13 years as a councilman, mayor, and county commissioner, I  ask folks to vote in the Democratic primary coming up on Tuesday August 7, and to consider a vote for me in that election.  Republicans in control of the state, the county, and the courts forced redistricting on us this year. That greatly affects our own cities including Huntington Woods and Ferndale. As the fundraising co-chair of the Democratic caucus, I fought against this power grab all last …

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Letter to the Editor: Back Craig Covey for Oakland County Board of Commissioners

Here's why this letter writer has chosen to support the incumbent, who squares off against fellow Democrat incumbent Helaine Zack of Huntington Woods, in the 18th District race.

As the Presidential race garners increasing attention, intriguing campaigns are being waged in Oakland County as Tuesday, August 7 marks the primary election for many elected officials. One election of particular interest is the race for the 18th District for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Democrat incumbent Craig Covey squares off against fellow Democrat incumbent Helaine Zack (of Huntington Woods) due to the re-drawing of district maps. The winner faces Republican Steven Zimberg of Huntington Woods in November’s general election. Now, most citizens recognize Commissioner Covey as an equal rights champion through his advocacy work with the LGBT community. The long-standing image of Commissioner Craig Covey: activist for LGBT …

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Complete Streets Plan Takes Step Forward in Oakland County

The initiative to make roads more accessible to walkers, bicyclists and mass transit programs could be adopted countywide.

Advocates say Oakland County roadways would be made more accommodating to nonmotorized forms of transportation — and to mass transit — under a proposal tentatively approved Monday by a County Commission committee. The Complete Streets plan would require future county road projects to take into account the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities, as well as mass transit services. County Commissioner Dave Woodward (D-Royal Oak) joined Craig Covey (D-Ferndale) in promoting the plan to fellow commissioners. However, the commission has little direct say over road projects. County roadways not maintained by the state or local municipalities are administered by the Road Commission for Oakland County, an independent agency. "…

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