Photos by John Face

Written by John Face

May 18, 2024

Lawsuit Thrown Out

The lawsuit by Sonya Brown against the City of Albion and multiple citizens and council members has ended. Brown v City of Albion et al. has been ended by Judge Jarbou, and this judgment includes all individuals she sued. Her original lawsuit was pages and pages of Garret Brown-inspired accusations. Some of those accusations were word for word by Garrett Brown in his public writings in years past.

City Watch received a copy of a letter sent to one of the many defendants, here is partial look at that letter:

“Attached for your file and review is Judge Jarbou’s Opinion and Order denying plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration of our original motion to dismiss, granting our motion for summary judgment, and the final Judgment dismissing plaintiff’s case.

The Court denied plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration because there was nothing pled in the complaint from which it could be inferred that any city policy was motivated by an intent to retaliate against the plaintiff. The Court noted that none of the council members were involved in plaintiff’s arrest, and that probable cause existed to obtain the arrest warrant. Judge Jarbou ruled that plaintiff’s argument that other city council members were not arrested or prosecuted for charter violations was misplaced, finding that the other city council members were not involved in similar conduct.

The Court granted our motion for summary judgment on the two remaining claims against the City, finding that the absence of a constitutional violation was fatal to the claims. She also ruled the charter provisions were not unconstitutionally vague or overbroad.”

Sonya Brown, who filed the lawsuit, has 30 days to appeal the judgment. City Watch will update you as we get more information.

Press Release

May 15, 2024

Do you wish to see ACT II Comedy play that begins Thursday night and runs through Sunday? We hope you attend, but here is an offer for you to get a ticket for free. “I’m Tired” is offering the first 40 people who stop in at their location a ticket to attend any of the four shows: Thursday through Saturday night at 7 p.m. or Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. show at the Bohm theatre.

“I’m Tired” is conveniently located at 220 Austin Avenue in Albion, right on the corner of Austin and Eaton Street. Please note, only one ticket per person is available, and this ticket is your one time entry to any of the four shows. Don’t miss out, as there are only 40 tickets up for grabs.

Here is a brief description of the play:

ACT II Community Theatre show and ticket information:

“Dear Camp”

By Lisa MacDonald

Buy Tickets: https://bohmtheatre.easy-ware-ticketing.com/events/

Tickets available at the door

Hildy, a recently widowed woman, arrives at her late husband’s beloved hunting camp to prepare the cabin and property for sale. She finds his camp journal and is later joined by three friends, who are supposed to be there to help with the clean-up for sale.

Between hilarious and poignant moments, secrets, old wounds that are opened, and new suspicions, you have a recipe for hilarity, calamity, and cupcakes?

Place four women in a hunting camp with a full liquor cabinet, shotgun, and a blizzard. Shake well. What could possibly go wrong?

This is not your typical deer camp story.

Our show stars an ensemble cast with four dynamic actresses: Lynn Schofield-Dahl, Carson Scioletti, Jen Finney, and April Clawson. Mark Messer and Greg Reitsma fill out the remainder of the cast, making this Tom McClure-directed play a hell of a show.

Performances:

Thursday May 16 7:00 P.M.

Friday May 17 7:00 P.M.

Saturday, May 18, 7:00 P.M.

Sunday May 19 2:00 P.M.

ACT II Community Theatre, your hometown theatre group, is producing the comedy play Dear Camp. This Lisa MacDonald play has only been performed once before, and we here in this area get to see it live on stage starting Thursday Night at the Bohm Theatre. Thursday through Saturday night 7:00 P.M. curtain and Sunday 2:00 P.M. curtain.

Come enjoy some theatre in the ALB, 629, 42-84.

Editorial

Written by John Face

May 3, 2024

Like many in the Marshall Public School District, questions abound about the Marshall Public Schools (MPS) current millage proposal. On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, voters are asked to approve a proposal to fund multiple projects in the district.  

The money from this bond is spread over many projects, with nothing to do with location and everything to do with need. We need to maintain top-of-the-line educational facilities to educate our kids. We need top-of-the-line everything to attract new students to the district. We need you to overcome this Albion/Marshall separation thing. Remember, it’s MPS, not AHS. We are all one.

For those who want to do all they can to defeat this bond, seriously, it’s time you take another look at your priorities. Those out there whose motivation to destroy this bond is because you don’t think, “Those people in Albion need a new school,” Wow, how sad. I have heard the “those people” multiple times over the last few months as I pondered whether I would support this bond issue.

Even though many of the above “Those people” comments are from the Marshall area, we have an equal number here in Albion who still lament, “Oh, we need our school back.” Get over it, Albion; we failed with inept school boards and parents who ran from the Albion district, taking their children elsewhere instead of fighting to save the school. We are one—we are all Marshall Public Schools, and it’s damn time that some of you start acting like it.

So here we sit with age-old prejudices from both sides of a simple issue, supporting our kids. It’s time to let the old go and move forward with unifying our district with a love of our school district, kids, and vote yes on a proposal that benefits kids. CLICK ON THIS to go to the bond website for more questions.

LANSING, Mich., May 1, 2024 — State Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Township) introduced a resolution today declaring May as Drug Treatment Court Awareness Month. House Resolution 239 emphasizes the need for ongoing initiatives to support those battling addiction, and recognizes the significant contributions of Drug Treatment Courts to Michigan communities. After the House passed her resolution, Witwer issued the following statement:

“Addiction is a battle that too many of our loved ones are fighting. As public servants, we must help them win. Drug Treatment Courts offer a beacon of hope, providing a path to recovery and a second chance at life. They not only help individuals overcome addiction, but also reduce crime, improve community safety and save taxpayer dollars. By recognizing May as Drug Treatment Court Awareness Month, we’re affirming our commitment to supporting those battling addiction and acknowledging the remarkable achievements of these courts. This resolution underscores the important role they serve in our communities, public health and overall quality of life in the state — and how supporting them will continue to directly benefit us all.”

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., May 1, 2024 — State Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) hosted a town hall at Lakeview High School earlier this week. The panelists, Battle Creek Chief of Police Shannon Bagley, Damon Brown of RISE Corp., Lakeview High School Principal Cody Japinga, and Pennfield High School Principal Andrew Loy discussed and answered questions about school safety, mental health and potential solutions aimed at bolstering the security and well-being of students across Michigan.

“I want to thank everyone who attended the town hall,” Haadsma said. “Ensuring the safety of students is not just a policy issue — it’s a moral imperative. I am committed to school safety measures that protect our students, support our educators, and secure our schools against any threat. It’s not just about creating safe learning environments; it’s also about safeguarding our future.”

During the town hall, Haadsma provided insights into the recent budget provisions and proposed legislation designed to enhance school safety. A significant highlight was the allocation of $328 million in one-time funds in the current year budget to school districts across the state to improve the safety of their students. As next year’s budget is being prepared, the legislature will continue to find ways to support safer schools and communities.

“It was a great opportunity to hear from other community stakeholders on such an important topic. Many ideas were shared that hopefully impact several different organizations within the Battle Creek community,” said Cody Japinga, Principal of Lakeview High School.

“By working together, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for all students. We can implement evidence-based programs that address the root causes of violence, such as poverty, trauma, and social isolation. We can provide resources and support for students who are struggling, including counseling, mentoring, and academic support. And we can hold ourselves and each other accountable for creating a culture of respect, empathy, and kindness,” said Damon Brown, President of RISE Corp.

Press Release

April 30, 2024

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., April 30, 2024 — State Representative Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) expressed gratitude for the recent announcement from the Michigan Department of Education that Battle Creek Public Schools and Marshall Public Schools won competitive grants to support students and their families by better connecting them to community resources.

In Battle Creek, the $226,540 grant will be used to address chronic absenteeism and organize community events to bring together community members. In honor of the grant, Dr. Kim Carter, Superintendent of Battle Creek Public Schools commemorated the grant by saying:

“Winning this grant is a testament to our commitment to addressing the critical issue of chronic absenteeism and fostering a culture of academic excellence and community engagement. With these funds, we are equipped to implement comprehensive strategies that will not only improve attendance rates but also strengthen the fabric of our community.”

Meanwhile, Marshall plans to use its $75,750 award for additional staff and outreach. Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Rebecca Jones celebrated the grant by saying: 

“This Communities in Schools grant will support efforts to engage students, parents and community stakeholders within and throughout both of the communities that call MPS home. By allowing us to hire additional staff, host community events and make meaningful connections with community resources, these additional funds will have a profound impact. The support from the state of Michigan will make a significant difference in our buildings. We are truly thankful for the commitment to quality public education from our local and state representatives.”

“We are lucky to have dedicated school staff who look for these opportunities to support our young people and our schools. Connecting students and their families with support outside of the school setting means the kids will be better prepared to learn,” Haadsma said. “I am confident this partnership between the State of Michigan, Communities In Schools and our local schools will help ensure every kid has the opportunity to take advantage of an education.”

April 27, 2024

All Photos by John Face

Race held on Friday April 26, 2024

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, May 4, 9-11 a.m. at Mr. Don’s Restaurant, 341 N. 20th St., Springfield

Saturday, May 4, 1-2:30 p.m. at Stirling Books and Brew, 119 N. Superior St., Albion

Background: State Rep. Jim 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.