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Click on “marketplace” on the home page of our website or go directly to www.marketplace.micentral. com/ROP/Categories.aspx. Chelsea Standard VOL. 139, NO. 6 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 75 ¢ Printed on recycled paper Editorial Page 6-A Calendar Page 3-B Death Notices Page 10-A Sports Page 1-C Food Page 1-B News Tip Hotline: 475-1371 INDEX Faith in Action honors volunteers Page 9-A INSIDE Check out a Valentine’s Day recipe Page 1-B INSIDE Groups partner on Longworth plan By Sean Dalton Heritage Media Members of Preservation Chelsea, the downtown development authority and Michigan Historic Preservation Network took another step as partners toward redevelopment of the Longworth properties at a meeting Feb. 1. Chelsea city officials issued the Request for Proposals this week, which will begin a 90 day process of receiving and reviewing propositions from private developers to spin the Longworth property and potentially some or most of the historic buildings into something positive for the community. DDA member Mark Heydlauff, who accompa- nied City Manager John Hanifan in representing city officials, said that he and his authority peers are dedicated to the collective effort to make Longworth redevelopment a success. “We’re looking for the best thing that can hap- pen for our community,” Heydlauff said, explaining the way that the bids will be scrutinized. Typically, municipalities lean toward low bids on projects, but the properties are up for sale at $1 and have been packaged with several hundred thousand dollars in possible federal grant dollars and utility cost breaks (the latter of which will be provided by the city since it owns the utilities in town). Heydlauff tempered his enthusiasm with some reality: “I don’t know if (the chosen developer) is going to tear some of (the buildings) down, (or) all of them down,” in light of Preservation Chelsea’s desire to preserve as much of the historic structures as possible for the sake of the city’s overall historic value. “All I can do is get it and look at it and see … we have a lot of very tough deci- sions,” he added. Hanifan told those in attendance that the city’s contact list will be mined extensively for contacts to notify about the pub- lished RFP, in light of the additional incentives and involvement with the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. “If (the preservation network) can get it in as many hands as possible (that would help), we want as many people as possible to have interest in it,” Hanifan said, adding that this would probably be the point in the process where the network would be of the greatest use in having the project realized. Historic Preservation Network representative Ellen Thackery shared that there is a great deal of developer interest directed Photo by Sean Dalton Tom Girard, a Preservation Chelsea volunteer, talks about the Longworth complex. At left, Tim Merkel, a DDA board member, and at right, John Frank, another Preservation PLEASE SEE PARTNER/3-A Downtown to host Chocolate Extravaganza N ot since Lucy met Ethel has there been a better pairing than that of chocolate and shopping via Chelsea’s Chocolate Extravaganza. The fourth annual event will take place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 11. More than 30 local businesses will offer sales, discounts, freebies and, of course, chocolate in all kinds of shapes and sizes. While science continues to debate the actual benefits of chocolate on the human body, most can agree that eating chocolate increases the body’s serotonin levels, making you feel hap- pier. In addition to discounts and sales on housewares, clothing, and jewelry, Chelsea’s shops will be offering shoppers the opportunity to sam- ple chocolate in its many delicious forms – truffles, cookies, fruit filled, and freshly baked Jiffy Mix goodies, just to name a few. Chelsea’s numerous cafés and restaurants will also offer deli- cious chocolate desserts and drinks. Not to be missed is Glee Cake & Pastry, a new establishment in Chelsea that features beauti- fully-made baked creations from cupcakes to designer cakes. “We love being part of any day dedicated to chocolate,” executive chef Glee Havens said. “We will be stocked with fresh pastries, cook- ies, cakes, and filled cupcakes (and a few new treats) with a special chocolate theme.” For those seeking calorie-free options, the Chelsea Center for the Arts is again offering an afternoon of art and craft activities for fami- lies to drop in and enjoy between 1 and 4p.m. “This is such a fun event for us to hold here at CCA.” said Sue Whitmarsh, external rela- tions manager, “Something about families sitting creating beautiful expressions of love and affection, punctuated of course by some scrummy chocolate goodies, really warms the heart.” For more information about the event, please contact Maureen Family flouts local chicken ordinance Photo by Erica McClain Roen Montalva and Tim Farmer stand in front of their backyard coop with two of their children, Sabina, 8, and Ezra, 1, and one of their Buff Orpington hens, Goldenbell. By Erica McClain Heritage Media A Chelsea family will give up ownership of five hens after receiving an order from the city to remove the animals and their coop within 10 days. Roen Montalva and Tim Farmer, who live on Harrison Street, said the letter stated they would be fined not more than $500 and/or jailed for 90 days. The city currently has an ordinance banning chick- ens. “It’s frustrating to me, and it pushes me to get them legalized in the city,” Montalva said. Farmer agreed, calling it a violation of his personal property rights. “I thought this was a very draconian measure,” Farmer said. “Not only is the ordinance draconian, which is something I’ve always taken exception to, but this is the penalty for having a piece of property against an ordinance. In my opinion, it’s uncalled for and unnecessary. It’s simply not a reasonable thing for a government entity to ask for.” The two were engaged in what they called “civil disobedience” due to frus- tration with Chelsea City PLEASE SEE CHICKENS/3-A Check out Page 3-B for a listing of participating businesses. Homeowners will give up chickens after receiving letter Just 15 Minutes from Chelsea • Located right off I-94 • No entrance fee Legends Alzheimer’s Center Person-centered care gantonretirement.com 517-764-2000 5025 Ann Arbor Road, Jackson, MI GOLD OVER $1650!! WE WILL BEAT ANY OFFER BY 10% OR MORE! 1170 S. MAIN STREET • CHELSEA Minutes from Ann Arbor I-94 Exit 159 433-9900 (734) Chelsea Rare Coins Sell Your Unwanted/ Broken Jewelry Here WE BUY ALL COINS & CURRENCY TOP $ FOR GOLD & SILVER 1-800-666-0348