WARREN (WWJ) - The city of Warren officially has a new mayor after 16 years.
State Rep. Lori Stone was sworn in as the city’s mayor on Nov 11 at City Hall. Stone beat Warren’s former Human Resources Director George Dimas in Tuesday’s election.
Stone, 43, is Warren’s first woman female mayor as well as being the first since Jim Fouts was elected 16 years ago.
According to an article by the Detroit News, Stone did not speak during the swearing-in ceremony but State Sen. Paul Wojno did.
“We have broken down barriers and have brought the new beginning of representation to those in our city that had been unrepresented in the past. There’s more to be done, and this is just the beginning. Our city’s future has never looked brighter with the new mayor and members of our new city council,” Wojno said.
Wojno also spoke about Stone helping to restore residents’ trust in the local government and meeting the needs of the community.
Stone is one of two state representatives that were elected as mayors. State Rep. Kevin Coleman was elected mayor of Westland on Tuesday. Due to the vacancies both Democrats have left, Governor Whitmer will have to hold a special election to fill their seats.
Fouts was unable to run for reelection due to the term limits set in the city. He tried appealing the decision but the Michigan Court of Appeals shot down his request in April. The Detroit News article reported that Fouts said he would help Stone transition into the role.
Members of City Council, the treasurer and the city clerk were also sworn in, according to the article.