1. This is a sample version of the electronic edition. This sample is a collection of a few stories we
have inside this week’s issue, but it will show you how you can read the Cass City Chronicle on-
line. For any questions, contact us Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at (989) 872-2010.
Note: The Cass City Chronicle’s actual front page will look different than the sample provided
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July 4 the best $80,000 in grants buy Summer intern enjoys
holiday - my favorite department new boat taste of Cass City
Slices of Life, page 3 Page 4 Page 6
Complete coverage of the Cass City community and surrounding areas since 1899
VOLUME 105, NUMBER 16 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN - WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011 FIFTY CENTS ~ 12 PAGES
EXODUS
3 more O-G School Board
trustees offer resignations
by Tom Montgomery nothing to do with Bob Drury,” said superintendent and a full-time prin-
Editor Mandich, who was vague in describ- cipal, as well as Wencel for the
ing his reasons for leaving the board, superintendent’s position.
And then there were 3. saying only that he felt some board Drury acknowledged that Wencel
Former Owen-Gage Board of members haven’t learned lessons faces some challenges in working VIRGIL PETERS of Cass City surveys one of the
Education President Terry Muntz’ regarding where the district was at 6 with a relatively new school board.
abrupt resignation from the board years ago. However, he remained optimistic. entries during the motorcycle show sponsored by
earlier this month, just after the During the special board meeting “I just think it’s a very unfortunate
board hired former Bad Axe Schools earlier this month in which the board thing that happened to the district.
Knights Insurance Agency.
Supt. Jim Wencel as the new part- hired Wencel, a former Bad Axe No time is good to have 4 board
time superintendent at Owen-Gage Public Schools superintendent, members (resign), from an opera-
on a split vote, turned out to be just Schmidt indicated she felt the board tional standpoint,” he said, adding if
the tip of the iceberg. should further check into Drury’s the school can attract applicants will-
The board subsequently appointed background. Champagne and ing to come on board without per-
Julie Good to replace Muntz. Mandich, meanwhile, indicated they sonal agendas, the district should
However, 3 more board members could not support his selection as the rebound from the exodus of current
jumped ship last week. Submitting district’s next part-time superinten- trustees.
their resignations were acting board dent. “With board orientation and train-
President Kathy Champagne, board The board asked for a hand vote ing, they should come out stronger, if
Secretary Loretta Schmidt and from the 25 or so individuals attend- they’re (new board members) will-
Trustee Mike Mandich, all of whom ing the meeting, and they all indicat- ing to look at the big picture,” Drury
voted against hiring Wencel earlier ed they supported both a part-time said.
this month.
“(They) had some objections to
what the public, what the staff and
what the board had set as the admin-
istrative alignment for the 2011-12
school year — a part-time superin-
K. Steely graduates
tendent and a full-time principal,”
said former interim, part-time Owen-
Gage Supt. Bob Drury, who handed
from home school their home school.
the reins over to Wencel July 1 after Dennis and Marla Steely of Cass
serving the district for a year. City announced the graduation of Having been schooled at home
Of the board members who were their daughter, Kristin Steely, from since kindergarten, she has complet-
serving when the district began its ed the state’s requirements for grad-
search for someone to replace Drury, uation. Steely is an excellent student, AN IMPRESSIVE fireworks display marked the
only 3 remain; board Treasurer Deb scoring well on the ACT. Through
Quick and trustees Dan Warack and her school years she has been end of another great Cass City Freedom Festival
Brenda Kretzschmer. involved in Cass City’s AYSO soccer
School officials are inviting anyone program, AWANA (a Bible program Saturday night.
interested in filling 2 of the positions through the church), showing draft
on the board to submit a letter of horses with Harvey and Annette
interest to: Mary Ann Minkler, Bell, serving as Michigan Draft
Owendale-Gagetown Schools, 7166 Horse Breeders Association Queen
Main St., Owendale, MI 48754. The for a year, training her 5-year-old
deadline to submit an application is quarter horse/hackney gelding to
Friday, July 8, at noon. The deadline ride with a friend who also taught
to submit a letter of interest for the her how to ride starting at the age of
third seat is Monday, July 11, at 9. Steely has helped out for the last 3
noon. years at The Good News Club” at the
The Chronicle attempted to contact elementary school.
Champagne, Schmidt and Mandich. Her future plans are to continue to
Mandich was the only individual to work full-time at a dairy farm. As of
respond. right now, she has 3 of her own hors-
“I’ll tell you, first of all, it has noth- es (one that she trained to pull cart)
ing to do with Jim Wencel. It has Kristin Steely and 4 steers that she is raising.
MATT LITTLE of Little’s Smoke-n-BBQ checks
his ribs during the inaugural “Thumb Smokin’
BBQ” competition Saturday at Cass City
Recreation Park.
TOURNEY CHAMPS. The Cass City 12-and-under all star baseball team
recently captured the Reese Invitational Tournament with an 8-2 victory over
the host Rockets. Cass City defeated teams from Mayville and Unionville-
Sebewaing en route to the finals. They are: (front, l-r) Nick Perry, Shaede
Perzanowski, Reed White, Brad Hacker, Brendan Hamilton, Brent Baker,
Joey Krol, Brad Baker (back) Coach Brad Langenburg, Chase Winter, Jacob
Wright, Logan Schenk, Manager Jim Baker and Coach Brian Wright.