Archive - Apr 5, 2012

By DEB WUETHRICH

Art Trail Tecumseh is ready to launch for its fifth year with sculptures soon to be placed at various sites throughout the downtown and nearby areas.

“The committee met to review this year’s pieces and recommended 16 pieces at the Downtown Development Authority meeting in March,” said Tecumseh Economic Development Director, Paula Holtz, who has helped coordinate the project throughout the initiative.

Holtz said the selection committee is made up of artists, community members and some city officials, and had looked at an estimated 300 pieces submitted for consideration this year. The group continues to work with Midwest Sculpture Initiative, spearheaded by artist Ken Thompson, who owns the Flatlanders gallery in Riga.

“Ken helps us screen the pieces, and we contract with them to install them, usually at the end of April or the first of May,” Holtz said. “They really have a great network of artists that gives us more pieces than what we could put together ourselves.”

While many of the artists are from Michigan and Ohio, some work has been selected by artists from Florida, New York and North Carolina this year.

“We look for different medium, style and composition, and different scale and colors,” said Holtz. “For instance, the sculpture we place at the Community Center has to be a big piece. We also look for interactive pieces, and things that will appeal to kids. This year there is a dinosaur and once again, a horse, along with some wind chimes and other representations.”

Besides being a draw, bringing people into the community for a look at the art, Holtz said other communities have been seeking out Tecumseh to ask how they have facilitated the project. In fact, Holtz will represent the city on a panel at the Building Michigan Communities conference in Lansing in a couple of weeks.

By DEB WUETHRICH

Lower is better in the case of a new ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating that the city recently received, achieving a rating of Class 5/9, down from its previous Class 7/9 rating. The City of Tecumseh Fire and Utilities Departments recently received notice of the new Public Protection Classification rating. The new classification takes effect on July 1, 2012 and, in some cases, may save residents on insurance premiums.

“A lot depends on how the classifications are set up with each individual insurance company, because sometimes they’re lumped together and there would be no change, but there could be,” said Mike Sunderland, who owns Sunderland Insurance in Tecumseh. “People can check with their insurance agent if they want to be sure, although most companies are going to be on top of the change and automatically make adjustments at the time of renewal.” He added that the rating applies for Tecumseh residents who live within five miles of the responding fire department and within 1,000 feet of a hydrant.

The Fire and Utility departments have worked diligently to make improvements to the Fire Department and the city’s water system in preparation for an ISO reclassification.

Tecumseh has achieved this new status with improved well performance, repairs and upgrades to infrastructure, better maintenance programs and documentation by the Utilities Department. In addition, the purchase of new firefighting apparatus such as the pumper/ladder, pumper/tanker trucks and the training center at the Fire Department have contributed to the new ranking, as well as improved documentation and higher training levels of the firefighting personnel.

ISO through its Public Protection Classification (PPC) helps establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties. Insurance companies need reliable up-to-date information about a community’s fire-protection services.

ANN ARBOR — Robert Neibler was sentenced in Washtenaw County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to five charges. The sentencing included 15 to 25 years in prison for armed robbery, 38 to 60 months for disarming a police officer, and an additional 32 to 48 months for trying to escape while awaiting trial for a felony. The sentences total between 17 years, eight months and 29 years in prison, with some sentences being served consecutively with the armed robbery charge.

Neibler was arrested by Saline police immediately after his armed robbery of Domino’s Pizza in Saline on Jan. 23. Following his arrest in Saline, Neibler was questioned by Tecumseh police in the robberies at Fabricare Laundromat on Jan. 19 and Modish Hair Salon on Jan. 21. During the interrogation, Neibler confessed his involvement to Tecumseh police.

Neibler is currently housed in Jackson as he awaits his pre-trial date in Lenawee County Circuit Court on Wednesday, April 25. He is charged with three counts of armed robbery, two counts of larceny from a building, one count of assault with intent to commit armed robbery, two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, and one count of forgery and uttering and publishing (writing bad checks).

To the Editor,

I was born and raised in Tecumseh for my first 20 years. My grandparents had lived there since around 1920. As recently as less than two years ago, I paid Tecumseh and Township property taxes. My ashes may someday rest at Brookside. I consider Tecumseh my “hometown,” even though I have not resided there permanently for 46 years. I have been “in town” every year for 66 years. I have followed happenings there all my life. I still visit businesses and golf there three to four times a week for eight months a year. I care about Tecumseh, its past, small town traditions and future.

My letter last week about the pool millage did not address any particular person. I am not a “buddy” of any serial complainer. I never said that whiners have no right to voice their opinion or to complain about everything. That’s their First Amendment right, and I always support the Constitution! It just seems such a sad life to lead, with nothing better to do but complain locally about everything. Some people are “so sick and tired” of everything that is not their ideal, it’s amazing they still have the energy to go on complaining.

I did not tell people they “have to move out” to avoid paying this onerous five cents a day pool tax. I stated there are many ways in a free society people can still improve their lot. I offered that people who chose not to get more education for a higher paying job could “consider moving to a different area with less assets to pay for” as a way to avoid additional taxes they say they cannot afford. I also stated “In a free society... people are allowed to move to other areas.”

To the Editor,

Recently two fundraisers were held in honor of my dear friend Jessica (Bailey) Johnson who has cystic fibrosis and is in need of a double lung transplant. The first fundraiser was held on March 2nd at Ten Pin Bowling Alley and the second one was held at Evans Street Station on March 25th. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both of those businesses whose staff did a wonderful job to make both events successful.

I also want to thank everyone who attended the fundraisers or made donations to support Jessica and her family. We had a great turn out at both events and raised almost $7,000 towards the $60,000 goal.

Thank you to the Tecumseh Herald and the Daily Telegram who both printed articles to promote the two events. And, to all of the local businesses who generously donated items for use as door prizes and silent auction items, the events would not have been possible without your contributions. There were too many donators to list here but your generosity will always be remembered.

It has been overwhelming to see the level of support shown by so many businesses and individuals; some who know Jessica and her family and others who don’t. I am proud to say that I grew up in this community and am happy to see that selflessness, caring, and the spirit of giving are still alive and well in Tecumseh, Adrian and beyond.

Jessica and her family are working with a national non-profit called the Children’s Organ Transplant Association who is dedicated to organizing and guiding families and communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients. To learn more about Jessica or leave words of encouragement on her guest book, please visit www.cotaforjessicaj.com.

On behalf of Jessica, her family and friends, with deep gratitude,

Renee Felan
Grand Ledge, Mich.

By MICKEY ALVARADO

Wednesday, April 11 is the opening season date for Tecumseh’s varsity baseball team with the Indians hosting Onsted for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.

“We lost a lot but I think we’re going to have some kids fill in pretty nicely,” said Tecumseh head coach Tom Bullinger. “It might take some time to get going because we’re going to be kind of young in some key positions.”

While pitching is always key to picking up victories, Bullinger pointed out his third year starting catcher, Jared Powell, as one of his anchor players.

“He’s really going to help our pitchers out,” said Bullinger. “We have two fourths of our infield back so that’s definitely going to help.”

Having Brad Vannatter return once again at second base and Max Patterson at third base will help with communication, as several key positions, including shortstop, will be filled by new replacements.

Replacing Kyle Hooper at first base will not be easy but Bullinger said there is a battle going on to fill his shoes.

“He did a great job defensively for us and that’s what we’re looking for, somebody who can be a good defensive target,” said Bullinger.

Fighting for the position are Michael Skelton, Eric Eldred and Phil Carey.

The starting short stop may be Spencer Adams.

“He’s got real nice hands,” said Bullinger. “I think he’d step up and do a good job.”

Bullinger said Nick Coffin also has potential at several positions and will be used as needed.
“He can play outfield, second base, third base, short stop, he’ll bounce around for us,” Bullinger said.

All of the Indians’ outfielders (Casey Hunt, Jacob Britt, George Preston, Eric Eldred) will be new to the starting positions but the coach is confident they can do the job.

The top three pitchers are expected to be Britt, Carey and Nick Cowen.

Last season the Indians won the regional crown but fell in the state quarterfinals.