By Maggie LaNoue – Contributing Writer
August 21, 2026
August has already brought a flurry of activity to Albion, and Monday’s City Council meeting reflected a city moving from summer recreation toward back-to-school activities, fall programs and Festival of the Forks.
Two other major topics were the city’s Flock Safety license-plate-reading cameras and ongoing street and underground utility construction. The Flock presentation and discussion alone occupied roughly half of the meeting.
Recreation was also prominent Monday. City Manager Dr. Sheryl L. Theriot reported that Albion’s Summer Enrichment Camp concluded Aug. 14 with a graduation program. A more detailed report on the program’s outcomes and future planning is expected later.
A week earlier, community members gathered at Holland Park for a separate Aug. 7 celebration honoring the career of former Albion Recreation Director Larry Williams. The event was co-hosted by the Albion High School Alumni Association and Substance Abuse Prevention Services.
Council unanimously appointed Dr. Stacey Levin to the Recreation Advisory Commission. Levin, an Albion resident for nearly 20 years and former Albion assistant city manager, currently serves as vice president of operations and impact at Starr Commonwealth. Her application cited more than 25 years of experience in education and public administration, as well as grant-writing efforts that have generated more than $1 million for youth programming and transportation.
The meeting included regular city business as well. Council approved the Albion Economic Development Corporation’s deficit elimination plan, updated goals for Theriot, a maintenance agreement with the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority for Collaboration Corner and alcohol-in-public-places permits for Albion Malleable Brewing Company’s Festival of the Forks kickoff Sept. 18 and Oktoberfest Oct. 10.
Council also held the first reading of an ordinance removing an obsolete requirement to sound the city’s storm siren before the nightly curfew for children under 16.
Theriot’s updated goals include short- and long-term recreation planning as well as completion of the Comprehensive Plan and Housing Assessment, infrastructure planning, housing and neighborhood work and continued planning for stabilization of 100 S. Superior St.
As the meeting moved into public comment, resident Juanita Solis-Kidder offered what amounted to a tour of activities underway and coming soon around Albion.
“This is Albion, and we have a lot going on,” Solis-Kidder told council members. “We have to get out and do these things.”
Solis-Kidder pointed to activities including a textile exhibit at the Albion Art Center, Albion College’s upcoming Community Day, Walk the Beat, Swingin’ at the Shell on Sunday evenings and the recently started Friday Music in the Park series at Holland Park.
More activities are coming Aug. 29. Albion College’s Community Day is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, with students and community volunteers working on short-duration projects including beautification and cleanup around the city. Theriot said the city is still accepting ideas for projects.
Walk the Beat follows that afternoon, another event Solis-Kidder highlighted as a way to bring people into the community. She encouraged residents to “put our best foot forward.”
Also on Aug. 29, an NAACP civic engagement event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. at Holland Park. Council approved the amplified sound permit Monday as part of its consent calendar.
Back-to-school activities are arriving at the same time. Mayor Victoria Garcia-Snyder reminded residents of an upcoming event at Harrington Elementary School where families can find backpacks, school supplies and other resources.
Councilmember Jim Stuart noted another familiar Albion marker on the calendar: Festival of the Forks is now about a month away. He also reported that the local AYSO soccer program is beginning its fall season, bringing players to Albion from several surrounding communities.
Garcia-Snyder picked up the same theme, saying summer had flown by because so much was happening.
“We are very fortunate that we have so many events, whether it’s music, whether it’s art, whether it’s educational programming,” Garcia-Snyder said, thanking the nonprofit organizations and others who have put time and energy into summer activities.
She said there is still plenty of summer left and “a lot of great ways to get involved.”
