ALL MEDIA FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION – CITY OF WARREN – JUDGE TOIA RULES WARREN CHARTER ALLOWS MAYOR JAMES FOUTS TO SEEK RE-ELECTION IN REBUKE OF ANOTHER SENSELESS ACTION BY WARREN CITY COUNCIL

Today Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Toia upheld a ruling by the city election commission that the charter allows me to seek another term and threw out another frivolous lawsuit by the Warren City Council.

Today’s ruling by Judge Toia was not a victory for me, it was a victory for the residents of Warren and the rule of law. This ruling ensures that the voters will have a choice. A choice improves the outcome of any election. In a democracy choice is essential.

This strong ruling based upon the law allows my administration to continue focusing on the needs of the people of Warren and that includes a new Towne Center that would generate millions of dollars and thousands of jobs without costing a Warren residential taxpayer one dollar. This also includes funding new park improvements including a Skateboard Park and using ARPA funds for various departments to improve the lives of Warren citizens. This will allow Warren to move forward after four (4) years of resistance to any new improvements in service for the good people of Warren.

Elections have consequences, and when impacted by court rulings that dilute voters’ rights, as the 2019 decision did, we end up with the negative consequences like our great city has experienced as a result of this council’s inactions.  I’m looking forward to working with a new reformed council who are community leaders focused on protecting and serving our real boss Warren residents, not a council who takes orders from an out of county law firm. My administration continues to be focused on safe streets, great essential services, clean water, a vibrant growing economy, and finally a walkable downtown at no cost to residents.

I enjoy my job and feel the future looks bright for those who want to see Warren move forward! Again, this is a victory for good representative government based upon the needs of the people not the needs of a law firm. City Attorney Ethan Vinson (the city’s first African American City Attorney) will now sit with the council and give them advice based upon what is good for Warren people not what is good for an outside lawfirm!

In his testimony before the court Councilman Ron Papandrea said very well what was at stake and why we needed a quick resolution when he stated:

“Four years ago, four seasoned city council candidates were removed for term limits and it happened after the filing deadline so qualified people who would have run did not run and we were stuck with the council we got and our city has suffered greatly the last four years because of it.  The health of my city is at stake here so I’m hoping a decision can be made quickly.”