Written by John Face
November 2, 2023
Six years ago today, I wrote an article reporting on how Albion City Manager Sheryl L Mitchell Theriot had rescinded her resignation letter during the Albion City Council meeting a few days before. It was a story that gripped Albion at the time as the City was locked up by a hostile, lawless City Council trying to run her out of town. She would eventually leave Albion, and I must admit that would be the best thing for her. She has gone on to bigger and better things than Albion, Michigan, but she is still, and always will be, one of “us.”
From that one article, I started reporting on what was happening in Albion, good and bad. I had no journalistic training before all of this. Many would tell you my writing shows that. I have been accused of being a racist, a misogynist, and a liar. I have had, at last count, 13 death threats from the community, all because I reported on things in Albion that needed to be exposed.
Haters Gonna Hate
My supporters cheer me, thank you all, and those who hate me go out of their way to speak ill of me in public. Just this past week, I heard a horn crossing the street, and as the car drove by, I saw a hand with a middle finger staring at my face and heard the words “fuck you, Face” It was real. I recognized who it was; they were not fans. If I had a nickel each time my name was mentioned in anger in a council meeting, I could buy a good dinner for me and a few friends at Galazio of Albion.
I have gone from strictly Facebook-based to just over a year ago launching my City Watch NEWS Blog website. I have been told by many over the last several months that the quality of my writing has improved; thank you. I do this because I want to. I do this because it has given me the opportunity to meet some really cool people. I do this because, I hope, I have made a change for the good in our little town.
So celebrate with me today. I am not stopping, no matter how many times I get flipped off.
Happy Anniversary City Watch NEWS
City Watch News Blog 
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