Schools bracing for a state aid freeze

Local school officials were bracing for a state aid freeze in the 2003-2004 fiscal year. They were surprised, however, when Governor Jennifer Granholm announced a reduction in the promised state funding for the current year. The Michigan Legislature had until Friday, Feb. 14 (after The Citizen’s press deadline) to pass an alternative package, but figures […]

Law provides new way to run for school board

It’s not buying votes, but it is possible to “buy” a spot on the ballot for local school boards in the Monday, June 9 election. A revision to Public Act 431 now allows a candidate to pay a $100 fee instead of filing the traditional nominating petitions. “You don’t even need to go out and […]

Public servant Gordon Bachmann dies at age 63

ATLAS TOWNSHIP – Anybody who has lived in the Goodrich or Atlas Township area for any amount of time knows the name Gordon Bachmann. Bachmann, who died in his sleep Friday, Feb. 7 at age 63, will continue to be a celebrated member of the community. “He touched countless lives,” said Doug Moors, a good […]

Edith Wright’s local volunteer efforts will be missed

BRANDON TOWNSHIP – Edith Wright was raised in an era when volunteers sustained the life of our nation, an epoch when community commitment and involvement was expected, but not taken for granted. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, she died at age 78, and Brandon Township lost a prominent cornerstone. Mrs. Wright was a local historian for […]

FD gets new ambulance, dispatch service

BRANDON TOWNSHIP – The fire department’s new ambulance is in, and plans for their new fire station are close to being off the drawing board and into the hands of builders. The 2002 Ford 450 chassis was augmented by Wheeled Coach of Wichita, Kan. With equipment, the total cost of the new rig came to […]

Nothing to do?

GOODRICH – For almost seven years now, kids in Goodrich have had a safe place to go on Friday nights. Victory World Outreach Center on Green Road made an addition to the church building seven years ago. The addition made it possible for kids between the ages of seven and 20 to draw, play music, […]

Ballot tampering charge reinstated against Gilpin

BRANDON TOWNSHIP – John Gilpin will have another day in court next month on a felony charge of tampering with an absentee ballot. This time, March 21, it will be a preliminary exam before 52-2 District Judge Dana Fortinberry, who succeeded now-retired judge Gerald McNally. It was McNally who reduced the charge to disorderly conduct […]

Editor at Large

Have we had the discussion about how true journalistic “objectivity” is a myth? The summary: objective, impossible; fair and balanced, absolutely. Anyway, your humble editor is hardly objective about the Boy Scouts of America, which celebrates its birthday in February. As a former Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer, I continue to view the experience […]

Letter To The Editor

Letter to the Editor: I believe there is more than one type of problem that needs to be addressed in Brandon, other than just noise reduction. Noise reduction is an important issue and needs to be addressed in a way that will not take anyone’s personal rights away. Noise reduction should be a common sense […]

From The Citizen

Fraud and theft An Ortonville woman received a phone called about 5:50 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27 from a representative at National City Bank. The bank had noticed some increase in activity on the woman’s Visa Card and asked her to check and see if she had the card. She discovered her Visa Card and a […]