Mayor Joe LaRussa

05/31/2026

Looking forward to visiting our sister city in Vacri, Italy, and they are sharing the importance of our ‘Gemellaggio’ with the press there.

Use your favorite translator and read about our upcoming visit, and stay tuned for updates while we’re there!

Il Comune di Vacri si appresta a vivere una pagina storica di apertura internazionale e cooperazione culturale. Dal 3 al 6 giugno prossimi, la municipalità

05/28/2026

Back on Mackinac to share success in Farmington, reconnect with friends, and size up candidates for the upcoming elections this Fall.

✅ Great American Main Street Award Winner

✅New housing construction 80% faster than economists predicted

✅ 95% Occupancy rate in Downtown Farmington

✅ Infrastructure renewal to prepare us for the future.

Farmington is an example for Michigan. We’ve got momentum!

05/25/2026

Honoring the loved and lost today for Memorial Day.

A parade to celebrate our freedoms, and a wreath to remember those who gave it to us. Thank you to all who serve and thank you, Farmington, for showing up for them.

05/21/2026

Hey Farmington, you may recall last October we hosted a delegation from our Sister City, Vacri, Italy.

I’m pleased to share that a delegation from Farmington will visit Vacri June 3-6 to further the discussions we started here around historic preservation, economic development, and cultural exchange.

I’m looking forward to seeing our friends in Vacri again and gaining a deeper understanding of their city, its similarities to our own, and how we can continue to help each other.

I want to thank Antonio Rugiero and the Rugiero Family (owners of Antonio's Cucina Italiana) for their support of this trip. Their help is making Farmington a destination for Italians here in our area.

Many relatives of Vacri’s residents (colloquially known as ‘Vacrese’) live here in metro Detroit and continue to visit Farmington since last October, supporting our events and businesses because we support our Sister City.

Stay tuned for updates from the trip!

05/18/2026

Founders Festival is coming up! Here’s an opportunity to be a part of the event.

Volunteer at the Farmington Founders Festival and be part of the excitement! Whether it’s helping with the Color Run, supporting the parade, assisting at the Arts & Crafts Show, or providing support across various festival activities, there’s a place for everyone to make a difference.

Join us July 16–18 and help bring this community celebration to life while creating lasting memories and connections.

Learn more and get involved: https://www.eventeny.com/events/volunteer/application/?id=15133

05/15/2026

Yesterday morning I stood with other local elected officials to oppose zoning preemption legislation at the State Capitol.

These bills will mandate zoning rules statewide that will hurt our community, do nothing to increase housing production, and do nothing to increase affordability.

The cost of materials, manpower, and money drive the cost of housing. Local zoning ensures the health, safety, welfare, and infrastructure needs of a community are served.

Yesterday one state representative testified that construction costs range from $300-$550/square foot. Thats $600,000 - $1,000,000 for a new 2,000 square foot house!

Farmington is building more housing and has won awards for our work, including the ‘Yes in My Backyard’ award from the Home Builders Association of Michigan and the Great American Main Street Award from Main Street America.

If Lansing wants to ‘help’, we need more tools, more flexibility, and more state funds to support housing projects in our city. I’m supporting an alternate (and superior) legislative package that does those things. Local voices matter, and we know what we’re doing in Farmington.

05/12/2026

It was a pleasure to join the Consulate of Italy and many other consular representatives from all over the world tonight at Hong Hua for a taste of Taiwan cuisine and culture.

I’m grateful to have attended as the Consul’s guest, and to have the opportunity to welcome the attendees at the event.

05/07/2026

The MI Home Program is a far better solution to address Michigan’s housing needs, because PARTNERING with local governments will actually get results.

Preemption will not do anything to address the real constraints on housing - the cost of materials, labor, and money!

Contact: Jessica Weirauch Michigan Municipal League [email protected], 734-669-6311 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2026 MML calls on lawmakers to pass the MI Home Program LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Municipal League is calling upon lawmakers to pass the MI Home Program (House Bills 5660 and 56...

05/02/2026

Over to the local sports desk…today the South Farmington Baseball and Softball leagues held their opening day festivities in Shiawassee Park. I was grateful to attend with Mayor Theresa Orlaske Rich and thank you to all the local sponsors who help make this 800+ member league so successful!

05/02/2026

Today’s opening of the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market was epic! Thank you to all the volunteers, speakers, and vendors who made today so special!