A drunk driving arrest Saturday night turned out to be anything but routine for the Tecumseh Police Department. As a result, the department has asked an out-of-county law enforcement agency to review the incident.

Ninety minutes before the 1:30 a.m. arrest of Lenawee County Sheriff deputy Kelly S. McCrate, the deputy was seen driving his vehicle by Tecumseh Police officer Darrin Briggs, who reported that McCrate’s Jeep Wrangler was weaving around 12 a.m. from Cairns Street to the Tecumseh Plaza, where he met the driver as he exited his vehicle. McCrate first denied drinking, but then acknowledged he “messed up” and was dealing with personal problems. Despite a PBT that resulted in a BAC (blood alcohol level) of .19, Briggs drove the driver to the McCrate home on Kaiser Road in Tecumseh Township with no arrest.

McCrate had his 18-year-old daughter, Tyler, drive him back to the plaza to retrieve the Jeep, despite her objections, according to the report. In an attempt to take back roads home (Tyler followed her father’s Jeep while she drove a Ford Taurus) McCrate lost control of the Jeep on Matthews Hwy. near Munger and rolled the vehicle into the ditch on the eastside of the highway. Subsequently, Tyler lost control of the Taurus and slid into the opposite ditch. Neither was injured, and roads were reportedly snow-covered and icy.

Tecumseh Police officer Chad Rogers responded to the accident call and received permission from the sheriff’s department to handle the incident, which was outside the local department’s jurisdiction. McCrate had walked to his father’s home on Matthew’s Hwy., where he was interviewed by Rogers. The deputy was transported to Herrick Medical Center for a blood test to determine the BAC and then lodged at the Lenawee County Jail on charges of OWI.

By DEB WUETHRICH

As the city prepares to hold an official groundbreaking ceremony at the Tecumseh Business and Technology Campus on Monday, March 8, at 11 a.m., Tecumseh City Council members authorized the sale Monday night of the Limited General Obligation Bonds of $1.1 million that will fund initial infrastructure for the project.

Laura Schaedler, an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Lenawee County for more than 25 years, announced her candidacy Tuesday for Judge of the 2A District Court, seeking to fill the seat being vacated by the retirement of Judge Natalia Koselka.

Schaedler currently lives in Tecumseh and made the following statements related to her candidacy:  “If elected, I will insure that all who enter my courtroom will be treated fairly, equally and without prejudice or arrogance.  I am running for District Court Judge based on my 27 years as a prosecutor and a compassionate advocate of victims of crime.”

Schaedler is a life-long resident of Lenawee County, and grew up in Bliss-field.  She graduated from Michigan State Univer-sity with a B.A. in 1977 and completed her Juris Doctor in 1980 at the Detroit College of Law.

Schaedler entered private practice upon her return to Lenawee County following law school, and has been working in the Lenawee County Prosecutor s Office since 1983, where she serves as a Senior Trial Attorney.  As a prosecutor, Schaedler has specialized for 27 years in sexual abuse cases, focusing on abuse and neglect cases, and alcohol related crimes.  Since 1999 she has served the city of Tecumseh,  as the City Attorney.

Schaedler is a member of several legal and civic organizations, and has been involved in a number of community and social projects, including Lenawee United Way and Volunteer  Center (1987 - present) where she served as President in 1996; Lenawee County Bar Association Ask A Lawyer, Croswell Opera House Board of Directors (2001 - Present); Mother Theresa Benevolent Society (Advisory Board Member); and Irish Hills Girl Scout Council.

A strong background in business and public service is part of the experience Richard Johnson will bring to the table when he asks voters for support in the upcoming November election for City of Tecumseh mayor. Johnson announced his candidacy on Monday.

Currently in the middle of serving his second term on Tecumseh City Council as mayor pro tem, the 62-year-old Johnson believes his background and common sense approach makes him qualified to help the city deal with its challenges and assist in reaching its opportunities.

“Our biggest challenges involve budgeting in the face of revenue fluctuations and cuts from the state,” Johnson said. He credits Tecumseh’s sense of community that has helped the city meet the challenges.

He said council’s foresight to develop the business and technology campus is one example of being poised to seize future opportunities for local jobs and the economy.

Among city assets, Johnson praises city employees who gave up pay raises to help ease the city’s tightening budget. “Their action speaks volumes, it’s part of this sense of community in Tecumseh,” Johnson said. “I also hold our city manager, Kevin Welch, in the highest regard,” noting Welch’s performance as manager as well as his volunteer service in the community.

Johnson is a 1965 graduate of Tecumseh High School. He is married to wife Susan (Whitney). After high school, he served 4 years in the Navy during the Vietnam War, two and a half years overseas. He later attended the University of Toledo.

His extensive business background includes 40 years in computers and 10 years of restaurant ownership. He is currently owner and CEO of the Evans Street Station.

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.

The perfect way to get out of the “stuck in the house winter rut” is to go see Tecumseh Youth Theater’s comedy production of Laugh In on Feb. 26, 27 and 28 at Tecumseh Center for the Arts.   The stage production Laugh In features comedy sketches from the famed   television show from the late 60s. The Laugh In television show was the launching pad of many famous actors and actresses including Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi and others.  It was one of the most influential shows of the era.

The stage production, Laugh In follows the format of the original TV show featuring sight gags, one liners and satire.   Characters Dick and Dan, played by THS Senior Colby Bankston and junior Leon Miller lead a talented cast of 20 area high school students in this fast-paced comedy.   You won’t want to miss this blast from the past.  You’ll find plenty to make you smile and chuckle at the Tecumseh Youth Theatre’s  production of Laugh In.  

Laugh In show times are Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m.  Sunday Feb. 28, matinee performance at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $8 adult, and $6 for seniors/youth, and are on sale now at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts  box office.  

Tickets may be purchased by phone by calling  423.6617 or order on-line at:
www.thetca.org.