Advisor & Chronicle by Tim Sutton

April 13, 2013 • Vol. 134 No. 15 514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com

In The News:

Albion-Marshall-Mar Lee Collaboration to host Career Day event April 25 With the vision of developing a new educational approach to better prepare their students in eastern Calhoun County to become “career ready,” the AlbionMarshall-Mar Lee Collaboration will host a Career Day event on April 25 at the Marshall Activity Center. “I want to stress how incredibly important it is for public schools to partner with our local/regional economic base of manufacturing, industry, agriculture, and business,” said Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Randy Davis. “As we work to help all of our students become ‘Career Ready and College Ready,’ we find that both of these objectives are the same.” See story on page 2

Marshall residents want voters to decide on HCOD On April 4, five Marshall residents filed a petition with the city to take the recently approved (April 1) Oaklawn Hospital Campus Overlay District to a vote of the people. Residents Mike Galloway, Ann Rhodes, Robin Lawler, Charles F. Johnston and Gerald Lehmann have until May 1 to gather the 543 valid signatures needed to put the issue before voters. “What we are interested in doing is to put this out to the people the way it should be,” said Rhodes. “We want to throw this out to the whole community because this is a whole community issue. It is best answered or resolved by letting everyone have a vote, have a say.” See story on page 19

Be a

GOOD NEIGHBOR Vote to RESTORE the Bohm

Oaklawn parking project to improve emergency department access Oaklawn Hospital is launching a project intended to resolve a long-standing need for sufficient parking near its emergency department, hospital officials announced in an April 8 press release. If city officials approve, a 182-space parking lot would be created on property the hospital owns on Prospect St., between Madison and High streets, said Ginger Williams, the hospital’s president and CEO. “This is a very exciting development for us; parking has been needed for a long time,” said Williams. See story on page 24

Ron and Donna Dillman recognized for donor efforts This year, the Marshall Exchange Club celebrated the Book of Golden Deeds on April 8 by presenting the Outstanding Citizen Award to Ron and Donna Dillman for their community service efforts over the last 30 years. “Through the years, heading the list of supporters at the schools have been Ron and Donna Dillman,” said Marshall High School Athletic Director Tom Duffey. “Contributing was not about advertising for them, it was about the kids. They care about the kids and the community.” Ron and Donna are owners of Hemmingsen Rexall Drug Store, downtown Marshall. See story on page 16

April is Sexual Assault Service Month “At Sexual Assault Services, we often must carefully reflect in order to recognize the progress made to assist survivors and engage our community in responding to and preventing future sexual violence,” wrote SAS Manager Joyce Siegel in a column. “This month, we are proud to honor several individuals who have journeyed with us to help others and improve our response and services along the way during our 17th Annual Community and Volunteer recognition dinner (held on April 10). We recognize the amazing volunteers who take time out from their busy lives and loved ones to assist sexual assault victims in crisis, giving almost 8,000 hours annually.” See column on page 40

he Bohm Theatre Restoration Project has been selected as one of the 200 finalists in the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program. If one of the top 40 vote-getters, this Calhoun County initiative will have $25,000 more to use to renew and restore this historic building in downtown Albion. Elizabeth Schultheiss, left, and Denise Porter of the Albion Community Foundation are casting their votes for the Bohm. Be a GOOD NEIGHBOR and cast yours. To find out how, see story on page 36

Word on the Street

Have you considered being an organ and tissue donor? Editor’s Corner

April is Organ Donor Awareness Month. It is estimated that more than 100,000 Americans are awaiting an organ transplant. Do you think it’s important to be an organ and tissue donor?

by John Hendler Just when you thought the Oaklawn Hospital Campus Overlay District saga had finally come to an end, a new wrinkle: several residents are trying to gather 543 signatures on a petition in hopes of repealing the overlay district by a vote of the people, thus, in essence, circumventing a process that took three years. These people have every right to garner the signatures needed to put the issue on the ballot for Marshall voters to decide. When I first heard of the group’s efforts, my first thought was, ‘What’s the point of having a City Council then?’ Don’t we elect a City Council to represent us in matters such as these? Like or hate their decision, I believe the City Council took this matter seriously and with due diligence to make sure they left no stone unturned. To some, the granting of the overlay district was a foregone conclusion, but I believe more important than the decision was the process itself, where all sides got to have their say. The fact of the matter is that Oaklawn Hospital is a major economic driver in Marshall and in order to be such a driver, must continue to evolve to stay medically relevant and fiscally strong. Like our National Historic Landmark District, which makes Marshall one of the most unique towns in the region, if not the nation, so too is Oaklawn unique: an independent hospital in a day and age where independent hospitals are falling by the wayside. There are some, especially those that live in the immediate area of the hospital, that have had it with the hospital’s expansion into the neighborhood (which is understandable), but I’m sure even they wouldn’t want to see Oaklawn eaten up by some large conglomerate. Believe it or not, the hospital and the landmark district need each other in order for Marshall to continue to thrive. Also throw our schools and businesses into the mix, for if Marshall is to continue to be what Marshall has always been, then all these entities must continue to come together and work together. The overlay district, I believe, should be considered a blessing in disguise for those who are passionate about Marshall and its historic preservation. At least now, the hospital has its parameters to work within, hopefully bringing some security to those who live in the neighborhood. Then again, I’m not naive to think that all will be quiet between the neighborhood and the hospital, but the overlay district at least gives us all a respite until the next battle, hopefully years from now. Until next week, may the good news be yours.

Ashley Cochrane, Marshall

Katie Eifler, Battle Creek

Amber Smith, Marshall

“I haven’t considered it before, but I’ll think about doing it the next time I renew my driver’s license.”

“I signed up to become an organ donor two years ago. I like the idea of helping others.”

“I have the donor sticker on my license.”

Katie Weis, Marshall

Brandon Cornwell, Marshall

Hannah Otten, Marshall

“I have a sticker on my driver’s license. I signed up a couple years ago.”

“I have signed up to be an organ donor in the past.”

“I have the organ donor sticker on my license. The idea of helping people, even after death, feels rewarding.”

Letters

cont. to next page

We’ve got to look at the big picture for Marshall To the Editor: I spoke up in favor of Oaklawn Hospital at the City Council meeting on April 1 because I believe our hospital is very important to us. I told the council that, if we didn’t allow the hospital to grow, it might leave. So I was pleased when the entire council showed it had the good sense to approve the HCOD ordinance.

I don’t think any of us want to be without a hospital. People have said the hospital could expand on the outskirts of town, but as I said to the council, they also could decide to expand in some other town. I feel that if we don’t give the hospital all of the cooperation we can, we will lose them. Some people have said that the city will lose revenue if

something happened to some of the homes in the new district. Well, if we lost the thousand employees at the hospital, there’s no way we could make up for that lost income, no matter how many houses are in that zone. Now that the HCOD has been approved, the hospital can go ahead with plans that are going to make even more jobs. I understand the concerns of

the people in and near the zone, and I’m sure the hospital will do all it can to work with them. We’ve got to look at the big picture, and I’ve been afraid that if we lose our hospital, we may go downhill fast. That’s why I think the council did the right thing in supporting the ordinance.

Douglas L. Earl, Marshall

Just say ‘no’ to the Hospital Campus Overlay District To the Editor: Since City Council approved their new Hospital Campus Overlay District Ordinance, Oaklawn Hospital’s PR bubble machine and bulldozers have been very busy. I would like to pop some bubbles and explain what has just been dumped on our town. A mayoral special committee named the Hospital and Neighborhood Committee was created almost three years ago to look comprehensively at the predicament of Oaklawn Hospital’s expansion options at its current site. The HNC was dominated by hospital officials and people with direct connections to the hospital. They set the agendas and controlled the discussion. Those folks focused exclusively on “needs” outlined by hospital officials. They did not evaluate the potential consequences of only satisfying hospital “needs.” The HNC set up a three-person subcommittee made up of the former and current hospital CEOs and a citizen representative. That subcommittee held meetings closed to the public. Their plan

was recommended to the City Council by the HNC. It allows Oaklawn (or future hospital owners) the right to demo structures, build surface parking lots and maybe buildings someday without future accountability, public review, comment or questioning. Since receiving the HNC zoning plan, City Council has heard objections and suggestions from the Marshall Planning Commission, the Downtown Development Authority and countless city taxpayers. These suggestions, the City Master Plan, city ordinances and state of Michigan laws continue to be ignored. On April 1, the narrowly focused, hospital promoted, HNC zoning plan was adopted by City Council. On April 2, demolition permits were issued by the city to Oaklawn Hospital and houses on the north side of Prospect St. are being demolished. On April 3, a site plan for a parking lot north of Prospect St. was submitted for Planning Commission approval. This plan proposes Prospect St. be given to the

hospital and become part of their parking lot. Mayor Jim Dyer has already endorsed the hospital’s parking lot vision and their request to vacate Prospect St. north of the hospital. The enlarged hospital district extends over seven blocks in the heart of historic Marshall. The economic forces that control the future of healthcare, and the business prospects of private hospitals, are far beyond our local control. What we can control is how Marshall will fare in the wake of these changes. If the Hospital/Council zoning plan is not challenged now, our community will not have any future input regarding hospital developments. Just say no! No to our mayor and City Council that have shut out taxpayer voices and choices. No to ignoring our Planning Commission, DDA and neighbors. No to the blank check issued to Oaklawn Hospital. No to a drastic departure from Marshall’s Master Plan. No to future hospital administrators demolishing structures, building surface parking lots

and maybe never add buildings or jobs. No to giving away city streets. No to PR bubbles and bulldozers. A petition drive has been started in the city of Marshall for a referendum vote. Please support us by signing a petition and voting against the Hospital Campus Overlay District Ordinance in the fall. If successful, we city voters will recover our voices in how our downtown, neighborhoods and hospital develop to sustain the Marshall character we value. In addition to the referendum effort, several plaintiffs are in the process of filing a complaint with Circuit Court this week challenging the legality of the hospital zoning ordinance and the adoption process. Legal action is costly and it will take some time to get results. If the courts and voters say stop, maybe our City Council and Oaklawn leaders will start working with the rest of the community to plan our future. Martin Overhiser, President of Marshall Neighborhood Association

Marshall 269-789-0140

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Harkey’s hat trick leads Marshall Brianna Kalisz scores twice in 5-1 win at Three Rivers The Marshall High School girls varsity soccer team won its third straight game to open the season with a 5-1 win at Three Rivers on April 9. Sophomore Layla Harkey led Marshall with three goals, including a penalty kick, while senior Brianna Kalisz added the other two goals. In Marshall’s three games, they have outscored its opposition 10-2. “I was very pleased with our overall play- we were very aggressive in our counter attacks and we were very creative in our offensive third of the field,” said Marshall coach Adrian Harkey. “We did a very nice job of building our attacks by playing simple smart soccer with short quick passes that made the Three Rivers defense do a lot of chasing. We were able to string together passes which puts a lot of pressure of opposing defenses and we were able to create many great chances.” Except for one stretch in the second half when Three Rivers gained a little momentum and scored, Harkey felt the team played with a lot of intensity and emotion throughout the entire game. “I am very happy with the start of the season,” he said.

photos by John Hendler

Layla Harkey gets past Three Rivers’ Madison Lull. Harket scored three goals to lead Marshall to a 5-1 victory on April 9.

Brianna Kalisz had two goals, including a second half breakaway as Marshall improbed its record to 3-0.

Marshall 6th grade boys basketball wins back-toback tournaments

Marshall’s Carmen O’Dell beats Three Rivers’ Lauren Woodward to the ball.

Mar Lee School 50th anniversary reunion planned for Aug. 24 Mar Lee School’s 50-year reunion will be held on Aug. 24 from 1-4 p.m. at Mar Lee School. The reunion committee is requesting mailing addresses and/or contact information for all that attended, worked at or otherwise were associated with Mar Lee since 1963. The e-mail address is marleeschool50@aol.com. Mar Lee School was the culmination of eight rural schools in Marengo and Lee Township and the first day of the new school was Nov. 22, 1963, the same day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

The sixth grade boys travel basketball team, the Marshall Thunder recently finished its winter season with first place wins three weeks in a row in tournaments held in Jackson, Sturgis and Reading. The Thunder went undefeated in league play at the MAC this year, and finished their season with a 24-3 record. Back row from left: Coach Shaun Culp, Jeremy Luciani, Reid Maurer, Nick Slaght, Jack Luciani, Ben Lillrose and coach Kyle Maurer. Front row: Aidan Belew, Kabe Sykora, Ben Culp and Wink McDonald.

MHS girls track and field wins big over Sturgis Boys team defeated in first home meet of season The Marshall High School girls track and field, on the heels of an impressive indoor showing at Hillsdale two weeks ago, opened its outdoor season April 9 with a 118-45 home win over Sturgis. This was a great way to follow-up our victory at the Hillsdale Invitational before spring break,” said coach Steve Wissink. “We swept the relays, and took two or more places in every event. Our numbers are down this year, but we have a lot of talent and a lot of heart.” Several girls placed in four events (Sarah Huffman, Kitana Espinoza, Sharissa

Meeks and Lauren Becker) and almost everyone scored points. Freshman hurdler Caitlyn Quinn won both hurdle events, and throwers (Alyssa Shumaker, Gabby Graves, Aundrea Meeks) are “off to a great start,” said Wissink. “We have a long way to go, and the weather has been atrocious, but if we stay healthy and continue to work hard this should be a fun and rewarding season,” he said. “I’m very proud of what the girls have accomplished already, as we’ve beaten all 15 teams we’ve faced, and I look forward to the rest of the year.”

photos by John Hendler

Kilee DeBrabander won the long jump and was also part of the winning 3,200-meter relay team.

Lauren Becker placed fourth in the long jump and overall, placed in four events, including being part of the winning 400-meter relay team.

Kitana Espinoza was second in the long jump and won the 100 and 200 meters and was on the winning 400meter relay team.

Jake Esselink, right, placed second in the pole vault, clearing 10’. Teammate Nate Kraska was fourth in the pole vault and placed second in the long jump (18’ 1’). Jack Herman placed first in the shot put (41’ 8”). The Marshall 800-meter relay team of Lucas Blanchard, Bobby Owens, Bryce Blanchard and Jesse Bouwens also placed first. Bouwens won the 400 meters while Lucas Blanchard won the 200 meters. Tyler Horn took first in the 110-meter hurdles.

MHS boys soccer spring clean up fundraiser

Lane Holcomb placed fifth in the high jump, clearing 5’3”. Teammate Jesse Bouwens was second with a jump of 5’6”.

The Marshall High School boys soccer team is holding a spring clean-up fundraiser to help fund a trip to a summer soccer camp in Cleveland this summer. Players are offering to help local residents clean up their yard, basement, attic or garage for whatever donation can be afforded. Players are also offering to help wash cars, walk dogs or help with any odd job. Fore more information, contact coach Tony Tartaglia at 269-967-0031 or via e-mail at ajtartaglia@gmail.com The team is also holding a bottle drive until July 13th and will be holding a yard sale on May 10-11 at Stonehall, located at 303 N. Kalamazoo Ave in Marshall. Drop off items or call for pick up.

ad-visor&chronicle – April 13, 2013 – Page 46

The dry prairie grasses ignite dramatically during the controlled burn at Brooks Nature Center. (Photo by Donna Daines)

Ben Lark of the Brooks Nature Center sets a fire with his drip torch along the boundary of one of the fields that was burned recently. (Photo by Donna Daines)

Brooks Nature Center conducts controlled prairie burn By DONNA DAINES Staff Writer

The fire break established before the prairie burn at Brooks Nature Center does its job. These blackened fields will soon be covered with green sprouts.(Photo by Donna Daines)

There was a sense of anticipation recently as several observers and firefighters and their equipment from Marshall Township, Marshall City, and Fredonia Township were on hand to make sure the 2013 Brooks Nature Center prairie burn was contained. “We have six prairie fields in total and one or two of them are burned each year,” said Dave Fahner, chair of the Brooks Nature Area Advisory Group. The purpose of the burn is to destroy weeds or brush that have encroached on the grassland during previous seasons. The process also returns enriching nutrients to the soil. “The roots of the prairie grass go down about 12 to 15 feet, so the plants arent killed by the fire. The deep roots system also helps the grasses survive drought periods,” said Fahner. The burn is done early in the spring before the nesting birds return for the season. The goal of the nature center is to reestablish the prairie ecosystem the first settlers would have found during the early days of this area’s settlement.

A firefighter deals with the remaining flames after one of the Brooks Nature Center fields was burned. (Photo by Donna Daines)

ad-visor&chronicle – April 13, 2013 – Page 59

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05 PONTIAC AZTEK

12 CHEVY IMPALA LTZ

07 FORD EDGE SEL

07 BUICK RENDEZVOUS

JUST ARRIVED

JUST ARRIVED!

10,350

09 NISSAN SENTRA

Red, leather, high performance V-8, 5.3 liter, 61,468 miles.

Alloys, P/W, P/L, 73,716 miles.

11 DODGE CHARGER SE

08 CHEVY IMPALA SS

CREDIT MEDIC EVERYONE DRIVES! CALL NOW!

GOOD CREDIT? BAD CREDIT? WE CAN HELP!

11 CHRYSLER 200 TOURING

Dark brown, P/W, P/L, Sync radio.

Moonroof, alloys, P/seat, V-6, very clean non-smoker

18,995

14,595

2007 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED X 2

GET READY FOR SUMMER FUN! Starting at

IN STOCK

18,770

READY TO GO TO WORK! 10 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT XLT

09 FORD ECONOLINE XL 55K

Ladder rack & shelving, 34,369 miles.

15,995

17,595

06 CHEVY UPLANDER

WE FINANCE YOUR FUTURE, NOT YOUR PAST.

CALL FOR APPROVAL! 1-877-646-6310 x300

11 FORD F-150 XL

62,000 miles, ladder rack & more

Fiberglass cap, ladder rack.

9,995

12,995

CALL NOW AND ORDER YOUR PRE-OWNED VEHICLE TODAY! 3825 LAKE STREET, KALAMAZOO

ALL VEHICLES GUARANTEED BY

*4.5% APR on 07’s & newer for 74 months WAC. ****5.9% APR on 06’s for 60 months WAC. ^To qualified buyers, WAC. ^^On select vehicles WAC. ^^^1.9% APR for 36 months on 2010 or newer with credit score of 750 or higher WAC. *On select vehicles WAC. Dealer not responsible for price errors in advertisement. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and may not depict actual vehicles. Each offer not in conjunction with the other offer. All prices plus tax, title, license & DOC fees. Must have ad at time of sale. On select vehicles with approved credit. Limited warranty on 05 or newer, applies to engine/transmission only. Customer pays 50%, M&M pays 50%. Service must be done at M&M Imports.

SCAN and SEE OUR FULL INVENTORY IMPORTS LAKE ST.

131 94

AIRPORT

WINGS STADIUM

SPRINKLE RD

1-877-646-6310 • 381-5801 Shop 24/7 at www.mm-imports.com

381-5801

ad-visor&chronicle – April 13, 2013 – Page 60

HERITAGE CHEVROLET

350 W. Dickman Road

(269) 964-9431

See our Entire inventory on line at www.heritagechevy.com

2013 CRUZE $

LEASE FOR 24 MONTHS

149 PLUS

TAX

WITH

MO.

$2,100.00

DUE

2013 MALIBU $

LEASE FOR 24 MONTHS

189 PLUS

TAX

WITH

MO.

$1,999.00

DUE

2013 EQUINOX $

LEASE FOR 24 MONTHS

21900 PLUS

TAX

WITH

$2,559.00

MO.

DUE

2013 TRAVERSE $

LEASE FOR 24 MONTHS

259 PLUS

TAX

WITH

00 MO.

$2,919.00

DUE

2013 CAMARO $

LEASE FOR 24 MONTHS

259 PLUS

TAX

WITH

$2,019.00

MO. DUE

2013 SILVERADO EXT 4X4

LEASE FOR 24 MONTHS

309 PLUS

TAX

WITH

$2,079.00

• www.heritagechevy.com • www.heritagechevy.com • www.heritagechevy.com •

Shop www.heritagechevy.com • Shop www.heritagechevy.com • Shop www.heritagechevy.com

MO. DUE

Shop www.heritagechevy.com • Shop www.heritagechevy.com • Shop www.heritagechevy.com Shop www.royalchevy.net • Shop www.royalchevy.net • Shop www.royalchevy.net

ROYAL

WE DELIVER TO BATTLE CREEK DAILY!

‘13 SIERRA 2500

‘13 ACADIA

Was $35,225 $

Was $35,095 $

Now

33,931

Now

- $4,00 REBATE

- $1000 REBATE

STK#T3161

SALE

32,931

STK#T3130

29,589 Was $30,510 $

Was $35,395 $

34,518

Now

STK#C3051

SALE

33,018

STK#C3067

27,495

Now

SALE

26,995

637 E. Chicago Rd., Coldwater, MI

517-279-8061 • 1-888-590-2349

29,693

- $1,000 REBATE

- $500 REBATE

STK#T3097

29,283 Was $30,395 $

Was $28,410 $

SALE

‘13 REGAL

‘13 TERRAIN Now

29,783

- $500 REBATE

- $1500 REBATE

SALE

‘13 VERANO

‘13 LACROSSE Now

33,589

STK#C3039

SALE

28,693

www.royalchevy.net

VISIT TO TAKE A VISUAL TOUR OF THESE VEHICLES!

*75 months @ 6% + tax, fees, W.A.C. 0 down. *75 6% + tax, fees, W.A.C. down. MPG on highway mileage. Prices include *75 months months @ @*Plus 6%tax, + title tax,and fees, W.A.C. 0lease, down. MPG based on fueleconomy.gov, fueleconomy.gov, highway mileage. Prices include rebates. rebates. fees. **39 month0 plus tax, title based & fees. 10,000 miles per year. $2,995 due at start. WAC. See dealer for details.

Shop www.royalchevy.net • Shop www.royalchevy.net • Shop www.royalchevy.net

*All leases are plus tax, title & license. See dealer for details.