Archive - Jul 9, 2008

By CRISTINA TRAPANI-SCOTT

On most days Evans Creek, a tributary of the River Raisin that stretches 14.62 miles and ends at Globe Pond, trickles past Tecumseh resident Nancy Smith’s Hermitage condominium with a wide bank that she and her neighbors can enjoy. It’s when rains such as those that fell consistently over the last week before skies cleared for the Fourth of July weekend that the creek becomes more like a river and flows fast, nearly reaching the platform of a wooden footbridge that crosses the creek behind her home. Trees that normally stand in her neighbors’ backyards stand in the middle of a strong current of muddy brown water.

According to Smith, the creek receives runoff from close to 17,000 acres of farmland and the last 1.25 miles of the stream that runs through Tecumseh receives the brunt of that runoff. While much of the Evans Creek is under the jurisdiction of the Lenawee County Drain Commission, the portion passing through Tecumseh runs through privately owned property outside the drain commission’s jurisdiction.

For Smith’s neighbors the high waters pose a nuisance. It’s a nuisance she and her neighbors live with as residents on the creek. Still, it’s not simply the high water that Smith is concerned about. It’s the environmental impact on the Evans Creek, the extreme erosion to its banks and the high amount of sediment that is deposited because of the runoff that concerns her most.

“Sediment is a major pollutant impacting the fish and other stream life, in turn impacting on other life along the stream. I just want people to understand how important the water is, and we are just messing it up,” Smith said.

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh City Council members held a public hearing on Monday evening to inform the public of the results of a state planning grant to develop the Tecumseh Business and Technology Park on the city’s eastern fringe on M-50. This project, which has recently been completed by Albert Kahn Associates, included a feasibility analysis and master planning for the park.

The council later adopted the development feasibility report, Master Plan and design guidelines, which includes renderings of what facilities might look like and a design pattern for potential roadways, as well as providing a snapshot of strategies the city might take to help market the park. The group also worked with city planners, McKenna and Associates.

The purpose of the study was to consider the local physical and economic factors and to determine the best use of the site for the community. Tecumseh Economic Development Director Paula Holtz said the process helped the city determine its direction in terms of attracting potential business for the community.

“They then proceeded to the Master Plan process which resulted in some lovely renderings as to how they could see the park being developed,” Holtz said. The renderings included a clustering concept of buildings with a design concept integrating research and high tech businesses into a natural landscape complementing features already on the 158-acre site, with pedestrian friendly walkways and screened parking.
“Paula and the Economic Development team deserve appreciation,” said city manager Kevin Welch. “A lot of work went into this with the research and revisions and a lot of input from the city. The Economic Development Department did a phenomenal job getting this done over this past year. It was quite an extensive project and moves us one step closer to development of that park.”

By DEB WUETHRICH

During a media preview for 169th Lenawee County Fair, Director Chris Miller said that the Lenawee County Fair Board is very sensitive to the economy and the fact that people are having to be careful with where they spend what money they have.

“This board has been extremely sensitive to this economy and we know how it is,” said Miller. He said with the thought in mind of giving fairgoers the best bargain and most fun day possible, the Fair Board has worked hard to line up some great entertainment, with a lot of it free, such as in the seven days of acts at the Bandshell, and holding ticket prices at $5 per person at the gate.

The board also is sensitive to the needs of families with small children, and has lined up entertainment the whole family will enjoy this year. One of the biggest shows is Doodlebops Live, which will perform Friday, July 25, beginning at 3 p.m. This is a grandstand show that many of the younger set will recognize and Miller said it is the fair’s largest investment this year. The national touring group has performed on the Disney and Nickelodeon channels.

Also featured at the grandstand is Country entertainer Lorrie Morgan on Friday, July 25, at 8 p.m. On Saturday, July 26, at 8 p.m. the Parrots of the Caribbean will perform a salute to Jimmy Buffett. There also is plenty of action on the track with Tractor Pulls and Figure 8 racing. For those who attend a lot of the shows, a special $36 fun pack is available that includes admission to all the shows, all week. For more information call 263-3007. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-585-3737.

Giveaways during grandstand shows will feature such prizes as two season passes to every show at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts for the 2008-2009 season, to an i-Pod and bicycles. Miller said this is the first year the fair has done something like this.