Written by John Face

Photos by John Face

July 16, 2022

City Watch NEWS has learned that Albion College, the City of Albions top employer, is facing significant revenue loss, and this is going to cause layoffs in the coming weeks according to sources. On June 30 of this year a first round of Layoffs or job eliminations occurred with the affected employees being told not to share that information with the press. City Watch spoke with sources who said, “it almost seems like the employees were threatened”. When asked if they had direct knowledge of employees being threatened, the source said they did not directly hear it but spoke to one of the employees involved and that is how they took the “no talking to the press” statement.

Letter to Staff

City Watch has been given a copy of an email sent by Cathy Cole to staff on Friday July 15 at 4:40 P.M. Here is the email:

The subject line said “saving money just makes “cents”

Good afternoon, 

This is a tough year, economically. Inflation is at record highs, the stock market is continuing to tumble and gas is at prices the likes of which we have never experienced. As much as this impacts your personal budget at home, it is also impacting our budget at Albion College. 

Everyone at Albion College can be good stewards in managing the budget. We ask each department to come in under budget this year to help the institution meet its financial needs, build for the future and get through a difficult 2022.

Before spending any amount this fiscal year, please ask yourself, “Does this impact students?” If it does, how? Will they be impacted negatively? Will their experience be altered significantly? If not, do we really need to spend the money THIS year? Can the conference be put off until next year? Can we eke another year out of that copier? Can we not order those water bottles this year? Can we ask everyone to brown bag it for the lunch meeting and presentation? Can one person travel instead of four? Let’s take every opportunity we have to make “cents” out of our spending.

For this one year, we can work together to make a difference and save as much as we can, where we can. In the next few days, we will send out information about a spending approval process that will make saving easier. We will also send out information about how you can be a budget hero — one dollar at a time. 

Look for the emails next week. We’ll also send invitations to fall Town Halls as we get closer to the beginning of the semester. A little “change” will help us all. 

Thank you,

The Office of Business and Finance

Financial Problems

It has been reported here on City Watch that Albion College has been dipping into their endowment funds for the last several years. According to sources the college is in the hole again to the tune of millions. Former college President Mat Johnson who resigned/Let go, depends on who you talk to, was hired by the Board of Trustees solely to raise money and help right the school finances. Instead, he spent money “like a drunken sailor” said one staff member. One needs to remember that Johnson had no real-life experience in a significant leadership role and that the last job he was at, Brown University, he was demoted for unspecified public reasons prior to coming to Albion.

He created departments and “schools” which in turn hired a significant number of staff, these newly hired Department heads, Johnson appointees, have not been released. Johnson was also making financial promises to every community organization and leader in Albion that would benefit him, promises that he never backed up and having the college paying off the huge debt of Dave Diemert’s former construction company to then turn around and place Diemert in a position of authority under the new construction company name of WG Construction Company now owned by the college. This venture has several employees at the college receiving scrutiny for their involvement in WG and the amount of money funneled through it.

Johnson was doing this all the while the college sunk deeper in debt. It’s been no secret by staff there were problems, but some were shocked at the level of debt the school carries.

Johnsons’ influence at Albion appears to continue. City Watch has spoken to two different employees who state they are aware of senior staff appointees of his who regularly talk to him. It is for this reason that many at the college still fear for their jobs. His high-level appointees have appeared to have a free pass and continue to hire employees. “During Johnsons purge” said one staffer, “he pushed out good people and brought in his flunkies to do his bidding”. The source continued that many are fearful that they will be released as these Johnson appointees and the people they hired remain.

Stay connected to City Watch and follow this and other stories.

Written by John Face

July 13, 2022

As the search comes to an end for the elusive alligator things slowly return to normal. Albion College released a statement via their Facebook page that the Whitehouse Nature Center would reopen as usual. They stated “Staff consulted with state and local wildlife experts and followed their advice about when and how to conduct searches along the trails and Kalamazoo River. The College followed the instructions precisely and found no evidence of an alligator at this time in the Whitehouse Nature Center”.

What this means is that there are no obvious signs of an alligator beyond the two separate witness reports. Now this does not mean that BRITagator isn’t out there. So, as you walk the trails and float the river be aware of your surroundings because you never know if ole “BRIT” will appear again.

Written by John Face

July 12, 2022

BRITagator, the name given to the elusive alligator swimming in the Kalamazoo River around Whitehouse Nature Center on the campus of Albion College has not been seen since its first sightings. Authorities have been tight lipped so far about their searches and continue to have the Nature Center closed out of an abundance of caution.

City Watch will bring updates as soon as we get them.

The following is from Albion College Facebook page.

Over the weekend, Albion College received two independent sightings of a possible alligator in the Kalamazoo River at the Whitehouse Nature Center.

The College is working directly with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other local agencies to resolve the situation as safely and quickly as possible.

While there has been no confirmation of an alligator after multiple searches, Albion College is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of the campus and the surrounding community.

As a result, the Whitehouse Nature Center will remain closed until further notice.

Written by John Face

Photos by John Face

June 25, 2022

More than one hundred locals met this morning to officially dedicate the T-Ball Park along with a statue and plaque. The ceremony was to recognize the late Jerry Sacharski a long time Albion teacher, coach and inventor of the game of t-ball. This event was attended by Sacharski’s three sons who all spoke during the event. Mike, Will and Dave were touched at the outpouring of respect given to their late father.

Speakers shared stories of their time playing T- Ball or Pee Wee baseball as it is known in Albion. The plaque which is pictured in the photo below tells the story best.

Event organizer Linda Kolmodin, stressed to this writer to make mention of Janet Domingo’s work as co chair. “It is because of Janets hard work that this all came together. Without her we may not be here”‘ she said.

The statues unveiling was well received by the crowd and the Sacharskis.

The furure of Pee Wee, or T-Ball in Albion had their chance to pose with the statue.

Written by John Face

June 23, 2022

Albion Department of Public Safety (ADPS) Chief Scott Kipp has released the name of the suspect in last night’s officer involved shooting here in Albion. Jason Elliotte Dodds, 42, of Albion is alleged to have raised his hand with a gun in it and an officer shot him. This information comes from the press release Chief Kipp sent out last night that is shown below. Dodds was transported to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries a short time later. The location of the shooting is the 700 block of North Eaton Street.

All this writer asks from the public now is calm as we go on this fact-finding process. There are several people this morning that are hurting, from the suspects family and one of our own ADPS police officers who must deal with this shooting. Let us not make assumptions by using second hand and often false information from the public, some of which is well intentioned while others are trying to sow discord and create trouble in town.

City Watch can confirm from ADPS that body cam video of the situation does exist and is being reviewed by the Michigan State Police investigators.

As always City Watch will do its best to keep you updated.

PRESS RELEASE:

Earlier today, ADPS received information from family members that a relative was having psychological issues and was taking psychological medication and drinking, which caused him to be irrational. The family was concerned because this subject had told them he wanted to kill another relative with whom he had been in a fight a few weeks earlier. At 5:20 PM, ADPS put out information to all its officers, the Marshall Police Department, and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, hoping we could locate the individual and get him help. Unfortunately, we only had information that he may be in the Marshall area.

At approximately 6:30 PM, 3 ADPS officers, two of whom are Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certified officers, responded to a report of an unwanted subject on the porch of the relative who had been threatened in the 700 block of N Eaton St., attempting to break in. The relative the individual was looking for, fled out the residence’s back door as the subject broke into the front door. Upon arrival, officers entered the porch to find the entrance to the house open. The officers confronted the individual, who quickly turned toward the officers and started to raise the gun. The officers ordered the subject to drop the gun multiple times as he raised it toward them. An officer fired, striking the individual, who then fell to the floor. ADPS Officers immediately began first aid and CPR until ambulance crews arrived and transported the individual to the hospital. The individual’s gun was recovered and turned over to the Michigan State Police. ADPS has requested the Michigan State Police investigate the shooting.  The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Chief Scott Kipp

Albion Public Safety

UPDATE AT 10:11 p.m.

Written by John Face

6/22/2022

Follow this page for further details

UPDATE PER ADPS The victim in the shooting has died per the Michigan State Police and Albion Public Safety Pictures included below.

Albion Department of Public Safety released the following on the shooting that occured earlier this evening:

PRESS RELEASE:

Earlier today, ADPS received information from family members that a relative was having psychological issues and was taking psychological medication and drinking, which caused him to be irrational. The family was concerned because this subject had told them he wanted to kill another relative with whom he had been in a fight a few weeks earlier. At 5:20 PM, ADPS put out information to all its officers, the Marshall Police Department, and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, hoping we could locate the individual and get him help. Unfortunately, we only had information that he may be in the Marshall area.

At approximately 6:30 PM, 3 ADPS officers, two of whom are Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certified officers, responded to a report of an unwanted subject on the porch of the relative who had been threatened in the 700 block of N Eaton St., attempting to break in. The relative the individual was looking for, fled out the residence’s back door as the subject broke into the front door. Upon arrival, officers entered the porch to find the entrance to the house open. The officers confronted the individual, who quickly turned toward the officers and started to raise the gun. The officers ordered the subject to drop the gun multiple times as he raised it toward them. An officer fired, striking the individual, who then fell to the floor. ADPS Officers immediately began first aid and CPR until ambulance crews arrived and transported the individual to the hospital. The individual’s gun was recovered and turned over to the Michigan State Police. ADPS has requested the Michigan State Police investigate the shooting.  The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Chief Scott Kipp

Albion Public Safety

Written by John Face

June 21, 2022

Come one come all to the T-Ball Garden dedication This Saturday June 25th at 11:00 A.M., this event will dedicate the park to forever honor the birthplace of T-Ball. The garden location is across the street from the Gardner House Museum on South Superior near the Library and there will be plenty of parking on the streets available. Take a few minutes and attend this historic event. As you will see in the press release there will be a regular T-Ball game later in the day along with an old-timer’s game.

Please read the following press release from the committee:

TEE-BALL GARDEN DEDICATION TO FEATURE FORMER PLAYERS

Former members of the original tee-ball team coached by Jerry Sacharski will be featured
speakers at the June 25 dedication of the South Superior Street Tee-Ball Garden.
These former youth players will be joined by the three Sacharski sons who are returning
to Albion to celebrate the day which honors their dad.

The Tee-Ball Garden dedication will begin at 11 AM. Ceremonies to dedicate the new
tee-ball player statue and historic plaque will be held at the garden plot on the west side of South
Superior Street across the street from the Albion District Library and Gardner House Museum.
Everyone is invited to attend this community celebration. Those who played for Coach
Sacharski are especially encouraged to attend and honor the legendary coach.

Under the leadership of Janet Domingo and Linda Kolmodin, volunteer co-chairs of the
Restore Our Coke Sign: Bring Art and History Downtown campaign, this Tee-Ball Garden
represents the long history of youth sports in Albion.

To honor the late Coach Sacharski and the game’s roots, this garden is cooperative
venture with the Calhoun County Land Bank and the Albion Community Foundation. Money
was raised for these art installations and additional landscape improvements through a matching
Patronicity campaign through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Donated funds
were held by an Albion Community Foundation. Other completed projects included the iconic
Coca-Cola sign restoration and the new Malleable Mural celebrating Albion’s long foundry
history.

Following the 11 am dedication ceremony at the Tee-Ball Garden, current tee-ball team
members will play a short game in Victory Park on the ball field close to Hannah Street. The
current players are coached by Play Right Sports Academy under the leadership of President
Milton Barnes. Jim Stuart of Sterling Books and Brew is assisting in organizing this game and
the Old-Timers game that follows. Those games should start around noon.

Dennis Reid will have his hot dog truck at Victory Park for the tee-ball games. His menu
features hotdogs, chips and drinks to add to the old-fashioned ballpark fun.
John Shedd, a member of the Old-Timers emphasized that the game will only be for few
innings and the major rule is “no running.” Everyone is invited to participate in the game. Just
bring a glove and a sense of humor, Shedd said.