Written by John Face

Photos by John Face
September 11, 2023

Stealing the line from the movie Field of Dreams, where they say, “If you build it, they will come,” yesterday taught the Albion area one thing. Book groups that the masses want to see, and they will show up. Yesterday at the season-closing show for the summer concert series, “Swingin’ at the Shell,” we learned that the masses in Albion like what they saw this summer.

Simply Queen packed the place. Estimates of up to 1,500 people showed up, that number could be higher as the crowd was spread out wide and made counting difficult. This show was the most talked about event in Albion in a long time. After the show, this writer spoke with several people, and they all agreed that Albions’ summer concert series is doing it right.

Much of the credit goes to Stephanie Dobbins as M.C. Bill Dobbins introduced her to the audience as the force behind the shows. She knows what her audience wants: great music and a great venue.

Even though naysayers scoffed at “cover bands” playing concerts in Albion, the summer concert series was full of professional tribute bands, which the crowds wanted — and loved. Proof of that is thousands of people who came to the shows this summer. Thousands. Hard to scoff at that.

So, thank you to all the sponsors, event organizers, and those who work hard to make Albion a fun place to live. So, enjoy these pictures from yesterday:

Written by John Face

September 9, 2023

PARDON THE COPY AND PASTE WITH THE PICTURES AS THIS WAS DONE WITH MY PHONE AS I WAS AWAY FROM HOME.

After our opinion article that was released earlier today, CLICK HERE TO READ THAT ARTICLE we have decided to go ahead and post the contract offer the Albion Economic Development Corporation Board (EDC) is trying to push through. As stated in the original story, the remaining EDC Board members have one agenda it appears. Please take a moment and read the original story. Here is a copy of the new Contract that is being offered:

Written by John Face

Editorial

September 9, 2023

The Albion Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has attempted to meet and rehire the fired EDC President Virgie Ammerman. On August 10, 2023, the EDC Board fired Ammerman. CLICK HERE TO READ THAT STORY The following week, the Albion City Council, against the advice of the legal counsel from the city and EDC, voted to remove the EDC Board members who voted to remove Ammerman from her job. After the council vote, a lawsuit was threatened by fired EDC Board member Ed Haas. CLICK HERE TO READ THAT STORY. Haas said on Friday that he is still planning to file an injunction.

Bring her Back

Meanwhile, three EDC Board member supporters of Ammerman have been busy. Initially, they attempted to reinstate Ammerman as Interim President, only to realize they needed a written contract, which displayed a complete lack of understanding of what they were doing. Since then, they have been unable to get a quorum of the Board, so business has yet to be done. They attempted to meet again on September 1, and again, no quorum was in attendance.

We found out what Ammerman’s contract will look like if they can push it through. First, they plan on paying her $8,480.76 in “back pay” for the time she has been home and not working this last month.

Proof – EDC Board Knew She Was Breaking Rules

They also plan to give her an extremely lucrative expense account, $15,000 annually, that can be used for “including but not limited to meals for development activities.” Using a five-day workweek works out to a daily average of $57.00 per day she is allowed to use.

This expense account was not in her first contract for good reason; a small EDC such as Albion doesn’t need it. Also, it proves one thing: the three Ammerman Board supporters now acknowledge that she was illegally using EDC money for food before being fired. Yet, let’s hire someone that we now know has no problem taking money from the taxpayers that she was not supposed to. At least now she can “lunch” with any old ex-mayor and make taxpayers for it.

Can’t Fire Her

The new contract makes it nearly impossible for the Board to fire her unless she is convicted of a felony or acting dishonestly regarding the EDC. They will tell the public of other rules in place, but I have never seen a contract requiring a 30-day notice to fire someone.

The big issue is that if you do your job like you are supposed to, getting fired is unnecessary. It’s clear Ammerman knew little about what an EDC does, and she has allowed those with suspicious intentions access to the EDC and its money for projects not connected to the EDC.

EDC Board and Albion City Council Gone Wild

All this has shown the taxpayers in the Albion area is that the remaining Ammerman supporters on the EDC Board and four Albion City Council members who fired the EDC Board will only listen to their legal experts if they fit their agenda.

It is time for a change in the City Council. Is there anyone with the stomach to do something? Time will tell.

Have information for this or other stories? Email us at Citywatchnews1@gmail.com

Written by John Face
September 6, 2023

City Watch has been reporting about the activities of former Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Virgie Ammerman since her board fired her in early August. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ORIGINAL STORY. Ammerman said in her interview one week after her August 10 firing she would be quickly rehired. So far, that has not happened.

There is a scheduled meeting tomorrow morning at City Hall with what appears to be an illegal board that plans to rehire her, even in the face of investigations of her trying to delete emails from the EDC server after her firing. She has gone public in an attempt to say that she was trying to archive the emails that she conveniently accidentally deleted; fortunately, the emails appear to have been retrieved by the Michigan State Police, according to sources, so that the board can view them. The issue is, she was not an employee apparently when she tried to hide the emails.

City Watch received another round of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). In this round, we find that the city of Albion billed her for more illegal charges she made with her corporate credit card that City Watch found when this investigation began. Ammerman now owes an additional $138 on top of the over $600 she had to repay.

We also now know the scope of what appears to be her inability to understand simple instructions and rules. As reported earlier, she illegally hired Dick Lindsey of Abbott, Thomson, Mauldin, Parker, Beer, and Lindsey out of Jackson, MI. Most will remember Lindsey as the attorney used by Mat Johnson, the disgraced former President of Albion College, who bought up multiple properties in Albion for Albion College. He also appears to be tied to John Jones a Florida real estate speculator who has been buying properties for the Blue Oval Project in Marshall.

Can someone explain how a contract paying an attorney with questionable ethics is considered an ordinary expense? How much money did Lindsey and his firm bill the EDC? In August alone, $13,000. The EDC Board needs to address this, but this will continue unless legal challenges CLICK THIS LINK TO ORIGINAL STORY ON LEGAL CHALLENGES are successful.

City Watch wants to update you on the legal challenge by Ed Haas, and plans are for the Circuit Court to receive his request for an injunction as soon as today.

More to come soon

Written by John Face

August 29, 2023

The Albion City Council voted to remove four Albion Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board members because they disagreed with the EDC Board’s vote to remove then-EDC President Virgie Ammerman. Since then, the remaining board members have attempted to meet to reinstate Ammerman. So far, they have yet to have a quorum of the remaining board members.

The four Albion Council members voted to remove even though their own lawyer appeared to have told them they could not do it. The EDC Lawyer also said what the Albion Council was doing was illegal. Yet, four members, three of whom have been linked to questionable activities in the past, said they didn’t care and violated their City Charter.

Now Ed Haas, one of the EDC Board the City Council voted out, is suing the city. Click on this link to read the letter Haas’s Attorney sent the city, which is in my story from last week.

The Council may have stuck it to themselves by choosing to ignore legal opinions. Since that happened, the City Attorney may not be allowed to support them when they get sued. This would mean they may need to hire attorneys and pay out of pocket. Citizens of Albion deserve Council members who are not ignorant of the laws and unwilling to listen to people such as their Attorney.

I would ask the EDC Board not to reinstate Ammerman, especially with her questionable actions in attempting to delete thousands of emails that have caused the Michigan State Police to investigate her actions. The issue here is that she tried to do this AFTER being fired. Causing many in the community to ask, what is she trying to hide?

Do you have a tip or more information on this story and others? Send us a confidential email at:
citywatchnews1@gmail.com

Written by John Face

August 27, 2023

City Watch has been following developments involving the Albion Economic Development Corporation (EDC). We have reported the alleged Michigan State Police investigation into potential financial issues with the EDC and the firing of former EDC President Virgie Ammerman.

City Watch has learned that Ed Haas, a former EDC member, plans to follow through on his plans to sue Albion City Council. Those plans are detailed in a letter to the Council by Haass’s lawyer, and that letter is in this story from City Watch; click this link that we brought to you last week. According to our information, Haas’s lawyer plans to file for an injunction as outlined in his letter as early as Monday, August 28.

City Watch will keep you informed as soon as we know more.

Do you have a tip or more information on this story and others? Send us a confidential email at:
citywatchnews1@gmail.com

Written by John Face

August 25, 2023

As the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in Albion attempts to move on after the firing of its President, there is more to report. City Watch has reported on two separate occasions in the last week. For the first story, follow this link, Story #1, and for a follow-up story, follow this link, Story #2.

Albion City Council then apparently illegally removed EDC Board members who voted to remove then EDC President Virgie Ammerman from office. This action then caused the remaining EDC Board members, who are supporters of Ammerman, to attempt to rehire Ammerman.

City Watch can now report that an investigation is underway by the Michigan State Police (MSP) into financial actions during the tenure of former EDC President Virgie Ammerman. Allegedly, the MSP has spoken with City of Albion employees and EDC employees, we can’t confirm if Ammerman is one of the individuals they have spoken to.

This has all happened in the last few days, and now the EDC Board, whose actions may be stopped (see story #2 above) if an injunction occurs, is holding a special meeting of the EDC Board on Saturday morning at the City Hall Chamber.

City Watch is attempting to confirm whether Ammerman deleted emails and that the MSP was able to retrieve them. One source states that emails may contain names and actions of current EDC Board and Albion Council members and past members involved in business at the EDC that they should be kept from. We are working hard and will keep you informed as more breaks. If any of these allegations are true, that would have serious consequences.

Here is a partial Agenda for Saturday morning’s meeting; item 6 is interesting. The meeting is in the Council Chamber in Albion City Hall.

Saturday, August 26, 2023, 10:00 am
Albion Economic Development Corporation City of Albion – Council Chambers 112 W. Cass St. Albion, MI 49224
Watch on YouTube: @albioneconomicdevelopmentcorp Attend Virtually Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89544976899 Mission Statement: Retain, expand, and recruit business and industry to the greater Albion area and strengthen and revitalize the local economy.
AGENDA 1) Call To Order / Roll Call (1 min)
2) Approve Agenda (1 min)
3) Public Comment (TBD) (Persons addressing the Board shall limit their comments to no more than 3 minutes)
4) Approve Minutes from the August 10, 2023, Special Board Meeting and August 21, 2023, Special Board Meeting (5 Min)
5) Approve Past Treasurer’s Reports (3 min)
6) Discussion of EDC Electronic Document Retention Policy (10 min)

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Jim Haadsma

JimHaadsma@house.mi.gov
Haadsma.housedems.com

Who: State Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) 

What: State Rep. Haadsma will be holding coffee hours in Springfield and Albion to meet with constituents.

When & Where: 

Saturday, September 2, 9-11 a.m. at Mr. Don’s Restaurant, 341 N. 20th St., Springfield 

Saturday,September 2, 1-2:30 p.m. at Stirling Books and Brew, 119 N. Superior St., Albion

Background: State Rep. Haadsma hosts coffee hours on the first Saturday of the month to give residents the opportunity to discuss the most important issues happening at the state Capitol and around the community. 

Written by John Face

August 23, 2023

As our investigation continues into the firing of Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Virgie Ammerman, we have more to share.  City Watch exercised a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that caused us to receive many receipts and emails that were to and from Ammerman.  It was those documents that we used to write our original story.  One of those documents was a copy of an invoice that she was required to pay for food receipts she turned in and were inadvertently paid by the city.

After the original story, which can be read by clicking this link, City Watch uncovered more charges Ammerman made with the corporate credit card for food by reviewing statements which were not included on her first invoice.  Most disturbing is some the newer food charges she made were apparently AFTER she was fully aware she could not use the credit card in this way.

These are the kind of actions that raise alarm bells and often scrutiny from law enforcement. Ironically, during my interview with Ammerman I mentioned the possibility of criminal repercussions, you can read the original story for her response.  City Watch has sent in another FOIA in an effort to uncover more receipts and invoices that may have been missed by City employees. 

We are also looking into why the EDC has yet to cancel what appears to be an illegal contract she signed with Marshall Lawyer Dick Lindsey and his law firm Abbott, Thomson, Mauldin, Parker, Beer & Rick out of Jackson.

City Watch has nothing new to report at this time regarding the Ed Haas potential lawsuit against the City of Albion and EDC.

City Watch will keep you posted with more details in the coming days. 

Written by John Face

August 21, 2023

Below is a copy of a letter sent to the City of Albion from the lawyer of Ed Haas.  Haas is threatening to take legal action against the City for removing himself and 3 other members of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board from their seats.  As you will read injunctions are being threatened by Haas for what he believes is a wrong decision.  This letter along with the opinion of the EDC’s Attorney who advised the City Council in Albion that what they were doing is illegal as well.  I have posted that EDC letter as well for reference after the Haas letter.

Here is the Haas Letter:

August 21, 2023

City of Albion
City Commission
112 W Cass Street
Albion, MI 49224
Re: Removal of Members of the Board of Directors
of The Economic Development Corporation of the City of Albion

Dear Commission:
This firm represents Ed Haas, a member of the Board of Directors of The Economic
Development Corporation (the “EDC”) of the City of Albion. It has been brought to our attention
that the Commission recently voted to remove Mr. Haas and three other members of the Board of
Directors following their support of a vote to terminate Virgie Ammerman.

We have reviewed the Articles and Bylaws of the EDC, as well as the City Ordinance
establishing the EDC, and the City Charter. Please note that Article III, Section 4 of the
Ordinance, as well as Article II, Section 4(E) if the Bylaws prohibit removal of a member of the
Board of Directors of the EDC unless there is a for-cause reason for doing so. The for-cause
reasons identified in the Bylaws have not been satisfied. As such, the vote to remove the
members of the Board of Directors of the EDC is not valid.

We hereby demand that the vote be recognized as invalid and the members reinstated.
Failure to do so, as well as any efforts undertaken to enforce the removal or validate the
improper vote without cause will be met with legal action, including but not limited to,
injunctive relief for reinstatement. Any action taken by the EDC to move forward without proper
board composition will also be met with legal action.

We look forward to your prompt acknowledgment and attention to this matter.

Very truly yours,
KUIPER KRAEMER PC

Holly A. Jackson

Here is the EDC Lawyer Letter:

re: Albion Economic Development Corporation August 15, 2023

Council Members:

This Firm represents the Albion Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Our client has asked that I send this letter to the Council concerning the topic of a special meeting the Council is having this evening. Apparently, a reason for the meeting is to consider adopting a resolution removing from the EDC Board four of the five members of that Board that voted in favor of terminating the employment of Virgie Ammerman as President/CEO of the EDC. That action was taken at a duly called and held EDC Board meeting on Thursday, August 10, 2023.

On behalf of the EDC, I urge the City Council to not take the above action. I believe it is beyond the Council authority, and, regardless, leaving the EDC without a 9 (or more) member Board may mean it cannot take action to initiate and implement the projects it has underway, cannot seek to have its bills paid including to its current landlord and other service providers and vendors in Albion, and cannot continue to provide services to the community.

The City Council has the authority under the Economic Development Corporation Act (MCL 125.1601), including at MCL 125.1604 (6), to remove a board member for cause. That authority is affirmed in section 4(a)(4) of the EDC Articles of Incorporation the City Council authorized. However, the Home Rule City Act prohibits the City from removing a board member without cause. The EDC Bylaws, ratified by the City Council, only allow such removal to be for cause, as defined n those Bylaws. The list of for cause reasons in the Bylaws does not begin to include removing an EDC board member (much less four of them) because of a vote by the Board to terminate an employee. The EDC Board terminating an employee is not on the list of “for cause” reasons in the Bylaws, and does not compare to the items that are on the list. There is nothing in “the law” that allows or justifies the Council removing an EDC Board member because of the Board terminating an employee. As an employer, the EDC has the right and authority to have, and to terminate, employees as a pa1t of the usual course of business. The Council does not have the authority to interfere with that usual course of business.

The City Council created the EDC nearly 50 years ago, and if it carries out the above actions, it will likely end the entity as an effective organization, and at least delay it taking actions of the type referred to above. The reputational damage to the City and to the EDC will be devastating.

From

Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C.

Nelson Karre