Stone discusses her ‘qualifications, experience and character’

WARREN — Mayoral candidate Lori M. Stone recently shared what she would like voters to know about her when hiring the current Michigan state representative for mayor.

“I want my community to know my qualifications because that’s what hiring a mayor, hiring representative government, should be based on — is qualifications, experience, and character,” said Stone.

Stone, a lifetime Warren resident, is currently in her third term in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing District 28, which she refers to as the second chapter of her professional career after spending more than 14 years as a teacher in the Fitzgerald Public Schools district in Warren.

“I had the opportunity to see some of our residents with the greatest needs, and help develop strategies that connected them with resources,” said Stone. “I continue that currently.

“I love the community I grew up in,” Stone said. “I say Warren is the biggest small town in Michigan.”

Stone said she is ready to take her state experience to the local level.

“I’ve had the opportunity to represent roughly 95% of the community, which has given me firsthand knowledge and the opportunity to provide direct constituent services to our community,” Stone said. “This has prepared me to take my experience from the state Capitol to City Hall.”

Stone has been seen throughout the community with two small children.

“Those are my adorable niece and nephew. I am the cool aunt,” said Stone. “They are absolutely the light of my life and my heart. They are also my inspiration to work to make the community a better place.”

Stone said she was inspired to run for mayor by those in the community asking and encouraging her.

“I know people recognize my priority for transparency and accountability,” Stone said. “Residents should have a clear understanding of what their government is doing and how they are spending tax dollars; how decisions are being made; and that their voices, concerns, and ideas are being taken into consideration.”

According to Stone, she helped more than 4,000 people navigate state bureaucracy and provided support during the COVID-19 unemployment crisis, ensuring no one fell through the cracks.

“The best predictor of what anyone is going to do in the next four years is what they have done in the last four years,” Stone said.

Other planks in the Stone platform would include strategic planning, parks, investing in the community and the environment.

According to Stone, it’s important to implement strategic planning and deliver on it.  By planning projects, Stone said Warren has the ability to bring more federal and state dollars to the city.

“Plans that have not been delivered on, update (them) and set clear expectations and goals,” Stone said.

Stone said she wants investment in all of Warren.

“From Eight Mile Road to 14 Mile, from Dequindre to Hayes, identify within each quadrant of the city what we have, what’s working well. What are we missing? What needs improvement?” said Stone.

She also discussed improving the environment with sustainable energy and electric vehicles.

“We have an opportunity to lead in climate-friendly sustainability in this city. That includes incorporating more solar energy alternatives, sustainable energy sources, as well as incorporating EV (electric vehicle) infrastructure,” said Stone.

She also addressed diversity at City Hall.

“Diversity in local government needs to reflect its community population. That looks like a lot of things,” Stone said. “That looks like (city employment) hires and making sure we’re promoting city opportunities throughout the community and beyond, so people know that there are positions available.”

Stone would include diversity in appointments, councils and commissions through the application process, by educating the public about how they can participate.  She would also incorporate internships and work study programs so young professionals could gain insight into how local government works.

“We have the opportunity to finally put the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission and (an) officer in place, to make sure we have someone who is filtering decisions through the lens of what is the impact on (the) community, and what is the history, disparate impact on community, and to be there to lend advice on how we can do it better,” Stone said.

If elected mayor, Stone would like to hold town hall meetings in her first term, so residents feel heard and the administration garners ideas about how to do better.

She also plans targeted outreach for youth, seniors, people of color, those with disabilities, veterans and others.

“We know that there are services that if we wait for people to come to us to seek them out, they won’t utilize them,” said Stone.

But she said there would still be more to accomplish.

“I can’t imagine that anything gets completely done in four years. There is long-term planning and long-term strategy for the success of our community,” said Stone. “So I will be excited to continue implementing those strategies, and looking for more opportunities for innovation into the future.”