state Job Rates | Isabella county unemployment fourth lowest, 3A
Soccer | CMU plays Marquette today in opening round, 1B
Stan and René Shingles show their love throughout CMU community, 6A
Friday, Nov. 12, 2010
BASKETBALL IN HAWAII , 1B
Central Michigan Life
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
CMU has $5.7 million in deferred maintenance budget Fund larger than at other universities By Carisa Seltz Senior Reporter
Editor’s note: Every Friday, CM Life will publish an indepth piece, examining different issues. The university’s deferred maintenance fund trumps that of other universities, but it’s still half the amount needed to finance all the “big-tick-
et” maintenance issues on campus. Such projects are typically the replacement of building and utility systems, including roofs, sidewalks and heatingventilating-air conditioning, said Linda Slater, director of Plant Engineering and Planning. CMU’s current deferred maintenance budget is $5.7 million. Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management, said the CMU Board of Trustees has never decreased the deferred main-
tenance fund and what it receives is generous compared to most universities. “(The $5.7 million) is much better than many universities have,” he said, “and we’re very fortunate that our budget is as big as it is.” The fund is a $200,000 increase from previous years, said David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services. Burdette said the money is one of the single most important positive aspects about budgeting at CMU, as it plays
a strong role in maintaining the buildings and the infrastructure. “I’m very proud of (the amount allocated) because it’s a positive statement from the board of trustees and president that they care about the infrastructure and buildings of this campus,” he said. “We will protect that deferred maintenance budget. It’s really important, not only for current students but for future students.” Lawrence said the average age of campus buildings is
about 40 years. The fund’s mechanics Carol Haas, director of Financial Planning and Budgets, said the deferred maintenance fund is like a replacement program so campus facilities do not deteriorate. “Items have a useful life of so long and you really ought to plan to replace (them) during that time frame,” she said. “Sometimes you can’t do that and then it becomes a deferred maintenance item.”
To extend the time before systems need to be replaced, Slater said, Facilities Management works to implement day-to-day maintenance like roof inspection and repair, filter changes, bearing changes and parking lot crack sealing. Seven entities on campus participate in preparing and prioritizing the list of projects, which are funded and completed each year, she said, including Athletics, University Recreation, facilities
A budget | 2A
Mike Cox challenges tribal lawsuit settlement Holton: ‘I still believe we do have a deal’ By Maria Amante Staff Reporter
paige calamari/staff photographer
Master Sgt. Kevin King salutes the flag during the singing of the National Anthem at the Veterans Day Ceremony Thursday morning at Warriner Mall. King served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005 through 2007 and 2008 through 2009. Students and community members gathered to honor veterans and active service members with a speech from David Burdette, vice president of finance and administrative services and retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Army National Guard, and a reading of “The Noble and the Brave.”
‘Because Students, area residents commemorate Michigan veterans
of the
brave’
cm-life.com Read a full story on Wednesday night’s speech by a Korean War veteran
By Jake May | Photo Editor When he arrived at the Iraq War Memorial in Island Park, David Chatfield pulled out a cigar from his leather biker jacket. As the 58-year-old Mount Pleasant resident rolled the cigar over his lips, he stood solemnly. He held off the light wind to light up the stogie on a foggy Veteran’s Day morning. Chatfield paced slowly, circling the statue and stopping every few steps to release the smoke into the air, as he does once a month. As an American Indian, it’s his way of send-
[inside] NEWS w Former Clarke Historical Library director revered for collections dies at 95, 3A w The Blanks, a capella group known from ‘Scrubs,’ performs at Plachta tonight, 5A
sports w Ithaca, Mount Pleasant, Sacred Heart in action, 4B
CM-LIFE.com w Join us for a live chat of Saturday’s CMU-Navy football game at 3:15 p.m.
weather w Mostly Cloudy High 58/ Low 40
ing his regards to those who have fallen. This was his prayer for veterans. “I lost a lot of friends to war and a lot of my family served time as well,” Chatfield said. “I come here once a month, see everyone who is here on the wall. I’ve learned new names, met new people and seen their names appear onto the wall since they’ve passed. I know so many of these people.”
jake may/photo editor
A Veterans | 2A
Mount Pleasant resident David Chatfield, 58, kneels before a war memorial Thursday in Island Park as he prays in remembrance of fallen soldiers, friends and family on Veteran’s Day.
State Attorney General Mike Cox filed an objection Thursday to the settlement recently reached in case disputing the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s boundaries in mid-Michigan. The settlement was between the tribe and several governing bodies, including the city of Mount Pleasant, Isabella County and the state of Michigan. It allows the tribe to expand boundaries to five townships and two and a half townships in Isabella County. “I wish he came out with this 18 months ago, instead of after the fact,” said Mount Pleasant Mayor Jim Holton. “I still believe we do have a deal and I think the federal judge will rule that way.” Frank Cloutier, public relations director the tribe, said Cox’s objection is unfortunate and the tribe will file a response with the federal government and Judge Thomas L. Ludington’s court. “The governor, city, county and tribe are all in agreement except the attorney general,” Cloutier said. Cox filed the objection in U.S. Federal Court in Bay City. He cited the settlement as inconsistent with the state’s jurisdiction, according to published reports and it limits law enforcement authority. Holton said the groups, including a representative from the attorney general’s office, were present in closeddoor mediation for 18 months. As the settlement drew closer to becoming finalized, the attorney general’s office began having objections. “We moved forward because we thought it was a good settlement for the tribe and citizens of Mount Pleasant,” Holton said. Holton said Cox’s objection will be settled by Ludington and he hopes
A tribal | 2A
Unified Holiday Celebration brings together cultures Food, dancing part of night’s activities By Sherri Keaton Staff Reporter
Johnny “JJ” Jones didn’t care who was looking as he and his partner danced Thursday evening. The Detroit sophomore and his dance partner Comalita Murrell, a Southfield senior, fluidly moved and mimed behind their white masks and gloves, while bending their bodies to the gospel song of “I Trust You.” “God blesses each person in their own way,“ Jones said. The True Worshipers Mime Ministry duo was a part of Mi-
nority Student Services’ 13th Annual Unified Holiday Celebration in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. Between 200 to 300 attendees watched multiple cultural celebratory presentations, ranging from slideshows, poetry, games and dances. The cultures represented were Hispanic, African American, Indian and Jewish among others. The mime performance was a Christmas-style worship dance, Jones said. “This is just another way for our ministry to support (MSS) and this event,” Jones said. “I just love the atmosphere and being able to share different cultures. We are adding to the mix.” Traci Guinn, director of MSS, said she hopes the celebration opens students’ eyes to other
cultures and faiths and how they celebrate the holiday. “We’ve been excited to see the diversity of the presentations range from not only holidays around the November (and) December time, but also throughout the year,” Guinn said. “We are excited that there is so much diversity going on.” Several campus organizations had display tables set up during the event. The Indian Student Association’s display focused on henna tattoos, a design art commonly used in Indian cultures as a ceremonial art for wedding ceremonies and similar celebrations. Between the entertainment were potato pancakes, southern fried wings and pecan pie A holiday | 2A
libby march/staff photographer
Southville senior Comalita Murrell smiles at Mount Pleasant junior Jillian Lukens in the Fireside Room after Murrell’s performance as part of True Worshippers Mime Industry for the Unified Holiday Celebration, held Thursday night in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. Lukens also performed at the celebration, doing a liturgical dance with sisters from Alpha Lambda Christian Society.