Novi Candidate is Youngest Ever to Run for City Council

Alexander Fera, who is on Tuesday's ballot in Novi, is the youngest candidate at 21 years old to run for city council, according to city records.

"I think it's really neat that I'm trying to do something in this way that no one my age has tried, at least in Novi," he said. 

Maryanne Cornelius, city clerk, said the youngest person to run overall in Novi was Craig Kortlandt, who ran for mayor when he was 18-years-old in the 1999 primary. 

Fera, a 2011 Novi High School graduate, said he is running for city council because he can bring a fresh perspective and represent his age group in local government. He said he hopes to inspire people to become active.

"It's about getting the next generation involved in making the city a better place, the community a better place and, ultimately, the nation a better place," he said. 

Fera works in IT for Plastipak Packaging and operates a computer consulting business, Fera Technology, L.L.C.  He is also studying computer information systems and business administration at Oakland Community College. 

He said he is involved in the city and continues to be active in community events. He is involved in Boy Scouts of America, FIRST in Michigan — which works to establish high school robotics teams, and is an active member of Novi's Public Access Promotion Committee. 

He said his biggest obstacle has been criticism for not having the political experience like the other candidates. He is running for one of three seats against Councilman Justin Fischer, Councilman Andrew Mutch, Gwen Markham, Jonathan Montville and Novi school board president Dennis O'Connor. 

"Whether people vote for me or not, go visit the polls tomorrow," he said. 

Fera will be at 10 North Bar & Grille, 24555 Novi Road, at 7 p.m. Tuesday to wait for the election results. He said anyone of voting age is welcome to join him.

Learn more about Fera in his candidate profile on Novi Patch.