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Milan News-Leader
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012 Weave the Web:
Make sure to click on www.heritage.com around the clock for the most in-depth coverage. See our Most Viewed story, Former U of M football player wanted on drug charge.

The

75

VOL. 129, NO. 17

Economy takes toll on city nances

Revenue and expenses focus of work session
By Jim Pruitt
Special Writer

Declines in tax-based

revenue could leave the city with a bleak future, barring any further developments. The Milan City Council received the news from City Administrator Benjamin Swayze at a work session April 9. While there were some bright spots in his report,

most funds are taking a hit as the economy continues to weigh heavily on the bottom line. The work session was the first in a series of sessions that the City Council will have before it approves the next fiscal-year budget May 21. A future meeting will focus

on revenue and expenses May 14. These sessionswill begin 6 p.m. and run for 90 minutes before the regular council meeting. The city will not be raising the millage rate for property owners next year. At 14.4 mills, through the Headlee rollback, the city could levy up to 17.1644

mills without a vote of the people. For fiscal year 2012-13, 1 mill will generate $167,272. That means the untapped 2.76144 mills would generate an extra $466,406. Its something the city may want to keep in the
PLEASE SEE ECONOMY/3-A

Paddock shares literacy success story

Elementary school shows progress
By Lori Maranville
Special Writer

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On a recent morning, Caroline Vega of Paddock Elementary Schools Literacy Lab reads with Kristopher VonBuskirk and Tasen Bevins. A consistent and individualized approach to literacy is translating to reading success for students at the school.

Paddock Elementary School is seeing great strides in reading thanks to a literacy program aimed at the individual needs of students. Paddock Principal Sean DeSarbo and Title I Literacy coach and consultant Tracy Terris recently shared the schools literacy success story with the

Milan Board of Education, backing up their report with some encouraging data. I may be biased, DeSarbo told board members, because Im principal of this building, but I challenge anybody to find another school that is truly looking at data and doing what were doing. Internal assessments, as well as Northwest Evaluation Association assessments, are showing Paddock students are making significant progress in reading, with student scores coming in above the
PLEASE SEE PADDOCK/3-A

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Discover Milan Day canceled, but new fest in works

Weather in May was too unreliable, so August date set
By Joyce Ervin
Guest Writer

Low turnout because of poor weather conditions has led to the cancellation of the annual Discover Milan Day held every May and sponsored by the Milan Downtown Development Authority. But hoping to keep tradition alive, a group of local residents has formed a committee to sponsor a new summertime event. Eduardo Enriquez, chairman of the newly established Milan Summer Fest board, has been meeting with church members, civic

organizations, nonprofit groups and Milan residents representing various organizations community volun- met recently conducting a planning session for the teers making plans upcoming Milan Summer Fest to be held Aug. 4. for an Aug. 4 event. Pictured, in back, are Tom Dupuis (left), Doug Gilson, Jerry Renning, Lacy Suddeth and David Moving Milan Early; in front are Heather Gotts (left), Robin Finch, Forward is one Eduardo Enriquez, Debbie Sudduth and Rod Hill. of many groups supporting the Milan Summer Its the committees intent to Fest. Also on board are the Milan make the Summer Fest a highlight Area Chamber of Commerce, the that will bring visitors to Milan, BackStreet CruiZers, Rotary Club, Finch said. Kiwanis, Milan firefighters, the Enriquez said he is seeking artMilan Area Historical Society, ists to participate rounding out the Milan Parks and Recreation, Milan already full agenda. Finch said Area Art Association and the many past favorites from Discover Downtown Development Authority, Milan Day have been confirmed to name a few. such as the Rubber Ducky Race Robin Finch, Milan Area sponsored by the Milan Police Chamber of Commerce secretary, Department and the popular Grape said the Summer Fest planning is Stomp. a perfect example of how the comPLEASE SEE MILAN/7-A munity rallies together.

Man arrested for stealing purse from 85-year-old

By Ben Baird
Heritage Media

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A 55-year-old Ypsilanti Township man is currently in Washtenaw County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond for stealing an 85-year-old Milan womans purse. Kenneth Sutton was arrested April 13 after Sutton police identified him as a possible suspect.
PLEASE SEE MAN/7-A

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Bloggers sought: The Milan NewsLeader is seeking community bloggers to write on a variety of subjects. To pitch a blog idea or share a current blog, which would be featured at www.Heritage.com, email Heritage Online Coordinator David Veselenak at dveselenak@heritage.com. Club offering scholarship: The Milan Womans Club is offering a $500 scholarship to an area resident who qualies according

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to the criteria set by club members. Eligible applicants include those who will graduate in the Milan High School class of 2012, those who are enrolled in an accredited school, or those who wish to pursue higher education in an accredited school. Students with grade averages of C or better are eligible for consideration. Deadline for applications is April 27. Applications may be obtained at the Milan High School. Call 734-439-7131.

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