Archive - Sep 16, 2009

To the Editor,

I read with interest the article “Group seeks to change SMRS board” recently in the Herald.

As a founding member of the Southern Michigan Railroad Society in 1982, and general manager of the organization from 1982-1988, I have a strong interest in the group’s well-being and continued success, even though I moved from the area long ago. When I read of the move by a group of local people headed by attorney Charles Gross trying to “take over” the SMRS board, many questions came to mind and I have fears for the future of the organization.

The statements made by Mr. Gross about the SMRS are vague and offer no indication of the intentions of his group. The purported goal is to return control of the railroad to local people. If they are successful in their “takeover,” do they intend to improve the SMRS and continue its train operations between Clinton, Tecumseh, and Raisin Center, or do they want to dismember the organization and shut it down? As Mr. Gross has yet to offer any insight into his group’s plans or make-up, it’s only possible to consider publicly-available information on Mr. Gross and his possible associates. There are questions that should be answered.

One must question whether Mr. Gross is interested in railroad preservation and the benefit a well-managed SMRS could bring to the community, or whether he is aligned with organizations or individuals who could benefit from the disappearance of the SMRS.

To the Editor,

The MOMS Club of Tecumseh would like to thank the community for their outstanding support for our third annual clothing drive which took place Sunday, Aug. 30.
It gives us great pleasure to see the community bond together to help families in need during these times.

The Tecumseh Herald, Clinton Local, Daily Telegram and WLEN helped us spread the word. These voices helped keep the event top of mind for so many families.
Busch’s in Tecumseh and Walmart in Adrian provided financial contributions. These donations allowed us to purchase backpacks, lunch boxes and hand sanitizer as schools supplies for the children.

Storage Max, Inc., Van Delay Acquisitions, and The First Presbyterian Church in Tecumseh enabled us to collect, store and distribute the donations that were provided by the community.

Additional donations of school supplies, hygiene products and clothing were given by Goedert Real Estate, Tecumseh Autobody, Tecumseh Arbor of Gleaner Life Society, Tipton Church, Tecumseh Service Club, Kiwanis, Creative Outlet Ceramics, Oriental Sizzling, T&D Machine, and Ross Driving School.  

 These generous donations allowed the MOMS Club to help over 175 local children who were in need.

Layne George
Vice President
MOMS Club of Tecumseh

To the Editor,

Possibly our biggest fundraising event of the school year will be taking place Saturday Sept. 19.  “Friends of Tecumseh Schools Orchestra” along with Sudzy Duz It Car Wash will be hosting our Third Annual Tecumseh Schools Orchestra Car Wash-a-thon.
The students have been collecting pledges for each car washed and our goal for the day is to send 500 cars through the automatic car wash and dry each one. So for those people getting their cars washed Saturday, Sept. 19th… IT’S FREE! We urge everyone to come out that day and show your support of the Tecumseh Schools Orchestra by getting a free automatic car wash! You will also be treated to your car being dried by the students.  Some of the sponsors that have made this all possible are Sudzy Duz It Car Wash, Brindamour Photography, Carpet on Wheels,  Kohl’s Cares for Kids and the Tecumseh Herald.

The “Friends of TSO” is made up of parents, students, grandparents and community members that are working to help the Orchestra program in any way possible. Their first, and quite possibly the largest, project this group will ever face is the construction of an Orchestra room at the Tecumseh High School.  

The “Friends of TSO” are committed to doing their part in contributing to this vital project. All of the pledges and donations for this car wash will go towards the $1.2 million needed to build the TSO Orchestra room. To date the group has raised over $315,000.

The TSO Car Wash-a-thon will be Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Sudzy Duz It Car Wash on West Chicago Boulevard in Tecumseh from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Theresa Powers
Tecumseh

Patterson Elementary students took time out on Friday, Sept. 11, for a Patriot’s Day observance ceremony around the school’s flagpole. They recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang songs. See full story on page 6A of the print or online edition.

By DEB WUETHRICH

The Tecumseh School Board authorized a $65,000 contract with MT Business Technologies of Holland, Ohio, at its Monday night meeting. The company will provide technology services for the district. Technology Director Todd Thieken said the proposal from MT Business Technologies was very thorough with a detailed plan for support and continuous monitoring. During discussion regarding the bids at last month’s school board meeting, Thieken said that in addition to the broad scope of MT’s proposal, the company had extensive experience in a wide range of businesses, not just education.

“The biggest piece is they would be coming to us as partners and that’s a direction we want to go over the next ten years,” Thieken told board members in August when first presenting his recommendation. The board also considered proposals from Selective Data Systems of Onsted, and Ultra level in Detroit.

The board also put into play an Installment Purchase Agreement (IPA) plan to upgrade technology equipment, including video systems, which has been in its second year of planning. The school district piggy-backed the IPA with agreements for the athletic complex, but for a shorter time period. Board approval was given Monday night for the following technology: a series of  upgrades outlined within the technology plan from Ultra Level for $152,655.50; Kace Systems, $22,841; Thalner Electronics, $101,675; CDI Computers, $30,060; MT Business Technologies, $15,000; and Computer Discount Warehouse, $41,218.

District Superintendent Mike McAran said this was the first time that an installment purchase agreement had been done for technology, and generally had been reserved for large equipment such as buses. He said putting the plan together was time sensitive and took a lot of work, especially by Thieken and Business and Finance Director Bill Wright.

Former Director of the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce, Vivian Yarger, turned herself in to the Tecumseh Police Department on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 10. There were three outstanding warrants for Yarger’s arrest, stemming from alleged financial improprieties while she was the Chamber’s director.

Two embezzlement warrants both carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one forgery warrant carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
Y

arger was arrested on the warrants and transported to Lenawee District Court where a magistrate set a $30,000 personal recognizance bond. A future date for a preliminary exam is pending.