March 24, 2010

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windows 7 | Campus computers upgrading in coming months, 3A which qb will step up? 6A

Meals on Wheels serves as vital part of the community, 1B

women’s week Discussion, poetry among events, 8A

Central Michigan Life

Monday, March 24, 2010

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

[cm-life.com]

HE A LTH C A R E R E F O R M SI G NED INTO L A W

In-state movement petitions against bill Voters could be asked to exempt Michigan in November By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter

Petitions circulated in Michigan to exempt the state from the U.S. health care bill before the House of

Representatives even voted on it Sunday. The bill, which the House eventually approved, was signed into law Tuesday by President Barack Obama. But the Michigan Citizens for Health Care Freedom is seeking to get an exemption from the bill on the ballot for Michigan voters next November, a task requiring 450,000 signatures before July 4. “You need the extra sig-

natures because there are always signatures that will not be accepted,” said Joan Fabiano, organizer at Grassroots in Michigan. If the signatures are collected, the petition would present the bill as a violation of the 14th Amendment, Finance and Law Assistant Assistant Professor Tom Anthony said. “There are lawsuits already being filed to declare the whole thing as uncon-

Inside w See the timeline of health care reform, 5A stitutional,” he said, “and I think they have a case.” There are some states, such as Nebraska and Louisiana, that have been promised no increase in health care costs, Anthony said. The Nebraska exception is being called the “Cornhusker Kickback,” which al-

lows Nebraska to not pay for its expansion of Medicaid, but other states are forced to pick up the tab, according to a news release from the office of Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. This could total more than $100 million. There also are deals for drug companies and federal employees, Anthony said. Federal employees are alA health care | 2A

Transition team meets Thursday with Ross

What’s on

the Web

cm-life.com A look at what you can find off the printed pages

List of members not finalized; meeting is closed-door

On

Facebook facebook.com/cmlife TALK WITH US: Do you think the health care bill is unconstitutional?

By Sarah Schuch Senior Reporter and Tony Wittkowski Staff Reporter

On

Video cm-life.com/category/ multimedia/video

Check cm-life.com for a video on the psychic fair. sean proctor/staff photographer

Live

Chat! SPEAK ONLINE WITH SGA CANDIDATES

Farmington Hills sophomore Chris Plotzke exhales after taking a long drag from a hookah pipe Monday night at the SIX Lounge, 1901 S. Mission St. “I grew up around a lot of hookah shops. They were a great hang out spot,” Plotzke says. “I enjoy the taste and the atmosphere of the bar.”

hookah smoke rising Specialized lounges growing in popularity at CMU

By Jaimie Cremeans Staff Reporter

H

Brittany Mouzourakis

Evan Agnello

JOIN US at 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday for live streams of SGA presidential candidates Brittany Mouzourakis and Evan Agnello! Mouzourakis (Monday) and Agnello (Wednesday) will speak with the CM Life editorial board and answering questions. We invite you to log on and submit questions during the livestreams!

ookah lounges are becoming increasingly popular in Mount Pleasant. Two recently opened businesses are offering students options so they can choose the atmosphere that works best for them. The Smokers Club, 100 S. Mission St., is adding two rooms to its establishment that will be used as hookah lounges and should be open by the end of the month. The S.I.X. Lounge, 1901 S. Mission St., opened last fall. Smokers Club owner Dave Sprunger said he thinks hookah is becoming more popular because it is the cleanest way to

smoke. He said as people become more aware of the dangers of smoking tobacco products, they are turning to hookah as a safer option. “You still get the nicotine, which is why people smoke,” he said. “But it uses steam and water vapor, so there’s no tar.” Some college students, he said, might see it as a way to get around smoking bans in apartments. Sprunger knows a lot of students who smoke hookah because it does not leave stains and a strong smell like tobacco does, and users can choose from a variety of flavors. The Hookah Lounge, inside the Malt Shop, 1088 S. University St., is Mount

University President George Ross’ transition team will have its first meeting Thursday. It will be a closed-door meeting for the president and team members, said Mary Jane Flanagan, executive assistant to the president. Flanagan said the meeting will be “very organizational.” “One of the main things is it is an opportunity for the president to interact directly with the team,” said Phil Squattrito, co-chairman of the transition team and chairman of the Academic Senate. “Ross will go over what he’s looking for.” What Ross would like to see from the George Ross team’s reports also will be discussed, said Kathy Wilbur, vice president of government relations and public affairs and co-chairwoman for the transition team. Three or four reports will be presented to Ross throughout the process, she said. The team consists of six subcommittees — administrative/staff priorities, academic priorities, student priorities, alumni priorities, community/ business priorities and public affairs/communications. Each subcommittee will include 12 to 14 people, Squattrito said. Ross wanted each subcommittee to have a combination of students, staff and faculty,

A hookah bar | 2A

A Ross | 2A

Marquee board at Kelly/Shorts Stadium making up to $450,000

By Amelia Eramya Senior Reporter

Seven people suggested to the Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group that Central Michigan University shut off Kelly/Shorts Stadium’s marquee board during the week and overnight. The answer from the SSBAG said: “Already implemented. The video board is shut down every night between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.” The Kelly/Shorts stadium marquee board is contributing between $400,000 and $450,000 to the Athletics Department’s approximate $5.5 million an-

nual revenue. Although it may seem the marquee board requires a lot of electricity, it’s actually saving energy and creates more revenue than expenses, said Derek van der Merwe, senior associate athletic director. “There’s no expense to the university for the scoreboard,” he said. In addition, about $300,000 more is generated from the marquee boards in Rose Arena and the softball and baseball fields along with $1.2 million in private and alumni donations, van der Merwe said. A total of $750,000 comes in from adver-

tisements and sponsorships from all the marquee boards, he said. About $17,000 to $20,000 was used to operate the power of the stadium lights and marquee board for the 2009-10 school year. The revenue from the boards is generated from advertisements and is the most important part of the board, van der Merwe said. “The board is the most prolific and significant revenue stream that (we) receive,” he said. The revenue helps pay for traveling costs for competitions

within athletics, recruiting expenses and several sports-related costs. Energy conservation While the marquee board was being installed in February 2007, the athletics department followed several guidelines. One of the most important was to conserve energy. “The plan was to find some sort of way to power down the board,” van der Merwe said. A program costing $10,000 was installed to automatically turn off the board between midnight and 6 a.m. “There’s not a lot of need to

have the board running between midnight and 6 a.m.,” said Nick Williams, associate athletic director. While working with Daktronics, the department also chose to use LED lighting, which uses the least amount of power, Williams said. “The board itself is fairly efficient because of LED lights,” he said. Another guideline was to not conflict with the Brooks Observatory, on the roof of Brooks Hall. The athletics department worked closely with the physics department to determine if the

marquee board would affect the night sky. “The athletics department was very sensitive to the possibility that the light from the board would be a problem for the observatory,” said Physics Professor Glen Williams. Glen Williams said based on the times the board would be on, the physics department determined there would be no serious impact on the observatory. “In our normal use of the observatory, we haven’t found it to be a problem,” he said. university@cm-life.com

2A || Wednesday, March 24, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

Today w A Hawaiian Luau, an event with Hawaiian food and a dancing demonstration, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. The cost is $3 for students, $5 for others. w “Machuca,” a Spanish film, will be screened for free with subtitles from 6 to 8:30 p.m in Pearce Hall 327. w “Inspire Michigan,” a competition for students’ social entrepreneurial ideas, will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in French Auditorium. Pre-registered students will be given five minutes to present a project focusing on bringing out a core value in Michigan.

Thursday w A VOX Fundraiser, hosted by Voices for Planned Parenthood to raise money for Isabella County Women’s Aid, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bovee UC’s Down Under Food Court. w An American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place from noon to 5:45 p.m. in Kulhavi Hall 142. w Comedian Mary Mack will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. The event is free.

Corrections Central Michigan Life has a long-standing commitment to fair and accurate reporting. It is our policy to correct factual errors. Please e-mail news@cm-life.com. © Central Michigan Life 2010 Volume 91, Number 69

ross | continued from 1A

Flanagan said, along with alumni and community members in the appropriate groups. “This is a good way for (Ross) to hear from all these different elements,” said Jason Nichol, Student Government Association president and Mount Pleasant senior. “It’s helpful. Students — we think we know what we need, but we miss things.” Web site coming soon A complete list of transition team members has not been finalized, Flanagan said. Invitations were sent out a few weeks ago, and she said more will be named by Thursday. A transition team Web site will be launched in coming weeks, Squattrito said. The Web site will include a listing of everyone involved in the team. It also will be a way to keep the community updated and al-

low team members to keep in contact. Nichol will be co-chairman with Resident Hall Assembly President and Whitmore Lake sophomore Robert Lane for the students priorities subcommittee. When their terms are over, the two new presidents of the organizations will be the co-chairmen, Nichol said. But Nichol and Lane will still be on the committee. Upon Nichol’s recommendation, Brittany Mouzourakis, SGA Vice President and Garden City senior, will serve on the student priorities subcommittee and Muskegon senior David Breed on the academic priorities subcommittee. “I was nominated through Student Government Executive Council,” Mouzourakis said. “It was then approved by administration and Dr. Ross.” Breed has been involved in Academic Senate all year, and Mouzourakis is a good fit for the position, Nichol said.

health care | continued from 1A

lowed to have ‘cadillac,’ or high price plans, without the taxes that regular citizens may be subject to. The petition may be supported by people concerned with its potential to harm businesses as well, he said. Businesses are required to purchase insurance for all their employees. “The mom-and-pop businesses where most jobs are created in the U.S. ... if they are forced to buy health insurance, then they’re going to have to lay people off or close,” Anthony said. There will be a lot of work required for Michigan citizens to be able to vote on a motion this November, Fabiano said. “It’s going to take a huge amount of time and energy and money to be successful,” she said. “The whole reason that they are even doing this

is because it requires a twothirds majority (to vote).” Without two-thirds of the state lawmakers as constitutional conservatives, she said it is up to the people to pass the initiative. And not all the conservative groups are working toward that goal. The Tea Party movement is focusing on other initiatives, Fabiano said, and still supports the health care petition. “We support the resolution and all 10th-amendment resolutions,” she said. “(But) it excludes other resolutions that are being introduced.” State Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, initiated the petition, but his offices declined comment. The U.S. House also approved the Reconciliation bill, now before the U.S. Senate. metro@cm-life.com

Last week, at the announcement of their campaign, Mouzourakis and Breed accepted their positions on the transition team. The pair is running for SGA president and vice president, but Breed said they threw in their names for the team before deciding to campaign. “They submitted our names for the team before we agreed to run (for SGA) together,” Breed said. The rest of the semester will probably be used for subcommittees to meet and plan, Squattrito said. “How much you will see visibly over the next four weeks, I’m not sure,” he said. “Committees will meet and talk about how they will gather opinions from people.” Wilbur said Ross is aware of how little time is left in the semester, but he wanted to at least get things started. The transition process is planned to continue through January 2011. university@cm-life.com

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cm-life.com

hookah bar | continued from 1A

Pleasant’s oldest hookah hangout. Owner Rosie Haddad said she thinks hookah has always been popular among students, but other business owners are just now starting to realize the potential of the lounges in a college town. “We’ve been here for five years, and business has been about the same for the last four years,” she said. Haddad is not concerned with the addition of competing lounges, and said “there’s enough business for everyone.” The addition of the other lounges, she said, just gives students a chance to pick which atmosphere is a better fit. A ‘nice social activity’ Travis Smith, a St. Johns junior, and Jacquelyn Simon, a St. Johns sophomore, said they like smoking hookah because it is a nice, relaxing way to spend time with friends.

“I like the atmosphere,” Simon said. “It’s a nice social activity.” Smith and Simon said they go to The Hookah Lounge about once a week. Haddad said her business is not dependent on hookah sales, since hookah is only a portion. The Malt Shop, she said, has been in business for 40 years selling food, coffee and smoothies. Sprunger said The Smokers Club also is not dependent on the hookah, since it also offers all kinds of tobacco products. However, he wants to make hookah a bigger part. He said he is in the process of acquiring new lines of hookah from Las Vegas so he can offer the latest trends along with traditional flavors. Hookah sales have been up since the addition began, he said, and he expects them to go up even more once it is finished. metro@cm-life.com

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inside life Central Michigan Life

3A

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Windows 7 coming to campus computers Most changes should take place by fall, officials say By Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter

Personal computers across campus will soon

boot to life with the latest Microsoft Windows operating system. They started the transition to Windows 7 from Windows XP on Feb. 24, in a decision made by Central Michigan University’s Distributed Computing Steering Committee. The computers will be

upgraded at the discretion of technicians at each individual college, said Roger Rehm, chairman of the DCSC and vice president of information technology and chief information officer. “It doesn’t have to be a radical shift,” Rehm said. “Whatever we do with Windows 7, it’s going to have a

minimal impact on faculty in the classroom.” The transition is unlikely to take place during the spring semester, as such broad changes can be problematic mid-term, he said. Each part of the school will move at its own pace, but everyone will move forward and most the changes

will be in place by the fall, Rehm said. The upgrades are covered by CMU’s Microsoft Web site license, which costs $265,000 annually and pays for all Microsoft products in use by the university. A windows | 5a

Living a life across cultures Couple promoting entrepreneurship during Flourish Fest By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter

Magatte Wade and Michael Strong are social entrepreneurs and conscious capitalists with more than a few things in common. Wade, a Senegalese-born, France-educated entrepreneur, is married to Strong, a white American. The couple will discuss their lives as a cross-cultural couple during “Living a Life Across Cultures” from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Bovee University Center Chippewa Room. “(They) will share their wisdom and inspiration with the CMU community,” said Hope May, associate professor of philosophy and religion. The event is a part of “Flourish Fest 2010: A Celebration of Human Flourishing, Entrepreneurship & Good Work.” Wade launched her entrepreneurial career around the San Francisco Bay Area, co-founding Adina World Beat Beverages. Strong is the Chief Executive Officer of FLOW, a nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurial solutions to world troubles. May said Flourish Fest’s ultimate purpose is to encourage student ideas. “(This week) is to awaken and stimulate the creative potential of CMU students,” she said. Sanford senior Casey Smith is a young entrepreneur who said he likes to have his ideas heard. Students will pitch social entrepreneurial ideas before judges A cultures | 5a

Flourish Fest 2010 w w

Today: Inspire Michigan! (Competition for Social Entrepreneurial Ideas), 7 p.m., EHS Building’s French Auditorium Thursday: "Living a Life Across Cultures," 7 p.m., Bovee University Center Chippewa Room.

[Life in brief]

Funding rally

Starting at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Lansing Capitol Building, students representing several universities across Michigan will rally to ask for higher education funding, the concealed weapons on college campus legislations and the Medical Amnesty Bill. Central Michigan University’s Student Government Association is arranging to excuse students from classes and will provide busing for those interested in attending. SGA also will schedule a meeting with Education policy makers for students who wish to discuss higher education. Online sign-up can be found at rally.mistudents.org.

CBA dean forum

Gary Koppenhaver, a professor of finance and chairman of the finance, insurance and law department at Illinois State University, will have a forum from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. today in Grawn Hall’s Pierpont Auditorium. He is the second finalist for dean of the College of Business Administration to appear in an open forum. Harrison resident Chelsea Osborne, a sophomore at Mid Michigan Community College, receives CPR instruction Tuesday evening at Morey Courts, 5175 E. Remus Road. The class was conducted by the Central Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, which also hosts another session at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Letter workshop

Career Services’ REACH Peer Advising team is putting on a workshop to help participants write quality cover letters and thank-you letters from 7 to 8 p.m. today in the Bovee University Center Isabella Room. Attendance is free and open to the public. Participants will learn the importance of writing thank-you letters and how to make a cover letter stand out from the bulk. For more information, contact Jana Lewis at 774-3068.

photos by Nathan Kostegian/ staff photographer

how to save a life By Michael L. Hoffman Staff Reporter

Y

ou never know when you may need to perform

CPR. Marie Fussman, health and safety coordinator for the Mid-Michigan Red Cross Chapter, said CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an important skill that everyone should learn. March is Red Cross month and Fussman is running brief CPR training courses. She hosted one session Tuesday night and is holding another at 7 p.m. Thursday at Morey Courts, 5175 E. Remus Road. The courses emphasize non-breathing compression methods of CPR. “Anyone can learn how to do it,” Fussman said. “Even children can perform it on an adult. Studies have shown that chest compressions alone increase survival rates.” Fussman, along with

Red Cross instructor Randy Hauter of Farwell, discussed Tuesday the importance of knowing basic CPR practices. “If we can get people to just call 911 and start compressions, we can make a huge difference,” Hauter said. He said survival rates for people who suffer cardiac arrests outside a hospital is lower than 20 percent if compressions are not started within five minutes. Derick Roland attended Tuesday’s demonstration and said he has been certified twice. “It is absolutely important in order to save lives,” the Harrison senior said. Although he has never had to use his skills, he said he is glad to have them just in case. Tim Prout, a Central Michigan University police officer, also stressed the importance of CPR training. “You never know what’s going to happen or when

Harrison senior Derick Roland and Chelsea Osborne, a Mid Michigan Community College student, listen to Randy Hauter, a Red Cross instructor from Farwell, on how to use a defibrillator.

it’s going to happen and you can learn (CPR) for almost nothing,” Prout said. Fussman said Thursday’s course will not only focus on compressionbased CPR but also on how

By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter

paige calamari/staff photographer

Journalist, freelance writer and photographer Lorna Tychostup will speak on campus about her journey, starting at 7 p.m. today in Pearce Hall 127. Tychostup chronicled the devastation in Iraq and the story of its people as they attempt to regain a normal life. Sponsored by Program Board, the event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Nikki Burnstein at 774-3174.

Musical premiere

to help someone who is choking by showing a DVD illustrating how to perform these acts along with other first-aid information. studentlife@cm-life.com

Wilbur, others speak on women’s empowerment

Kathy Wilbur, vice president of governmental relations and public affairs, left, speaks during a panel discussion with Management Instructor Misty Bennett, center, and Shawna Ross, director of the Volunteer Center, Monday night in the Bovee University Center Auditorium.

Journalist visiting

Misty Bennett’s mother taught her there is nothing she cannot do. The College of Business professor said she understands the reality of that statement even more when she considers the special talent women have in dealing with adversity. “I think we’re uniquely equipped to deal with that,” she said. On Monday evening in the Bovee University Center Auditorium, a panel of three people — Bennett; Kathy Wilbur, vice president of Governmental Relations and Public Affairs; and Shawna Ross, director of the Volunteer Center — participated in a discussion as part of Women’s Empowerment Week, an event sponsored by The Organization of Women Leaders. About 20 attendees posed a variety

Inside w Women’s Week also has events planned, 8A of questions to the panelists, from balancing a family and career, facing adversity and networking. Troy sophomore Griffin McMath questioned what empowers these women every day. Ross said what inspires her is working with her students and other women figures. “Their leadership and ideas inspires and motivates me a lot,” Ross said. “My mom empowers me.” Bennett said with great people as role models, her mission is to be one herself, as a faculty member. “Part of it is getting yourself out there and seeing what your strengths

Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343

A women | 8a

“Working: A Musical,” begins at 7:30 p.m. today in Moore Hall’s Theatre-on-the-side. The life of various American blue-collar workers is explored through monologues based on real-life accounts and interviews with actual working Americans.

Superintendent speaking

Mike Flanagan, superintendent of the Michigan Department of Education, will speak from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. today in the Education and Human Services Building’s French Auditorium. For more information, contact Betty Kirby at 774-1503.

International Film Festival

Broadway Theatre, Celebration! Cinema and the Park Library Auditorium are the main venues where movies will be showcased during the International Film Festival, starting today. Java City, Art Reach, Celebration! Cinema and the CMU School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts are selling tickets. The cost is $5 for an individual ticket and $30 for a bulk of 20 tickets. For locations and times of screenings, see the Web site at cmfilmfestival.com.

If you have an interesting item for Life in Brief, let us know by e-mailing news@cm-life.com.

voices

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” – The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Central Michigan Life

4A Wednesday, March 24, 2010

[cm-life.com/category/opinion]

Brian Manzullo, Editor

in

Chief | Will Axford, Voices Editor | Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | Eric Dresden, University Editor | Jackie Smith, Metro Editor

EDITORIAL | University needs a set procedure for hiring administration

Lack of standards

W

hen it comes to hiring high-ranking officials, you would expect the employer to have set standards and a process in place. But Central Michigan University doesn’t really have rules and regulations when it comes to hiring. How deans and others are hired is anyone’s guess. The fourth largest university in the state should have standards in place for appointing administrators, especially when the positions are in the interest of thousands of students and faculty. CMU is no small business. It’s a public institution, and the positions in question are the highest paid on campus. When Dr. Ernest Yoder was announced as the founding dean for the

Medical College, it came as a complete shock to many. There wasn’t an open forum or a chance for students, faculty and university workers to voice their opinion. Even former prospective dean Cam Enarson, the current interim, held an open forum, despite not taking the job. But given the university’s track record of hiring people, this is nothing new. University President George Ross was appointed without open forums

or any official forewarning. Although having open forums may not be the set procedure for hiring administrative staff at CMU, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be held. The hiring of Yoder, Ross and football coach Dan Enos involve six-figure salaries. These are positions paid for by student tuition. Why don’t students get a voice in the hiring process? These are positions that will affect professors and university workers — why weren’t they a part of the hiring process? Candidates for the College of Business dean position are forced to have open forums. Although the position is not as big as the university president or the medical college dean, it’s still of significant student interest. The fact that these candidates must have open forums, but not the university president or other deans, reflects a double standard in the hiring process. So here’s the message: Set a standard

for hiring on campus, especially those who make major decisions and are paid the big bucks. These standards should be public to everyone on campus so people know what to expect. The majority of positions, if not all, should require open forums, just like that of the dean of business. Officials worry that open searches will sway candidates from interviewing out of respect for their current employer, but it is a larger disservice to students and faculty when someone is hired without community discussion. Those on campus deserve to know who the big wigs are and how they’re going to influence CMU. In an environment that’s aimed at molding young people into entering the workforce and making a difference in the world, there’s no excuse for the lack of standards when it comes to hiring. Lead by example and at least allow the university community to know what to expect.

NATE BEELER [CARTOON]

Hilary Farrell Columnist

Admitting it The more you try to ignore your feelings for a person, the worse off you will be. I could give you millions of reasons why admitting your feelings is the best choice, but I will start with basics. You can not help who you fall for. Every single one of us learned this in regards to our first “love,” also known as middle school. At any rate, falling in love is one of the beautiful and ultimately frustrating features of our species, as well as something you have absolutely no control over. Do not be afraid of it. Love is supposed to be a mess, and it is supposed to be difficult. If you find yourself in it, here are two things not to do. First of all, do not bottle your feelings inside. Picture your emotions as a two liter of Faygo Red Pop, and then open the bottle after shaking it as violently as you can. If you do not deal with your emotions, there is no way you are getting it out of the carpet. Second, do not date other people in an attempt to forget your feelings. Not only is this an awful idea, but I promise your emotions will return with a vengeance if you try to move on without being ready. In my case, my emotions returned after a few beers and a very public scene at The Bird Bar and Grill. As I said, ignoring is a terrible idea. So, if you are like me and are feet over elbows over someone, the best way to handle it is to sit that person down and tell them exactly how you feel. Me, I took my own advice and told the guy. It did not turn out the way I wanted and this is another unfortunate aspect of love; it is not always returned. It is tough if the person does not feel the same, but keep in mind by admitting my feelings, I also saved myself further embarrassment at The Bird. This is not the greatest win of my life, but a win I will take nonetheless.

[our readers’ voice]

Response to McNeely’s letter in Monday’s CM Life On Monday, Colleen McNeely of the Student Government Association decided to overstep her bounds as a student representative and released confidential information from SGA offices in order to sway the outcome of this election. As the information divulged is not publicly available, the Evan for President campaign has filed a FERPA complaint against SGA, because students should not have to worry about being publicly attacked by their own representatives. It is unfortunate that those in power at SGA find it necessary to attack students and CM Life in order to win an election they are losing. We know SGA is flawed. We know SGA represents their own interests, and not the interests of all CMU students. That’s why they accepted over $14,000 in bonuses from the administration and caved when it came to tailgate last year. And that’s what we’re trying to change. Our opponents have a right to support being paid by the administration. We happen to believe that student government should be an independent student voice. Just like CM Life is not run by the administration, so should SGA work toward student interests, not

their own. But no one should fear being called out in the press or otherwise because they disagree with SGA. This campaign should be about issues, not personal attacks. And the fact of the issue is, we can’t keep voting for more of the same. We need new leadership in SGA. I know that when students are given the facts, they will choose the candidate that best represents them. Ben Lazarus Spokesperson, Evan for President Warren freshman

Response to cohabitation in last week’s advice column Last week’s advice column recommended that a community female and her boyfriend cohabitate. This is not good advice for anyone who would like to be in a fruitful and lasting relationship. We can define cohabitation as a male and female living together outside of marriage. This begs the question: why not be married? The answer, as suggested by the columnist, is that it would be a trial period for marriage. What is to be tested? What conditions would restrict you from loving that person? If you cannot commit, it is obvious that you

have reservations about being married with that person. That’s okay. Focus on that and resolve it with your partner. Odds are, cohabitation will not resolve the division between you two and it will only widen and deepen that division. True love is unconditional. Cohabitation teaches how to live, not love, with conditions. Roommates and pets are kicked out because of not meeting exceptions or conditions. That is cohabitation. When you are unhappy in a cohabitation relationship, you will be more likely to blame your partner for your unhappiness. The feeling compels cohabitation. True love is patient. Visit docshare.com for a fine summary of cohabitation statistics with appropriate citations that will lead you to the research behind the conclusions. This is a discussion worth having. It is worth having for the sake of your relationship. Cohabitation exposes the divide between partners in painful ways. It is not the way to love. There will be unreconciled feelings of hurt, loss and spite. Surely, it would be better if we did not kid ourselves into thinking that we can test our relationships like a 90day “risk-free” product trial. Because the risk is the loss of love. Patrick Haggerty Intercollegiate Athletics Director

C M Y o u | How do you feel about the health care bill?

Central Michigan Life Editorial Brian Manzullo, Editor in Chief Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor Joe Borlik, Student Life Editor Jackie Smith, Metro Editor Eric Dresden University Editor Andrew Stover, Sports Editor Ashley Miller, Photo Editor Will Axford, Voices Editor David Veselenak, Online Editor Chelsea Kleven, Lead Designer Advertising Lindsey Reed, Katie Sidell Advertising Managers Carly Schafer, Shawn Wright Multi-Media Marketing Coordinators Professional staff Rox Ann Petoskey, Production Leader Kathy Simon, Assistant Director of Student Media Neil C. Hopp, Adviser to Central Michigan Life

Michael L. Hoffman Columnist

And health care for all Bill approved by Obama has strengths, weaknesses

Well, they did it — love it or loathe it. The Afforable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) was approved. It slipped by the U.S. House by a slim margin of 219-212, and we have none other to thank (or chastise) than our own statesman, Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee. Stupak was one of the last holdouts for the approval of President Barack Obama’s most coveted campaign promise. But the president worked some political magic and convinced the representative to vote for the bill. His vote, along with the votes he brought on board with his support, gave Nancy Pelosi the 216 votes needed to pass the bill. Those votes did not come without some quid pro quo, however. In order for Stupak to vote, and the estimated 10-15 votes he brought with him, the president promised an amendment to the bill that would eliminate federal funding for abortions. Now, the only remaining step is for the Senate to pass the reconciliation bill containing the Stupak-Pitts Amendment completing the legislative process. When Obama was campaigning for president, I was an avid supporter of his platform, especially with regard to health care. I knew that within the next few years, I would graduate college and get kicked off my parents’ insurance plan, leaving me to fend for myself and hoping I won’t get sick. But over the past year, I have become less confident in his plan for universal health care. While the bill includes several necessary measures, the eight months of planning is not enough time to write a fair, comprehensive bill. Some changes I favor are parents being able to keep their children insured on their family plan until they are 26, allowing them the chance to establish themselves after graduating college. Those making below $29,327 a year for a family of four will be given access to Medicaid and those making less than $88,200 a year for a family of four will be eligible for federal subsidies to help cover some of their health care costs. Finally, starting later this year, insurance companies cannot deny people based on pre-existing conditions, giving everyone the chance to get insurance. But the Act is not flawless. The first flaw is that if a person decides to live sans health care, he will be fined 2.5 percent of his annual income for not having insurance. This is not right. Citizens should have the option to get health care but, if they choose, they should be allowed to live without it. The federal government has no place forcing citizens to purchase a good or service. Also, some seniors, primarily those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, could see premiums go up and benefits decreased. Our elders should be receiving more help than this. This is a major victory for Obama, but only time will tell if it was a victory for the American People.

[letters to the editor]

“I really haven’t looked at it. I actually just found out it passed tonight.” Carlos Corondo,

“It’s about time. I’m kind of satisfied with it.” Ashoni Toler,

Bloomfield freshman

“I don’t think we have the money to go through with it.”

Hazel Park sophomore

Kyle Mcevoy,

Metamora sophomore

“I’ve been listening to my parents talk and I don’t think we’re ready for it.” Abby Palmteer,

Virginia freshman

libby march/staff photographer

Central Michigan Life is the independent voice of Central Michigan University and is edited and published by students of Central Michigan University every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and every Wednesday during the summer. The online edition (www.cm-life.com) contains all of the material published in print. Central Michigan Life is is under the jurisdiction of the independent Student Media Board of Directors. Articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions

of CMU or its employees. Central Michigan Life is a member of the Michigan Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the College Newspaper Business & Advertising Managers Association. Central Michigan Life’s operations are totally funded from revenues through advertising sales. Editions are distributed free throughout the community and individuals are entitled

to one copy. Each copy has an implied value of 75 cents. Non-university subscriptions are $1 per mailed edition. Copies of photographs published in Central Michigan Life or its online edition (www.cm-life.com) are available for purchase at http://reprints.cm-life.com Central Michigan Life’s editorial and business offices are located at 436 Moore Hall, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, telephone 774-3493.

E-mail | voices@cm-life.com Mail | 436 Moore Hall Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Fax | 989.774.7805 Central Michigan Life welcomes letters to the editor and commentary submissions. Only correspondence that includes a signature (e-mail excluded), address and phone number will be considered. Do not include attached documents via email. Letters should be no longer than 300 words and commentary should not exceed 500 words. All submissions are subject to editing and may be published in print or on www.cm-life.com in the order they are received.

www.cm-life.com

[News]

Health conference kicks off today Play based on cancer survivors to cap two-day event By Theresa Clift Staff Reporter

Sometimes, it can feel like doctors are speaking a different language. The Communication and Social Action Conference wants to offer suggestions for how to better understand the health world. The conference takes place today and Thursday in Moore Hall’s Townsend Kiva and is free and open to the public. The event’s committee had specific goals it wanted to achieve when planning began for the conference. “We wanted to look at communication, social action, health issues and how they relate,” said Mary Ann Renz, event coordinator and professor of communication and dramatic arts. The conference will kick off with a keynote speech by Neera Tanden at 7 p.m. today. Tanden is the chief operating officer for the Center for American Progress. She was formerly Hillary

Clinton’s senior adviser. Her speech is titled, “Big Change, Big Challenges: Communicating Health Reform in an era of 24-hour news.” At 9:30 a.m. Thursday, speakers will address the issue of health literacy. The session “From Vaccines to Viagra: Social Implications of Health Communication Campaigns” will take place at 12:30 p.m. Then, at 2 p.m., Nancy Eddy, an assistant professor of communication and dramatic arts, will present “Ending the Silence about Mental Illness.” The Waiting Room The final event begins at 5 p.m. Thursday and is a theatre performance of “The Waiting Room,” co-written and directed by Jill Taft-Kaufman, professor of communication and dramatic arts. The performance is based on interviews with cancer survivors, their loved ones and their doctors. Taft-Kaufman’s husband had brain cancer for 19 years. “For me, personally, after my husband’s death, I had been thinking a lot about what it means to live and what it means to have that sort of interruption of living thrown on you,” TaftKaufman said.

As time when on, she realized how many people are directly affected by the discovery of cancer among loved ones or among themselves. The script itself features six characters whose lives have been touched by cancer in a major way, based on personal narratives and fictionalized a bit. “We ended up using almost all their words directly because they were so incredibly insightful and compelling,” TaftKaufman said. “We took down a script that reflected those interviews, so it’s about the experiences of various people in a hospital waiting room; their past, their present and their hopes and fears for the future.” There also will be a discussion after the play. Two other performances will take place after the conference that are independent of the communication conference: one at 2 p.m. Sunday and another at 4 p.m. Tuesday. “This conference addresses very important health issues,” said Salma Ghanem, College of Communication and Fine Arts. “Especially now, because of the universal health care bill.” university@cm-life.com

Appropriations committee visiting in April to hear from students, Ross By Emily Pfund Staff Reporter

The Michigan Senate Appropriations Committee will visit Central Michigan University on April 19. Interim Provost Gary Shapiro revealed the visit Tuesday at a meeting of the Academic Senate. He said the committee is charged with developing the budget for state allocations to higher education. The committee will hear a presentation by University President George Ross and any other university presidents who choose to attend. Shapiro said CMU also is looking for as many as five students to give three- to five-minute presentations to the committee on their experiences at Central. “(The committee members) enjoy hearing from students,” he said. Any interested students

should contact a faculty member, the dean of their college or the provost’s office directly. Student presenters will be chosen within the next 10 days. Other A-Senate business The ad hoc committee responsible for advising Shapiro on posting the results of the Student Opinion Survey on the Portal held its first meeting Monday. Due to a communication error by the provost’s office, the student representatives for the committee were not informed of the meeting and did not attend. “We never got any e-mails about it,” said Dave Breed, Muskegon senior and Student Government Association representative to the senate. Shelly Hinck, professor of communication and dramatic arts, gave a presentation on the progress of the new COM 555: Special Topics in Communica-

tion and COM 255: Special Topics in Communication classes. COM 555, offered for the first time this semester, is a training course for students to become facilitators for the COM 255 course. The COM 255 course will consist of lectures by an instructor and dialogue with small groups of classmates facilitated with students trained in the COM 555 course. Hinck said the two courses were created to give students the opportunity to engage in dialogue with students from backgrounds different from their own. “Research has shown that our students want more opportunities to talk with different individuals,” Hinck said. This semester, 10 facilitators are being trained in the COM 555 course. university@cm-life.com

windows |

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, March 24, 2010 || 5A

of their staff systems have already been upgraded and the response has been positive so far, Gramza said. He said users were especially impressed by the new look and feel of the system and many felt it was more user-friendly. Mike Reuter, director of distributed computing at the College of Education and Human Services, said now is a good time to begin making the switch. “If we wait another year, we could start running into troubles with Windows XP,” he said. The CEHS is pursuing a similar plan as the CHSBS and will have its labs and classrooms ready over the summer and its faculty in transition on an on-demand basis. Any older computers

used for programs incompatible with Windows 7 will simply be left at XP, Reuter said. The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions is upgrading faculty members’ computers, but is waiting on classroom and lab PCs. Gary Wroblewski is the coordinator of applications at the College of Health Professions. He said several classes in the college teach applications which rely on Windows XP and, thus, the upgrades cannot proceed until those courses are updated. “The goal, ultimately, of a migration like this is not to have too much negative effect,” he said.

will learn about the cultures | attend profound needs that all hu-

selves helping others realizing these needs,” she said.

continued from 3a

studentlife@cm-life.com

continued from 3a

No Vista CMU decided not to switch to Windows Vista when it was released in 2007. “Vista just had too many problems and hurdles in implementation to overcome,” said Tim Gramza, the manager of technology at the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Gramza, who also worked with DCSC, said the CHSBS is planning to have its classrooms and computer labs changed by fall. Faculty members’ desktops will be upgraded only at their request to avoid disrupting their work. Some

for “Inspire Michigan” at 7 p.m. today in the Education and Human Services Building’s French Auditorium. Smith started his own nonprofit organization, Cleat Repeat, which focuses on collecting and donating used sports equipment to needy children. He said the “Inspire Michigan” event will give students the opportunity to share their stories. “This will definitely give young entrepreneurs a chance to get their ideas out there; the event is a good idea, this is a really great thing,” he said. May said students that

mans share. “One of which is to see our-

studentlife@cm-life.com

sports Central Michigan Life

6A

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

[cm-life.com/category/sports]

spring football practice

Baseball

CMU plays non-MAC game vs. conference opponent BGSU Schedule dictates teams play four of six in MAC By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter

sean Proctor/staff photographer

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Radcliff practices Tuesday during the CMU football team’s spring football sessions at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. CMU coach Dan Enos said Radcliff has a slight edge to replace former quarterback Dan LeFevour because of the experience he picked up while playing extensively in two games last season.

When opportunity

arises

Radcliff, quarterbacks compete to replace Dan LeFevour By Aaron McMann | Staff Reporter

C

MU has a question mark at the quarterback position for the first time in four years. After setting school, MidAmerican Conference and NCAA records, four-year starter Dan LeFevour exhausted his eligibility from CMU to enter the NFL Draft and pursue a professional football career. Waiting in the wings are sophomore Ryan Radcliff, junior Derek Rifenbury and redshirt freshman A.J. Westendorp, all of whom were on the roster last season. “(Dan)’s stretched the standard very high,” said coach Dan Enos. “He’s been a tremendous role model for these guys to watch in how he’s handled his pressure and himself.” While not officially naming a starter, Enos said Radcliff’s experience has put him ahead of the other two at the position right now. “They’re all in the mix — it’s really too early to tell,” said Enos. “They’ve all done some good things. If I had to say anything, Ryan’s probably a little ahead of the other two just in terms of poise and his ability to function within the offense.” RADCLIFF Radcliff, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Sherwood, Ohio, is

CMU Pro Day When: 8 a.m. today

Where: Indoor Athletic Complex

The lineup:

Jake May/Staff photographer

CMU football coach Dan Enos talks to his team at Tuesday’s spring football practice at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

in his second year of eligibility. He redshirted in 2008 and served as LeFevour’s backup in 2009. As a sophomore, Radcliff went 10-of-21 for 115 yards and two interceptions in seven games. Most of his action came at the end of CMU’s 48-0 win against Alcorn State on Sept. 19 and 31-10 loss at Boston College on Oct. 31. “It’s definitely a plus,” said quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson. “Anytime you’re in that type of environment and you have to go out and take snaps, that enough is

going to help you.” Thus far, Radcliff has taken snaps with the first team and took more snaps than Rifenbury and Westendorp at the three CMU spring practices. “I’m doing all right,” Radcliff said. “Right now, it’s just a big learning process of trying to get used to all the terms and match them up with concepts. It’s nice to have other people in the same boat as you.” RIFENBURY Rifenbury, a 6-foot-3 junior from Deerfield Beach,

The CMU baseball team looks to bounce back at 3:05 p.m. today when it travels to Bowling Green, after losing a series against Illinois State last weekend. While both teams are members of the MidAmerican Conference, the game is not a scheduled conference game and serves as a lead-in to MAC play this weekend. “We don’t have enough weekends to play a threegame series against everybody,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “We play everyone in our own division and, in crossover play, we play four of the six (teams) on the other side. So there’s a two-year span where we don’t play two teams and it rotates after that every two years.” Sophomore left-hander Rick Dodridge (1-1, 1.93 ERA) gets the start for CMU after his last start, Saturday’s game against Illinois State, was canceled due to rain. Dodridge gave up two earned runs on three hits in six innings in his last outing, an 11-5 win against Davenport on March 16. Jaksa said Dodridge’s pitch count will be monitored so he is still available this weekend when CMU begins conference play at Miami (OH). “He’ll probably go the first 75 pitches or so,” Jaksa said. “We want to get him some innings and work in so he’s ready to go by Sunday.” CMU (7-8) upset No. 1 seed Bowling Green 6-2 in the first round of the MAC

What’s on tap: Up next: vs. BGSU; 3:05 p.m. today

Who’s hot? w Sophomore left-hander Rick Dodridge, who gets the start today, has a 1.93 earned run average in three games started (1-1). w Sophomore first baseman Nate Theunissen is batting .302 with two home runs and eight RBIs, while senior catcher Dale Cornstubble is batting .333 with 11 RBIs. w Senior shortstop Robbie Harman is batting .333 in five games since joining the team after basketball season.

tournament last season. The Chippewas lost the regularseason series (1-2). B o w l Steve Jaksa ing Green ( 6 - 8 - 1 ) comes off a 10-7 loss against West Virginia on Tuesday, snapping a fivegame unbeaten streak that included a three-game sweep of Eastern Kentucky last weekend. “We know each other really well so, therefore, we want to make sure we’re ready to go,” Jaksa said. “It’s conference play, basically, even though it’s not a game that counts in your (MAC) standings. You want to put your best foot forward, no question, in this particular game.” CMU leads the all-time series 59-31. sports@cm-life.com

QB Dan LeFevour WR Antonio Brown WR Bryan Anderson DE Frank Zombo DE Larry Knight CB Kirkston Edwards CB Josh Gordy LB Tim Brazzel OL Allen Ollenburger FS Eric Fraser K Andrew Aguila *Wayne State Division-II All-American Joique Bell (RB) *Former CMU defensive back (‘06) Pacino Horne

Fla., is CMU’s longest tenured quarterback on the roster. Now in his fourth year with the team — he also redshirted his freshman year — he has not taken a single snap in a game. Despite the inexperience,

file photo by matthew stephens

Sophomore left-hander Rick Dodridge gets the start against Bowling Green on Wednesday at Bowling Green, Ohio. His Saturday start was canceled because of inclement weather.

A leader | 7a

Softball team looks to add to three-game win streak CMU can add to successful start vs. struggling Titans By Matthew Valinski Staff Reporter

The CMU softball team looks to add to its threegame winning streak today in a doubleheadeer against the University of Detroit Mercy. The Chippewas (10-7) have won eight of their last nine games heading into Game 1 of the doubleheader at 2 p.m. at Buysse Ballpark in Detroit. Junior Amanda Patrick said one of the keys to the win-

ning streak has been the players’ ability to rally around each other. “Our team chemistry is just 100 per- Molly Coldren cent better (than last year),” she said. “Last year, losing got to us. This year, everyone is picking each other up.” Sophomore Molly Coldren has led the way offensively, hitting .377 with four home runs thus far. The past weekend, Central outscored its opponents 20-7 — it played Indiana twice and Southern IllinoisEdwardsville once — and

coach Margo Jonker said team has excelled at getting timely hits. “We have had numerous people come through in key situations,” she said. “And we have done a great job of moving runners and doing the little things.” The Titans (2-6) have had a slow start to the season, but earned their second victory of the season Friday during a doubleheader against the University of MichiganDearborn. They won 9-2 before losing the second game 10-2. Jonker said her pitchers need to continue to stay ahead of the batters in the count if they want to continue doing well.

“For pitching, we always need to get ahead in the count,” she said. “It is all about location and being relaxed so they can get the ball to move.” Junior Kari Seddon and freshman Kara Dornbos have led the way for Central’s pitching staff, going 10-5 combined. Seddon has struck out 51 batters this season in 10 appearances while holding batters to a .234 average. The opponent The Titans have their own pitching combo with freshman Anna Bondy and sophomore Kara Spinelli. The two have not fared as well as Central’s combo, go-

Andrew Stover, Sports Editor | sports@cm-life.com | 989.774.3169

What’s on tap: Up next: vs. Detroit Mercy; 2 p.m. today

Who’s hot? Sophomore Molly Coldren leads CMU batters with a .377 batting average and four home runs. The pitching duo of Kari Seddon and Kara Dornbos is a combined 10-5.

ing 2-6. Bondy has allowed batters to hit .370 against her, and Spinelli has allowed a .426 batting average.

Offensively, the Titans are struggling, hitting .191 on the season. Senior Jessica Liebner is hitting a teambest .350 with one home run, and fellow senior Erica Houthoofd is hitting .333. Besides Liebner and Houthoofd, only two other hitters are hitting better than .200. The Chippewas have been a lot more active on the basepaths, going 30-of-35 on stolen-base attempts. Senior Christina Novak has been caught just once in 11 attempts. Detroit-Mercy has been more conservative, with five steal attempts all (three successful). sports@cm-life.com

cm-life.com/category/sports

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, March 24, 2010 || 7A

[Sports]

Gymnastics

CMU uses ‘MAC Week’ in search for better ending Team uses meet-like practices, looks to banish 2009 finish

MAC Standings 1. Kent State 6-0 MAC, 8-3 overall 2. CMU 5-1 MAC, 11-2 overall 3. BGSU 4-2 MAC, 5-7 overall 4. EMU 2-4 MAC, 7-9 overall 5. NIU 2-4 MAC, 10-7 overall 6. WMU 1-5 MAC, 7-11 overall 7. Ball State 1-5 MAC, 5-11 overall

“It just prepares you for what could happen at a meet, because you never know what could happen.� Kristin Teubner, sophomore

By Nick Conklin Staff Reporter

CMU gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard considers the week of practice prior to Saturday’s Mid-American Conference Championships the most crucial of the season. Tuesday’s and Thursday’s practices involve nearly the same amount of preparation as an actual conference championship — because that is what they are supposed to represent. “We simulate exactly what will happen, and try to make as many distractions,� he said. “We feel like that is the only why we can prepare for that meet.� Reighard employed several different techniques to prepare his team in what he calls “MAC Week,� which essentially means performing in the style of an official conference championship. All of the intricate aspects of a meet are carried out, and the gymnasts are judged and scored during every rotation. Their entrance into an event also is critiqued, as Reighard hopes to simulate as closely as possible the situations the gymnasts will face in at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green. The intense nature of these meets helps prepare the team,

leader | continued from 6A

Johnson considers Rifenbury the most mobile quarterback of the group. “It’s what I’ve been waiting for the entire time. I don’t want to get cocky or anything, I just want to control what I can control and do what I can do,� Rifenbury said. “It’s a lot of new stuff and I think I’m doing pretty well. I just have to continue learning it and carrying out what I got to do to make plays.� WESTENDORP A.J. Westendorp, a 6-foot-1 freshman from Holland Christian High School, redshirted last season after committing to CMU as a late signee to former coach Butch Jones’ 2009 recruiting class. “This system has a lot more versatility, but it’s going to be a lot more complicated,� Westendorp said. “Instead of learning one drop from shotgun, you got to learn every play with two different drops. You have to be ready for either one, which keeps the defense on its heels, but it forces the quarterback to

“We have to really push that mental rock because, if we make a mistake in this meet, there is no tomorrow, and we as coaches have to get the athletes to take it to heart,� Reighard said.

file photo

Last year’s senior class of Jessica Neel (left), Vanessa Rodriguez, Jenna D’Alie and Kyla Krygier show somber faces as they accept the 2009 Mid-American Conference runner-up plaque.

especially some of the younger gymnasts who get a small glimpse of the a t m o s p h e re they will face, R e i g h a r d Kristin Teubner said. Sophomore Kristin Teubner competed on the big stage of the MAC Championships last year, and she is an advocate of “MAC Week.� “It just prepares you for what could happen at a meet, because you never know what could happen,� she said. Crowd noise An unfamiliar part of comthing a little bit more.� Enos said whoever wins the position should focus on what they do best rather than trying to match LeFevour’s productivity. “These guys can’t try to be him — they’re not him — and there’s nothing wrong with that,� Enos said. “Everybody’s got to be their own personality. Ryan may have to make plays differently than Dan did, and that’s OK. As coaches, we have put them in a position to be successful.� PRO DAY Aside from LeFevour and wide receiver Antonio Brown, other seniors will take part in CMU’s Pro Day event Wednesday at the Indoor Athletic Complex. Scouts from almost every

peting on the road in the championship is the crowd noise. With all seven MAC teams involved and four competing in the gym at one time, the noise and distraction is as loud as it will be all season. It is the reason why Reighard began to include fan participation in the week of practices several years ago. He invites fans to come to the gym to help create noise by performing opposing team’s cheers and creating general distractions. He said it tests his gymnasts’ mental strength, and he likes his athletes to practices under these conditions before the actual meet. NFL team are expected to be in attendance, along with several members of the local media. LeFevour will throw to receivers for the first time since competing in the College All-Star Challenge on Feb. 6. He was named Most Outstanding Player for the North in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 30 in Mobile, Ala., the same location where CMU defeated Troy 44-41 in the GMAC Bowl earlier in the month. Several scouting Web sites have LeFevour listed as a possible third-round draft pick, while Brown a fourth- or fifth-round pick. Brown has said he hopes to get drafted early, possibly as soon as the third round. sports@cm-life.com

Tuesday practice The distractions were noticeable while the gymnasts performed the beam rotation during Tuesday afternoon’s practice. Several fans and gymnasts cheered loudly and waved pom poms, while crowd noise was funneled through the gym’s speaker system. Junior Andrea de la Garza said it is important to be

prepared to perform under intense scrutiny with many distractions in the gym. “This is a really chaotic meet, there are a lot of distractions,� she said. “You have to stay really focused and stay within your team.�

Worth mentioning: w Senior Katie Simon was awarded MAC Gymnast of the Week after posting a career-best 39.475 allaround score, including two scores of 9.9 or higher and all four scores above 9.8.

3 p.m. Thursday Reighard said he encourages fans and students to attend the team’s 3 p.m. Thursday practice to help provide a realistic meet atmosphere. Thursday’s practice is the last “MAC Meet� practice of the week before the team departs to Bowling Green.

w CMU’s 196.35 it posted against BGSU was the fourth-highest score in team history.

sports@cm-life.com

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8A || Wednesday, March 24, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

www.cm-life.com

[News]

Fortunes told in new ways Tuesday Psychic fair attracts dozens to Down Under By Jaimie Cremeans Staff Reporter and Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter

libby march/staff photographer

Flushing freshman Andrea Conquest pulls a card from Anne Karpiak’s deck during a psychic fair Tuesday in the Bovee University Center’s Down Under Food Court.

women | continued from 3a

are and making others aware of it,” Bennett said. Mentoring and developing one-on-one relationships are important too, she said. Wilbur said professionally, she has worked at places that were challenging and interesting. And though it was mostly men who hired her, it was the women there who helped her thrive, she said. “Women really do rule — they have your back and I believe, in a different way, men do in the workplace and socially,” Wilbur said. Panelists also touched on how women can overcome diversity. “You do have to balance when

Women’s Empowerment Week w Wednesday: - Women’s Empowerment Celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Main Library Corridor - Operation Beautiful, 8 p.m., Saxe/Herrig/Celani Lobby w Thursday: - Acoustic Jam, 9 to 11 p.m., Carey Hall’s Real Food on Campus w Friday: - Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., The Wesley Foundation w Saturday: - Day of Action, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., throughout Mount Pleasant you do feel that our rights are violated. Stand up for yourself,” she said. Mara D’Amico, OWL president, noted the diversity of the panel. “They provided great stories and a lot for people to take

Students in the Down Under Food Court may have received a glimpse of their futures Tuesday afternoon. A psychic fair there featured five psychics hosted by the Central Michigan University Program Board. They used various forms of divination to read fortunes, including palm reading and tarot cards. Flushing freshman Andrea Conquest said it was eerie to have her fate foretold by psychic Anne Karpiak. “It wasn’t her directly telling me — it was figuring stuff out on my own,” Conquest said.

Karpiak let Conquest draw her own meaning from the stones spread across a sheet of runes — ancient Norse symbols. It was the first time she had ever experienced fortune telling. Conquest said she enjoyed herself and would like to come back for a palm reading, though much of the psychic wisdom likely comes from good old-fashioned observation. “I think she takes what you say and builds upon what you think,” Conquest said. Foxfire, a psychic from Indiana, said she uses a combination of tarot cards; psychometry, the use of senses and psychology; and clairvoyance, the use of spiritual and paranormal senses, to tell fortunes. Each student had 10 minutes for their reading, she said, and they could ask one question about any aspect

By Rachel Mater Staff Reporter

Mary McConner and the men of the RHO Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha would like to dedicate this week to women. The group is hosting Women’s Week 2010, a week-long series of events for Women’s History Month. “I feel it’s nice to show you appreciate them, and I just think of great programs to help spread a message to all the women here,” said McConner, a Detroit graduate student. “The Portrayal of Women in the Media” takes place at 7:30 p.m. today in Pearce Hall 126 and is an open discussion of how women appear in the media. “Message to my Sisters,” seven monologues about different women’s issues, takes place at 8:15 p.m. Thursday in the

Education and Human Services Building’s French Auditorium. Doors will close once the event begins. McConner wrote the monologues, and each one will be performed by a female student. Bath junior John Ketchum expects Thursday’s event to be the most enjoyable. “It’s about different issues women go through. It’s more interactive and a lot more entertaining because it’s women’s emotions shown through a play,” Ketchum said. “They’ve worked so hard on it; they’ve been working on it for two months.”

studentlife@cm-life.com

mix and match two items:

away,” the Kentwood senior said. “These events will help us to connect with strong and successful women on campus and learn about issues facing women across the world.” studentlife@cm-life.com

‘Women’s Week’ schedule starts Discussion, poetry among the events planned

of their life. With limited time, the psychics had to gauge their energy before using the tarot cards to hurry the process along. “We had to rely a lot on clairvoyance,” she said. “Usually, a sense comes through before they even walk up to the table; it’s an energy exchange.” Russell Pfafflin, the special events chair for Program Board and an Allen Park junior, said the group has been bringing psychics to campus for three years. Pfafflin said they are always popular with students. “We usually have around 200 to 250 people,” he said. “It’s been busy.” The group of five was part of Psychic Caravan, an organization that sends psychics to events throughout the country.

The week-long program closes with a poetry contest for poems about women at 7:08 p.m. Friday in Saxe Hall’s basement. McConner said men are encouraged to participate throughout the week. “Just because the events are about women doesn’t mean that men can’t take part in the conversations,” she said. “We have some great events; some have never been done before. They’re absolutely free, you will learn a lot and it’s educational.” studentlife@cm-life.com

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B

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

[cm-life.com/category/news/metro]

Illegal use of prescription pills on the rise

COMISSION ON AGING

Narcotic now third most-sold drug behind cocaine By Ryan Czachorski Senior Reporter

photos by libby march/staff photographer

Mount Pleasant resident Jeanette Homan, 83, laughs while her husband, Art, waits in the car as she prepares to bring a meal to a patron in February for Isabella and Gratiot County’s Home Delivered Meals Program in western Mount Pleasant.

Meals

on

Wheels

Despite a decreased budget, county home delivery program keeps rolling By Randi Shaffer | Staff Reporter

J

eanette Homan spends her Monday afternoons a little differently than most 83-yearolds. The Mount Pleasant resident and her husband, Art, are delivery drivers for Isabella and Gratiot County’s Home Delivered Meals Program, managed by the Isabella County Commission on Aging. Ginny Cain, director of the commission’s Gold Key Volunteer Program, said the Homans are two of more than 60 volunteer drivers for the Home Delivered Meals Program. Homan said she was prompted to take a position as a delivery driver after she heard a radio announcement. “We saw how needed our service was,” she said. “We just felt like we were contributing a very essential service and, who knows, we might need it ourselves one day.” The program works to provide nutritionally balanced meals to home-bound residents of Mount Pleasant and Isabella County ages 60 and older, said Nutrition Program Director Caramel Slebodnik.

Recreational use of prescription pills is on the rise in Mount Pleasant. Prescription pills are now the third most-sold drug on the streets in Isabella County just behind cocaine, according to the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team. Lt. det. Amado Arceo, of BAYANET’s North Team, said approximately 20 percent of the 197 arrests BAYANET made in Isabella County in 2009 were for prescription drugs. The 20 percent figure does not reflect the availability of prescription drugs, he said, because it can be hard to tell if the person obtained the drugs legally. “A car is stopped by any cop, and you’ve got marijuana — that’s easy. You’re going to jail,” Arceo said. “You’re not doing anything

ing high priced food items and has worked to cut employee hours. Come get your meal Drivers spread out at noon each day. Homan said she and her husband have been delivering meals for about eight years. When they first began, the Homans delivered about 27 or 28 meals every Monday. Since then, the two have switched to a different part of Mount Pleasant, and now deliver about 12 meals every Monday.

Homan’s 12 patrons are just a few of the 438 homebound seniors who utilize the meals program. Slebodnik said the baby boomer generation is aging, meaning there is a foreseeable increased demand for home-delivered meals. This increase could cause a potential problem for the program’s dwindling budget. Slebodnik said the worst outcome would be a decreased amount of meals available for those who need them.

A pills | 2B

Funding from Census count uncertain By David Veselenak Online Editor

Slebodnik said the homedelivered meals program has an operating budget of $246,118 in Isabella County a decrease from last year’s budget of $258,678. It is funded by several different sources, including the state and county, millages, funds from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and donations. Slebodnik said the decreased budget is a result of losing state funding and donations from meal recipients. To cope with the decreasing budget in the past, the program avoided purchas-

Trending in college Prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder are particularly popular on college campuses, with students selling the pills to other students looking to aid their studying. San Diego State University research found that 11.2 percent of students at an unidentified southern California campus used unprescribed stimulants within a 12-month period. The same study found 36.6 percent of fraternity and sorority members used unprescribed stimulants. Dave Sabuda, public information officer for the Mount Pleasant Police Department, said the development locally has not gone unnoticed by the MPPD, and the sales normally come in bunches. “It’s an activity that has significantly increased the

city of mount pleasant

City officials hope to keep population count above 25,000

Jeanette Homan, 83, of Mount Pleasant walks back from delivering a meal to meet her husband, Art, in February in western Mount Pleasant. The Homans volunteer every week for Isabella and Gratiot County’s Home Delivered Meals Program.

wrong by having (prescription drugs). What that person does with them is the hard part.”

City officials are unsure how much money the upcoming U.S. Census count will bring in for the next 10 years. But one thing is certain: they hope the city’s population remains above 25,000. “In 2000, when we jumped to the 25,000 mark, we went to a new formula and that’s what we’ve been relying on,” said Nancy Ridley, Mount Pleasant’s director of Financial and Administrative Ser-

vices. “Just in that one year, because our population went over that bracket, we got almost a million dollars.” The city’s state-shared revenue in 2000 was about $3.018 million. In 2001, that number increased to $3.782 million. “We don’t want to go back the other way,” she said. “Our fear is if we go under 25,000, we may lose a million.” If the city does fall below 25,000, it can go through an appeals process if the numbers are close, said Jeff Gray, director of Planning and Community Development. Gray noted, however, he does not anticipate the

A Census | 4B

[inside] Jeff Daniels w Famous alumn to visit Mount Pleasant this summer, 4B

Local Business w Mother and children run Stan’s restaurant, 3B

Gas prices w Increases are expected to reach $3, 3B

Mount Pleasant w City makes 2 percent recommendations for Tribe, 4B

A meals | 2B

From the big city to Mount Pleasant Undersheriff returns home after 26 years in Portland By Ryan Czachorski Senior Reporter

John Tellis has always considered Michigan his home despite living out of state for 34 years. He found his opportunity to return once the under-

sheriff position at the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department opened. Tellis, 56, replaced Laude Hartrum, who became police chief in Pentwater, after working more than two decades in the Portland, Ore. Police Bureau. Michigan has remained a home for Tellis because he has a sister living in Alma, and his other sister and father live in Mount Pleasant. His family played a major

Central Michigan

INTERNATIONAL

A pleasant fit Tellis has fit right into life in Mount Pleasant. He spends time with his family, and has joined a local group of dulcimer players, a pastime of his. He also likes golfing and building furniture. He said he is looking to buy a house with a wood shop. The new personal activities and smaller office have kept Tellis busy. A undersheriff | 3B

jake may/staff photographer

John Tellis was appointed as Isabella County’s new undersheriff in January, starting March 1. Tellis, an MSU graduate, served as a police officer in Portland, Ore. for 25 years.

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part in him accepting the job. “I’ve retired from Portland, and family is important to me,” he said. “Michigan is still home. I’ve always had a fondness for the Great Lakes.” Tellis’ post as commander at the Portland Police Bureau left him in charge of training 1,300 employees. His new position is responsible for helping the day-to-day activities. Tellis took over as undersheriff March 1.

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2B || Wednesday, March 24, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com/category/news/metro

[community]

Millage increase could End to Caul’s term could decide fate of county roads affect CMU capital projects

By Carisa Seltz Staff Reporter

Bill Caul’s six-year tenure as the area’s state representative will end in December — and the turnover has some questioning the effect on Central Michigan University’s future capital improvement projects. Rep. Caul, R-Mount Pleasant, has sat on the state’s joint Capital Outlay Committee throughout his three consecutive terms. The committee hears requests from officials at the state’s 15 public universities and 20some community colleges each spring to draw funding for campus Rep. Bill Caul projects. Caul helped lobby for $37.5 million for CMU’s Education and Human Services Building, an amount which covered 75 percent of the project’s estimated total cost. Toby Roth, director of Government Relations, said Caul has been “very accessible” and a “good friend” to CMU. “He’s really been a huge advocate for us in Lansing,” he said. “It does hurt when you lose a member who has the experience that he’s gained over six years and, now, you have to try to start over.” Roth said the next local rep-

Pills | continued from 1B

past few years,” he said. “All of a sudden, you’ll just get hit. They come in groups.” Sabuda said officials have received calls from doctors concerned when the number of people requesting certain prescriptions spikes. One factor contributing to the reselling of prescriptions are people who do not know what to do with the drugs when they no longer need them. Arceo said a few pharmacies have started programs where they will take customers’ unused pills back. “If you flush them down the toilet, you’re putting those drugs in the water system,” Arceo said. “How do I get rid of this stuff?” Taking action BAYANET uses sting operations and fake transac-

Meals | continued from 1B

“If there was money for the demand, it wouldn’t be an issue,” she said. Brenda Upton, executive director of the County Commission on Aging, said the meal recipients were split evenly between Isabella and Gratiot counties. Slebodnik said each meal contains a protein source, in addition to a vegetable dish, a fruit dish, bread and milk. “Some of the clients that

“It’s critically important that we continue to have quality facilities to draw students to the university.” Bill Caul, State Representative

resentative will likely have an open door to campus as well. Caul maintains it is something he will encourage. But more specifically, Caul said he will urge the representative-elect to request a spot on the Capital Outlay Committee. “It’s critically important that we continue to have quality facilities to draw students to the university,” Caul said. In the last ten years, two other construction projects at CMU were partly funded by Capital Outlay funds: the Charles V. Park Library and the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions Building. For each, Ray Christie, vice provost of Academic Administration, said Capital Outlay funded 75 percent of the projects’ total cost. Caul said his wife Sandy, who represented Mount Pleasant from 1998 to 2004, was on the committee when officials sought funds for the library and health professions building. Caul also played a role when CMU vied for funding for its proposed biotechnology building two years in a row. The proposal, so far, has been unsuccessful. Caul attributes this to CMU’s recent “education project,” or construction of the new Education and Human Services Building. Persuading the committee to allocate additional funds to CMU so soon was difficult.

“We kind of needed to wait our turn,” he said. However, Caul saw some success advocating for Mid Michigan Community College when he was first elected in 2004. He supported the construction of MMCC’s Student Orientation and Academic Readiness Building and helped secure Capital Outlay funds to finance 50 percent of the $14.5 million Herbert D. Doan Center. MMCC President Carol Churchill said Caul and his wife understand the role MMCC serves. “They understand our mission and they understand that our programs lead to jobs,” Churchill said, noting Sandy currently serves as chairwoman to Mount Pleasant’s Advisory Committee for MMCC. Caul said he has not given up on bringing the biotechnology building into another Capital Outlay bill. He said it is possible a bill could come after the November elections and the “new” legislature takes office. “Those people that are elected in November will be taking office in January so it’s possible,” he said. “But we’ll have to wait and see on that.” So far, just Christine Alwood, CMU’s director of Stewardship and Donor Relations, has thrown her name in the ring to take Caul’s place.

tions to catch people selling prescriptions, said Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski. Suspects also are apprehended with help from other dealers. “Most of the arrests come from people caught with illegal drugs,” he said, “and work with the police to reduce their sentences.” When working with buyers and setting up deals, informants say prescription drugs are available about 90 percent of the time, Arceo said. While the MPPD and sheriff’s department occasionally make arrests for reselling prescription drugs, BAYANET is the leader in arrests for all drug busts.

ing place in Isabella County. Fifteen were in Clare County, and four in other counties. Arceo said there also has been a slight increase in heroin sales. “It’s an old-school drug,” he said. “Not just here in Mount Pleasant, but the other three teams are seeing that as well.” He noted the increase was small and not significant enough to consider a trend.

Other drug activity Despite the rise in sales of prescription drugs, marijuana still accounts for the majority of BAYANET’s arrests. In 2009, BAYANET’s Mount Pleasant branch arrested 216 people, with 197 arrests tak-

we deliver meals to are home bound and very isolated,” Cain said. “We’re filling a very basic need — a nutritious meal.” Cain said many of the families of the meal recipients count on the delivery drivers to check on the safety of their loved ones. This is one of the reasons, Slebodnik said, the meals program is valuable. “It’s so important to so many people ... the person receiving the meal and their family members,” she said. metro@cm-life.com

A two-millage increase could find its way on the ballot in Isabella County next November. On April 6, the Isabella County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to consider the potential increase, which would generate $2.3 million over the next eight years for work and maintenance of county roads. The city of Mount Pleasant would receive approximately $860,000 of that money. Isabella County Road Commission Manager Tony Casali said county roads are quickly falling apart and, without funding, they will get worse. “It is still not going to fix everything that we need, but this is going to bring us to a standard of where we need to be,” Casali said. Since 2004, the Road Commission has lost more than

$910,000 from its budget. County Commissioner George Green said this plan has been really well thought out. “It is a pretty viable plan that they have come up with,” he said. “It is an aggressive plan.” Currently, the county has 1,166 miles of road, 495 of which is paved. Board Chairman David Ling said the county might not have a lot of other choices. “If we are going to address the problems that we have, then I really don’t see any other options for us,” he said. “The revenues are simply not going to be there.” According to the Road Commission, the county currently has 149 miles of paved road it considers to be in poor condition. This is compared to 65 miles of paved road it considers to be in very good condition. Out of the 114 bridges in the county, 36 are structurally deficient. Ling said he thinks

funding would be good for the county. “The roads are deteriorating rapidly, so I am personally supportive of this,” he said. Ling said he does not know if this is likely to be favored by voters if approved by commissioners. But he said the smaller townships could make a difference. “For those people in smaller townships, a two-mill increase is quite a significant impact on them,” he said. The state’s primary source of transportation funding comes from the gas tax. Casali said that is a huge reason the Road Commission is losing so much money. “As long as the gas prices go up, there are going to be people that just don’t go anywhere,” he said. “It looks like it is going to be over three dollars again this summer.” metro@cm-life.com

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cm-life.com/category/news/metro

[community]

Gas prices expected to hit $3 Students looking for ways to counter increases By Randi Shaffer Staff Reporter

photos by nathan kostegian/staff photographer

Tammy Germain, owner of Stan’s, 220 E. Broadway St., works the kitchen Sunday morning. “We’re going to stay constantly busy today,” Germain said about the flow of morning customers.

From cashier to owner Local resident runs Stan’s restaurant with her children By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter

Working downtown has been a part of Tammy Germain’s life for more than 25 years. The owner of Stan’s, 220 E. Broadway St., started as a cashier in 1983 and bought the store in 2000. Now her three children, Joshua, Samantha and Tara, work there with her. “Ever since I started here, I knew I wanted to be the owner of Stan’s,” Germain said. “Throughout the years, I went through a couple owners, three maternity leaves and the opportunity came up in 2000 to buy it.” She is the fourth owner of Stan’s, including Stan himself, who she worked for. The store has been around since the 1950s — first as a bakery, later as Paul’s and now as Stan’s. The feel has been the same over the years, and so have some of the customers. Beverly and Vernon Acker have been coming to Stan’s since Stan was the owner. “It’s sort of followed the same pattern on everything,” Beverly Acker said. “We like the food, we like the home atmosphere ­— homemade bread, homemade soups ... they usually make everything

Riverview junior Brittany Redmond, right, and Northville sophomore Megan Knoth, enjoy breakfast Sunday morning at Stan’s, 220 E. Broadway St. “We just recently started coming here. It’s cheap and has good food. It’s our breakfast spot,” Redmond said.

from scratch, which is nice.” Keeping it in the family Known for its breakfasts, the restaurant’s formula has worked, as Germain said she has seen more customers over the years. Everybody loves breakfasts, but the store is just as famous for their homemade turkey and other foods, Germain said. Customers would like the store to expand and often have to wait for a seat on the weekends. But there are no plans for expansion, Germain said, though she does hope to renovate. “Our major goal is ... just overhauling the kitchen because the equipment is so old,” she said. Her daughter, Tara, has a lot of experience working with the equipment and every oth-

undersheriff | continued from 1B

“It’s going from being a specialist to being a generalist,” he said. “It’s a much broader range of activities. I am busier in Mount Pleasant than I was in Portland.” Tellis, a Harper Woods native, joined Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) in 1976 after graduating from Michigan State University. His work with VISTA, now part of AmeriCorps, had him doing social services and working with runaway youth. After his time with VISTA,

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, March 24, 2010 || 3B

he spent some time working in the logging industry before joining the Portland Police Bureau in 1984. Since he joined, he rose through the ranks to commander, gaining experience that was valued when the department hired him for the vacant undersheriff position. “He has a very good resume,” said Det. Sgt. Dave Patterson, who sat in on Tellis’ oral presentation. “He’s got a lot of experience. The hard part for him is learning the Michigan law.” Tellis said his goal is to use that experience to help the

er part of the business. “When I was in fifth grade, I started helping the old owner out,” she said. “I started out bussing tables and grabbing cash — I had a little stool up there because I couldn’t reach, but someone taught me how to do it.” When she started working, she looked forward to being a waitress, and is now waiting tables to raise money to go to Mid Michigan Community College. Her children’s interest in the store is not news to Tammy Germain. Only her youngest, Tara, is expressing interest in leaving. “It’s definitely a lot of work, and we need our whole family to run it,” Tara said. “I love it, but I’m going to explore other stuff too.” metro@cm-life.com

sheriff and the department. Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said Tellis has fit right in at the department and his personality draws people to him. “He’s getting along with everybody,” Mioduszewski said. “I think he’s going to make a great undersheriff.” Despite being new to the area, Tellis wanted to stress the importance of being a part of the community. “I’m definitely a community-oriented person, as policing is a community-involved activity,” he said. “I don’t want to be viewed as an outsider with ideas that aren’t community ideas.” metro@cm-life.com

Gasoline prices nationwide are expected to top $3 per gallon within the next few weeks, according to a recent oil and gas analysis. The national average for gasoline rests at $2.75 per gallon, analysts say, up 81 cents from a year ago. Tabitha Rulapaugh, shift manager at Shell gas station, 718 S. Mission St., said she is not surprised by the projections. “I actually personally do believe (gas prices are) going to hit three bucks,” she said, “if not more.” The state average gas price Tuesday afternoon was about $2.80, as reported on michigangasprices.com. For many students at Central Michigan University, the

potential spike in fuel costs could cause some financial difficulties. Austin Denton is one of those students. The Clarkston freshman’s 1999 Ford Taurus SE gets roughly 22 miles per gallon. “I don’t like (the rising gas prices),” he said. “I can barely afford gas as it is.” Denton said the situation would prompt him to walk and bike more, instead of driving his car. Even now, Denton says he drives only about three times a week. He also is considering a Flex Fuel vehicle to help counter the amount he spends on gasoline. “You gotta deal with it — what can you do?” he said. Marysville sophomore Chris Dunham also has concerns. “It sucks,” he said. “It costs a lot to fill up my truck as is.” Though Dunham is unhappy about the potential rise in gas prices, he said the rise would not cause him to change his current driving

routine. Sarah Holey, assistant manager of 7-Eleven, a distributor of Citgo gas at 2397 S. Mission St., does not think many people will cut back on driving despite rising fuel costs. “People will still buy gas, no matter how much it costs,” she said. “People will pay anything you put out there.” Holey said she thinks the timing of the increase is peculiar, and this type of increase normally comes closer to summer. Though a quick spike may be on the horizon, recent reports indicate there is no evidence the high prices will stay. “(The price of gas) goes down, then it comes right back up,” Rulapaugh said.

Senior Reporter Ryan Czachorski and the Associated Press contributed to this report metro@cm-life.com

4B || Wednesday, March 24, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com/category/news/metro

[community]

Distressed property loans postponed again

Jeff Daniels coming to area for downtown concert series

Commissioner: Repayment language is too vague

Actor Jeff Daniels will perform in downtown Mount Pleasant on Aug. 21, the Saturday of Central Michigan University’s Welcome Weekend. Max and Emily’s Summer Concert Series aims to bring Michigan talent to perform in Mount Pleasant each summer, said Tim Brockman. Brockman owns Max and Emily’s, 125 E. Broadway St., and came up with the idea to have Daniels perform. “I e-mailed his agent and explained what we were trying to do with this summer concert series,” Brockman said. “I’ve only spoken with his agent ... but he said that (Daniels) was kind of exited to come and do a show.” Daniels, who attended CMU in the 1970s, works as a recording artist and actor, appearing in movies such as “Dumb and Dumber,” “The Five People you Meet in Heaven” and “Gods and Generals.” “I think it’s going to be fantastic to have a headliner with the talent that Jeff Dan-

By David Veselenak Online Editor

Mount Pleasant City Commissioners again tabled a decision Monday on loans for distressed property. The commission postponed the transfer of $100,000 to the city’s Downtown Development Authority to loan money for purchase of distressed, or unoccupied, property along Mission Street. Commissioner David McGuire said he felt uncomfortable approving the transfer, noting the lack of enforcement language in the proposal may complicate the city’s efforts to get its money back. “The whole idea of postponing this was to make sure our ducks were in a row,” he said. “It sounds to me that all the research

hasn’t been done.” Commissioners postponed the transfer at a meeting Feb. 8, citing economic times the city is facing. On the same day, the commission approved $300,000 to be transferred for low-interest business loans along Mission for facade and site enhancement and new operations. Rich Morrison, director of Community Services, said there are no prospective buyers of any of the distressed properties, including the former Roosters Restaurant, 1329 S. Mission St. “I don’t think we’ve made a commitment on the funds,” he said. The proposal states, “As there may be additional parties with an interest (loan) in the property purchase component, we are working on the remedy that will best protect the city’s funds. As there may be additional parties with an interest (loan) in the property purchase component, we

are working on the remedy that will best protect the city’s funds.” City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said the city had not drafted the loan language yet. “The work that is remaining is the loan documents ... including penalties for not paying,” she said. McGuire said the uncertainty of repayment is too risky for approval. “‘Likely’ and ‘working on’ sounds like they’re not done,” he said. “If we don’t have anyone standing around for it, why rush it?” Commissioner Kathy Ling initially voted the transfer down and vowed to do the same Monday, saying zerointerest loans may not be the way to stimulate business along Mission Street. “There has been a fair amount of research that says they’re not as (helpful),” she said. “I’m just not sure it’s worth the risk.” metro@cm-life.com

By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter

City Commission recommends several projects for Tribe’s 2 percent funding Ranney well, Youth Services Unit among requests By David Veselenak Online Editor

The Ranney well rehabilitation and the area’s Youth Services Unit were two projects the Mount Pleasant City Commission would like to see 2 percent Tribal funding go toward. Commissioners tallied their top five projects they prefer to see funded by semi-annual 2 percent allocations from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The amount requested totaled $913,618. “We’re very hopeful,” Mayor Jim Holton said. “Hopefully, I can accept the check.” Also included in the re-

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population dropping below 25,000. The exact amount of funding from the census will be unknown until next year, Ridley said. She said funding has decreased by almost $1 million since 2001. “The number I’m using for our 2010 budget is $2.7 million,” she said. “So we’ve already lost a million because of all the cutbacks the state has done.” Gerrymandering The census is conducted every 10 years to count residents, determining representation and federal funding for communities. Jayne Strachan, an assistant professor of political science, said the redrawing of districts that takes place next year can become “a very political process.” “They always try to gerrymander — it doesn’t matter which party,” she said. “If you have a state legislature that is strongly controlled by Democrats, they will try to draw lines that will favor Democrats. If you have Republicans, they will try to favor Republicans.” Gerrymandering, a term coined by the Boston Centinel in 1812, describes the process in which the party in power draws a political district to favor that party. The term comes from Elbridge Gerry, the former governor of Massachusetts, who drew a district shaped like a salamander. But Strachan said gerrymandering could be eliminated if the government decides to use technology to do the work. “That’s more fair. Maybe

quests were energy efficient city streetlights, the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and street overlays and resurfacing. The tribe allocates 2 percent of its revenue to local municipalities, namely Mount Pleasant and Union Township, twice a year, and the most recent distribution included about $5.4 million. Holton said the tribe will usually allocate funding toward projects it can benefit as well. The items requested, he said, should meet that standard. “Those are very high on the tribe’s list, too,” he said. “If it has an interest to the tribe, they’re interested.” Each commissioner listed his or her top five projects, and the top five would be sent to the tribe for approval. Other projects, such as tree purchasing and plant-

not a square, but straight lines,” she said. “There are ideas, but it’s hard to take that away from the state legislatures, because they lose so much political leverage.” CMU’s impact Kathy Wilbur, Central Michigan University’s vice president of Government Relations and Public Affairs, said census information is not used to determine funding for the university. The effects from census data at CMU usually come indirectly, such as the area’s roads and hospitals, she said. “The state has never looked at enrollment factors when determining funding. We wish they would,” she said. “It just has the potential to make Michigan look like a poor state.” Census data also is used to help determine applicant pools, Wilbur said. Enrollment was at an all-time high last fall at 20,444, but freshman enrollment was down 4.5 percent, according to previous reports. “There are fewer young people going to Michigan high schools,” she said. According to a report by the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University, the state lost 641,420 residents between 1990 and 2000. Strachan said the population is expected to decrease again this census. The decrease will likely result in the loss of one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, perhaps two. “The projections for Michigan are to lose population for the next 10, 15 years,” she said. “We are educating people at CMU and then they’re leaving the state.” metro@cm-life.com

ing, parking lot repair at the Mount Pleasant Airport and the Riverview Apartments window replacement were not included in the proposal. One reason for not including the window replacement was because the Housing Commission had stated it had enough funds for the project, said Commissioner David McGuire. “We were assumed by the board ... that they had the funds for their needs,” he said. “They had made it clear they had lots of money.” Parks master plan The commission approved the parks and recreation master plan in a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Jeffrey Palmer being the lone dissenter. The approval marked

the end of a months-long process, which included three public hearings. Commissioner Kathy Ling said she would like an update of the development of a swimming pool, which is included in the master plan. “Having a few specifics would make me feel better,” she said. Chris Bundy, director of parks and public spaces, said the biggest problem would not involve the city, but other local municipalities. The pool would most likely be created in conjunction with other governments, including the tribe and Union Township. “Our major roadblock we had is the partnership aspect,” he said. metro@cm-life.com

iels has,” said Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller. “By bringing a crowd that size, they’re going to bring 2,000 people to the businesses’ doorstep.” Brockman thinks the concert will bring up to 3,000 people to downtown Mount Pleasant, but he did not intend for the summer concert series just to draw people Jeff Daniels to his business, he said. Max and Emily’s does not do enough business to cover the costs of the concert, Brockman said. It is something it does to offer a wholesome family event. “It’s just stuff for people to do right now, especially right now, while times are tough for people,” he said. “We have the show right out in the middle of Broadway Street. We’re grilling outside and doing stuff.” Brockman would like to tie the concert into a donationcentered event. People will be able to donate to the Red

Cross Infant Food Pantry, he said. He hopes to collect 1,000 cases of diapers. The idea for the summer concert series took root a few years ago, Sponseller said. The downtown sponsored the series, but did not have the budget to bring in large acts because the event was weekly. Three years ago, Max and Emily’s stepped in as a sponsor, and it now handles the band and the sound systems, she said. Downtown Mount Pleasant only has to take care of logistics. Isabella Bank and Trust also is partnering with Max and Emily’s for the concert series. “It gets people downtown, and we have a nice downtown for people to visit,” said Mary Olivieri, community relations director for Isabella Bank and Trust. “Plus, it is just a ton of fun for anyone who enjoys music.” The Max and Emily’s Concert Series will host Brian Vander Ark, former lead singer for The Verve Pipe, on June 10. There is no date or artist yet in place for the July concert. metro@cm-life.com

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