Stone speech cites accomplishments, but offers ‘no vision’

WARREN — After nearly a year in office, Warren Mayor Lori Stone gave her first State of the City address to an audience of a few hundred people gathered in the Warren Community Center auditorium on the evening of Oct. 10.

Warren City Councilwoman Angela Rogensues introduced the theme of the speech, “working together for Warren,” and then introduced the mayor.

Stone’s presentation chronicled many of her administration’s accomplishments and activities including changes in the organizational structure, public safety, parks and recreation, and economic development.

 

The mayor’s office
Stone has changed the organizational chart of the mayor’s office and incorporated three new roles. There is Chief of Staff Kristina Lodovisi and two community outreach positions.

The mayor addressed not having all of her appointments made at this point in her first term.

“While many community members expect the transition between administrations to be a flick of a light switch, when in actuality, it’s more like turning a steamship,” Stone said.

 

Public safety
The mayor extolled the accomplishments of Warren’s police and fire departments which included starting construction on two new fire stations, which will be state of the art. In addition, the Warren Fire Department received the American Heart Association’s Gold Award for the ninth consecutive year, a recognition it first received under former Warren Mayor Jim Fouts.

The Warren Police Department was recently reaccredited through the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, making Warren’s the largest police department in the state to have accreditation from this organization.

Warren Police Cpl. Dan Rose, officer David Chapman and officer Brenden Fraser were named 2024 Police Officers of the Year. Six officers received the Hundred Club’s Valor Award for bravery and outstanding service.

 

Parks and recreation
From the mayor’s listening tours, where Stone went to various neighborhoods in the city and listened to their concerns, parks and recreation was a top priority among residents. As a result, many improvements have been made to local parks.

With nearly 30 parks in Warren, the mayor said residents can visit a different park each day of the month for a free and fun time.

Pickleball enthusiasts will enjoy the new courts that will be installed at Veterans Memorial Park. Wiegand Park started renovation in the spring of 2024. This nearly $1.7 million project will be funded by the Community Development Block Grant. Licht Park received a comprehensive renovation including an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant play structure.

The mayor acknowledged restrooms not always being accessible in the parks. As a result, a method where the restroom door locks after someone leaves is being tested.

 

Economic development
Nearly 300 new businesses have come to Warren this year.

“I think many people will be surprised to learn that 298 commercial certificates of compliance have been issued to businesses in Warren since the first of the year,” Stone said.

Stone recognized the cultural diversity of the new businesses and their owners, which range from ethnic food restaurants to culturally diverse clothing shops.

 

Reactions to the speech
Although the mayor’s State of the City remarks acknowledged many of her accomplishments in her first year in office, some felt it was incomplete.

“It was more of a retrospective or an oral recitation documenting facts of her city administration. It lacked any outlook for redevelopment, revitalization of our neighborhoods, the economic investment that one would expect of a first-term mayor who is established in the city,” Warren City Councilman Jonathan Lafferty said.

“The land bank is one of the items that we (the City Council) recently passed and is going to be responsible for capturing blighted properties and really the catalyst for redevelopment of our city. And she hasn’t signed it, and she didn’t even mention it tonight. That’s very telling,” Lafferty added. “That should be mentioned in a State of the City (speech) where you are supposed to lead with the vision of what you plan to do.”

“I think she did a great job of highlighting the accomplishments of our Fire Department and Police Department. As we know, public safety is one of the most essential metrics of success in a city,” Michael Howard said. “She highlighted the new developments of the parks, which is really great. As a father of three, having accessible parks that are reflective of the neighborhood are important.”

Howard added, “I would have liked to have heard a little more about what’s next for Warren. I know there are plans but it would have been great to see them in a presentation.”

“I thought it was wonderful. I think she hit on every point on economic development, public safety, (public) service,” Councilwoman Melody Magee said. “I would have liked to have heard more about youth development. I think that she is definitely going to work on that, and I’m going to get more involved in that.”

Magee added, “I would have liked to have heard more about how we can improve small business development. (This includes) getting them certified within the city, Warren being the third-largest city, maybe we can come up with our own small business development certification program through our SBA program.”

Many restaurants displayed their culinary cuisines at the meet-and-greet gathering that took place just before the State of the City address. Restaurants representing American, Asian, Bangladeshi, Italian, Middle Eastern and other cuisines had booths where those in attendance could taste their creations.

In addition, booths were set up to give information about the city’s various commissions and attract new members.

Marilyn Kay of the Warren Beautification Commission said, “We set up a display and put out information, but I don’t know if we got any more people because people were more interested in this really good food.”