October 3, 2015 • Vol. 136 No. 38
514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI · Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 · www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News: Gordon Elementary chosen as one of nation’s best schools Good news came to Gordon Elementary School in Marshall wrapped with a Blue Ribbon on Sept. 29 when United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized Gordon as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2015 based on its overall academic excellence and its progress. “Your journey has taught you collaboration, intentional instruction and strong relationships in school and with your community,” Duncan said in a video message to the awardees. “You represent excellence—in vision, in implementation and in results—and we want to learn as much as we can from you.” Of the 335 schools selected this year, 13 are from Michigan with Gordon being the only school selected from the region.
See story on page 6 More than 350 animals seized from local hobby farm Local nonprofit All Species Kinship was called by Calhoun County law enforcement to assist with the capture and removal of animals from a small rural property located in Burlington in recent weeks. In a series of dilapidated sheds and barns, more than 350 farmed animals were found living in cramped, filthy conditions with no food or water, suffering from dehydration and starvation. “We did not see any animal on the property with adequate body weight,” said wildlife biologist and ASK Executive Director Sophia DiPietro. “Not only was there a complete lack of vet care apparent, but basic husbandry best practices were not being followed. It was clear that this was a hobby farm gone wild, where desire to collect one of every species superseded actual proper care of each animal.”
See story on page 12 Marshall Dial-A-Ride to see revitalization At a work session on Sept. 21, the Marshall City Council discussed the need to make changes to the struggling Dial-A-Ride Transportation or DART, which the city projects will have a deficit of $22,061 by the end of this year. “For 43 years, DART has been virtually the same system,” said Assistant City Manager and Director of Community Services Natalie Dean. “It’s hard to put together a plan to bring it into this century.” Dean shared four options with the council, recommending the first option: to institute an aggressive twoyear revitalization plan, which includes extended routes, increased ridership and hiring a full-time “dynamic thinker” manager.
See story on page 10 Declining student enrollment forces Albion to make tough decisions The Albion Public Schools Board of Education approved the formation of an Albion Citizens Committee on Sept. 30 in response to an unexpected drop in student enrollment by 100 students resulting in a loss of approximately $700,000 in per pupil funding from the state of Michigan. The school district, already operating under a Deficit Elimination Plan to deal with an approximate $500,000 deficit, must now draw up a new plan to deal with this year’s revenue loss and present the new plan to the Michigan Department of Education in the coming weeks.
See story on page 14 Oct. 4 marks beginning of Fire Prevention Week “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm” is the theme for the 2015 Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10. The Marshall Fire Department will visit local elementary schools next week with fire safety tips as part its National Fire Prevention Month celebration.
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T
he Marshall Exchange and Rotary clubs are gearing up for the 2015 Dream Dollars fundraiser. The annual event generates money that each organization will, in turn, return to the community in the form of support for special projects and needed services offered by local not-for-profits. Volunteers on this year’s dream team include, from left, Theresa Chaney-Huggett, Michelle Mack and Trent Taylor of Exchange Club; Dan Stulberg, Lisa Sands and Jeff Greene of Rotary Club; community volunteer Velvet Potter; and Vic Potter of Exchange Club. See story on page 2