June 23, 2012 • Vol. 133 No. 25 514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News:
ONE DAY ONE NIGHT ONE COMMUNITY ONE FIGHT
Kalamazoo River and Morrow Lake now open On June 21 local, state and federal agencies announced that an additional 34 miles of the Kalamazoo River and the entire two miles of Morrow Lake were re-opened for recreational use for the first time in nearly two years following the Enbridge oil spill. “I am pleased that we are finally able to open a larger stretch of the river for people to use,” said Calhoun County Public Health Director Jim Rutherford. “We know that people have been eager to get back and start using the river again.” See story on page 48
City Council discusses ‘needed’ fire, police facilities The Marshall City Council approved the expenditure of nearly $49,000 in funds for architectural plans for new facilities for the Marshall Fire Department and Marshall Police Department. The Marshall Fire Department has hired C2AE of Grand Rapids to provide preliminary architectural services at a cost of $35,100 and the Marshall Police Department has retained Redstone Architects Inc. to update the proposal for a joint police feasibility study at a cost of $13,798. “Our police station is unsafe for our police officers, and with the tight spaces, our fire station is not safe for the firefighters,” Councilman Brent Williams said. See story on page 44
Local businessman Bob Voigt to host junior triathlon for third straight year Bob Voigt has run his company BV and Associates, Inc. out of his Marshall office for over a decade, but most people in town would be hard pressed to find this business that handles glass and window projects in commercial buildings from retail stores to hospitals to condominiums in Michigan and around the country. Locally, Voigt has been active with youth sports, namely The First Tee of Battle Creek and the Marshall AYSO Chapter. On July 21, he will host the Lyon Lake Junior Triathlon for the third straight year. See story on page 36
Exchange Club hears about the state of Marshall industry As the guest speaker at the Marshall Exchange Club’s June 18 meeting, Marshall Economic Development Manager Mike Hindenach opened his presentation not by speculating what could happen down the road, but rather by pointing out the recent successes for Marshall industry. “Sometimes it’s good to reflect...because we’re always thinking about the next project and rarely do we take the time to look at what we’ve accomplished,” said Hindenach, now in his sixth year at Marshall Economic Development. Overall, Hindenach said the outlook for local industry is “going to be stable more than it’s not.” See story on page 34
The debate continues: City Council makes plan to discuss hospital overlay district At its June 18 meeting, the Marshall City Council focused its discussion on how they plan to tackle the Hospital and Neighborhood Committee’s recommendations regarding the Oaklawn Hospital Campus Overlay District. “We will be having a general discussion on how you (the council) would like to go forward,” said Mayor Jim Dyer. “What do you need to know, and how do we grab that elephant; what do we want to do first? A public work session has tentatively been scheduled for Saturday, July 14 at 9 a.m. at the Public Services Building for the council to begin discussion of the overlay district. See story on page 10
July 20 - 21 at Fairgrounds in Marshall
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f ever you have wondered about the Power of Purple, visit or participate in a Relay for Life event. There, you will see people of all ages working and walking to raise money to fund cancer research. Relay funds ARE making a difference; the five-year relative survival rate for all cancers diagnosed between 2001 and 2007 is 67 percent, up from 49 percent during 1975-1977. Look inside to learn about various ways to add to the Power. See story on page 32