Written by John Face

May 22, 2022

The first 2 paragraphs of Act II Community Theatres social media press release said it all:

“It is with great sadness that we inform our supporters that our third and final performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has been canceled.

There has been a catastrophic incident at the Bohm involving a major water leak and this has caused us to cancel our show. To say we are broken hearted would be an understatement. We are crushed as our actors, musicians and crews worked so hard to bring a quality show to Albion”.

Patrons who did not find out about the cancellation prior to the 2:00 P.M. play were greeted with this sign on the front doors of the Bohm.

Early Sunday morning when staff arrived to clean the Bohm and make it ready for ACT II’s show in the afternoon they were greeted with water coming through the ceiling in the main lobby. Upon further inspection the leak was determined to be because of a urinal that malfunctioned on the 2nd floor mens room.

Water was literally everywhere in the lobby area pouring through the ceiling “like you were in a shower,” said staff. The bathroom and office area above the lobby was flooded with 1/2 inch of standing water. Water was cascading down the stairway like a waterfall at first. Staff was shocked at the extent of the damage.

Albion Department of Public Safety arrived as fire alarms were activated. This was happening because water was using any opening to flow, including light fixtures, fire extinguisher system. ADPS officers worked with Bohm staff to isolate the problem and the decision to turn off the water to Bohm 1 was made and they accomplished that. They also offered equipment to the Bohm to try and clean up the situation and make it less devastating.

Bohm staff contacted an emergency clean up service who came to mitigate the situation.

Residents driving by the Bohm saw several vehicles on scene as around a dozen workers worked to make the damage less destructive. ACT II representatives as well as Bohm representatives were on scene very early. It was obvious to Tom McClure President of ACT II Community Theatre and John Face the Secretary a decision needed to be made quickly.

Both discussed with Bob Veramay General Manager of the Theatre that the Bohm would be closed for the remainder of the day and most likely for an extended time. McClure and Face discussed many options but ultimately decided the third and final show Sunday must be canceled, and their show came to an end.

McClure when asked for a comment sent this to City Watch: “On one hand it’s a loss,” he said. “Not just financially, but more importantly, a loss for our actors who lost that last chance to deliver a tremendous show to an audience. Our directors, crew, and orchestra lost that opportunity as well.” “However,” added McClure “this cast, and crew were incredible, and nothing can take that away. This group has helped to define us and put the “live” back in live theatre here in Albion. We are very proud of all of them.”

Social media sprang to life as word of the situation at the communities beloved Bohm became public along with the cancellation of the show. Words of encouragement to ACT II and the Bohm, came from those who had attended the performances Friday and Saturday as well as the public’s concern for the Bohm. City Watch reached out to Shane Williamson, the Executive Director of the Albion Community Foundation and Executive Director of the Bohm sent us this statement:

“The Bohm Theatre suffered a severe blow to its infrastructure overnight when a plumbing malfunction happened causing extreme flooding from the second floor down to the basement of the main historic Bohm Theatre. As you can imagine the staff and board are devastated that Albion’s arts and culture crown jewel is experiencing this situation.

We are fortunate to have insurance and a strong team of staff that helped mitigate damage. Cat Rec also was fast in responding to calls for help and have started the drying process. Over the next several days we will learn the extent of the damage and will be communicating openly about the path forward and when normal operations will continue. Bohm II now is serving as our movie screening theatre. Our thoughts are truly with Act II Community Theatre as this incident disrupted their third show of their inaugural show at the Bohm.

This is Devastating for their organization as they see large lost revenues from not being able to perform their third show. If you are wondering how you can help, please consider making a donation to both the Bohm Theatre and ACT II Community Theatre to support these organizations that have had some of the hardest times during the pandemic and in a shifting entertainment landscape post-Covid. And when things get taken care of; buy a membership, buy a ticket, support local arts right here in downtown Albion.”

Williamson also added “The Albion community foundation has been care taking the Bohm Theatre since the start of the pandemic and has been shepherding the Bohm through the new post-Covid 19 environment. “

Cliff Harris the President of the Bohm added “There was a plumbing leak, there is some damage, but we’ll be back and at this point I don’t think it will be that long.  We have experts on the way. As for time until we reopen? The experts haven’t made any evaluations yet.”

 

Written by John Face

Can you guess who slipped into town for a quick visit on their way to the Fox Theatre in Detroit? That’s right, The War and Treaty stopped in their home town of Albion.

They have a concert tomorrow night opening for Van Morrison at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. They were in Chicago and passing through to visit family here in Albion. They had a nice lunch at the Albion Malleable.

See bottom of article with email explanation

Photo by John face

Written by John Face

March 31, 2022

City Watch NEWS has received an email distributed to Albion College staff this morning stating that their direct deposits that should have been in place this morning have been delayed. The email that was sent at 8:31 A.M. this morning stated:

“Good Morning Campus:

As many of you have noticed already, the payment for today’s monthly/salaried and student paychecks have not been deposited. We understand what an incredibly frustrating situation this puts our employees in and we are actively working on a resolution. You can expect your direct deposit by the end of the business day today.  Our apologies for any inconvenience and stress this may have caused”. 

City Watch has been in contact with staff to verify if this email and found that it appears to be true. The email was sent by Catherine Lessnau the Associate Director of Human Resources. City Watch has reached out to Ms. Lessnau for a quote and is still waiting for a reply.

The college has been having financial issues for quite some time as City Watch reported in the story LINK TO STORY that shows the long-term issues with spending.

City Watch will follow up on this breaking story as it needs later today.

From: Catherine Lessnau <clessnau@albion.edu>

Date: Thu, Mar 31, 2022 at 3:55 PM
Subject: UPDATE | Monthly and Student Payroll for Today 3/31/2022
To:

Good afternoon, 
As most of you are aware, unfortunately, a step was missed in the payroll process. We acknowledge and apologize for the stress this has caused today. The College has remedied the situation and has changed our internal protocols to ensure this does not happen again. 
Most, if not all, employees scheduled to be paid today (monthly/salaried and student employees) should see their paycheck deposited into their account(s) by the end of the day.
Please check your bank account(s) at this time. While all deposits should be received today, depending on your bank this could occur as late as this evening. If you do not see your funds today, please email hr@albion.edu so we can begin researching and rectifying your situation. 
Bi-Weekly Checks Scheduled for Friday, April 1We have reviewed the bi-weekly process and do not expect any issues with the deposits tomorrow morning. Please email hr@albion.edu if you have any questions.
Thank you to the collaborative, quick actions of many who helped ensure employees received their paychecks on the scheduled payday.


All the best,
Catherine Lessnau (she/her/hers)Associate DirectorHuman ResourcesAlbion CollegeCampus Location: Ferguson 225Ph:    (517) 629-0205Fax:  (517) 629-0661Web: www.albion.eduGreen Dot Supporter

Opinion

Written by John Face

March 26, 2022

In the March 24, 2022, issue of The Recorder Nora Jackson the 3rd precinct member of council in Albion is allowed to submit a letter to the editor. This letter is filled with so much information, some of it worthless, I almost thought I was reading a letter from Garrett Brown. As I read her letter, I was struck on how she forgets the truth and instead states things that make her look good. So let me set her record straight.

In her third paragraph she is telling the reader about her program stating, “during the last year collaborated with the YMCA’s program in Albion to use the Washington Garner School (not my misspelled word) to work with kids”. In fact, last year on September 29, 2021, Jackson sent an email to Jill Hinde CEO of the Battle Creek YMCA and cc Mat Johnson the college President at the time.

This email to Hinde came out of the blue and it appears after an interview this writer had with Mat Johnson in August of 2021. During this interview he stated that he had nothing to do with Jackson getting to use Washington Gardner for her program free of charge and that it was the YMCA who controlled her space. Here are the emails that I speak of:

From: Nora Jackson
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2021 4:26 PM
To: Jill Hinde 
Cc: Mathew Johnson
Subject: YMCA- Difference Makers

Jill,

We Difference Makers would like to know if we could continue our program in the space we used during the summer months?  I have many childrens and families wanting to know when we can start back up again!  I would like to begin in November if possible?  I would like to be able to hold a couple of meetings next month to talk with parents as well.  Can you please let me know if this is possible?

Respectfully,

Nora Jackson

Difference Makers

From: Jill Hinde
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2021 11:15 AM
To: Nora Jackson
Cc: Mathew Johnson

Subject: RE: YMCA- Difference Makers

Nora—my approval is not necessary or required. The Y does not own the space at Washington Gardner and we have no authority to approve or deny a request for its use. The use of that space is a decision made between you and the College. Happy that hear that Difference Makers may be starting up again—I know it is a very successful program. Take care, Jill

Jill Kingsley Hinde

Chief Executive Officer

BATTLE CREEK FAMILY YMCA

182 Capital Avenue N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017

So as this email exchange shows there is no collaboration as she tries to imply with the YMCA. I shared this article last follow this link

Next on our list of interesting statements she makes is she claims to have done due diligence in preparing the information for her proposal to get city tax money for her non-profit. Which of course she should always do normally if in fact you do. Well after a long and blame filled tirade, I get blamed for her retracting her proposal. Of course, she says she did her homework and there was nothing wrong with what she was trying to do, right? If all your ducks are in a row, why chicken out and pull the proposal?

Another question directly related to this was an item that was placed on the agenda of the last meeting on March 21. Jackson asked this to be placed on the agenda: APPROVE PUBLIC RELEASE OF CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL OPINION REGARDING COUNCIL MEMBERS CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY. But guess what? Jackson and the other members voted this down, Mayor Snyder voted yes to release this. Maybe because the information was going to make her look bad? Maybe. We will not know as that is confidential information for some reason that residents can’t hear. Residents deserve to know if the City Attorney thinks she is breaking the law.

Now in the last paragraph Jackson claims that her proposal was in the starting phase. Not true and the fact is I have the emails that show if Haley Snyder had approved it, her proposal would be on the agenda at the next meeting. No, she had every intention for this to be on the agenda sooner than later. that is why I reported on her actions.

I do appreciate that my name is used so frequently in her letter. What’s the old saying? Living rent free in their brain. Yep, that’s it.

OK sorry, this writer had nothing to do with her or any other members of council recalls. Why is it so hard for them to believe that there are many people who are done with her and all the recall targets, and the shady antics they have been involved in. Jill Hinde, Shane Williamson or Haley Snyder had nothing to do with me getting public records and her emails.

Her entire letter is worth a read. Okay maybe not but go spend the money and buy a copy of the Recorder because there are some great stories worth reading.

Written by John Face

Photos by John Face

March 21, 2022

A group of 30 area residents, business leaders and Chamber members showed up this morning for the official ribbon cutting ceremony for Superior Street Mercantile. Project Manager Joe Verbeke was smiling this morning as he greeted people for the ceremony. The Mercantile, Albions’ only downtown grocery store opened in early January and has slowly been gaining a foot hold in Albion.

The ceremony heard Verbeke thank all those behind the project. Bill Dobbins spoke about the commitment to downtown Albion and that this project, five years in the making in collaboration with Albion Reinvestment Corporation or ARC, Dr. Samuel Shaheen and members of his family including wife Karen, daughters Emily and Caroline.

Hours are 10:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. daily.

Written by John Face

Photos from The City of Albion Website

Opinion

March 20, 2022

Nora Jackson is going to get your tax money for her personal pet project come hell or high water, mark my words. Want to know how I know? Read the agenda for tomorrow night’s council meeting. She is hell bent on getting your money because she doesn’t have the ability to raise it herself, she wants to give jobs to her friends and herself it appears. Here are the items on the agenda that I speak of:

I.	APPROVE PUBLIC RELEASE OF CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL OPINION REGARDING COUNCIL MEMBERS CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY Output Document (AIR-22-423) – Pdf

J.

DISCUSSION OF CONCERNS REGARDING A COUNCIL MEMBER PROPOSALS FOR RECREATION MILLAGE FUND Output Document (AIR-22-424) – Pdf

The city attorney, the coward that he appears he is, plans on telling them it’s all good to give tax money to council members no matter what. So, if they can’t get the recreation tax money, they will then just give her 80 plus grand out of the general budget. You know, we don’t need money for roads or anything else.

But Wait, there is More, They are Going After the City Manager Again and are going to figure out a way to Get Rid of Her it Appears

They are going to give their fake evaluations of City Manager Haley Snyder because they need a Garret Brown or Mat Johnson person in charge. Here is the BS:

XI.	ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION

A.

DISCUSSION CITY MANAGER 1-YEAR EVALUATION Output Document (AIR-22-426) – PdfScore Sheet for City Manager 1 Year EvaluationScore Sheet CM evaluation 6moCM Evaluation – Year OneVS 1 year CM EvalShane 1 year eval_Nora 1 year evalReid Williams LaNoue Lawler

Any guess who would replace her? A girlfriend of a former member of council would be a good fit, right? Or maybe that former member of council, if it is OK with his mom. We all know that members of council including LaNoue and Jackson have expressed displeasure with her (Snyder) . No one seems to know why. Maybe we ask Mat Johnson or Garrett Brown why members of Council are doing what they are doing.

Now that Council member Williamson is gone, we have a lone soldier in Mayor Victoria Garcia-Snyder to hold the light up for honesty. She is on an island surrounded by scoundrels and you my dear citizens better get off your ass and stand up. This is a far more serious problem than when Garrett Brown apparently ran Sheryl Mitchell out of Albion. We all know why, Garrett like Johnson have issues with, it appears, strong, independent and smart women, they make them look stupid it seems.

The meeting is at 7:00 P.M. Monday March 21, 2022. Please get up and address the council in the first public comments section. You most likely will not change the minds of what appears the simple minded but at least you are on the record of calling them out.

Oh, on top of it all they are still planning on censuring former council member Williamson, now a citizen, because they are vindictive and pissed because he pushed them to be honest it appears.

Seems pretty shady the shit they are trying to pull off right?

Written by Nick AKA “The Nate” Cooper

March 16, 2022

‘Tis the season for upsets, Cinderella stories, and introductions to new stars. From Murray State and
Davidson to Duke and North Carolina every year, every team in the field feels as if they have a chance to
raise the National Championship trophy. The NCAA Tournament has introduced us to Larry Bird, Steph
Curry, Ja Morant, and others who were highlighted by their run in this majestic playoff system. So many
unknowns who seem to rise to the moment. If one thing is certain, uncertainty is guaranteed.

Michigan State University Spartans

There is the unknown and then there is Tom Izzo. Izzo who has been to twenty-four straight NCAA Tournaments, eight Final Fours and won the ultimate prize in his time at Michigan State University. Izzo is among the all-time greats and his NCAA Tournament win percentage (.703) is that of the most elite of company. He has gotten the best out of many players- Mateen Cleaves, Draymond Green, Cassius Winston and so many others.

This year MSU tackles Davidson in the first round as the 7th seed in the West region that
includes Duke and Gonzaga who also have massive reputations for winning. Gonzaga the number one
overall seed in the field and Duke at number 8, both have top superstar prospects in waiting. Even in
the “worst of years” under Izzo, Michigan State somehow seems to find a way to make waves. With
four wins against Top 25 ranked teams this year, now is the time where, yet again, Izzo will have to get
the players together.

This team of solid depth can throw well balanced lineups into the game and flex with other team’s roster moves. Even though the outlook may be somewhat grim going into this region of the tournament Michigan State is set to be the Grim Reaper.

University of Michigan Wolverines

The University of Michigan is a bit of a different story as the 11th seed of the South Region facing
Colorado State in the opening round. Michigan limped into the Tournament having finished the season
with a 17-13 record. While they have budding stars in Hunter Dickenson and DeVante’ Jones, Michigan
has also been marred by controversy. Most notably the punch thrown by coach Juwan Howard, with frustration bubbling over in an unbelievable way.

In the South region that includes Villanova and Arizona, Michigan has the potential to band together and make a run based on lack of region depth. If former Wolverine, Howard, can get the best of what his top players are capable of then this team has the opportunity to erase some of this season’s disappointment.

Both Michigan State and Michigan are somewhat foreign to these positions in the field, but both have
the pedigree to surprise the field and return to their own program standards. Brackets are being filled,
teams are readying themselves for the madness, and fans are preparing to be wowed.

Keep April through February. Give me March. Give me insanity, excitement, and hope.