Mary Morlan and Ernest “Ernie” Noel have submitted the appropriate paperwork to run as write-in candidates for Village of Marcellus Trustees. In their official announcement released last Saturday, both say “we need some new blood on the Village Council.” – News Photo
As I See It: A Glimmer of Hope
By Kay Schten McAdam
Editor, The Marcellus News
Village residents Mary Morlan and Ernest “Ernie” Noel have stepped up to run as write-in candidates for Village Council Trustees in the November 3, 2026, General Election.
In their official announcement released last Saturday, both concur that “We need some new blood on the Village Council, so we’re stepping up.”
And not just new blood – some blood.
Marcellus is not alone in its inability to field a full slate of candidates for vacancies in local government. According to an article published by Bridge Michigan, October 19, 2026, by reporters Ron French and Simon D. Schuster, A Bridge Michigan analysis of ballots in communities across Michigan found at least 478 elected races with no candidate or too few candidates running — threatening to leave close to 1-in-10 offices vacant out of the more than 5,400 local elected positions on the ballot throughout Michigan Nov. 3. (https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/please-i-need-a-clerk-no-candidates-for-almost-500-positions-on-michigan-ballots/)
A report by Partnership for Public Service reveals that in its most recent survey, only 27% of the public say they trust the federal government while 72% say it is “corrupt” and 75% say that it is “wasteful.” Just 37% believe the impact of the federal government on the country is positive.
And that’s just the view of the Federal Government. What is your view of local government? Similar? Worse? Better?
If you look at the vitriol being unleashed throughout the county in races such as in the Village of Cassopolis, Village of Vandalia, and Penn Township, you’d think there’s not an honest person to be found.
The reality is that you get who you vote for, however, when the same names and the same vacancies appear on the ballot, year after year after year after year, stagnation and, yes, incompetence, dilutes/negates/halts the development of a strategic vision that is needed to guide a community through just what we are experiencing now, a futuristic economic environment.
We are on our way to Star Trek, you know. We are getting off this planet and we will boldly go where no one has gone before.
But we need to take care of our own backyard first.
Marcellus needs to shake off the past century. It is time for change.
It is time to take an honest look at the state of the Village. There is no apparent economic development, just economic backsliding. Where are the new businesses? Where is the outreach to inspire investment in the community? Where or where is this community going?
The Village is situated on some pretty prime real estate if you take location into consideration. And it’s all about location, location, location, when it comes to setting up shop. Thirty minutes from Kalamazoo, 20 from Three Rivers, Dowagiac, and Paw Paw, 45 from Elkhart and Goshen.
Be honest. How many folks think nothing of driving 45 minutes to Shipshewana just to wander the shops, hear the clip-clop of horses’ hooves, or to pick up a brick of cheese?
Would you drive 45 minutes to get to Marcellus to do . . . what?
It took some cajoling, lots of thought and discussion before Mary and Ernie decided to run for the Village Council. Credit does need to go to Trustee George Markle who hosted a number of Community Town Halls where everyone was invited “just to talk.”
Talk. We ain’t talkin’ as a community and that comes down from the top.
Take a look at the ballot for Village Trustee where it says, “Vote for not more than 3.” It’s pretty noticeable that there are only two names listed. Not at lot of choices there.
To vote for a write-in candidate, write the individual’s name on one of the blank lines provided and make sure to blacken in the circle so the machine can read the vote. It’s just that simple. Write their names on a piece of paper and take it to the polls with you, if you need a little reminder or help with spelling.
And now for the elephant in the room. . . where is Trustee Webb?
In the Village minutes dated August 11, 2026, it is stated that Webb was absent, however, he was “excused by President Irwin for reasons of health as of June 15, 2026.”
Well, it’s now the end of October and according to one trustee, after three months of absences, there has been no update as to his condition.
As I see it, this lack of transparency is unfair to voters. Period.
In Section 4. Quorum, Attendance, Call of Council, in Resolution 2022-03, Village of Marcellus, Rules of Procedure (ByLaws) for the Marcellus Village Council and the Village of Marcellus, subsection 4.2 Attendance it states
“No member of the Council may absent herself or himself, without first having informed the Village Clerk, Village Manager or Village President of the impending absence and the reasons. Each member is expected to attend all meetings, workshop meetings, special meetings and emergency meetings. No member is allowed to miss more than three (3) meetings of the Village Council in a twelve- (12) month period unless there are extenuating circumstances such as a death in the family, work-related absence, surgery, hospitalization or accident. If a member exceeds the allotted missed, unexcused meetings, the Village President will ask for their resignation.”
One always wants to be sensitive when dealing with our aging population. Trustee Webb, I believe, is 90. I get it. Been there. Done that. My dad died at 86 and mom at 93. But at some point, you’ve got to take the car keys away from them for their well-being and ours.
Early voting continues, 8:00am – 4:00pm daily, through November 1. The polls will be open, as usual, on Tuesday, November 3, 7:00am – 8:00pm.
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