Archive - Sep 2008

Tecumseh is blessed to have such a fine Sports editor.   Just  wanted to say thanks Mickey for all the work you did on our girls softball program this past season.  It was truly uplifting reading your articles.  You gave a lot of pride to the people of Tecumseh with all your hard work.   The amount of time spent digging up stats was truly remarkable.  Your comentaries on several stories were breath taking to say the least.  Keep up the good work, I buy the paper mostly to read your articles!!

When push came to shove during Tecumseh's varsity boys soccer match against visiting Milan on Monday, the Indians came out on top of the heated exchanges.

Tecumseh shut out the Big Reds while scoring four unanswered goals for the victory.
Several times the only thing standing between Milan and the net was Tecumseh senior keeper Ryan Wallich, who recorded the shutout in goal with 11 saves.

The contest began as a back-and-forth affair until late in the first half when Tecumseh's Travis Knepper netted the first goal with an assist by Scott Corley. The goal was exactly what the Indians needed to get their offense stirring. Jake Castorena scored another goal just under two minutes later, assisted by Knepper.

A handball violation set up Tecumseh's next opportunity to score. A Milan player turned his back to block the ball and it bounced off the back of his hand. Tecumseh's Marty Seal made good on the penalty kick and scored with 30:22 left in the game.
Tecumseh junior Mathew Morvay drove to the right side of the net after calling out Milan's goalie with just 6:36 remaining. He took a hard shot and it sliced just past Milan's new keeper to record the final goal of the evening. Knepper recorded an assist on the goal.

Wallich had nine saves in Tecumseh's 1-0 win against Bedford on Tuesday, Sept. 16, and 12 saves against Marshall on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Tecumseh (8-2-2) defeated Marshall 4-2 with Scott Corley recording a three-goal hat trick. Matt Morvay also scored a goal for Tecumseh. Pat Howe, Wallich and Knepper each had assists in the match.

Tecumseh's varsity girls cross-country team placed first at Blissfield's 10-team Early Bird Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 16, led by Jordan Harrison.

The THS senior clocked in at 19:35 to place first while teammate Erica Steuwe finished third in 20:27. Grace Kelley (7th, 21:16) and Katelyn Staelgraeve (10th, 21:55) also finished in the top 10 for the Indians.

At the Jefferson Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 20, Steuwe led Tecumseh with a second place time of 20:14. Kelly placed 10th (21:08) in the run.

This week was a definite improvement for the team,” said coach David Greene.
“We ran well at the Blissfield Early Bird, but then we came back on Saturday at the Jefferson Invitational and we had an awesome run for the team.”
Nine Indians recorded personal best times at the Jefferson Invitational.

An Ohio-based food manufacturer, Consolidated Biscuit Company (CBC) is moving forward with plans to open a  plant in the former facilities of the Tecumseh Products, amounting to a local investment of $12 million and the creation of 500 jobs over the next five years.

The announcement was made Monday following nearly five months of a coordinated effort between city staff, CBC and officials at Tecumseh Products. In addition, efforts to secure a $5.4 million tax credit from the State of Michigan succeeded with Tuesday’s approval by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board. The credit will cover a 10-year period along with an expected 12-year tax abatement from Tecumseh City Council valued at $867,000.

Appearing before the MEGA board in Lansing on Tuesday were City Manager Kevin Welch, CBC financial officer Bill Varney and Penny Launstein with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Varney presented information to the MEGA board regarding CBC, noting that the 45 year old company was operating from nine plants in five states, employing 3,500, and were looking to expand in Tecumseh because of its location, availability of manufacturing space and Tecumseh’s available work force.

Varney said that over the next five years, the company will invest into the plant for baking, cooling and packaging equipment.

In a statement from MEGA board member Josh Hundt, the average weekly wage projected by CBC will be $484, with funding of $125,000 from the MEDC for job training.

“The MEDC and Tecumseh worked together to make a strong business case to win this expansion,” MEDC President and CEO James C. Epolito said. “As competition for new corporate investment and jobs grows more intense, this project demonstrates the kind of strong teamwork needed to compete and win in today’s global market.”

Tecumseh resident Phillip Eversden plays the electric guitar with the Tecumseh Big Band Saturday in Adrian. Many enjoyed the band’s performance, which was one of many events held as part of Adrian’s Art-A-Licious festival held last weekend that showcased the arts in Lenawee County.

By DEB WUETHRICH

The Tecumseh Board of Education approved two labor contracts at Monday evening’s meeting. A tentative wage settlement was reached September 4 and ratified on Monday, Sept. 22, by Tecumseh Education Association (TEA) members. The agreement included a 1 percent salary increase, retroactive for the 2007-2008 school year, and a 1.5 percent increase, including longevity steps, for the 2008-2009 school year.

“I think it’s a fair settlement,” said Superintendent Mike McAran.
TEA President Lori Spotts said the measure passed with a fairly wide margin.

“I’m just happy we have come to an agreement,” Spotts said. “Now we can get back to doing what we do best — working with kids.”

The board members also approved a contract, ratified last week, with the International Union of Operating Engineers, the districts custodians and maintenance staff. There were no wage increases and some insurance changes that included a 10 percent employee contribution toward premiums.

“I’d like to thank all parties who worked diligently to come to these agreements. It’s been a long process,” said Board President Debbie Johnson-Berges. “We appreciate all their efforts.”
Technology Director Todd Thieken updated the board on the district’s School Improvement Committee that meets monthly. Thieken said several building level and issues committees also have been formed to address topic areas such as block scheduling, early childhood intervention, elementary centers, response intervention, middle school teaming and writing programs.