Outgoing Grosse Pointe Farms Mayor Louis Theros passes the gavel to new Mayor John Gillooly through the Nov. 10 Farms Metropolis Council assembly.
Picture by Okay. Michelle Moran
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Louis Theros might have been mayor of Grosse Pointe Farms for the previous eight years, however he does not take credit score for town’s achievements underneath his management.
“We had been all the time essentially the most united (municipality) council, marching in the identical path,” mentioned Theros, who didn’t run for re-election in November. “Because of this, we had been in a position to get so much finished.”
Councilor Sierra Donaven mentioned Theros confirmed “eloquence and sophistication” as mayor. He was additionally somebody who needed to collaborate with others.
“He does not say ‘I,’” Donaven mentioned in October. “He does not say ‘I.’ He says, “Let’s examine how we are able to get you there.”
A local of Grosse Pointes, Theros grew up in Grosse Pointe Woods and has lived in each Pointe besides the Shores. He was a member of town council from 2001 to 2017 and mayor from 2017 to 2025. A lawyer by coaching, he realized the significance of service from his dad and mom, Spero and Barbara, each of whom had been immigrants from Greece.
Theros mentioned it was his spouse Patti’s quest for a single ordinance change that received him into native politics within the first place. He additionally famous with amusing that his spouse, who has been lively in a number of group organizations through the years, is best acknowledged than he’s, with folks usually saying, “Oh, you are Patti’s husband!”
“That is the most effective title I’ve ever had,” Theros mentioned.
After serving as vp and common counsel for the MGM Grand Detroit, Theros turned president of the MGM Springfield on line casino in Massachusetts in January 2025. He was then additionally named president of Empire Metropolis On line casino in Yonkers, New York, on the finish of April. Theros was already planning on not operating once more this fall, however his busy work journey schedule sealed the deal.
“I did not consider in being ‘mayor for all times,’” Theros mentioned. “I spent this final semester finishing the whole lot wanted to get that sewer within the floor.”
The Inland District sewer separation venture, at present underway, is a large enterprise aimed toward decreasing the danger of basement sewage backup.
Metropolis Supervisor Shane Reeside publicly acknowledged Theros through the mayor’s final assembly on Oct. 13.
“Mr. Mayor, I wish to thanks to your imaginative and prescient (and) your knowledge… over the previous 24 years,” Reeside mentioned. “It was an important experience and an important journey with you.”
Reeside mentioned the mayor emphasised transparency and was instrumental in enhancements to parks and infrastructure over the previous 20 years.
“All of our metropolis workers respect the assist you’ve given us,” Reeside mentioned. “You might have all the time had our backs. … We thanks to your service.”
Councilwoman Beth Konrad-Wilberding mentioned in October that there was “no substitute” for Theros, saying he has a present for constructing relationships and incomes the respect of others.
“You sit down with folks,” Konrad-Wilberding mentioned. “You discuss to folks.”
Councilman Neil Sroka acknowledged that he and Theros might not have aligned politically, however when Sroka was elected, Theros made it clear he needed them to work collectively as a workforce, recalling how the mayor invited the newcomer to the Metropolis Council to breakfast 4 years in the past. Sroka mentioned Theros has since turn out to be a mentor to him.
“He’s undoubtedly the sort of chief I wish to be, a servant chief,” Sroka mentioned. “We are able to have disagreements with out being unpleasant.”
Retired Farms Public Security Director Daniel Jensen — who was elected to the Metropolis Council in November — mentioned it was Theros who inspired him to run for workplace this yr.
“I respect all of the assist and friendship through the years. … It has been a pleasure working with you,” Jensen advised Theros, in recognition of their joint work as metropolis supervisor and mayor.
“His management has impressed us in so some ways,” mentioned Metropolis Council Member Lev Wooden.
Even longtime metropolis lawyer William Burgess weighed in on the mayor’s tenure.
“Irrespective of how inappropriate it’s to say one thing, I’ll,” Burgess mentioned. “Crucial factor that the women and gents at this desk accomplish is future planning and monetary stewardship… Louie is unparalleled in his concentrate on the longer term… and getting the little particulars proper each time.”
At a gathering on November 10, new Mayor John Gillooly learn a proclamation in honor of Theros and introduced that the council chambers – which additionally function a municipal courtroom – had been named after Theros.
“Mr. Mayor, you’ll all the time be our mayor,” Gillooly advised Theros, praising him for his transparency and “all the time looking for the residents.”
At 61, Theros mentioned he has spent greater than half his grownup life on the council desk. The daddy of two grownup sons mentioned he plans to proceed contributing to the group, however in numerous methods. He additionally hopes to spend extra time together with his household and proceed performing together with his band Ish, which has been collectively for 11 years. Theros is the drummer; he has been taking part in drums since he was within the third grade and was impressed to take up the instrument by his cousin Frank, who thought Theros was “cool.” Ish performs music from the sixties to the current by such various artists as Depeche Mode, Tom Petty and Carly Rae Jepsen.
“In case you can dance to it, we’ll play it,” Theros mentioned.
True to kind, Theros refused to present himself credit score for town’s achievements over the previous 24 years, recognizing that it’s all the time a workforce effort.
“I realized one thing from everybody at this desk,” Theros mentioned in October.
