Archive - Oct 2010

By MICKEY ALVARADO

Lofting the shot that tied Tecumseh 1-1 with Dexter in the Division 3 district soccer final on Friday, Oct. 22, was hardly any consolation for junior Nate Brown after missing a PK kick that may have cost the match and put an end to the Indians’ season.

Another of Tecumseh’s finest, junior goalkeeper Sam Davitt, would have fans believe it was his fault for missing all of Dexter’s shots during an overtime PK shootout at Chelsea, but Tecumseh coach Matt Dailey conveyed to all of his players after the loss just how much they had accomplished to get there to begin with.

It was Tecumseh’s second straight overtime contest, having defeated Milan 2-1 in extra minutes on Wednesday, Oct. 20, to advance to the final.
“What we told the players after the PK shootout was you guys have elevated Tecumseh’s soccer program,” said Dailey. “What they’ve done for the team and the entire program is leave an indelible impression on what we do.”

Often when adding new coaches as Tecumseh did this season, it takes a while to mesh and advance to championship games. But the Indians were able to surpass many of the player and fans’ expectations.

“No one expected us to beat Saline, be competitive against Monroe or beat Chelsea and make it to a district final, but we did,” said Dailey. “And we did it on the backs of those seniors.”

Dexter scored a goal in the first three minutes of the contest and held the Indians scoreless until late in the second half. A strong drive by Brown produced a hard shot at the goal that bounced off Dexter’s goalie and then another Dreadnaught before landing in the back of the net to tie the contest 1-1. The remaining 17:11 went without another netter and the two teams were given two 10-minute periods to try and finish one another off.

Bixby and Herrick Medical Centers have announced an expansion of some women’s health services and plans to streamline other areas to ensure that quality health care is delivered more efficiently and serves the changing needs in Lenawee County.

A new Women’s Health Center at Herrick Medical Center, which began providing services on Oct. 18, offers new technology and expanded services for women in a warm and modern environment. The 6,200-square-foot facility was 100-percent funded through community donations. It includes seven exam rooms for physician specialists, two mammography suites, two ultrasound suites, a DEXA (bone density) scan room, a breast stereotactic procedure room, and a laboratory drawing area.

“Earlier this year, we renewed our public promise to care for the patients we serve as if they were our neighbors. We want our community to know we have a personal investment in their health care. The building of this Women’s Health Center is our promise in action – providing the best care possible for our patients,” says Tim Jakacki, president, Bixby and Herrick Medical Centers. “We hope the Women’s Health Center will become an icon in the community and a leader in health care for women.”

“I believe all women in our community should have access to quality health care services in a welcoming and comfortable environment,” says Shelley Hickman, fundraising campaign chairman. “We are so pleased that the community worked together to make this possible.”
Several physician specialties and numerous diagnostic services will be offered at the Women’s Health Center, including:

• Female urology, stress incontinence, sexual dysfunction — Tony Pinson, MD
• Jobst Vascular Center clinic – John Pigott, MD, and Ralph Whalen, MD
• Midlife women’s health – Tammy Birbeck, DO, and Terry Gibbs, DO

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh Public School district officials provided its board of education with the numbers they had asked for at a previous meeting regarding the potential sale of the administration building, and the figures gave members more food for thought. The district has been considering a possibility posed by Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, to make application to HUD and turn the building into a senior citizen complex.

Action on the item was tabled until the November 8 meeting after the board held some discussion on the numbers. An appraisal by Affinity Valuation on the building provided an estimated market value of $493,000.

Chief Financial Officer Bill Wright had worked up an estimated cost that would include “true costs” for relocation after the board asked last meeting for another look to ensure that all costs associated with moving the offices would be reflected in the estimate. The estimated cost total was $227,047 to include the cost of renovating rooms at Tecumseh High School, working out an Options upgrade and ceiling replacement, the cost of trucking for the move, and a few other associated costs.

Wright also revised an earlier projection of $84,856 in costs the district would incur annually to continue to operate the central office building to a current $62,522 now that custodial services are privatized.

Board President Dr. Edward Tritt asked for discussion by board members, and mentioned that in the current market it would be difficult to get the appraised value.

“But we’ve also got to put in there the idea that every year, we would have a true savings of $62,500,” he said.

Michigan voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 2, to elect a new governor. Candidates for this top position include: Rick Snyder of Ann Arbor, Republican Party; Virg Bernero, Lansing, Democratic Party, Lansing; Harley Mikkelson, Caro, Green Party; Stacey Mathia, Grand Rapids, U.S. Taxpayer’s Party; and Ken Proctor, Charlotte, Libertarian.

Running for Lt. Governor are: Brian N. Calley, Portland, Republican; Brenda Lawrence, Southfield, Democratic; Lynn Meadows, Ann Arbor, Green; Chris Levels, Flint, U.S. Taxpayers; and Erwin J. Haas, Grand Rapids, Libertarian.

Vying for Secretary of State are: Ruth Johnson, Holly, Republican; Jocelyn Michelle Benson, Detroit, Democratic; John Anthony La Pietra, Marshall, Green; Robert Gale, Sterling Heights, U.S. Taxpayer, and Scotty Boman, Detroit, Libertarian.

Attorney General candidates include: Bill Schuette, Midland, Republican; David Leyton, Flint, Democratic; Gerald T. Van Sickle, Wellston, U.S. Taxpayer; and Daniel W. Grow, St. Joseph, Libertarian.

Running for 7th District Representative in Congress are: Tim Walberg, Tipton, Republican; Mark Schauer, Battle Creek, Democratic; Richard Wunsch, Brooklyn, Green; Scott Eugene Aughney, Jackson, U.S. Taxpayer; and Greg Merle, Battle Creek, Libertarian.
Candidates for 16th District State Senator are: Bruce Caswell, Hillsdale, Republican; Doug Spade, Adrian, Democratic.

Running for 57th District State Representative are: Nancy E. Jenkins, Clayton, Republican; and Harvey E. Schmidt, Tecumseh, Democratic.

Gregg Patrick Iddings is the incumbent running for a partial term ending January 1, 2013 for Judge of the Probate Court.

Running for 2A District Judge of the District Court are: John Glaser, of Adrian, and Laura J. Schaedler, Tecumseh.

Four candidates will vie for three Tecumseh City Council seats on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Jack Baker, an incumbent, has been married to his wife, Betty, for 38 years. The couple has two grown sons, Matthew and Daniel.

Baker has served in the following organizations:
• Tecumseh City Council, 1990-2000
• Mayor from 1994-2000
• Mayor pro-tem in the years 1992, 1993, 2006 and 2008
“In the year 2000 I chose not to run for city council due to other interests that I chose to pursue,” Baker said. “In 2006, I ran again for city council and am now completing my second term.”

Baker is the co-owner and operator of Baker Bros. BP in downtown Tecumseh. He is a 1970 graduate of Tecumseh High School and has earned numerous business-related certifications. He has been a resident of the city for 40 years.

Baker includes the following as background that may enhance service to being on the city council:

“I have 14 years experience on city council,” he said. “Six of those years were as mayor and four of those years were as mayor pro-tem. I was the first elected mayor (rather than an appointed mayor) in the history of the city.”

Baker has been a downtown business owner since 1986.
“My reason for seeking office again is that we need experience on city council,” Baker said. “I have never been afraid to make difficult decisions. I treat each issue that comes before city council equally.”

Baker also adds, “I have the experience, knowledge and work ethic to address any issue that may come before council.”

Mayoral candidates for the city of Tecumseh are Richard (Dick) Johnson and Gary Naugle.
Richard (Dick) Johnson is a 1965 graduate of Tecumseh High School and served in the U.S. Navy 1966-1970, spending 2½ years overseas. He then attended the University of Toledo. Johnson married Susan (Whitney) in 1986 and they raised four children, Kelly, Nick, Ben, and Beth. The couple lived in Monroe at Wamplers Lake before coming back to where they always considered their hometown to be — in Tecumseh.

He is a member of St. Elizabeth Church in Tecumseh, where he went to elementary school. He is also a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and AMVETS, and a lifetime member of Fraternal Order of Eagles and Disabled American Veterans.

Johnson has been the chairman of the following fundraising events in Tecumseh: 9/11 fundraiser in support of the New York Fire Department; Tailgate Tecumseh, Katrina relief; Tailgate Tecumseh, fire truck purchase; Tecumseh Carnegie Preservation League (founder and chairman, initiated and completed successful purchase of the historic Carnegie Library); Neighbors Helping Neighbors, benefit concert for Dundee tornado relief.
Johnson also serves the city in the following capacities:

• Downtown Development Authority Board 2006-present
• Tecumseh Economic Development Committee 2007-present
• Tecumseh City Council 2007-present
• Tecumseh Brownfield Redevelopment Authority 2009-present
He has been a business owner since 1987, owning and operating multiple businesses including:
• Quality Software Associates, Inc. 1997-present
• Evans Street Station 2000-present
• Glass House Café (two locations) 2007-present
• Quality Technologies 2004-2007 (sold to Tc3Net)
In 2008, Johnson was the recipient of the Lenawee Economic Development Corporation “Business Leadership Award” for Lenawee County.