To the Editor:

I am writing to thank the 9th District VFW, which covers 34 posts in 114 counties, for recently honoring me, and by proxy, Gratiot VFW Post 7805 of Ithaca, by the presentation of a Special Honor Plaque.

The plaque was a complete surprise for me as I have not served the 9th District in any capacity either as an officer or as a committee member. I do attend 9th District meetings, but nearly all my efforts in behalf of our Veteran Comrades, and our Nation’s Communities and Citizens, are directed through my home Gratiot VFW Post.

Upon reflection, it’s clear that I was honored and that VFW Post 7805 was also honored. Post 7805 was chartered in 1946 after World War II and since then has been active in Veteran and Community affairs. We’ve had problems but we’ve persevered. Perhaps it’s because we planned, promoted, raised funds, and built the Gratiot County All Wars Memorial and gifted it to the County that we were honored. Perhaps it’s because we established a college scholarship for Gratiot County high school graduates with preference for veterans’ families. Perhaps it’s because we cooperate with the Ithaca American Legion Post and our Alma VFW Post to provide the Honor Guard and Veterans’ Burial Rites for our local deceased Comrades. Perhaps it’s your recognition of all the activities in which VFW Post 7805 is involved.

Whatever your reasoning, our Post members are grateful and we thank you. We promise to continue support for the VFW and the 9th District with activities that enhance the lives of our Nation’s Veterans and Citizens and improve our communities. Post 7805 long term Commander, Fred Hoard, concurs and is signing this letter also.

Sincerely,

Fred Hoard, Commander

VFW Post 7805

Ithaca

Ceo Bauer, Quartermaster

VFW Post 7805

Ithaca

To the Editor:

It is time for the residents of the St. Louis School District to take note of what is happening regarding the school board and the superintendent.

In 2008 the school board hired Joann Spry as superintendent. The contract is for three years with an “evergreen” roll over clause each year unless the board notifies her in writing that her contract will not be renewed.

In January 2010 the board instructs Spry to write a letter to all administrators informing them that their contracts are no longer “evergreen.” The question at the time…and still is…how can an arbitrary letter from the board supersede a contract before it expires or is renegotiated.

In February 2011 the board votes not to renew Spry’s contract…but does not notify her in writing as required in the very first paragraph of the contract so the contract automatically renews and is now in effect until July 2014.

In July 2011 the board reassigns Spry to duties of athletic director and transportation director and hires Charles Schnetzler as interim superintendent.

In December the board president admits to the blunder of not notifying Spry in writing that her contract would not be renewed.

At the January 2012 board meeting the board votes to notify Spry that they are “considering” not renewing her contract. The reasons given are (A) She is no longer superintendent. (B) Financial. (C) Does not wish to be party to evergreen contracts.

Even within these actions there appears to be legal issues that have been completely ignored…ie: how does a motion by the board and subsequent letter to administrators trump their contracts until they are expired and/or renegotiated.

Was legal counsel contacted? Have any of the board members availed themselves to “Legal 104” course offered by the Michigan Association of School Boards? If not, why not. If they have why haven’t they used the guidelines of the course?

All of this could end up costing the district hundreds of thousands of dollars…just salary alone for Spry adds up to over $300,000.

Then add in benefits for Spry and that total jumps to $379,698. Add in possible penalties, legal fees etc. and salary for another superintendent and you can see where this is headed. Could such action by the board bankrupt the district?

Has the board ever sat down and tried to negotiate with Spry? If it has there appears to be no record of it.

The St. Louis District simply cannot afford this. Something must be done and quickly.

Greg Siefker

St. Louis

To the Editor,

This past Christmas I experienced a very special moment in my life. My wife and I know this little boy that we met during a benefit a couple years ago.

We heard that he and his mother needed help with medical expenses due to his medical surgeries he has had in his life as a young child. He was born with multiple disabilities that required many surgeries, with more to come. He was four years old at the time our Gleaner Arbor did the benefit fundraiser for him at the Alma Elks Lodge.

Since then, they have become family to us, and continue to always be in our daily prayers.

We heard that for Christmas, he wanted a table and chair, so he could play with his toys on a table. My wife and I and a friend got with his mom, to let her know that we wanted to do this for him.

He couldn’t talk hardly at all, and was severely hard of hearing. But in our hearts, he was a very special child to us. His mom and him came over one day to pick up the table and chair we had purchased for him. It was a magical moment I will never forget. His mom and I put the gifts in the back seat where he was sitting, and when he saw the gifts, it was like he couldn’t wait to open them up. He looked at me with a big smile and said thank you and took his hand and laid it on his chest, and motioned toward me.

His mom said he had never said thank you, together with both words. Then she said he was giving me his ‘heart out of’ love.

At that moment I had all I could do to hold back my emotions. I gave them both a big hug and then I returned inside my house.

It was at that moment that I realized how precious a moment I had been given the privilege of experiencing. I couldn’t hold back my emotions. I also realized that the simplest gifts in life, are the most precious.

I hear he is enjoying his table and chair very much every day. The joy of helping someone else is so powerful.

Trying to make someone laugh, or doing something nice for someone are precious gifts that we all have and possess.

One very blessed person,

Dick Coleman,Ithaca