Calhoun County commissioners approve renaming Justice Center to honor Mary S. Coleman
May 21, 2026 | Calhoun County, Michigan
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The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners voted 6–1 on May 7 to rename the county Justice Center the "Mary S. Coleman Justice Center of Calhoun County." Commissioner Al Morehart moved the resolution, seconded by Commissioner Matt Saxton; Commissioner Monique French cast the lone dissenting vote.
The decision came after a public hearing at which The Hon. John A. Hallacy, a judge on the 37th Circuit Court, spoke in support of honoring Mary S. Coleman and cited her contributions to local juvenile services and programming. James Smith of Battle Creek urged the board to instead rename the building the "Sojourner Truth Justice Center," and Dr. Leslie Hagan, identified in the record as Mary S. Coleman’s daughter, described her mother's life and accomplishments. Barry Wayne Adams spoke in opposition to renaming the facility.
Why it mattered: supporters framed the change as recognition of Coleman's long-term public service; opponents and some constituents advocated honoring Sojourner Truth. Commissioner Monique French said she opposed the resolution because constituents in her district favored the Sojourner Truth name and noted a local hospital has named a wing for Truth. Commissioner Dan Strowbridge stated the renaming would carry no cost to county residents.
Motion and outcome: the board opened and closed a public hearing during the meeting and then approved Res.056, renaming the facility. The motion to approve the resolution was moved by Commissioner Al Morehart and seconded by Commissioner Matt Saxton. The roll-call vote was YES — King, Morehart, Oo, Strowbridge, Saxton, Tompkins (6); NO — French (1). The resolution as recorded names the facility the "Mary S. Coleman Justice Center of Calhoun County."
What happens next: the resolution was adopted during the meeting; the record shows no additional implementation steps or costs were identified at the time of the vote. Any signage, ceremonial events or administrative steps that follow were not specified in the meeting record.
The hearing and vote were part of the board’s May 7, 2026, regular session, which adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
The decision came after a public hearing at which The Hon. John A. Hallacy, a judge on the 37th Circuit Court, spoke in support of honoring Mary S. Coleman and cited her contributions to local juvenile services and programming. James Smith of Battle Creek urged the board to instead rename the building the "Sojourner Truth Justice Center," and Dr. Leslie Hagan, identified in the record as Mary S. Coleman’s daughter, described her mother's life and accomplishments. Barry Wayne Adams spoke in opposition to renaming the facility.
Why it mattered: supporters framed the change as recognition of Coleman's long-term public service; opponents and some constituents advocated honoring Sojourner Truth. Commissioner Monique French said she opposed the resolution because constituents in her district favored the Sojourner Truth name and noted a local hospital has named a wing for Truth. Commissioner Dan Strowbridge stated the renaming would carry no cost to county residents.
Motion and outcome: the board opened and closed a public hearing during the meeting and then approved Res.056, renaming the facility. The motion to approve the resolution was moved by Commissioner Al Morehart and seconded by Commissioner Matt Saxton. The roll-call vote was YES — King, Morehart, Oo, Strowbridge, Saxton, Tompkins (6); NO — French (1). The resolution as recorded names the facility the "Mary S. Coleman Justice Center of Calhoun County."
What happens next: the resolution was adopted during the meeting; the record shows no additional implementation steps or costs were identified at the time of the vote. Any signage, ceremonial events or administrative steps that follow were not specified in the meeting record.
The hearing and vote were part of the board’s May 7, 2026, regular session, which adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
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