Publication select ▼
WARREN/MOUNT CLEMENS — A recall effort targeting Warren Mayor Lori Stone was derailed by Macomb County elections officials last month before it had a chance to get going.
Members of the Macomb County Election Commission voted unanimously Nov. 1 to deny a petition seeking to recall Stone. The petition was filed by Warren resident Paul Kardasz after the mayor’s appointment of Wesley Arnold to the Warren Historical Commission amid allegations that Arnold engaged in anti-Islamic messaging on social media.
The commission — consisting of Senior Probate Judge Sandra Harrison, Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini and Macomb County Treasurer Larry Rocca — met in the judge’s courtroom and voted 3-0 without discussion. Kardasz was present but neither the mayor nor any of her representatives were in attendance.
“The next steps are not determined at this point,” Kardasz said. “I respect the decisions of Judge Harrison, Anthony Forlini and Larry Rocca. One thing I do wish is that they would have stated what the clarity issue was.”
The proceedings started with Molly Zappitell from the Corporation Counsel’s office reading the legal standard applicable to the petition for the clarity hearing.
“It is not your obligation to determine if the language is truthful or not, just whether it is factual and very clear,” Zappitell said.
Harrison reminded the committee a “yes” vote means to approve the recall petition as clear and factual. A “no” vote means to deny the petition as clear and factual.
The hearing took five minutes.
According to Kardasz, the reason he filed the recall petition was because of what he deemed were anti-Islamic postings on Arnold’s Facebook page, which included statements labeling Islam as a cult. This directly conflicts with the values of inclusivity and cultural understanding that the city of Warren seeks to uphold, Kardasz said.
Kardasz contends the mayor should have vetted Arnold more thoroughly.
“Quite frankly, that due diligence is her responsibility, not the public’s (responsibility),” he said.
The petition states:
“Despite a history of inflammatory social media posts, including statements labeling Islam as a cult, Mayor Lori Stone proceeded with the appointment of Wesley Arnold to the Warren Historical Commission, undermining the city’s values of inclusivity. This appointment contradicts Warren’s commitment to fostering cultural understanding and diversity.”
“I am not anti any religion,” said Arnold, 83. “I believe in freedom of speech. When there is disagreement, it is much better for everyone if they look for common ground and they look for ways to solve problems in a way that benefits everyone.”
“Paul Kardasz has never reached out to the mayor’s office with his concerns about that appointee or any appointee,” Stone said. “I think it is pretty bold to jump to a recall petition when they haven’t offered up the opportunity to request a remedy or address a remedy.”
The mayor said during the vetting process that neither the Warren City Council nor she had any information about the social media posts. Since the appointment, the mayor said a couple of community members and community organizations have contacted her directly.
“I very much believe in a diverse community where people can grow,” Stone said.
Rather than going immediately to punitive actions and sidelining individuals, the mayor would like to use communication and education in establishing the path forward.
According to Stone, she has spoken with the newly appointed commissioner where she clearly communicated the antidiscrimination policy of the city. She has also offered Arnold an opportunity to participate in a diversity and inclusion workshop.
The mayor hopes that by opening this dialogue and education that hearts are opened, and the community’s diversity grows.
“If at any point along the way, an individual is not willing, interested, or able to adhere to the city’s antidiscrimination policy, at that point, we would separate,” Stone said.
You May Also Be Interested In
