Watershed Voice sends questionnaires to candidates in local contested races
Candidates have until the end of business on Friday, October 24, giving them approximately two weeks to complete and return their questionnaires. Watershed Voice will publish the questionnaires in the order received the week before November’s election.
On Saturday, October 11, Watershed Voice sent questionnaires to local candidates in contested races in Kalamazoo, Three Rivers, and Dowagiac.
These include the following positions: Kalamazoo mayor, Kalamazoo city commissioner, Three Rivers mayor, Dowagiac mayor, and Dowagiac Third Ward councilmember.
Candidates contacted by position:
- Kalamazoo Mayor: David Anderson, Chris Glasser, and Robert E. Gray
- Kalamazoo City Commissioner: Kizzy N. Bradford, Soloman J. Carpenter, Bernard Dervan III, Keshia Dickason, Drew Duncan, Thomas Durlach, Stephanie D. Hoffman, Sara L. Schlack, Jacqueline Slaby, and Jessica Thompson
- Three Rivers Mayor: Angel Johnston and Thomas J. Lowry
- Dowagiac Mayor: Patrick Bakeman and Donald Lyons
- Dowagiac Third Ward Councilmember: Breanna Bundy and Justin Doyle
Candidates have until the end of business on Friday, October 24, giving them approximately two weeks to complete and return their questionnaires. Watershed Voice will publish the questionnaires in the order received the week before November’s election.
The questionnaires give candidates a platform to share information about themselves, their goals if elected, and how they plan to represent their constituents.
All candidates in a given contested race receive the same set of questions to ensure fairness. Questions were curated based on the scope of each position, what we believe constituents should know about their local government officials, and how candidates would address the challenges they see in their respective cities.
Access to clear, verified information about local candidates is often limited. Watershed Voice aims to help readers learn more about their choices before heading to the polls.
Absentee ballots are sent out to those registered 40 days before the election and are to be returned by 8 p.m. on election day. Voters can request absentee ballots as late as 5 p.m. the Friday before the election.
As you prepare to vote, you can wait for our candidate questionnaire responses to be published in the coming weeks to help inform your decision.
Watershed Voice will continue election coverage through Election Day, providing readers with a trusted source for local government news and updates.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice
Author
Related Articles
TRPD confirms continued use of Flock surveillance technology, says city added seventh camera in 2025
In an exclusive interview with Watershed Voice, Three Rivers Chief of Police Scott Boling and Detective Sgt. Steven Dibble said the cameras provide an additional investigative tool to help identify vehicles connected to crimes.
Flock Safety’s license plate reader system has drawn national criticism from civil liberties groups, particularly the American Civil Liberties Union, which argues the technology enables a form of mass surveillance that extends beyond its original purpose.
Boling said there is no “backdoor access” to the system, including for federal agencies such as ICE, and that any data sharing must be approved by the department.
Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative to host “Women in Media” event in Kalamazoo
The Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative (SWMJC) will host “Women in Media: Behind the Headlines” on April 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Epic Center in downtown Kalamazoo.
The free event, which is open to the public, will feature a panel of local women working in journalism and media. Space is limited, and RSVPs are recommended.
Michigan lawmaker explores changes to public notice rules, raising transparency concerns
Municipalities pay newspapers to publish these notices, with costs varying based on the number and length of postings.
According to recent Three Rivers City Commission agenda packets, the city paid $740 to the Three Rivers Commercial-News for fiscal year 2026 public notices. A separate payment of $290 for the same category was recorded February 13.
If lawmakers pursue changes, they could alter where and how notices are published, potentially shifting some requirements away from newspapers. However, state Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) has said she is not seeking to eliminate public notice requirements altogether.
