Archive - May 7, 2008

By DEB WUETHRICH

It’s been 27 years since Michelle Fry, then 11 years old, nearly lost her leg on May 2, 1981, in an accident with a lawn tractor and a utility wire that became wrapped around the mower’s axle and her leg. When the Raisin Township resident remembers the tragedy and the arduous years of recovery that followed, along with 23 surgeries, she thinks of the miracles — and her mom, Bonnie Harvey.

“I don’t think my mom realizes all that she meant to me during those times, or how much she meant to many other children,” Michelle said. Michelle was first rushed to Bixby Medical Center with intentions to amputate what was left of her leg. She remembers a neighbor, who was a nurse, sending kids running down the street for ice to pack her leg. Though she remembers a burning sensation, Michelle said she felt no pain as her body seemed to shut down, but she did remember her father, Richard, helping to cut the wire. She also recalls how neighbors held her mom back so she wouldn’t have to see her daughter’s injuries.

At Bixby, after someone felt a pulse in Michelle’s foot, she was sent to St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo. It was there she first came to know the extent of her mother’s dedication. Bonnie worked at Faraday back then.

“They were good to her here in Tecumseh, allowing her the time off to come to Toledo and be with me when the higher ups wanted to fire her,” said Michelle. She said her mother would drive back and forth every day, often having purchased gas with money kind people from the community had sent to Michelle and the family, even coins taped to cards.

Tecumseh School District voters rejected two bond proposals totaling $37 million on Tuesday and elected three new members to the board.

Proposal 1 was turned down by a margin of 176 votes with 1,456 in support and 1,632 against. The $12,280,000 request sought funding for new boilers and roof repairs, as well as remodeling at all the elementary schools, middle school and administrative center. It also included technology upgrades districtwide.

Proposal 2 for $24,450,000 included additions to the high school, remodeling the middle school and high school, elementary playground equipment and landscaping, and upgrades to the high and middle school athletic fields. The proposal was defeated by almost 2-1 with 1,037 in favor and 2,040 against.

Both proposals would have extended the current millage of 7.2 mills by 22 years.
New faces will be joining the school board with the election of Karen Januszek and Kevin Packard, who received 2,200 and 1,889 votes respectively, and Jason Sines, a write-in candidate who received 102 votes.

The election attracted 3,094 voters to the polls set up at the Tecumseh Community Center. Voter turnout was 23.84 percent.

By JIM LINCOLN

Tecumseh City Council adopted the 2008-2009 budget at Monday night’s regular meeting. As presented and recommended by City Manager Kevin Welch, the budget included total appropriations from the General Fund of $5.7 million. The tax rate was set at 14.3966 mills.

The city’s fiscal year begins July 1, 2008, and runs through June 30, 2009. City Council is required by City Charter to adopt the annual budget by the second Monday in May of each year.

In other city council news:
Duaine Wells, superintendent of the Department of Public Works, presented the DPW’s annual report. He reviewed accomplishments, by season, which included  the installation of 200 feet of sewer at Herrick Medical Center, 500 yards of concrete for curb and gutter, and 15 blocks of street paving.
Crews logged 1,050 hours for snow removal from streets and distributed 1,300 tons of salt. Among other work conducted this past winter was the removal of 150 trees, many of which were diseased ash trees.

City Manager Kevin Welch announced future plans by MDOT to install a new storm sewer on Chicago Blvd., from Sunset Dr. east through downtown where areas of flooding have occurred. The boulevard will be torn up during the project tentatively scheduled in 2015.

Anne Walker addressed city council in regards to the intersection of Chicago Boulevard and Union Street. Walker objected to the limitation put on westbound drivers on Chicago who are not allowed to turn left, or southbound, onto Union Street. The issue was raised a year ago, according to Welch, who said the turning restrictions are up to MDOT. The issue will be sent back to MDOT for consideration, he said.