Budget public hearings set at MPS, Mar Lee

Marshall Public Schools and Mar Lee School will hold public hearings tonight and tomorrow night respectively on their proposed, 2008-2009 operating budgets. MPS hopes to add a teacher and two sports teams while Mar Lee will use fund balance to balance the $50,000 deficit budget. See more on these issues in this week's Chronicle.

Some township officials face challenges in Aug. 5 primary

Officials in some Calhoun County townships will face challanges in the Aug. 5 primary while others have all incumbents seeking re-election in November. Still others have incubments not seeking re-election and newcomers filing. Get a closer look at these races at the Calhoun County Clerk of Elections.

Wednesday, June 11 is Guadalupe Aguilar Day in Marshall

Marshall Mayor Bruce Smith has proclaimed June 11 Guadalupe Aguilar Day in the City of Marshall. Guadalupe, who has lived in Marshall since 1946, is 100 yeras old. Read the story of how this child migrant worker, born in Mexico in 1908, has led a happy and successful life surrounded by her loving family in this week's Chronicle. An open house celebrating her birthday is set for noon to 8 p.m. at her home on Warren Street.

I-94 eastbound lane, ramp to be closed this weekend

From 10 p.m. on Friday, June 6 until 6 a.m. on Monday, June 9, the driving lane of eastbound I-94 from Exit 92 to Renton Road will be closed for concrete repairs. In addition the ramp from eastbound I-94 to Exit 92 will be closed and detoured. The detour follows: Exit 88 (40th Street), Michigan Avenue, and Mercury/Columbia Avenue and back to I-94.

This work is weather-dependant.

For more information, contact: Julie A. Hurley, Southwest Region Communications Representative, Michigan Department of Transportation, hurleyju@mi.gov, 269.208.7829 (Nextel)

For lane closure information visit
michigan.gov/drive

MPSC grants 911 surcharge rehearing request for county

The Michigan Public Service Commission today granted 911 surcharge rehearing requests by Grand Traverse and Calhoun Counties and denied re-hearing requests by Huron and Muskegon counties.
Calhoun's hearing is reportedly scheduled for 3 p.m. today, according to a report by Marshall City Council Trustee Brent Williams at Monday's public meeting.
The MPSC on March 11 issued an order that approved or adjusted 911 surcharges submitted by 68 Michigan counties.
Between April 4 and 10, Grand Traverse, Calhoun, Huron and Muskeon counties filed petitions for rehearing.
Calhoun County's request for rehearing was based on new information, seeking to reduce its surcharge from 65 cents currently levied on hard wire phone service bills to 60 cents though the 60 cents will be newly applied to cell phones, voice over internet and other methods used for dialing 911.
"The result is a cost savings for ratepayers and the consolidation of three 911 facilities into one," reported Judy Palnau of the MPSC. "In today's order, the MPSC granted the request for rehearing and approved the requested 60-cents surcharge."
See this Saturday's Chronicle for more on this story.

Damon gets life in prison with possibility of parole

A 21-year-old Marshall man convicted of second degree murder for striking a fatal blow to the head of four-year-old McKenzie VandenHeede last July was sentenced by Calhoun County Circuit Judge Stephen Miller to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 20 years. Damon said he asked McKenzie's mother, Jill VandenHeede for forgiveness "and she did." Jill VandenHeede said her daughter was her "whole life" and that she, Damon and her daughter had happy times together. McKenzie's father, Jarrod Wetzel, called Damon a "monster." For more on what was said at the sentencing hearing today, see Saturday's Chronicle.

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740 acres in Marshall Twp. considered for VW plant?

Local officials are not confirming nor denying rampant rumors that Volkswagen AG officials are considering Marshall Township's, 740-acre Gerholz farm property on C Drive North for its next North American assembly plant though Michigan is the only state of the three, which include Chattanooga, TN and Alabama that has not identified the city in which VW officials are reportedly considering for the plant that would employ up to 2,500 people, according to published reports. Township Supervisor Eugene Hamaker said three large companies have looked at the site recently but would not say whether VW is among them. Marshall Economic Development Manager Mike Hindenach also would not comment on prospects for the land that he and the township are heavily marketing for development. He did say, however, that the Gerholz family farm property is the largest available development property, already zoned for industrial use, between Detroit and Chicago. He is working with the firm McCallum Sweeney to get the land designated a state certified megasite which would make it even more desireable for large scale inustry. VW has confirmed (See Kalamazoo Gazette) that Michigan is one of the three finalist states for the plant, according to a variety of news sources. And, local officials contacted for this story said they could not comment because they are bound by a confidentiality agreement. See today's Chronicle front page for more on this story.

Brooks Field could get $157,000

State Senator Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) called for bipartisan cooperation on a measure to provide funding for four local airports.
The federal government has set a June 1 deadline for the legislature to approve matching funds or the federal portions of the projects could be stripped away. Schauer has voted multiple times to approve the airport funds, but disputes over other projects have kept the legislation from the Governor’s desk.
"This funding will help us put shovels in the ground right now, stimulate our economy, and position us for greater job growth and investment in the future," Schauer said. "Leadership on both sides of the aisle need to end the political game of chicken and get this resolved once and for all. I’m willing to work with any of my colleagues - Democrat, Republican, in the House and the Senate - to make sure this gets done."
The projects include:
W.K.KelloggAirport, Battle Creek - $2,016,000 total cost with $50,400 each coming from state and local sources and the balance from the federal government;
Brooks Field, Marshall - $157,895 total cost with $3,947 each coming from state and local sources and the balance from the federal government; and
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport - $6.7 million total cost with $167,500 each coming from state and local sources and the balance from the federal government.
Reynolds Field, Jackson County - $3 million effort, with $75,000 coming from the state, $75,000 from local, and the balance from the federal government.
Schauer has also supported efforts to include funding for projects at Kellogg Community College and Jackson Community College, but the airport funding with its looming federal deadline is a top priority.

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

Last week's front page

Legislative public hearing on business tax here Friday

State Reps. Lorence Wenke of Kalamazoo, and Mike Nofs of Battle Creek; and Sen. Mark Schauer will hold a legislative public hearing Friday, May 23, starting at 3 p.m. at Franke Center for the Arts, Downstage Community Room, 214 E. Mansion Street, Marshall.
Many businesses in Michigan are now paying up to 10 times more in state taxes due to the new state business tax.

Local business owners will testify in Marshall before a panel of three area state lawmakers about how they have been negatively impacted by the tax, and offer potential solutions.

The lawmakers will use the testimony as a way to strengthen their position in their attempt to change Michigan’s business tax structure.

Manistee officials to tour Marshall today

Marshall city officials will greet and entertain officials from Manistee in a Michigan Week Mayor Exchange Day event. City council members and administrators will lead the contingent of visitors on visits to the Marshall Riverwalk, power house, Town Hall and other features before gathering for a formal gift presentation and dinner at Schuler's Restaurant and Pub at 7 p.m. See coverage in Saturday's Chronicle.

Oaklawn Hospitality Classic RESULTS

Click here to find out how runners/walkers placed in the May 17 Oaklawn Hospital Hospitality Classic

Walters Dimmick out building destroyed by blaze

Photo by Shelly Sulser
A massive blaze at Walters Dimmick Petroleum Company on South Kalamazoo Avenue in Marshall destroyed an aluminum sided storage building. There was at least one vehicle inside the building but firefighters are still on scene. Watch for more information on this developing story.