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NILES — A flyer distributed by a Niles city council candidate is causing a stir ahead of the Tuesday’s Primary Election.

In a Monday evening Facebook post, City of Niles Mayor Nick Shelton addressed claims made against the city via a Theresa Briand flyer distributed to citizens residing in Ward 1 of the city and publicly opposed her candidacy. Briand is one of three people running for Ward 1 City Council seat, along with incumbent Georgia Boggs and Jamie Bennett.

“In the eight years I’ve served as your mayor, I’ve never publicly endorsed or opposed a candidate – until now,” Shelton wrote. “With the primary election for Ward 1 tomorrow, I feel compelled to address some false claims circulating in a recent flyer… I’ve always aimed to earn your trust through transparency, responsiveness, and dedication. Therefore, I’m concerned about the potential impact on our community if certain individuals are elected.”

The flyer – produced and paid for by Ward 4 councilmember Michael Thompson – features a list of three issues Briand is focusing on during her campaign – fixing dilapidated roads, lowering taxes and “stopping wasteful spending” using “downtown vanity projects” such as The Forge as an example. The flyer states that stopping the wasteful spending would help pay to fix roads and lower taxes.

According to Shelton, Thompson has consistently voted against community engagement initiatives, including the Memorial Day Parade. 

“Additionally, Thompson has two relatives running for other ward seats, raising questions about the motives behind this support,” Shelton wrote.

Shelton said that roadway improvements are primarily funded through state-collected fuel taxes and that despite ongoing discussions at the state level, current funding is insufficient to meet needs. He added that the city has spent $5.2 million on roadway, sidewalk, and parking lot improvements within the city over the past three years, not counting MDOT projects.

“While the City has the option to allocate local tax revenues for road maintenance, as it did 15 or more years ago, doing so would necessitate cuts in other essential services,” Shelton wrote. “Our balanced budget prioritizes basic services without compromising financial stability. If we choose to invest local dollars in roadway maintenance, what service should we reduce?” 

In addressing the city’s taxes, Shelton stated the base millage rate of 15 mills, set by the city’s charter and regulated by the State of Michigan, has decreased to 13.5921 mills because of the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A. 

“These laws ensure that tax rates adjust with community growth and protect property owners from excessive increases, capped at the rate of inflation or 5 percent,” he wrote.

Regarding Briand’s claim about downtown spending, Shelton said it likely refers to the new sidewalks and outdoor hub, funded by American Rescue Plan Act and Revitalization and Placemaking grants. 

“Importantly, RAP grants were specific to these projects and could not be used for streets,” Shelton wrote. “Additionally, the downtown murals were paid for with private investments and not funded by the City.”

Shelton ended his post urging community members to thoroughly research candidates and their claims. 

“Misinformation can lead to misguided decisions that impact our community’s future,” he wrote. “Thank you for your attention and commitment to informed voting.”

Briand provided the following response to Leader Publications regarding Mayor Shelton’s post:

“I want to clarify that the flyer in question was produced and funded by Council Member Michael Thompson. Mr. Thompson, a dedicated advocate for fiscal responsibility in the 4th Ward who consistently prioritizes the concerns of Niles residents, also supported Mayor Shelton’s re-election by signing his petition this year. I am confident that Mr. Thompson would have further supported Mayor Shelton’s campaign had he not been running unopposed. It is contradictory for Mayor Shelton to now criticize Mr. Thompson for supporting my candidacy.

“My campaign is focused on promoting transparency, accountability, and ensuring that every resident’s voice is heard—principles that I believe will greatly benefit our community and taxpayers. I am also committed to encouraging voter engagement, as an informed electorate is essential for a vibrant democracy. It is disappointing that Mayor Shelton has chosen to target and publicly oppose those who champion the principles of integrity, responsible spending, and thorough consideration of all residents’ concerns, instead of engaging in meaningful and constructive dialogue. Thank you for your attention.”