Marshall District Library announces youth programming

The Marshall District Library has announced its youth programming for the rest of the year. For more information or to register, please call the Youth Services Desk at 781-7821 x15. The Marshall District Library is located at 124 W. Green Street and on the web at www.MarshallDistrictLibrary.org.
Programs for Children
Babytime - Monday, November 19 and 26 , December 10, 6:30 to 7 p.m.
Playtime follows this storytime featuring stories and songs for babies 6 to 23 months. Space is limited, so registration is required. Please note that due to library closings, there will be no Babytime, Monday, December 3.
Family Storytime - Monday, November 12, 19, and 26; December 10, 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.
Enjoy stories, songs and physical movement at Family Storytime at Marshall District Library! Families with infants and children of all ages are invited. Drop-in to this free program.
PreSchool Storytime – Tuesday, November 20 and 27; December 4 and 10, 10:30 to 11 am OR Wednesday, November 21 and 28 and December 5 and 112 from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Caregivers assist their children with the hands-on craft at the end of each storytime that includes stories, songs, movement and crafts. Space is limited, so registration is required.
Drop-In Toddler Time - Thursday, November 29, December 6 and 13 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Toddlers and their caregivers are invited to attend Drop-In Toddler Time! Caregivers participate with their children in a program of stories, songs, and simple activities that help develop knowledge, skills, and self esteem. Drop-in to this free program. No ToddlerTime on Thursday, November 8 and 22.
Fabulous Friday Playgroup - Friday, November 16 and 30; December 7 and 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Would your child enjoy socializing time at your library? Play with interactive and leaning toys, and chat with area families. Books and learning materials for parents and children are available. Drop-in to this free program. No Fabulous Friday Playgroup on Friday, November 23.
Programs for Middle and High School Students
Middle School Movie Madness - Tuesday, November 20 and 27; December 4 and 11 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Join us for popcorn and movies for middle schoolers every Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. throughout the school year. Call the Youth Services Desk at 781-7821 x15 for information about what's showing each week. Drop-in to this free program.
DIY Craft for Teens/Tweens - Friday, December 7 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Middle school students are invited to join us for snacks and a Do-It-Yourself Craft. Drop-in to this free program. No Do-It-Yourself Craft on Friday, November 23rd
Electrifying Game Time - Friday, December 14, 2:30 pm to 4 p.m.
Teens – Can you jam on Guitar Hero II®? Know how to dance like a star on DDR®? Want to sing like an American Idol on Karaoke Revolution®? Challenge your friends to Yahtzee® and Twister! Join us monthly for an electrifying game time. Drop-in to this free program.
Surfing @ Your Library - Friday, November 30, 2:30 to 4 p.m.
If you are a Runescape or MySpace fan, come to the library and take advantage of the mobile computer lab. There will be twelve Internet accessible laptops for your enjoyment. Drop-in to this free program.
Teen Book Discussion – Thursday, December 6 from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
Pick up a copy of The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan at the library to read before December 6. Join other teens to discuss the book and enjoy delicious snacks. Drop-in to this free program.
Teen Advisory - Thursday, December 6, 7:30pm-8:15 p.m
Teens, we want your input! Help us develop a Teen Advisory Group for the library. Give input on programs, books, movies, and earn volunteer service hours. We welcome your suggestions and ideas to make the library your place. Drop-in to this free progra
Teen Anime and Manga Book Discussion: Bleach by Tite Kubo - Thursday, December 13 frrom 6:30 to 8:15 p.m.
Watch the first two episodes and discuss the Manga/Anime connections. Try some fun Asian snacks. Drop-in.
The library will be closed the following days:
Thursday, November 22
Friday, November 23
Monday, December
Monday, December 24
Tuesday, December 25

Greenstreet Arts to be featured at Honolulu House

The artists at Greenstreet Arts are offering their work for sale in a special one-night showing at the Honolulu House museum. For the first time, the Marshall Historical Society is having an Arts Sale to be held on Friday evening, November 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. This show and sale is in conjunction with the annual Retail Open House.
There will be many artists represented and the work available will be just as varied as the selection that is available at Gallery 115 in Greenstreet Arts and at Greenstreet on Main Street in the Shops at the Garden Theatre.
The works shown will include paintings, photographs, glass, sculpture, fine reproduction wood furniture and jewelry. There might even be a piece of iron sculpture. Gallery 115 at Greenstreet Arts will also be open until 9 p.m. the evening of the Retail Open House. Greenstreet Arts is located at 115 East Green Street across the street from the new front door of the Marshall Middle School. Greenstreet Arts is a non-profit company which provides inexpensive gallery and studio space to emerging artists, as well as training in marketing, display and business skills to enable artists to sell their works. This handcrafted jewelry will be for sale at the Honolulu House during the Retail Open House. Many painting styles will be available for sale at the Honolulu House beetween 6 aand 9 p.m. on Nov. 30.

Damon bound over on murder, child abuse

Marshall man Chadwick Damon, 20, was bound over for circuit court trial by Calhoun County District Court Judge Marvin Ratner Tuesday after a 2 1/2 hour preliminary examination in which Lt. Sean Loughrige, a forensic interviewer with the Michigan State Police and an assisant Marshall Football Coach testified that Damon told him he had struck Mackenzie VandenHeede on the back of the head the evening of July 12. Mackenzie, 4, died four days later at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Dr. Joyce DeJong of Sparrow Hospital, who performed Mackenzie's autopsy, said she died from blunt force trauma to the head and that the injury was too severe to have been caused by a fall from a bed as Damon told police, according to testimony. See more on the circumstances surrounding this case in the Saturday Chronicle.

More than 300 turn out to dedicate monument

A monument new to Fountain Circle was commissioned in 1947 by Eaton Corporation to renowned artist Marshall Fredericks. Newly refurbished by Patton Monument with help from Keystone Monuments in Georgia, the monument not only commemorates the five Eaton Corporation employees killed in action but now bears the names of 44 other Marshall citizens who died during WWII, Vietnam and Korea. Here Joe Zblewski reads a poem while Marshall Middle School students honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. See more on local Veteran's Day observances in the Nov. 14 Ad-Visor and the Nov. 17 Chronicle.

Claude E. Hale VFW Post 4073 observes Veteran's Day today

Some 100 people attended today's annual Veteran's Day Dinner at the Marshall VFW Post 4073 where Post Commander Clifton Wise handed out awasrds for years of service to the post. The attendees, who also enjoyed a chicken and ham dinner prepared by Judy's Catering service, were captivated by the true story of keynote speaker, Brigett Kiessling, who shared how she, her six brothers and sisters and her parents were able to escape from their East Germany home in 1947 into West Germany and eventually immigrated to the United States, first to Dowagiac and then to Benton Harbor. Special guests at the event included two Eaton Corporation officials who helped to give a granite monument from inside the former Hanover Street assembly plant to the VFW, along with Ron Holley, president of Patton Monument, Brian Grable who assisted in the monument rescue project, Shelly Sulser of the Marshall Chronicle who helped publicize the project since last February and Post members, Ed and Madeline Waidely. The monument will be dedicated at a ceremony on Foutain Circle at 10 a.m. when Wise will read the names of Marshall's killed in action who appear on the newly restored monument. Traditional Veteran's Day observances will be immediately follow at Veteran's Monument.

Semi trailer rolls on exit ramp

According to local observations, a semi trailer rolled over on the I-94 exit ramp to northbound I-69 sometime around noon Sunday, Nov. 11. Bud's Wrecker Service and the Michigan State Police remained on the scene for at leat four hours and were observed still working at the site to remove cargo from the trailer as of about 3:35 p.m. Watch the Chronicle and this website for more information as it becomes available.

This week's front page. Click for larger view.

Damon preliminary exam is Tuesday

Witnesses have been subpoenaed to testify Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. in the preliminary examination of open murder, torture and first degree child abuse charges against Marshall native and 2005 MHS graduate, Chadwick Leon Damon. If the judge finds there is enough evidence for trial, the case will be bound over to Calhoun County Circuit Court. Damon is accused of killing 4-year-old Mckenzie VandenHeede in their South Kalamazoo Avenue, Marshall home last July. He is also accused of causing prior injuries to the girl on July 4.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown goes to Marshall High School

The Marshall High School drama department stages You're A Good Man Charlie Brown Nov. 15-18 under the direction of Kathryn Petrich.

Deer herds racking up in Marshall

With mounting complaints about growing deer herds damaging landscaping foliage and gardens, the city of Marshall is going a step beyond the traditional deer hunt on 80 acres of city property to the south. Now, private residents are being permitted to bow hunt the deer in the northwest corner of the city by private property owner Frank Boley who owns about 60 acres on West Drive. Yet another measure being planned is a special block permit spring hunt at the Brooks Nature Area to minimize damage to prairie grasses. See today's Chronicle for an in depth look at the city's deer population reduction program. Meanwhile, the Brooks Nature Area will be closed to the public during firearm deer hunting season for the safety of the public who hike in the 18 1/2 Mile Road public park. Firearm deer hunting season is Nov. 15-30.

Redhawk swimmers head to state finals Nov. 16-17

John Hamlin's Marshall High School swim team heads into the Division 3 State Finals Nov. 16-17 in Holland after clinching qualifying scores last week. See today's Chronicle for more on who to watch in this quest for state championship titles.

13-year-old boy shoots girl in forehead with air soft gun

A 13-year-old Marshall boy is facing a felonious assault charge for allegedly firing a projectile from a soft air pistol that struck another student in the forehead on school property, according to the Marshall Police Department.
Another 13-year-old boy who admitted to his involvement in the incident but denied knowledge of a gun was also expelled and is facing a charge of carrying a concealed weapon for transporting the gun under the seat of his moped.
Police said a soft air pistol meets the definition of a firearm according to Michigan law. Authorities believe that both boys conspired to commit the crime and are seeking an additional charge from the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s office.
The incident occurred Oct. 8 and was reported to police Oct. 11. The expulsions took place Oct. 30.
Police said Principal Dave Turner told them he learned on Oct. 9 that a 14-year-old student had been shot in the head at the previous night’s game at Marshall High School. See the complete story in today's Chronicle.

Marshall 12th out of 27 teams at state finals

The MHSAA has posted results for the Division 2 state girls cross country championships. The regional and Big 16 Conference champion Marshall Redhawks finished in 12th place out of 27 teams competing. See J-Ad Corporation Sport Editor Brett Bremer's coverage in the Nov. 10 Chronicle. (Chronicle sports writer John Hendler was in South Bend covering Evan Sharpley's disappointing, triple overtime loss to Navy, 46-44.) You can listen to the MHSAA broadcast of the races or see the times at MHSAA.com.

Sharpley starts today against Navy

See Marshall graduate, Notre Dame junior Evan Sharpley make his second Fighting Irish gridiron start as quarterback today on NBC against Navy. Marshall's award winning sports reporter, John Hendler will be on the sidelines to cover this game first hand starting at 2:30 p.m.

City exploring options to traditional FBO

City exploring options to traditional FBO

Shelly Sulser
Chronicle Editor
Saying Marshall City Manager Chris Olson wants more than any fixed base operator (FBO) can invest to keep the airport viable, Stan Lathrop has decided to drop his contract negotiations to provide fueling, aircraft repair services and a flight school under a new business name, Heritage Aviation, at the city-owned Brooks Field.
But according to Olson, the city’s airport losses have grown from $45,000 in 1998-99 to almost $90,000 expected in 2007-08.
“Out of the about $180,000 general fund operating deficit incurred last fiscal year, about $104,000 of that deficit can be attributed to the airport,” Olson told the council.
That’s why Olson is encouraging the council to consider other options including sharing and FBO with the city of Charlotte or striking a deal with a college aviation school to allow students to manage the airport as part of their training and education.
“He wants the airport to be revenue neutral,” said Lathrop of why he’s walking away. Lathrop has worked as chief skydiving instructor for Skydive Michigan at Brooks Field for 14 years and will continue to do so. “There’s no way I can pay out that kind of overhead. I’m going to head back to Grand Rapids and go back to work.”
During the winters, Lathrop works as a tool and die maker and spends his weekends teaching skydiving in Marshall during the warm months.
But because he has been laid off for the past five months, Lathrop has been volunteering to clean bathrooms, provide security and pump fuel for the city since April while working to hammer out a deal for his newly created FBO business to succeed Metzger Aircraft Services which shut down in February due to financial losses.
In light of Olson’s Oct. 18, six-page memo to Marshall city council members regarding the status of contract negotiations with Lathrop, and after meeting with Olson Tuesday, Lathrop resigned that volunteer position Wednesday.
A number of local pilots gathered to give Lathrop a farewell luncheon at the Moonraker and to show their support for his work.
“We’re very upset about it,” said pilot Mike Arlow of Marshall, whose Diamond Aircraft, 2003 DA 20-C1 model is kept in a Brooks Field hangar owned by Joe Newman of Battle Creek. “There’s going to be nobody from the city pumping fuel.”
While Arlow lives in Marshall, he is the owner of Technical Writing and Engineering Company in Troy.
Though he does much of his work at home, he often flies in about 45 minutes to Bloomfield Hills from Brooks Field, then drives to his office. His wife, Freda Arlow, is a physician at Marshall Internal and Family Medicine. He once flew her back to Marshall from Ann Arbor due to a medical emergency involving one of her patients.
“I fly in and out of here two to three times a week in the warm months,” he said. “With no FBO, there would be no reason for people to come to the airport.”
City officials said in July they hoped to have a new FBO on board by Oct. 1. It was around that time that the city’s airport board asked Marshall Public Safety Director Mike Olson (who did not comment for this report) to issue a request for proposals to see a potential FBO, airport board chairman Tom Woods said then.
Lathrop submitted a proposal and a business plan as did former Brooks Aero employee Robert Grady.
Previous talks with Great Lakes Aviation Services (GLAS) of Kalamazoo broke down when certain terms could not be met by the city.
“I’m disappointed by it,” said Lathrop. “I had financial backers and was ready to move. I gave them my business plan. I was going to be starting small and build up to what the business could support. I had a meeting with the city manager yesterday and he said there would be no fuel, the maintenance building would be locked up and there would be no access to anything. The doors will be locked tonight at sunset.”
But Olson said the decision to reject Lathrop’s business plan and ask for a revision Oct. 15 was based on a number of considerations including a price setting formula that would mean the city would always incur a loss on the fuel sales.
“What Stan said in his proposal was not in his business plan,” said Chris Olson. “Some services Stan was obligated to are expenses that were not covered in the business plan. My concern is that it was not in the best interest of the city to enter into a contract that is potentially harmful to either party. My sense is that neither of them (Lathrop nor Grady) realized it that the expenses they obligated themselves to could be hurtful to them and the city’s not going to take advantage of that situation.”
While the numbers of landings per week could not be pinned down due to the numbers of area flight school touch and go traffic, and because airport traffic often increases on the warm month weekends, Olson told the council members that airport manager Mitch Price has reported that clientele is 50 to 100 regular users.
“This is less than one percent of the city’s population,” wrote Olson, “and it is unknown how many of those persons are residents.”
Though Olson acknowledged that while the airport is used mostly by aviation hobbyists, it also provides some value to industries who may need components, electronic control boards or other parts, he said.
“It is my understanding that Schuler’s also receives several aviators who like to fly in to Marshall and dine there during the warm month weekends,” he wrote to the council. “There is a sentimentality and an architectural attractiveness of the airport as well. Thus, I assume that the airport has value for many persons, and that value could be tangibly supported.”
At the same time, however, he pointed out that he city has not filled positions in departments which serve the entirety of the population.
“In public safety, understaffing causes a significant amount of added overtime expense, but that is a topic for another day,” he said.
One reason for lack of revenue is the fact that the hangars, some 20 to 30, are privately owned meaning the city receives no rent income. The city does, however, receive 10-cents per foot from the land on which the hangars sit which generates only about $3,000 per year for the city.
And, rent from SkyDive Michigan is only about $300 per year.
“There has been a series of operational/business problems which has resulted in an inability to retain FBOS,” he said. “A 228-percent increase in operational spending since fiscal year 1998-99 due to the city pickin up an increasing amount of operating and maintenance expenses for the facility and grounds.”
He added that the city has spent about $128,400 on capital improvements, including the work authorized for this fiscal year, over the past 10 years.
“Substantive revenue opportunities, such as the city owning/renting hangar space, rather than individuals, have been missed over this period of time,” he said.
Lathrop explained that the hangar agreements call for the city to assumed ownership of the hangars after 30 years.
The earliest the city could acquire the oldest group of 10 to 20 hangars (one building) would be 2014, said Olson.
The city is also anticipating a major expense for the required, 10-year underground fuel tank inspection by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which Price has said could cost anywhere from $10- to $16,000.
If the tanks fail inspection, the city would incur additional costs for either new liners or new tanks.
“If the underground tanks are as bad as some persons say they are (we do not have any soils or engineering reports) and that they will fail inspection next year, then the replacement of that facility without a revenue stream may not be possible,” said Olson.
Olson said he is working to obtain a more accurate cost estimate for the upcoming inspection by consulting with the environmental testing firm, BCI-Insight Environmental.
The imminent winter months will give the city time to hammer out a plan, said Olson.
“Typically, airport traffic drops right off after Nov. 1,” he said.
After consulting with Price and with Mike Olson, Chris Olson said he is contemplating the following options:
- Reducing airport expenses by going to an unsupervised status meaning the city would provide a landing strip that can be used as well as basic upkeep of the building and grounds. Potential savings: $50,000 annually.
- -Sharing an FBO with the City of Charlotte or another municipality.
- Internship management by aviation school airport management students.
- A card reader for the fuel tank that would allow pilots to purchase fuel.

Meanwhile, Arlow said he will be forced to divert to Branch County Airport for fuel and to Grand Rapids for aircraft maintenance at a certified Diamond mechanic.
“The airport is the gateway to the community,” said Arlow. “It’s important for commerce. This is a real slap in the face.”
Arlow, who calls Brooks Field his home base, said the only way to keep the airport active is make it a “gas and go FBO.”
He likened the airport to the city’s parks and recreation fields which he said do not generate revenue for the city.
“The parks and rec fields are certainly worth something and the airport is worth something,” he said. “The community has to decide what it places value on.”
Pilot Keith Rhoades agreed with Olson that the city lost its sustaining revenue opportunity years ago.
“It’s too little, too late in my opinion,” said Rhoades. “There are a number of things the city could do to make money here but they should have done it in the beginning, in building hangars and getting the rent. Instead, Mr. Newman had to.”
He added that the city does not have to rely on only one FBO.
“FBO is a misnomer,” he said. “You can have several FBOs. You can have one running a flight school, one running the soaring club. The city is the manager so the city should be managing it.”