Why is this wall hanging so special?

The Heritage in Fabric Quilt Show returns to the Marshall First Presbyterian Church this Saturday, March 24. A very special wall hanging made by Phylis Rosenau will be among the many folk art pieces on display. Read today's Chronicle to find out why this particular piece is extra special.

Fourth anniversary of OIF

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the U.S. led effort at that time to disarm Saddam of weapons of mass destruction. Today, no WMDs have reportedly been found, Saddam has been tried and executed for pre-invasion crimes and more than 3,000 American troops have died with more than 24,000 injured. What to do about Iraq is shaping up to be the main issue of the 2008 presidential campaign as the Democratic led congress wrangles with the Bush administration over how and when to withdraw. Why are we there? How should we get out? Let us know what you think.

Police seeking armed robber

Heritage Cleaners at the corner of Eagle Street and Michigan Avenue in downtown Marshall was robbed early Thursday by a masked man who claimed to have a weapon hidden in his waistband, according to the Marshall Police Department.
Police said the man was about 5'3" tall, between 40 and 60 years old and may have been driving a blue or gray conversion van. He left with an undetermined amount of money. No one was hurt.
Anyone who may have seen the suspect in the area at about 7:15 a.m. or thereafter is urged to call the Marshall Police Department at 781-2596.

Staffing, service cuts not ruled out

At a budget meeting Thursday night, Marshall City Council members met with city staff to get their first snapshot of projected revenues and expenses for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
With staffing, capital projects and services at current levels, Marshall could be facing an $847,000 shortfall, Marshall City Interim Clerk Tracy Hovarter and City Manager Chet Travis told the city council at a special meeting Thursday.
“The directors cutback even more and I went over the numbers again and right now, we’re looking at a $386,000 shortfall,” said Hovarter at a meeting to seek direction from council on how to proceed with planning on the path to an April 2 balanced budget proposal.
By city charter, the city must present a balance budget to the city council by the fist meeting in April.
Though the council agreed without voting that raising taxes is not an option, service cuts and layoffs are not out of the question.
See the March 19 Chronicle for more on the grim budget picture facing city leaders this next fiscal year.

A message from John Hallacy, county prosecutor:

"On Wednesday, March 28th 2007, Fran Smith will be celebrating her 50th Anniversary working for the Calhoun County Prosecutors Office. We are planning a potluck lunch for Staff and Friends and then cake, punch and awards at 3pm at the Hall of Justice in the cafeteria.

Fran is from Marshall, and has seen many changes in the Prosecutor's Office and the Justice system during her career. She has worked for 9 different elected Prosecutors and has worked with many Assistant Prosecutors (some now Judges and local lawyers) and many support staff. She has been a cornerstone for the Prosecutor's Office through the years."

Balloon Launch

The family, friends and loved ones of missing Marshall woman Mary Lands launched one balloon for every month she's been missing over the past three years this afternoon on Fountain Circle. For more on the status of the investigation and an interview with Marshall Public Safety Chief Mike Olson, see the March 19 edition of The Chronicle.

Budget meeting is Thursday

The Marshall City Council will meet Thursday, March 15 to get a first look at the expected revenues for the next fiscal year, not Wednesday, March 15 as reported in the March 12 paper. New city manager hopeful Chris Olson said he would be willing offer guidance to council while honoring his 30-day departure clause with Lyon Township. See the March 19 Chronicle for more on that the council learned.

New city manager chosen

In a unanimous vote Saturday, Lyon Township Superintendent Chris Olson was chosen to enter into contract negotiations with the Marshall City Council to be the city's next city manager.
Trustee Jim Dyer wanted a unanimous vote, he said after the meeting, to hopefully dissuade people who may have chased away its last choice last year, Erik Wilson of Plainwell.
Citizen Jerry Baremore said he was pleased with the council's decision and the smooth way the search was handled.
City Attorney Paul Beardslee and Michigan Municipal League Search Consultant Bob Hamilton will begin contract talks with Olson and council hopes to vote on the pact Monday, March 19.
For more on what the council and Olson had to say, see the March 19 Marshall Chronicle.

Pfc. Adam Lafferty

Some of you may recall a feature piece we published a few weeks back on
Pfc. Adam Lafferty
of Marshall, son of Tracy Reuss and Lemo Lafferty.
He is now one of the many, new boots on the ground as part of George W. Bush's troop
surge, announced in his Jan. 10 State of the Union address.
Adam is a member of the Army's 1-4 Cavalary Scouts and in a phone
call to the Chronicle from Baghdad Monday, March 5, announced he is on the move
for the second time since deployment Feb. 6.
Below is a message from his mom:

Here is Adam's new address.....his 3rd so far:

PFC Adam R. Lafferty
1-4 Cavs Raiders B-Troop
Unit #42535
APO AE 09361

"He called us yesterday morning (5:30 a.m.) 1:30 pm his time.  All is well.  They are
keeping very busy. They will be moving to their unknown address the end of this week.
From what he could tell me, will be in S.E. Baghdad setting up new FOB
(forward operating base.) Apparently
not the best part of Baghdad, but he seems to think it will be okay. They have
checked out all their equipment and all is brand new and state of the art.....he
was very impressed as he thought they would be using all old equipment.  You know
guys and their toys.....ha ha.
"Anything that has been sent to him at the old addresses will still get to him!
Thank you all, and will keep you updated as I know."

Adam said yesterday he can also receive email to lafferty_recon1@yahoo.com.
Watch next week's Chronicle for more on what Adam had to say about his military
mission in Baghdad.

Home and Garden Section

With spring on the horizon, it's time to start thinking about those gardening and spring cleaning projects. Get some great tips and find out what local businesses can help you with your needs by turning to the Community Ad-Visor Home and Garden section next week!

In next week's Chronicle, find out who the Marshall City Council has chosen as its top two finalists for the job of Marshall City Manager. The two contendors will be featured guests at a 9 a.m. reception at the Franke Center for the public to meet and greet.

And, get updates on the latest in police drug interdiction efforts in an upcoming issue of The Marshall Chronicle.

What are YOU hearing on the streets? The Chronicle was contacted last week by a concerned citizen who questioned the legality of maligning people on newspaper sponsored blogs. Should the host company be held accountable if someone is libeled on the net? Or, is the net the last bastion of totally free speech?

New Guy

We have a new face at the Chronicle and Ad-Visor. Taking over local sports coverage and school board-related news reporting is Marshall resident, John Hendler. John joins the Chronicle after a lengthy career in news radio, working for a firm with stations around the country. He's also been a teacher and once lived and worked in Italy. John is currently appearing with his son, Ben Hendler, in the upcoming production of The King and I presented by the Marshall Civic Players at the Franke Center for the Arts. He is also a student at Kellogg Community College and participates on a bowling team at Marshall Lanes. He and his wife, Cathy, have three children attending Marshall Public Schools. We welcome John to our staff.

Should libel law apply to blogs?

The case of www.saveoursaxons.com blog page, created by a named teacher who complains about the school athletic director brings up some interesting questions about what you can say about another person on the web. Can you be sued for making false accusations about a person that lowers their reputation in the eyes of the community? Or, should blogs that wish to target an individual or group of individuals remain anonymous to avoid culpability? Or, yet again, should naming anyone in a false or imflammatory gripe be outlawed along with libel laws that govern the print media? What's your take? Write us a letter at chronicle@jasnetworks.net and speak your mind or post your response here.

Coming up in next week's Chronicle: See the story of a local soldier who recently returned after serving three tours of duty in the Middle East including Iraq; find out about the exciting, new project being undertaken by a few concern veterans and see how your varsity Redhawks did on the basketball court Tuesday against Parchment!

Breaking news?

Do you see news happening in and aroundMarshall? Please, give us a call at 781-5444 or drop an email to chronicle@jasnetworks.net.

We're still waiting to hear from you....

The deep freeze has no doubt altered your lives with school closings and slick travels. Please, tell us what you've been through in trying to carry on with your lives...have you been dealing with frozen pipes? Broken furnaces? Cars that won't start? We want to hear from you.

Time flies

Welcome to February! Seems we were just gathered 'round the tree with our loved ones and voi la! It's nearly Groundhog Day! I heard on the radio yesterday a sentiment with which I agree wholeheartedly, that the movie has more meaning than the day itself. In fact, I thought of that movie as I was for the second, consecutive a.m. commute, sitting in bumper to bumper traffic waiting for a minor mishap to be cleared from the expressway. Does it ever feel like Ground Hog day to you? How do you beat the winter blues? Watch the Feb. 5 Chronicle for some recurring themes, i.e. updated coverage of some ongoing local issues, along with some new information of which you may not be aware. And, in the Feb. 7 Ad-Visor, you'll be treated to some great solutions for feeding your body, mind and soul in a special section that we hope will help you chase those blues away!