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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012 Weave the Web:
a mix of ACH and loaned Ford Motor Co. employees. In an effort to cut back, ACH is offering employees the option to transfer to plants in Chicago or Louisville, Ky., through a special voluntary incentive program. In doing so, ACH employees would become entry-level Ford employees. To be eligible, the employees must have at least one year of seniority. ACH employee Pat Mendes is considering making the move to Louisville because he would get better benefits, job security and an eventual increase in pay. Im just looking at something thats more stable and secure, he said. Were all happy to have jobs, but having a job with no future doesnt really settle well with me personally. Though he has lived in the area for his entire life, Mendes has never felt stability in his employment at ACH. He was laid off for a year during his five-year employment at the plant. At first, we were told were working there as temporary Ford full-time employees with the plant being up for sale, he said. When we
PLEASE SEE ACH/3-A

The

Your Hometown Newspaper

75

VOL. 62, NO. 3

ACH downsizing Saline plant

Estimated 70 positions will be eliminated
By Krista Gjestland
Heritage Media

Make sure to click on www.heritage.com around the clock for the most in-depth coverage. See our Most Viewed story, U-M student injured after falling from cancer center.

The Automotive Components Holdings Saline plant will lose about 70 workers, according to UAW Local 892 President Mark Caruso. The 1.6-million-square-foot plant currently employs more than 2,300 people, which includes

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Search for new police chief now under way

City Council hires Career Directions
By Jim Pruitt
Special Writer

Preparing for Winterfest

Festivities to start Jan. 28 in Saline
By Krista Gjestland
Heritage Media

Click on the jobs tab on the home page of our website ror a g edirectly to h e i t go . c o m http://jobs.heritage.com.

The search for a new police chief is under way as the city McGinn initiated the process by hiring an executive search firm. The Saline City Council unanimously selected Career Directions of Ann Arbor Jan. 9 to lead the process that will result in a new chief this summer. The city will pay the firm $6,000 to conduct the search. The search is necessary after Paul Bunten announced his retirement Nov. 14. His last day will be Friday. Terry McGinn of Career Directions spoke to the council during a work session held before the regular meeting and then again during the meeting. In the work session, City Manager Todd Campbell told Council that selecting
PLEASE SEE CHIEF/5-A

n Jan. 28, Saline will defend its title of Snowman Building Champions of the Free World during the second annual Saline Winterfest. Winterfest began as a friendly competition between a few small towns across the state Saline, St. Clair and Zeeland. Now it has grown to encompass Douglas and Three Rivers. Saline Downtown Development Director Art Trapp said the idea came about two years ago when he and the St. Clair downtown director were brainstorming ideas for winter activities. Suddenly, we decided wed have a snowmanbuilding contest as the main feature for both of In addition to the snowmen building contest, other activities at the Saline Winterfest our activities, Trapp will include childrens crafts and games, and a dog sledding demonstration. said. The director from as they can with 50 paronstration and five ice Trapp said. Its someZeeland overheard and ticipants. Last year, Saline carving demonstrations thing the citys putting wanted to get in on the built 486 snowmen, clearly throughout the downtown on and its a chance to get action. beating out Zeelands 113 area. There also will be out of the house and do We each kicked in $100 and St. Clairs 268. a 5K race to benefit The something different. Its for the Frosty trophy, In addition to the snowFifth Corner Teen Center. a chance to do something Trapp said. We all agreed men building contest, Trapp said the purpose with your neighbors and that we would do this. there will be a plethora of the event is to get peoyour friends and your Each town holds its of other activities includple out of the house and to family. contest at the same time ing childrens crafts and downtown during a time The idea of creating a and has two hours to build games, bingo at Stone thats usually pretty dead. as many 4-feet snowmen Arch, a dog sledding demIts just a fun activity, PLEASE SEE WINTER/3-A

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School board sees change in leadership

Attorney Lisa Slawson to serve as president
By Jim Pruitt
Special Writer

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Local ads are just a hop away at the MIcentral.com marketplace. While you are there, you can check out all the special supplements of Journal Register Co. newspapers in Michigan. Click on marketplace on the home page of our website or go directly to www.marketplace.micentral.com.

A new year has brought two new members and a change in leadership for Saline school board. David Holden and David Zimmer were sworn in by Chuck Lesch in what turned out to be his last act as president. After the swearing-in ceremony,

Lesch was quickly replaced by Lisa Slawson. The decision by the board to elect Slawson as president was unanimous. Slawson and Lesch changed seats to connote the transfer of power. Lesch was selected as vice president. Holden beat out Amy Cattell for secretary by a 4-3 vote. Slawson was excited

about being president for 2012 as her daughter will graduate this year, as well as 36 Girl Scouts she has overseen. The process of electing board officers came under some question as Trustee Craig Hoeft inquired about how it should go. Slawson said the votes used to be cast by secret ballot, but that practice

was terminated due to the Open Meetings Act. She said trustees used to fill out forms designating what they wanted to do. We need to look at the policy, she said. In other action: The board approved a change to its meeting schedule to trim Novembers number of meetings to two. The board appointed Recording Secretary Patti Waltz, Holden and

Superintendent Scot Graden to serve as designees to post legal notices. The board approved the hiring of Joseph Palka as assistant principal/ assistant athletic director. Executive Director Curt Ellis recommended the hiring of Palka, a 25-year education veteran with six years of administration experience. Special Writer Jim Pruitt can be reached at jamespruitt7@gmail.com.

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