Candidate Questionnaire: Angel Johnston

The following is Watershed Voice’s candidate questionnaire for the November 2025 local elections. We will be running all candidate questionnaires in the order received today and tomorrow — our regular publishing schedule.

Angel Johnston, Three Rivers Mayor candidate filled out our questionnaire, below are her answers as submitted.

Name: Angel Johnston
Age: 46
Are you an incumbent? No
Family: During WWII, my grandfather came to fish the St. Joseph River and fell in love with this area. Now, four generations of my family share a love for the Three Rivers area.

My stepdad, who has been my biggest cheerleader for decades, also lives nearby. Even though we didn’t meet until I was an adult, he has taken care of me like I was his own. I’m so grateful that he and I both chose to settle here.  

Background/Bio

I’ve lived in the Three Rivers area for about 16 years, with a few years spent in Kalamazoo while earning my bachelor’s degree focused in history and political science, and master’s degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University. My background in public administration and community engagement has given me a strong understanding of how local government should serve residents: through transparency, accountability, and a focus on long-term sustainability.

Three Rivers is my home. I’m a homeowner here, I care deeply about our community, and I believe we can do better when everyone has a voice in the decisions that shape our future.

Why are you running for the office of Mayor of Three Rivers?

I’m running because I believe Three Rivers deserves leadership that unites rather than divides. Too often, politics and personal opinions have replaced respect and cooperation at City Hall. I will treat everyone with dignity and fairness, no matter what political party they belong to or how they vote.

I believe our mayor should serve all residents equally, and listen to every voice, even when we don’t agree. My goal is to bring back a sense of community pride and mutual respect, and to focus on solving problems, not creating division. 

I want to make information easy to find, ensure decisions are made transparently, and help residents feel confident that their city government works for them.

Have you previously held public office, or have you served in a public leadership role?

While I haven’t held elected office, I’ve spent years involved in local service and civic initiatives that center around problem-solving, collaboration, and bringing people together. My academic training in public administration and professional experience in multiple different roles within the custom integration industry make me well-prepared to lead an organization as complex as a city,  managing budgets, setting goals, and making policy decisions that reflect community values.

If not, describe any experience — professional, volunteer, or otherwise — that you believe is relevant to serving as Three Rivers mayor.

I hold a master’s degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University, where I focused on public policy, budgeting, and ethical leadership. I’ve worked in professional roles that require strategic planning, accountability, and a focus on results; all skills that translate directly to running an effective city government.

I spent some time as a member of the DDA about 12 years ago. I saw how boards worked at that time, and I was not happy with how things were done. I’m grateful that there was a change in leadership and that so much progress was made. Unfortunately, we currently have 19 vacant seats on our advisory boards. I will work hard to recruit people to join, and will do everything possible to make their experiences better than mine was. 

Beyond credentials, my greatest strength is communication. I know how to listen, how to explain complex issues clearly, and how to make residents feel seen and heard.

How long have you lived in the area you are seeking to represent?

I’ve lived in the Three Rivers area for 16 years.

In your opinion, what are the three most important issues to the area relative to the scope of the position you are seeking, and why?

1. Water Quality and Affordability
   Residents deserve clean, affordable water, and a city government that plans ahead to secure funding before emergencies happen. Three Rivers has lost out on opportunities for infrastructure grants due to poor preparation. Our residents can not be expected to endure the full financial burden of lead pipe replacement, especially when funding is available from outside sources. We need leadership that’s proactive, not reactive, and that ensures everyone can trust what comes out of their tap, without going broke paying for it.
   
2. Transparency and Communication
   Many people feel disconnected from what’s happening at City Hall. I plan to launch a “Mayor’s Minute,” a monthly update summarizing what the city has accomplished, what we’ve spent, and what’s coming next. When information is easy to access and clearly communicated, residents can hold their government accountable and get involved in solutions. I will also continue to film videos for YouTube focused on issues in our city, and discussing how local governments work.
   
3. Responsible Stewardship of City Resources
   Taking care of what we already have saves money and builds trust. Whether it’s timely maintenance of vehicles, equipment, and parks, or planning infrastructure repairs before they become costly emergencies, we need to manage taxpayer resources responsibly. That includes supporting the people who serve this community every day, ensuring they have the tools and equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.
   

What measures will you pursue to address those issues?

For water, I’ll advocate for stronger long-term planning and more aggressive pursuit of state and federal funding opportunities. I’ll work with staff to make sure grant applications are timely and properly prepared for so we never again lose funding because our ducks are not in a row. 

For transparency, I’ll begin the Mayor’s Minute immediately, posting updates on the city website and social media. It’s not enough to make information available; it needs to be visible.

And for stewardship, I’ll implement regular maintenance reporting so issues like neglected repairs or equipment safety concerns don’t go unnoticed. We can’t afford to keep fixing things only when they break; we need a maintenance mindset across city departments. We also need to protect the safety of both our first responders and the public they serve. For example, I took pictures of two police cruisers this spring that had balding tires, likely caused by bad alignments. If we had fixed the alignments, we may not have needed new tires so soon- and we wouldn’t have put our officers and the public in danger of an accident if one of those tires had blown out. 

How would you ensure better protection and service for the most vulnerable and underserved populations in Three Rivers?

We can strengthen partnerships with local organizations that already serve vulnerable populations and make sure city policy doesn’t unintentionally create more barriers. For example, housing and code enforcement should work with residents to improve properties, not just penalize them. 

I’ll also prioritize clearer communication about available resources, whether it’s rental or utility payment assistance, or senior programs, so that no one falls through the cracks simply because they didn’t know help was available.

How would you promote transparency and maintain public trust in city government?

I’ve spoken with hundreds of voters, and I’ve yet to meet anyone who expressed trust in our city government. In fact, quite the opposite. Transparency starts with communication. I believe residents should never have to dig to find out what their government is doing. The Mayor’s Minute, YouTube videos, regular community updates, and holding “office-hours” where residents can express their concerns outside of formal meetings will all help rebuild that trust. I sincerely hope that the rest of the commissioners will join me.

I’ll also work to make city spending and decisions easier to understand in plain-language summaries, public Q&A sessions, and in well-advertised open budget workshops where residents can see how and why decisions are made.

What values or guiding principles shape your approach to public service?

Integrity, accessibility, and respect.
I believe leadership means setting the tone for how we treat each other. Whether we agree or disagree politically, we’re still neighbors who share the same community. My approach is rooted in fairness, civility, and the belief that progress only happens when everyone is invited to the table. 

Is there anything else your prospective constituents should know about you, your platform, your views, or your background?

Three Rivers has incredible potential, but only if we work together. I’m not running to divide the community or push anyone aside. I’m running to rebuild trust, restore communication, and make sure City Hall works for every resident, regardless of politics.

It’s time for leadership that listens, unites, and leads by example.
We have three rivers, and one future. It’s time we start writing the next chapter together.