June 30, 2012 • Vol. 133 No. 26 514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News: MPS approves 2012-13 budget
For a second straight year, the Marshall Public Schools Board of Education approved a budget sporting a deficit of $1 million. On June 25, the board passed its 2012-13 general fund budget where expenditures, even after making $1 million in cuts, outpaced revenues by more than $1 million, depleting the district’s fund balance (cash reserves) in the process in order to balance the budget as required by state law. Following a deficit of $1,001,095 for 2011-12, the 2012-13 budget shows a projected deficit of $1,156,602, reducing the district’s fund balance from just over $2 million (10 percent of expenditures) two years ago to a negative $122,000. “We’re not alone, as many districts are burning fund equity,” said MPS Director of Business Operations Scott Blankinship at the June 25 school board meeting. See story on page 10
Summer in the city
Enbridge hosts open house on pipeline replacement project Enbridge Energy held a project open house June 25 at the Marshall Activity Center regarding the company’s Line 6B Phase 2 Replacement Project. The Marshall open house was the first of four which Enbridge held in Michigan (Three Rivers, Marysville) and Indiana (LaPorte) last week. Project manager Tom Hodge said that the company intends to replace 170 miles of pipeline over the next two years including a five-mile stretch east of Marshall which also includes the site of the July 2010 rupture. “We’re taking out a pipeline that’s 40 years old and replacing it with with a new pipeline with modern day coating and heavier wall,” said Hodge. See story on page 20
Living the dream: a 1965 Shelby Mustang Jim Ayers of Olivet said he looks forward to Cruise to the Fountain each year. “The car show itself is like an art show,” he said. “The craftsmanship, art work and imagination of the people come from all walks of life.” For Ayers, 64, his walk has taken him through three 1965 fast backs, the first of which was a Mustang Coupe, which was totaled in an accident; the second, which he sold; and now he has what he says is his dream car: a 1965 Mustang fast back GT 350H Shelby clone. See story on page 18
Power turbine gets test run at Johnson System For the past few months, it has baffled motorists and passersby, rising nearly 50 feet from the ground on the west end of Industrial Dr. in Marshall behind manufacturer Johnson System. Johnson System and ArborWind Power Turbines of Ann Arbor are betting that that head-scratcher is the future. On June 22, on the grounds of Johnson System, the vertical axis wind turbine got its first test run and demonstration at an event with both companies hoping that the different-looking structure becomes a familiar sight in the coming years as a source of alternative energy. Johnson is the sole manufacturer of all the steel components of the ArborWind turbine, including the 20-feet tower to which the turbine is attached. See story on page 40
Summer sports camps keep kids busy With summer now in full swing, area youth last week participated in several summer sports camps in Marshall, including football, tennis, golf, cheerleading and soccer. See photos in sports section
...time to celebrate!
M
arshall’s enjoyment of community gatherings is never more obvious than the July Fourth observance at Fountain Circle. Highlighting Wednesday’s family fun festivities are the Oaklawn Pet, Bike, and Wagon Parade (see story on page 2), the Marshall Rotary Band Concert (see story on page 26) and the Chamber’s Chicken BBQ. The celebration continues next weekend as the city hosts Cruise to the Fountain, 2012 (see story on page 4).