Archive - Aug 2010

Monroe Jefferson came from behind to defeat Tecumseh 21-14 in the first game of the season. The Indians closed the first half with a 14-7 lead. The bears tied the game 14-14 and went on to score the game winning touchdown and PAT with 4:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. Tecumseh pushed the ball to Jefferson's 12-yard line on its final possession but a pass on a second and seven was intercepted ending the opportunity to send the game into overtime. The Bears took two knees, ran out the final 39.3 seconds and secured the victory.

Tecumseh coach Jason Mensing kept his comments short and to the point after the game, saying, "I'm very disappointed for our kids. They've worked really hard. They deserve to win, and we've got to do a better job."

A reminder to close and lock your doors is the message from the Tecumseh Police Department for both home owners and business owners following a rash of larcenies last week and reports of open doors.

Tecumseh Police Sergeant Troy Stern said most of the larcenies that occurred last week involved unlocked vehicles in the area of Shawnee, Bidwell and Chippewa streets. Six larcenies were reported in one night between Aug. 18 and 19.

Police are currently investigating a larceny at Tecumseh Middle School where officers on foot patrol found an unlocked door. Officers also found unlocked doors at Tecumseh High School. At both schools, the doors were left unlocked when the buildings were not in use.

Reports of downtown businesses leaving doors open or unlocked have also been received with at least one larceny reported.

By DEB WUETHRICH

The city of Tecumseh was the subject of a walkability audit on Monday afternoon when Dan Burden, the nation’s most recognized authority of walkability, bicycle and pedestrian programs and other planning elements, visited the downtown.

The audit is a hands-on evaluation of the walking conditions within a particular portion of a community followed by design improvement recommendations. Burden was joined by approximately 20 individuals representing city staff, Parks and Recreation Department and board, the Downtown Development Authority, Herrick Medical Center and other interested entities.

The program is part of a Michigan Department of Transportation collaboration with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Michigan Department of Community Health. Tecumseh was one of several Michigan cities that had applied to have an audit take place in the community.

“What I do is take a good look at your community with you and identify components of a future as being tied to your past to help visualize where you might want to go,” said Burden, who has personally photographed and examined walking, bicycling, placemaking and town center conditions in more than 2,500 cities in the U.S. and abroad. Burden was involved with a now famous project in Albert Lea, Minn., where a program was designed for a small city to become healthier and more active.

“We were able to add 10,000 years of life for the residents as a result of changing their lifestyle, environment and purpose in life,” said Burden. “The story has made a lot of headlines and is appearing this month in US News.”

By DEB WUETHRICH

 Tecumseh High School (THS) policy requires that students who have cell phones may bring them to school, but they are to be placed in lockers during instructional time. The THS second semester discipline report shows that possession of personal electronics continues to be a big concern, according to Assistant Principal Dennis Niles, who shared data with Tecumseh School Board members Monday night.

Total incidents involving personal electronics were down slightly, to 96, compared to 104 incidents in 2009; however, Niles said that many students still do not follow the district’s rules.

“If it’s illegal to text while driving, it’s not a good idea to do it while learning as well,” he said, pointing to Michigan’s recent law on the subject of texting.

Student phones, and other electronics, are confiscated on the first incident and parents must come and retrieve them. Niles said the district uses that occasion to help educate parents on the potential for student misuse of phones, whether texting answers to an exam or using phone cameras inappropriately. A second incident nets the student a one-day suspension, and a third, three days.

Discussion on the topic included a comment that consistent enforcement throughout classrooms be enacted, and ensuring that teachers also do not use cell phones in the classroom, since there is no policy on that. Niles said the district understands why students need cell phones to contact parents after extracurricular activities since there are no longer payphones, however the phones must be used appropriately and at the proper time.

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh High School will start the 2010-11 school year off with a new principal. Griff Mills, who has served as the district’s athletic director for the past five years, has already begun his sixth year with the school in the new role. Mills also previously served as assistant principal/athletic director in Ypsilanti Public Schools. He holds an Educational Specialist Degree in Administrative Leadership from Oakland University,  received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from DePauw University, and a Masters of Arts in Education from East Carolina University.

Mills said that he was prompted to apply for the position previously held by Robert Scheick because he thought he had something to offer.

“I think everybody has different gifts and skills, and I think I possess some things in my background that might be of benefit to our district from a leadership aspect,” Mills said.
Superintendent Mike McAran said that a committee made up of Carl Novak, Connie Purkey, Karen Januszek, Greg Lewis and himself recently interviewed four candidates of the 12 who applied for the position. The principal’s salary is $88,490 per year,  plus benefits.

“The committee was looking for somebody who would be a long-term person for Tecumseh, somebody who could come in and rally others behind them to do the job,” said McAran. “We have the highest regard for everybody who’s worked in that position, and we think that Griff will do a good job.”

Mills said that immediate goals include listening to staff, students and the community to try to find ways to make Tecumseh a better place.

Kian McDonough Stevens, age 3 months, of Jackson, died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born May 21, 2010, in Ann Arbor to Adam Benjamin Stevens and Crystal Jean Anderson.

He is survived by his father, Adam Stevens and his mother, Crystal Anderson of Jackson; one brother, Kaden Frey; two sisters, Kaylee McQuarrie and Kristy Frey; his maternal grandparents, Doug and Deborah Anderson of Brooklyn, Barbara Neitman of Tecumseh and Paul Neitman of Onsted; his paternal grandparents, Darel and Kathleen Stevens of Clinton; maternal great-grandparents, Duane and Phylis Anderson of Bradenton, Fla., David and Elizabeth Wood of Jackson; Verla Albring of Britton; and Henry Neitman of Dayton, Ohio; and Maureen Fegan of Livonia.

He was preceded in death by his great grandparents, Jack Fegan, Dovie Neitman, and Harold and Stella Stevens.

Funeral services for Kian were held on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at the Anderson Funeral Home, 1448 Short St., Tecumseh, Mich. with the Rev. Richard Webb officiating. Burial was in Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens, Tecumseh.

You may send condolences to the family at   www.andersonfuneralhomeadriantecumseh.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Envelopes are available at Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh.