Political Endorsements of City Watch NEWS 2026

Voter inserting a ballot into a City of Atlanta poll box

September 29, 2026

By John Face

As the election cycle begins here in Michigan, City Watch NEWS can’t stress enough how important it is to vote. When you see political leaders desperately trying to restrict your voting, it tells you this year matters. In Michigan, our non-presidential year means we elect our Governor, at least one Senator, and several U.S. House representatives.

Here at City Watch, we will only endorse offices that affect the Albion and Marshall area directly. We will also endorse very important ballot initiatives. We will offer little or no dialogue with these endorsements. It’s important that you vote. We have seen an increased number of threats and violence in this country, especially now with the federal government planning to send armed troops to voting locations.

City Watch suggests you vote now by filling out your ballot, taking it to your local clerk’s office, and dropping it off. You can also vote live in person now at the Calhoun County Clerk’s office in Marshall. VOTE!

Early voting:

Calhoun County Clerk’s Office – County Building

Phone: 269-781-0998
Location: 315 W Green St., Marshall, MI 49068

Hours

Mon-Thurs 8 am-5 pm
FRI 8 am-12 pm

Endorsements

Michigan Supreme Court

Megan Cavanaugh and Noah Hood

Governor and LT. Governor

Jocelyn Benson & Winnie Brinks

U.S. Senate

Abdul El Sayed

Secretary of State

Garlin Gilchrist

Attorney General

Eli Savit

MI State Senator 18th District

Anthony Pennock

MI State Representative 44th District

Jim Haadsma –

Haadsma returns to take on the current rep Steve Frisbee who defeated him in 2024. Frisbee has been AWOL in the Albion area. To be fare, he does show up for photo ops in Albion that get him in the papers and his name on walls. Haadsma has continued his long history of monthly meetings to talk with voters, even now when he has been out of office. Haadsma lost by around 100 votes in 2024. Frisbee is a die hard conservative Trump supporter. His voting record so far has included defunding our public schools, cutting food to all our school age students, and strongly opposes same sex marriage, and he is pro death, meaning he is against a woman’s choice. He wants to control their bodies. Jim cares about all in his district.

MI State Representative 45 th District

City Watch will not endorse any candidate for this office. We feel neither candidate offers citizens what they need: open and honest leadership. The two candidates are:

Republican Sarah Lightner of Springport; Democrat Randy Davis. You can write in a candidate if you wish.

State Board of Education

Judith Pritchett and Tiffany Tilly

U of M Regents

Paul Brown and Amir Makled

MSU Trustees

Brianna Scott and Kelly Tebay Zemke

Wayne State University Governors

Shereef Akeel and Richard Mack

State Proposals

Proposition 1 Constitutional Convention

Vote NO.

Republican leaders are pushing hard to pass this. The intention is to hold the convention and change the state constitution that would turn our state into a theocracy. Their top priorities are to repeal our marijuana laws, make abortion illegal again, and get rid of same sex marriage.

Proposition 2 Money out of politics

Vote Yes

This is simple. Keep corporate money from influencing your vote. As a general rule, Republicans support what is commonly called dark money and have been in full force trying to tell you this is not a problem; it is. In fairness, many democratic candidates support dark money as well.

Election day is November 3. If you see any election intimidation, email us here at City Watch and let us know.

September 29, 2026 0

Welcome Home, Dr. Sheryl Theriot (Mitchell) – Open House Planned

March 18, 2026

Press Release

Community Open House Celebrating Dr. Sheryl Theriot’s Return as Albion’s City Manager – All Welcome

Date: WED, MARCH 25, 2026

Time: 5-7 PM

Location: Albion Arts Center, 107 E. Cass Street, Albion, MI
ALBION, Mich

Free and open to the Public

The City of Albion and the Albion Arts Commission are pleased to host a community Open House welcoming Dr. Sheryl L. Theriot back to Albion as the city’s newly appointed City Manager. The event is open to all residents and will be held at the Albion Arts Center, 107 E. Cass Street in downtown Albion. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.

Dr. Theriot is a familiar and beloved figure in Albion, having previously served as the city’s City Manager from 2014 to 2018, at the time under her professional name Sheryl Mitchell. During that tenure, she earned a reputation as a hands-on, community- centered leader — one who could be found in the streets alongside work crews and in the community alongside residents. Her return is a homecoming in the truest sense: Dr. Theriot has expressed her intention to make Albion her home once again.

Dr. Theriot returns to Albion at a pivotal moment, as the city moves forward with major infrastructure improvements, housing and industrial redevelopment, and continued efforts to build community pride and regional reputation. The Albion City Council
recognized her experience, commitment, and proven leadership as the right fit for the challenges and opportunities ahead. All Albion residents, community members, and friends of the city are warmly invited to attend, meet Dr. Theriot, and share in this moment of community celebration. The Albion Arts Commission is excited to host this event at our new Albion Arts Center.

About the Albion Arts Commission: The Albion Arts Commission is a City of Albion advisory body dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts as a driver of community well-being and economic development. The Commission oversees the Albion Arts Center at 107 E. Cass Street, which serves as a hub for exhibitions, workshops, classes, and community events for residents of all ages. Quick Thanks to Council Member Donivan Williams for helping us coordinate with Sheryl’s schedule.

March 18, 2026 1

8 Years and Going Strong, Again

October 31, 2025

By John Face

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Born of the corruption of City of Albion politicians, eight years ago on this day, the idea of City Watch was put into action. They were painful days, as the Albion City Manager at that time, Sheryl Theriot (Mitchell), was under fire and being forced to resign by four allegedly corrupt council members. Citizens took a stand, urging her not to resign, during a meeting where over 100 citizens stood up and asked her to stay. She would rescind her resignation—for the time being—but eventually the evil on our council won out.

That was followed by a City Manager who literally stole thousands from Albion and was eventually charged and convicted. Hired by the same allegedly corrupt council that ran Theriot out of town, City Watch reported on her spending habits, prompting the council, led by then-Mayor Dave Atchison, to eventually oust her. This reporting preceded death threats against this writer that included damage to my vehicle. (Investigative journalism is not easy)

We were there reporting on a new Albion College President who was demanding students and staff alike to be kind and respectful, but was creating chaos by figuratively standing on the throats of opposition at the school, forcing some of the top talent at Albion College out for daring to stand up to the king. We reported his working relationship with the above four allegedly corrupt council members and the favors he showered on them to secure their votes in his favor. We were the first to report the assault of a dear beloved elder in our community, which forced his resignation.

Sheryl Theriot & John Face City Watch NEWS

From that start, we have been around, even though the last one has been somewhat quiet, mainly because this reporter has been dealing with significant health issues that are finally under control. So here we go again. Back to reporting on issues that concern our readers.

We will start with interviews of Albion’s movers and shakers, beginning with a comprehensive interview with the new Albion College President, Wayne Webster. Many may recall that we interviewed Dr. Webster shortly after he arrived in Albion in July of 2023. This new interview will address the many challenges he has faced, including enrollment, financial issues, the federal government’s ever-changing rules, and more. His interview should go to press by mid-December.

We will be opening up our forum to guest writers, letters to the editor, and guest photographers. We ask the public to help lead us to potential stories. This writer can’t tell you the number of times I have heard, “Why did you miss this event today?” My reply is almost always, “This is the first I have heard about it.” Remember, WE respect the confidentiality of whistleblowers and sources.

So, celebrate with City Watch today—we have a lot to look forward to.

Please subscribe to City Watch NEWS on the link below. That way, all our new articles are emailed directly to you. Oh, Happy Halloween.

October 31, 2025 1