April 14, 2012 • Vol. 133 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: Easter blaze destroys six apartments
A four-alarm fire on Easter Morning at Walden Pond Townhomes on Arms St. in Marshall left six apartment units destroyed but all residents able to be evacuated safely. “It was just a little fire, but then it jumped and hit the wall and it just spread like you wouldn’t believe,” said one resident, who called 911 at approximately 8:30 a.m. Crews from Marshall, Marshall Township, Marengo and Fredonia fought the blaze and had the fire under control by 9 a.m. See story on page 54
Stacks of knowledge
Council debates cutting services, raising taxes
at the Marshall District Library
On April 10, the Marshall City Council held a budget workshop for the proposed fiscal years 2013 and 2014. What was an estimated $373,940 budget shortfall for 2013, grew to $537,718 when the tax revenues came back with a 7.4 percent decrease instead of the estimated 2.5 percent decrease. But with six proposed cuts to city staff, a 1 percent administrative fee for tax collection, cuts to city services and $54,104 used from the city’s reserves, the administration presented the council with a balanced budget for 2013. See story on page 9
Jim Dobbins awarded “Outstanding Citizen” by Marshall Exchange Club Marshall resident Jim Dobbins took his seat at the Marshall Exchange Club meeting on Monday, April 9 planning to be the guest speaker about Wilder Creek, only to find out he was the recipient of this year’s Golden Book of Deeds Outstanding Citizen Award. “Well, this is a surprise,” said Dobbins, red faced, as he made his way to the front of the room. “I can’t believe this. I really can’t believe this.” The Golden Book of Deeds plaque presented to him read: A man who is known for his caring and sincere manner, his attentive and listening ear and his ability to effectively lead. He is a physician treasured by his patients...and a community leader respect by all who know him. See story on page 56
Dispatchers, officers recognized for teamwork Seven dispatchers and eight local law enforcement officers were recognized on April 10 by the Marshall Police Department for their collaborative efforts in assisting the MPD with the arrest of three subjects after a high-speed chase that ensued in the early morning hours on Feb. 10. “The cooperation between all six entities was seamless due to the professionalism and training,” Police Chief Jim Schwartz said. “Therefore all persons involved in this incident were recognized for their commitment to excellence.” See story on page 44
Joe Cooper and John Ramos reflect on baseball in Marshall John Ramos was 8 years old when he first met Joe Cooper in the mid 1950s. “I kept hearing about this baseball clinic going on,” said Ramos. “So, I went down to the field. I didn’t even have a glove. Joe put me in line and gave me somebody else’s glove.” Cooper arrived in Marshall in 1948 after serving in the military during World War War II (“The Battle of Tampa Bay,” he jokes on his stateside service) and earning his college degree at Western Michigan University. “We didn’t have much of a summer baseball program,” said Cooper, who, in 1950 started a summer baseball program in Marshall that would field as many as 400 players each summer during its heyday. See story on page 40
SPRING CARE CARE feature section inside
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f you can’t tell a book by its cover, then you can’t tell a library by its shelves. It is the people behind the scenes who make libraries fun and familiar. Every day across the country, libraries open their doors to readers, job seekers, entrepreneurs, gamers, movie lovers and travel buffs. As much as patrons love their libraries, the workers do as well, as one can see on the faces of Marshall District Library staff members (bottom, from left) Mary Posler, Marsha Powers, (top) Denise Connelly and Nate Palmer.