My Bio
Dog mom, WMU grad, homeowner, and longtime Three Rivers resident. I’m running for mayor to fight for clean water in every home, open communication from City Hall, and leadership that listens. I earned my Master’s in Public Administration from Western Michigan University, right here in our region. I’ve studied how good government is supposed to work—and I know how to apply it in real life. I understand budgets, infrastructure, transparency, and how to lead with both heart and expertise. This isn’t about left or right. It’s not about drama or division. It’s about rolling up our sleeves and doing the work—for everyone. Because at the end of the day, we’re all neighbors. And this is our home. So let’s fix what’s broken. Let’s finish what we started. Let’s bring trust and results back to City Hall. We have three rivers and one future. Let's build it together.
My Key Issues
Public safety
Our police and fire departments deserve to have everything they need to keep the public and themselves safe. Currently, our cops drive around in vehicles with multiple problems and bald tires. Our fire department is lacking the necessary resources. Very sadly, many of our administrators, who sit at desks, are paid ABOVE the average for their positions, yet our first responders- who run into burning buildings, and toward danger, are paid BELOW the average for their positions. We can do better!
Government ethics and anti-corruption measures
Most decisions about our community are made behind closed doors. Sure, there are "public" meetings, but they're not well advertised and people are afraid to speak at city hall because of the way they are treated when they do. Under my leadership, this will all change. I will welcome our community to voice their needs, desires, and opinions, and I'll treat everyone with the respect they deserve.
Clean, lead-free water from every faucet
Everyone deserves fresh, clean, lead-free water—no exceptions. As a certified grant proposal writer, I’ll work with city staff to pursue every dollar of funding to replace our lead pipes. The money is out there. We just need to stop taking no for an answer and go get it. This is our town, our water, and our future. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get it done.
Open communication
It's 2025. Communication is EASY. Websites and social media make it fast and simple to communicate with everyone in town. Under my leadership, City Hall will advertise all local meetings on the city's website and on social media. We will keep the public informed about what's happening, so everyone knows what's going on and has a chance to contribute. Election filing deadlines will be advertised, so that more people run for office. We need new blood, but currently, only folks who follow politics closely know how to become a candidate. I will continue to host live videos, produce a monthly report called "The Mayor's Minute" published on the city's website and social media, and host in-person Q&A sessions so people who can't make it to city meetings still have an open forum to meet with the mayor. I'll invite the rest of the City Commission and will comply with the Open Meetings Act.
Affordable Housing/ Filling Empty Houses
Everyone knows that there is a lack of affordable housing in the US, and right here in Three Rivers. It's time for the city to work harder. We need to partner with existing organizations to increase the number of affordable new homes being built here. Also, there are far too many empty homes in disrepair. From my back porch, I see two empty homes- and that's an improvement, as there used to be four! It's time to work with the owners and find ways to clean up the properties and get families inside, or encourage them to sell to folks who will make them habitable. Empty homes decrease the value of our neighborhoods and make them feel less safe. We can do better!
Where to find more information:
You can find more information on my campaign by visiting my Facebook page by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://www.facebook.com/angelformayor/ You can see my videos on YouTube by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/@AngelJohnstonforMayor Or you can search "Angel for Mayor" on either platform. To donate to my campaign, text "angelformayor" to (888) 444-8774
Bring back services that have been "farmed out"
For years, essential city services have been quietly handed off to outside companies, and we’re paying the price. Right now, Three Rivers spends far too much money each year on building inspection services with a private company called SAFEbuilt. The result? Slow response times, poor accountability, and residents left frustrated. Ask around — nearly everyone has a SAFEbuilt story, and it’s rarely a good one. We deserve better. That’s why I have a plan to bring this service back in-house. By hiring a full-time city inspector, we’ll save taxpayers a significant amount of money each year and finally have someone that's accountable to our community, not an outside entity. We’ll get faster inspections, safer rentals, and stronger enforcement of local standards — all while spending less and making Three Rivers a city that investors and contractors WANT to work in. This is just one example of how we can reclaim control, rebuild local government capacity, and make city hall work for the people who live here, not for outside vendors who answer to no one.
Send Me a Message
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!
Campaign Headquarters
520 Maple St, Three Rivers, MI 49093, USA