Month: September 2021

Ethics – Real Questions Need Answering

Written by John Face

September 30, 2021

Editorial

As Richard Lindsey who is an attorney with the firm Abbott, Thomson, Mauldin, Parker, Beer and Rick out of Jackson MI worked his social media campaign supporting Albion College and its President Mathew Johnson there was one thing he was failing to do and that was disclose his relationship to Albion College.  I am not talking about his being an alumnus of Albion College as that is one thing he has long been proud of, as he should be. 

I am talking about his law firm representing Albion College in matters of purchasing property around the campus and around Washington Gardner.  I am talking about Lindsey as being the attorney personally doing the leg work so to speak for the firm trying to buy property. 

Lindsey has made a point to prove what is “fact or fiction”, even to the point of invoking my name in one of his rants.  All the while he was being super champion of Johnson and the college he did not publically disclose the financial relationship between himself, his firm and the college.  That disclosure only came after he must have heard that I was looking into his connections with the college.  I mean literally hours after I was asking questions about this connection with an individual who is selling their property.

So Lindsey got on social media, specifically Facebook and spoke of many things that are legal, fact or fiction and giving examples of legal precedent to back up his legal claims, and oh yeah he mentioned without much fanfare that he was gaining financially representing the college.

Now that last point has gone quietly to the side and it should be front and center.  Let me state this it appears it is legal for Lindsey to do this and I certainly don’t begrudge a man making a living.  The issues are much larger and let’s state them.

Richard Lindsey is the President of the Marshall Public School Board of Education.  Richard Lindsey is an alumnus of Albion College.  Richard Lindsey is a big supporter of Albion College President Mathew Johnson.  Richard Lindsey is an attorney with Abbott, Thomson, Mauldin, Parker, Beer and Rick out of Jackson MI, the firm making money off the college acquiring property for the college.   Richard Lindsey supports the Bond issue that will be on the November Ballot, we know this because he voted to put it before the voters.

Read the previous paragraph again.  Is this ethical?  That’s a good question.  It appears that it is legal for Lindsey to represent the college but ethical?  Ethics are more than rules set up but professional organizations and Boards.  Ethics are in your own heart.  Ethics add to your moral compass that we all should have, most certainly someone who has been entrusted with leading our school district.  Is Lindsey being ethical?  You decide.

Complete disclosure:  I have known Richard Lindsey for around 6 years.  I met him during the yes campaign for annexation and he was a fountain of information for me then.  We have continued to have a friendship since and have enjoyed meeting with each other socially as well.  Richard represented me as my attorney during the City of Albion’s investigation that included the Cities attempt to get information from me about my sources.  Of course the city got nothing but still Richard sat with me and guided me legally during my interview.  I do not have an axe to grind regarding Richard but I will not sit still and have him imply that I have been dishonest and incomplete in my reporting.  That is not going to happen.  I walk the streets knowing I have been ethical in this entire situation regarding Albion College and Mathew Johnson.  The fact is folks I considered Richard Lindsey a friend.  Apparently that friendship was one sided.  Lesson learned.

Comments open on this article.

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Albion College Has Connection to Siena College Polling Organization

Written by John Face

Photo by John Face

September 25, 2021

Odd Calls

As the phone calls in the Albion area continued from Siena College many asked why a school in New York would care about doing a Poll regarding a local bond issue.  For those who don’t know Marshall Public Schools has a bond issue on the ballot and a group from Siena College, at least that is what caller I.D. says who is calling, has been conducting a phone survey in the community.  Many people have received different levels of information from the callers about who they are and in some cases had the caller hang up and those who completed the survey.

Photo by John Face 2021

Victoria Garcia-Snyder the City of Albion’s Mayor, had a post on her Facebook page that caught the attention of this writer and I am sharing this with her permission:

“Things that make you go ‘Hmmmm’ – Got a message on my City Hall Line from Megan Crawford from Siena College. She stated that she heard that I had issues with my call last night and wanted to talk about the conversation.

How did you know that I had an issue?

How did you get either of my numbers?

How did you know that the Mayor of Albion received a call that ended abruptly with one of your callers?

Creepy and Bizarre!”

Snyder is entitled to be concerned by a call such as this. I have not been able to contact Ms. Crawford yet as I would like to know who the client is for this poll. The call that Ms. Crawford alludes to is a reference to this Facebook post from the Mayor:

“Ok, so I decided to finally pick up the call from Siena College.  When I asked why it was important to confirm if my # was a personal cell # or not, she stated that she couldn’t ask me further questions…….WTF??”

City Watch NEWS became aware early on of a connection between Albion College and Siena College.  Mathew Johnson the President at Albion is an alumnus of Siena and even had Dr. Donald Levy as a speaker at Johnson’s inauguration on September 18 in Albion.  Levy is employed with Siena and apparently has a long professional history and friendship with Johnson.

The Phone Pollsters, Albion Style

In the fall of 2020 Albion College struggled to have classes on campus much the same as Colleges and Universities around the world but still pulled it off.  The student body struggled as well due to the fact that many students who depended on earning extra money were not able to because of the pandemic restrictions.

Dr. Johnson came up with an idea and contacted his alma mater and reached out to Levy who is the Director of the Siena College Research Institute in New York.  They head studies and polling in partnership with the New York Times and other media outlets.

Albion College purchased 50 lap tops that were then loaded with Siena programs that ran their polling software, it is unknown by this writer if Albion had to pay for the software.  Then students were recruited to do telephone polling for the New York Times who was the client of Siena and Siena sub-contracted with Albion College and paid the college and students for their services.  The students benefitted from this agreement, which is good, but this does show a direct link between Siena polling and Albion College.

Now what is unknown by this writer is what happened to the laptops once the polling contract was completed.  They may have been given to students to use for remote learning according to one source or they remain on campus waiting to be used again according to another source.

One of my sources expressed concern when they heard about the mystery calls occurring in Albion and said that they were afraid the poll was being conducted locally to “test the loyalty of staff by President Johnson”.  It should be noted that there is no proof of that as almost all recipients of the calls have no real connection to Albion College.

City Watch will continue to follow up as needed.

Part 4 Smoke and Mirrors Try To Detract From Real Questions for Dr. Johnson

Editorial

Written by John Face

Photo Credit John Face

September 24, 2021

As Dr. Mathew Johnson’s supporters spread out over social media and the community it’s worth me taking time to address that as best I can.  One person I spoke with in all my interviews said “Johnson is good at insulating himself by having others do the dirty work even if it makes those supporters look like fools”.  Now that is hard to prove but it has become clear that Johnson supporters are in full frontal attack.

I released a story that dealt with the connections of Albion City Council members and Johnson.  I started with the no bid contract that Vicky Clark received from Albion College for cleaning services at four buildings on campus.  Clark at the time was the Precinct 1 Council member and has resigned her seat since the release of the story as she has moved out of the precinct.  In this story never did this writer state it was illegal for her to receive the contract, but the question is does this contract appear appropriate.  

The fact is Johnson knew Clark was going to receive the contract prior to it being signed.  The issue that needs to be answered without smoke and mirrors is wouldn’t it have been better to put the contract up for bid for all minority cleaning services before giving a no bid contract to a sitting member of council?  If this had gone through that process, whether the way it was ultimately done is legal or not, suspicions would have been easily dismissed.

Despite what you are being told, it is a no bid contract that Clark received because the contract was given to her and no one else had a chance at it.  Poor legal arguments describing it as anything else is just smoke and mirrors. 

As far as the other members of council allow me to address Lenn Reid.  I am not really sure why Ms. Reid would be upset with the writer.  If she or anyone else actually read the article they would have seen that this writer never questioned her actions regarding the Holland Park project and did not bring her up to Johnson.  No that would be Dr. Johnson who demanded that she be added to my list of questionable relationships between the college and Council members “because people in the community are saying that was done for influence”, he said.  This writer has defended Ms. Reid and the project as far as what was done by the college regarding Holland Park.

There are real questions that need to be answered by Johnson and not by his defenders that are beholding to him financially. 

Such as where does the college expect to find money for his Washington Gardner project?  Is what City Watch NEWS heard that Johnson has told different leaders in the community if the Marshall Public School Bond fails his plan is to build and open a Charter School at the location he wants a Marshall Elementary School built true?  It is public knowledge that Johnson wants an Elementary school built there.

Why couldn’t he or his attorney that handled the WG Construction application to the state actually use the College address instead of his address?  Psst took me less than 30 seconds to look it up, 611 East Porter Street. Is it a good idea for him to hire the Law firm that the Marshall School board President works for? Is it a good idea for him to have that school board president go to residents asking to purchase homes for cash for an anonymous buyer that turns out to be the College is the buyer?

These are a few of many questions that Johnson needs to answer, not his defenders.  The public has grown tired, with proof of many text messages and phone calls I have received, of Johnson supporter’s lip service while he hides and doesn’t answer any more tough questions in public. So when the Johnson defenders, especially those who are making money off the college, try to answer these questions I would ask you politely ask them to shush, and tell them to tell Johnson it’s his turn to talk to this writer.

I will be back in a couple days with more.

Phone Survey Suspicious – Unknown who is Behind It

Written By John Face

September 23, 2021

Over the last several days multiple people are stating they are receiving a phone call for a survey about the local Marshall Public School Bond proposal. Several people have stated that when they asked the caller who is paying for the survey the caller quickly hangs up. In Michigan it is against the law to conduct surveys and not identify your organization and the purpose.

When caller ID does show it displays what is in this photo. Siena College is located in Loudonville New York. It is unknown if this is legitimate or some kind of computer generated ID unrelated to the college, City Watch is working to identify the source hopefully in the coming days.

At this time City Watch is passing along advice from election officials that it is best to hang up on callers who refuse to identify themselves as it is difficult to determine if the caller is a legitimate organization.

Petition Drive Demanding Removal from Office Of College President “Falling on Deaf Ears”

Written by John Face

September 16, 2021

This morning City Watch NEWS spoke with two signers of the change.org petition drive that asks for the removal of Mathew Johnson as President of Albion College.  Both students requested to remain anonymous for fear of retribution and City Watch agreed with this request. 

Student #1 a Senior, said that the petition drive was needed to try and remove the President.  They said “the fact that students and people of the community have to stand up to a bully like this is sad”.  They said that real change can only occur “when the Board of Trustees listens to us and does their job in removing him”.  The student said there are legitimate concerns regarding his ability to lead and to make change.  This student claims the administrations “attack via social media since the petition began” is an example of telling “just enough of the truth” to make his story look good.

I asked as a Senior would they compare Dr. Johnson to former President Dr. Ditzler? Student 1 said “there is absolutely no comparison. Dr. Ditzler wasn’t perfect but at least he treated people with respect and you felt like he cared for us where Dr Johnson does not”.

Student # 2 is a Freshman at the college and came to Albion because of its efforts to diversify its student body and its history as a strong academic institution.  They said their impression of Dr. J was very good at the start of the school year. That would change quickly as they shared their concerns as “Dr. J  tends to talk down to people and is quite mean”. 

The student claimed they experienced first hand how Dr. J could be on how he dealt with a friend, “he made them feel like a second class person as he criticized the friend in front of them”.  I asked what the topic was that caused this interaction. They said they “won’t say because he could figure out who I am”.

When I asked if real change will come from the petition both stated likely not.  Student 1 said “it’s falling on deaf ears” it appears as far as the Board of Trustees go.  I asked if there is any plan for an organized protest this week for the Presidents inauguration.  Both replied none that they were aware of. I asked them both if there was a protest would they participate and both said yes, there is “safety in numbers” student 1 said.

I asked the students if they have tried to speak directly to the President, both said no. Student 2 stating “I am afraid of him so the last thing I want to do is put myself out there like a target”.  

I asked them what message would they want to get out to the Trustees and community at large.  They both agreed with Student 1’s statement, “tell the Trustees to help us, please remove him before he bankrupts the College and ruins its standing in the country”. 

Again a message to students and staff, feel free to reach out to me at facej781@gmail.com if you wish to talk.

Here is a link to the petition:

https://www.change.org/p/albion-college-remove-dr-mathew-johnson-from-albion-college

Part 3 – Interview with Albion College President Mathew Johnson

Editorial

Written by John Face

September 14, 2021

City Watch NEWS

As my editorial yesterday regarding Albion College President Mathew Johnson and the Albion City Council was rolled out, it received the responses I expected.  Johnson’s detractors were pleased to see something reported about him while his supporters rolled out  the company line of “the college doesn’t have to do a no bid process as they are not a government agency” and other attacks over social media.

One of Johnson’s supporters actually blamed me and my article for hurting the school bond proposal coming to the voters in November.  Claiming that people are using it as a way to show that there are problems here.  This may be true that they are using it that way. The fact is, the editorial I wrote has nothing to do with the bond proposal and everything to do with actions of the president and council members.

My concern has and still is why Johnson would lack the forethought to realize that giving a no bid contract to a member of council was a bad idea.  I stated in the story that he said her being a council member had nothing to do with the selection. Yet, Johnson knew when he referred her to his chief of operations and before she signed a contract, she was an Albion City Council member.  Wouldn’t opening it up for bids for minority companies have been the best and safest way “to keep himself out of the process” as he said?

So I sit here today asking questions.  Why have so many staff left Albion College?  Staff with decades of institutional experience that could make a new president look good.  Why are students risking their education to publically call out the college president and ask for his removal?  Why are employees, many of whom I have spoken to afraid to stand up to him?  Why did Johnson have the public relations firm, Identity, out of Bingham Farms, MI email me regarding questions I submitted to him for follow-up?  He agreed to answer them via email in connection to this interview and for a  subsequent story. Why am I now requested to go through a PR firm hired by him and the college?

I will end this short entry today with asking Dr. Johnson for the promised follow-up interview for more questions and answers.

To the staff and students at Albion College in my interview Johnson stated that you can go to Human Resources and even to the Board of Trustees to share your concerns.  I would also say feel free to reach out to me at facej781@gmail.com, I will not betray you.

Change . Org Petition Gaining Ground for Removal of President Mathew Johnson

Written by John Face

City Watch NEWS

September 14, 2021

The petition that was started three days ago asking for the removal of Albion College President Mathew Johnson had 15 signatures and three comments yesterday morning now has 678 signatures and many comments. The petition asks for Johnsons removal based on many issues the petition starter feel is cause for his removal. City Watch will be monitoring this in the coming days. Below is a direct link to the petition.

https://www.change.org/p/albion-college-remove-dr-mathew-johnson-from-albion-college

President Mathew Johnson Petition Drive for Removal

Written by John Face.

City Watch has learned that a Change.org petition has been started seeking the removal of Albion College President Mathew Johnson. The petition was started by an anonymous individual.

Many of the issues in the petition mirror what City Watch will be reporting later this week. City Watch has nothing to do with this and only shares it to allow the public to make an informed opinion.

Follow this link:

https://www.change.org/p/albion-college-remove-dr-mathew-johnson-from-albion-college

INTERVIEW WITH ALBION COLLEGE PRESIDENT MATHEW JOHNSON – Part 2 – Does this pass the smell test?

From an interview conducted on August 13, 2021

Written by John Face

Photo Credit John Face

September 12, 2021

City Watch NEWS



As First Precinct Council member Vicky Clark received a no bid contract for cleaning services at Albion College it certainly turned a lot of heads in the community. This writer received several calls from community members regarding this.  During our interview I addressed this with Dr. Johnson starting with my letting him know that I support his commitment to minority businesses.   

The question I posed was were other minority businesses given an opportunity to bid on the contract or was it just given to the Council woman?  Johnson replied “that it was not an open bid process as often is the case in small towns like this”.  City Watch can’t confirm or deny that giving exclusive no bid contracts to elected officials or anyone is common in small towns.

Johnson stated he was trying to solve a problem with a current contractor at the college.  He made inquiries in the community, and a company was referred to him that was just starting up he said and that it was focused on cleaning. He did not supply who referred the company. The company is called Shepherd Care Services and is solely owned by Council member Vicky Clark and it was formed in 2017 according to records posted on the State of Michigan License and Regulatory Affairs site.  At that time he says he did not know the company was Clarks until he made contact with them.  After reaching out he said he turned this over to his Chief of Operations and they took it from there and Clark secured the contract to keep himself out of the process.

I asked Dr. Johnson if he understood that giving a council member an exclusive contract “doesn’t pass the smell test” and he categorically stated that had nothing to do with Vicky Clark getting the exclusive no bid contract.  He explained that in small towns many things overlap.  He tried to compare the hiring practices for making videos for the Albion Community Foundation to the hiring of the cleaning contract.

This writer checked to see what exactly Johnson was talking about.  Brick Street Marketing has done videos for the Community Foundation in the past.  Brick Street which is owned by Caster Concepts has done some videos for free and others for money.  I reached out to Bill Dobbins regarding this and he said he was more than willing to show me “the books” of business between the Community Foundation and Brick Street. 

Dobbins said “I have nothing to hide as we do work for many companies and doing some free work is one of the many things we do”.   He pointed out that Brick Street did a video for the Coke sign campaign for free.

This writer found Johnsons attempt to compare how the college giving an exclusive no bid contract to an elected official was the same as the biggest marketing company in Albion doing work for the Community Foundation is well, laughable, because one directly benefits Clark as the other helps a business grow.  It should be noted that Clark has since resigned her seat on the Council and according to sources she will be moving out of her district is the reason.

We moved on from this to the next question.  I wanted to discuss Albion Council member Linda LaNoue and her position at Albion College.  LaNoue applied for and was hired during Johnson’s tenure by the college according to the Colleges website, as Assistant Director Special Projects, a relatively new position at the College.  I asked does he see why this doesn’t pass the smell test like Vicky Clark.  Johnson stated LaNoue was hired because she has an incredible amount of experience in her background and that being a member of Council played no role in her getting the job.  LaNoue told this writer in a short discussion that she has recently resigned from her position at the College.  She stated she loved working at the College and with Dr. Johnson and had nothing but praise for him.

We then moved on to my final Council member Nora Jackson and her program Difference Makers.  Jackson’s organization uses Washington Gardner and I asked does she get to use Washington Gardner for free as a non-profit.  Johnson said “you will have to ask the YMCA as she works with them in their contracted space”.

At this point he said “as long as you are doing a list you should add Lenn Reid”.  Ms. Reid is an Albion City Council member as well. He said that there are accusations that the college did work at Holland Park which was one of her projects in order to influence her as well.  I explained that the Holland Park project the College helped with was entirely different as the college has helped on similar projects in the past.

I told him I knew the motivation of the college was to help in Holland Park not influence.  He said you should add it as it falls in the same type of allegation as the others.  He had a problem with my acceptance with the help the college gave toward Holland Park and my interrogation, as he put it, of the others as inconsistent?  I advised him I saw nothing inconsistent about me seeing no wrong about the college’s help with Holland as that project did not benefit Reid directly or anyone else.

I then asked if he felt Council members should recuse themselves from votes regarding the college and he offered several valid points as to why that would make a bad precedent.

City Watch will follow with Part 3 soon.

City Watch NEWS and Our Fresh Start

Written by John Face

Photo Credit John Face

As September came around so did a new beginning for City Watch.  Having been solely Facebook based for our first three years now was the time to take the next step.  Having our own website allows us more freedom and also opens up opportunities for others to contribute.  We will be hosting a “Letter to the Editor” section soon and will invite others to write feature stories and public interest items.  City Watch wants to be your all around location for NEWS and events in Albion and the entire area.

So in the coming weeks look for additions to the site and remember feel free to share your story ideas.  Contact us at facej781@gmail.com for ideas and tips. Feel free to follow us on Facebook as well with this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/381167269007730/

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