Archive - Feb 2010

To the Editor,

Since Clinton joined the Tri-County Conference athletic league, I’ve had to write about encounters with the Redskins much more than in the past. I always cringe when I use the word “Redskins,” but it makes for a better sports story rather than writing Clinton over and over.

I cringe because to me it’s not much different than calling a team the Little Yellow Men or the Colored Boys.

I’m pleased to report that I found a solution to the dilemma for this winter season. Whenever I write Redskins, I think of the potato.

So it’s all right with me if the Redskins remain the Redskins, as long as that big painting of a Native American man comes down from the gymnasium wall and instead there’s an image of a steaming bowl of redskin potatoes.
That’s a mascot I’ll devour anytime.

David Green
State Line Observer
Morenci

To the Editor,

The Tecumseh High School Boys Lacrosse program had a successful can and bottle drive due to the great support of our wonderful community.  Many of the JV and varsity lacrosse players worked in teams to canvas the streets of Tecum-seh.  All the money earned was split equally between the boys who participated in the drive and will be used toward their individual 2010 lacrosse season fees.
Thank you to the Scheffler family for allowing us to use their heated barn and to all parents who helped by driving players throughout the community and sorting and returning all the cans and bottles.  Thank you to Marco’s pizza for donating pizza & pop for lunch!

Watch for us in the near future, as we plan to do another can and bottle drive.  Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you at some of our games!

Thank you and Go Indians!

Amy Brancheau
Tecumseh

A call came into my office several days ago from a concerned regular patron of Indian Crossing Trails Park and they said a deer had gotten caught up between some tree branches. The poor little thing eventually broke free and was said to be doing ok but I thought I'd go out and investigate anyway over the weekend.

Sunday turned into a decent day for an outing so off I went into the park. It didn't take long to find deer. There was a group of 12 or so hanging out by the White Deer marker and thankfully none were injured. The deer wandered east in the lowland area along the River Raisin and as I followed they became more at ease with me being one of the group. Had I an apple or handful of corn in my pocket I'm sure one or two would have feed right out of my hand.

I was concerned that the clicking sounds of my camera would frighten the deer so there are no pictures to go along with this story. There is a video clip instead. If a picture says a thousand words this video is a novel. The 5:55 clip highlights just a couple of the close encounters over the two plus hours of hanging out with my friends. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do - mickey

A 60-44 victory in its final regular season varsity boys basketball contest on Friday, Feb. 19, has Clinton’s Redskins holding a one game lead in the Tri-County Conference.

The ‘Skins defeated visiting Morenci to improve to 10-1 in the TCC and 12-4 overall.

Clinton gained an 18-13 lead by the end of the opening quarter and gradually increased its lead to 10 points, finishing the first half up 33-23.

While defensively stifling the Bulldogs in the third quarter, Clinton hit the hoop for 13 points to increase its lead to 16 (46-30) before going into the final quarter.

Both teams scored 14 points to finish the game.

It was the last time on the home court for three Clinton seniors, Rick Smith, Cameron Clark and Rylie Robinson.

Smith attacked the net for 15 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots in his final home game while Robinson added five points, three steals and five assists.

Nic Greenwood led the Redskins with 17 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. Thomas Barkel had eight points and four rebounds while Nate Dreslinski added seven boards. Hayden Craig (4 assists) and Cam Clark each chipped in three points while Casey Wert and Mike Ford each added two points.

Tecumseh’s varsity boys basketball team took control early against visiting Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 19, but the Railsplitters fired up for a comeback and won the game 63-53.

The Indians finished the first quarter with a 12-9 lead and although they matched their point output in the second quarter, Lincoln’s offense got busy and finished the first half with a 27-24 advantage.

A couple of long distance three point shots got the Railsplitters off and running again in the third quarter. Lincoln never slowed and increased its lead to 48-34 by the end of the third.

The Indians cut deep into the lead in the fourth quarter and were only six points away from Lincoln at one point. However, foul trouble sat down two of Tecumseh’s players, Jake Moore and Zach Benschoter, and Lincoln took advantage of its opportunities at the free throw line to finish out the game with a 10-point advantage.

Eric Gring led Tecumseh (2-19, 0-11 SEC) with 11 points while teammate Justin Coffin added eight points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Benschoter finished the night with 11 boards. Moore added nine points for the Indians.

By DEB WUETHRICH

Although much of the Tecumseh Public Schools planning process has involved budgeting for the worst-case scenario, a little ray of hope shines through as projections are made toward balancing this year’s budget. TPS Chief Financial Officer Bill Wright said so far, the district has been including figures that assumed a loss of 140 students, based on what has been happening for the past few years in the area of student enrollment, but a recent count showed an estimated loss of 14 students for this year.

“We may have a little break in this area,” said Wright. “We’ll be counting a couple more times before we have the final numbers, but we think maybe enrollment has bottomed out.”

As Wright presented an update on the budget status, he pointed out that such factors as an increase in staff insurance payments would be adjusted, but there are other areas that are simply unknown at this time. Local revenues through assessments have decreased by 11 percent in the city, with Raisin Township close behind, providing fewer funds than in the past, and earnings on investments are at historically low rates.

How much schools can count on in the form of the per student Foundation Allowance remains as unsettled as in previous years, but is scheduled to be $7,151 per student this year due to the $165 cut made in fiscal year 2010, down from $7,316 per student last year. What’s up in the air for next year is a senate proposal of an additional cut of $255, and a proposal by Governor Jennifer Granholm that includes no cut, but new taxes.

“These proposals are very different from each other,” Wright said.