Warren resident Paul Kardasz has filed a recall petition against Warren Mayor Lori Stone for the second time in as many months.

Kardasz’ filed his recall language Monday and a hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 30 by the Macomb County Election Commission to determine if the reasons stated by Kardasz in his petition are “factual and of sufficient clarity.”

The recall petition language states: “Warren Mayor Lori M. Stone failed to sign a land bank agreement unanimously approved by the City Council on Aug. 27, 2024. On Nov. 26, the Council voted to give her 72 hours to sign the agreement. When she did not comply, the Council filed a lawsuit on Dec. 9, 2024 in Macomb County Circuit Court to compel her to authenticate the agreement.”

“The effort is not just about addressing Mayor Stone’s inaction but about holding elected officials accountable to their duties and ensuring they act in the public’s interest,” said Kardasz.

A recall petition filed by Kardasz in October was denied by the Election Commission. The Commission cited lack of clarity as the reason for the denial, but did not advise Kardasz what part of the petition language needed to be changed in order for it to have sufficient clarity.

Kardasz said based on a 1986 Michigan Court of Appeals ruling involving the Wayne County Election Commission and a 2002 MCOA ruling in the case of Dimas vs. Macomb County Election Commission he believes his recall language will pass the clarity test.

If Warren had an ethics commission or a more clearly defined ethics ordinance, Kardasz said he would have taken this issue to that body and not gone the recall route. Without those things in place, Kardasz believes this is the only recourse residents have to hold leaders accountable.

“This recall is about initiating critical conversations about leadership accountability,” said Kardasz. “The people of Warren deserve a leader who acts in their best interest, not one who delays and avoids difficult decisions until litigation is required.”