Warren mayor discusses first year in office

WARREN — Mayor Lori M. Stone recently discussed her first year in office with the Warren Weekly.

She addressed what she has learned, her proud accomplishments, the challenges and difficulties, and from what she has learned whether she would do anything differently.

Among the things she has learned as mayor that she believes will help her in the remainder of her term are the inner workings of every city department, the dynamics of local government, and the processes and procedures that make the government run more effectively and efficiently for residents.

“It is essential to have your finger on the pulse of what is happening,” Stone said.

The mayor likes to assess what is working well in each department, the challenges, and determine where to make improvements and grow from there.

“Having a solid understanding of what each department does and how they fit together to serve the residents of Warren was integral to my first year as mayor,” she said.

Prior to becoming mayor, Stone was serving in her third term in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing District 28. Before that, she was a teacher in the Fitzgerald Public Schools district in Warren for more than 14 years.

As mayor, she has learned the dynamics of local government.

“Working at the local level is different than the state level,” Stone said.

Stone said it has been a learning curve in understanding the dynamics between the mayor and council, which includes new and returning council members, the courts and all the other pieces that work together in local government.

“I’m a new piece in the puzzle in the role of the executive,” Stone said.

As such, she plans to grow relationships in local government and across all levels of government.

“Having those relationships will help improve the quality of life here in Warren,” the mayor said.

 

Proud accomplishments
Stone is most proud of building her team, community engagement and completing a government cycle.

According to the mayor, the team-building process is a dynamic one that still continues. She is pleased to have identified leaders and subject matter experts that share her vision.

“Reengaging residents in ways they were not engaged before in the previous administration, the listening tours helped to set expectations and let residents know their voices matter,” Stone said.

After entering office, the mayor began the listening tours, meeting with residents in each of the five districts, to connect with residents and listen to their concerns.

“Because the government comes in cycles, having completed my first cycle in local government helps me plan and prepare and predict as to what is going to happen in the next three years,” Stone said.

 

Most difficult or challenging
Of the most challenging or difficult things the mayor has faced is determining what communication methods best resonate with residents, and how to allocate finite resources.

With the myriad ways of disseminating information from social media, print, online, or group meetings just to name a few, the mayor has had to determine what methods best connect with Warren residents.

“We do have a lot of different modes of communication,” Stone said.  “Making sure we are integrating them and growing them, so everyone feels they have their questions answered and an understanding and explanation of the hows and whys things happen in government.”

Other challenges were how to allocate limited resources and the fiscal impact those decisions have. In addition, there was the challenge of identifying other financial resources through grants or other methods to meet the needs of the community.

 

Experience equals better leadership
“Where I am is a product of all the decisions I’ve made to get to this point,” Stone said when asked if she would do anything differently, given what she has learned. “I wouldn’t undermine any of my experiences that have brought me where I am. I think everything has made me into a better leader.”