| James R. Fouts | |
|---|---|
| 7th Mayor of Warren, Michigan | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office November 9, 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | Mark Steenbergh |
| Constituency | Warren, MI |
| Personal details | |
| Born | [1] Hazel Park, MI |
| Profession | Teacher |
James R. Fouts is the current mayor of Warren, the third largest city in Michigan. Fouts served 26 years on the Warren City Council starting in 1981 until he was elected mayor in 2007, running against then City Clerk Richard Sulaka, whom he defeated 62 percent to 38 percent. Campaign finance reports show that Sulaka outspent Fouts $332,000[2] to $225,000.[3] Claims by Fouts that he raised only $37,000 in the mayoral campaign are unfounded.[4] Sulaka described Fouts as a “maverick” and attributed his victory to voters seeking an alternative to the previous administration.[5] Fouts' predecessor was mayor Mark Steenbergh.
Fouts grew up in Hazel Park, Michigan where his father was city manager. He spent his career as a social studies teacher in the Warren Consolidated School District. His last approximately ten years of teaching were at Sterling Heights High School.
As mayor, Fouts has tried to live up to his long-standing opposition to perceived wasteful government spending. He sought to end the city's contract with Arthur Miller as a lobbyist in Lansing but was told by city lawyers that he could not veto the council's extension of Miller's contract.[6] He has also opposed allowing members of Warren's many commissions and boards to receive gifts from people with interests in decisions the boards have made or will make.[7]
Another of his long-standing issues has been with vacant and abandoned buildings. He has advertised a telephone hotline, established by the previous mayor, Mark Steenbergh, to report such problems.[8]
He is related to Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts.
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