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VOL. 139, NO. 16

Chelsea Standard
75
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012
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Make sure to click on www.heritage.com around the clock for the most in-depth coverage of the county. Our most viewed story this week is LETTER TO THE EDITOR: What is done cannot be undone in Sylvan Township.

In aftermath, support rallied for Lima Township 4-H family

By Ben Baird
Heritage Media

Blaze kills more than 300 animals

Support from the community has softened the blow after more than 300 animals died in a barn fire April 11 at the Welshans centennial farm at Scio Church and Parker roads in Lima Township. Robin Welshans, who owns the farm with her husband, Douglas, said so far the outpouring of support has been amazing following the tragedy. Chelsea Area Fire Authority Chief James Payeur said there was extensive damage from the fire and the barn was a complete loss. All the animals kept in the barn died. There were about 200 show rabbits, about 50 egg-laying hens, about 50 baby chicks, 17 baby ducks, a steer and a horse named Tina. It has been very hard, Robin Welshans said. Theyre our pets you know? Five cows and a calf survived the fire because they were outside in a pasture when the fire occurred. The fire quickly swept through a consumed the barn and damaged other buildings on the property. The cause of the fire is still unknown. The entire family worked to care for the animals,

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Residents continue annexation talks

By Krista Gjestland
Heritage Media

PLEASE SEE FIRE/11-A and Parker roads.

More than 300 animals died in a barn re at about 11 a.m. March 11 at Scio Church

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Chelsea City Council members sat down with residents from Chelsea Springs to discuss the possibility of annexation into the city during a special meeting April 10. Chelsea Springs, a subdivision located in Sylvan Township, has reached out to the city administration of Chelsea regarding annexation after increasing dissatisfaction with township officials. Homeowners association board member Tim Dark said the sentiment is reflected throughout the 51 residents.

Everyones pretty disgruntled with Sylvan Township, he said. The sentiment caused Chelsea Springs representatives to email Chelsea City Manager John Hanifan in December. Water and tax rates make living in Sylvan Township costly for Chelsea Springs residents, homeowners association president Deneil Harney said. We do believe that there is an opportunity to pay less to live in the city of Chelsea, she said. Sylvan Township is currently under a $13.2 million financial strain due to county debts from its sewer and water systems. In

November, voters turned down a 20-year 4.75 millage that would have paid off that debt as well as a $1.25 million debt to the Washtenaw County treasurer. The townships board has requested that millage option be placed on the Aug. 7 ballot for a second chance. The first millage vote was defeated 475-328. The township is also facing an undetermined tax increase later this year because it will be unable to meet a May bond payment of $175,000 for the water and sewer systems. Chelsea Springs residents already pay for some Chelsea services, such as library, fire and

school millages as well as electricity. One of the biggest changes for Chelsea Springs would be with the citys general fund millage, which is at 11 mils. In Sylvan Township, residents pay less than 1 mil toward the general fund. There is also the possibility that the debt accrued will follow the residents into Chelsea as the subdivision was a part of Sylvan Township at the date of the bonds issuance. The citys lawyers are currently looking into the matter. Councilmember Cheri Albertson
PLEASE SEE SPRINGS/3-A

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Downtown to host Midwest Literary Walk

Nationally-known poets and writers will read their work at venues up and down Main Street and greet fans in person at the fourth annual Midwest Literary Walk on April 21. Some of them will even listen to you read your own work at the Open Mic. This years all-star cast features poet Thomas Lux, performance poet Jeff Kass, Gravity and Consider the Oyster playwright David MacGregor and many more. ML Liebler, poet and winner of the 2010 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, will emcee the 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. event. All readings are free and open to the public. Lux, who has received grants and fellowships

The Line-up
Jerry Dennis and Jeff Kass at the River Gallery at 11 a.m. David MacGregor, ML Liebler and Robert Jones at Chelsea Center for the Arts at noon. Lolita Hernandez and Onna Solomon at Chelsea District Library at 2 p.m. Open mic at Chelsea District Library at 3 p.m. Thomas Lux at River Gallery at 4 p.m. from the Guggenheim Foundation, Mellon Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts, will read from his latest work at walk. Luxs poetry compilations include, God Particles and the Street of Clocks. Jerry Dennis, one of Americas most celebrated writers about nature and the Great Lakes, will also read at the walk. Those insterested in reading at the open-mic can sign up the day of the event; readers will be limited to three minutes per reading. Last years Literary Walk drew more than 250 people to Chelsea. Building on that success, the Chelsea District Library, Chelsea Center for the Arts and River Gallery, with support from Nicolas Books are again teaming up to present this years walk.

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INDEX
Editorial Calendar Page 6-A Page 4-C

Death Notices Page 14-A Sports Page 1-B

News Tip Hotline: 475-1371

Photo by Erica McClain

Author Jeff Kass shares a poem at the Chelsea River Gallery during the 2011 Midwest Literary Walk, while fellow author and poet Scott Beal watches.

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