New Murrieta Mayor, Lori Stone, Takes The Gavel For 2024

MURRIETA, CA —The Murrieta City Council selected Lori Stone as the 2024 Mayor, and Council Member Cindy Warren was selected as the 2024 Mayor Pro Tempore, the city announced this week. Both were unanimously voted into the positions during the city's bi-annual reorganization, according to the Dec. 19 council session.

Stone and Warren both received unanimous votes for their new positions by their fellow council members at that session.

"I’m honored I have the opportunity to serve as Murrieta’s 2024 Mayor," Stone told Patch. "I’m dedicated to addressing the needs of our residents while upholding the values of integrity, honesty, accountability, responsibility and respect, that we work to adhere to in our organization. Murrieta is flourishing and I’m thrilled I can play a small part in its history, ensuring its growth and prosperity by planning today for a successful tomorrow.”

Stone was elected in District 4, is a business owner, and has lived in Murrieta since 1976. Her priorities include public safety, economic development, and working with the chamber of commerce.

"Since moving to Murrieta, I have watched Murrieta grow from a small town to the Gem of the Valley it is today. As a newly elected Council Member for the residents of Murrieta, I will bring many years of experience as a successful business owner to my new role in government. I believe strongly in a private-public partnership as our community continues to grow," her online statement reads.

At the Dec. 19 council session, outgoing mayor Dr. Lisa DeForest gave her Outgoing Mayoral message. She gave special thanks to police, fire, and citizen volunteers.

"As mayor this year, I realized the dozens of citizen volunteers each month that consider issues regarding youth, seniors, library, transportation, finance, and public safety; these commissioners provide a valuable service and are often overlooked. It has been a huge privilege and honor to serve you this year," she said. "I am proud of our accomplishments and lofty goals. Some of my most proud accomplishments include the public/private partnership with our downtown Murrieta Market Nights, an unprecedented agreement with Western and Rancho Water for service-challenged areas, $2.6 million for our innovation center from Supervisor Washington's office, and facilitating a relationship with Mount San Jacinto College.

"The quality of life in Murrieta is apparent with our commitment to police and fire," she said. "Thank you for taking your time away from your families to serve our community.

"I am in no doubt the council is all here because we all want to make a difference," DeForest said in her outgoing address. "Putting the city before politics is what should unite us. I'm not going away. I'm just moving over a seat or two. Any achievements I have made are a collective endeavor. Thank you, everyone, it's been an honor."