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LINCOLN
CENTER
SHOPPING THAT MAKES SENSE
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Baskin & Robbins
Bread Basket Deli
Book Beat
Checker Bar-B-Q
Coats Unlimited
Dillman Chiropractic Life
Dollar Castle
Dots
Eye Rite
Farmer Jacks
Glory Jewelers
Kmart
King Lim's Garden
Lincoln Barber Shop
Magic-Touch Beauty Shop
Marianne Plus
Metropolitan Dry Cleaners
Nora's Alterations
Payless Shoesource
Radio Shack
Richards Boys & Girls Wear
Rite-Aid
Secretary of State
Sherman's - Foot Care
Strictly Kosher Meats
T-Nails
Towne Theater
Winkelman's
I GREENFIELD AT 10 1 /2 MILE ROAD
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go to her and say we have a prob-
lem," Mr. Muchmore said. "She
knows the (Jewish communal)
agencies. Because of her in-
volvement with appropriations,
this takes a leading voice right
out of the dialogue."
A stunned David Gad-Harf,
the executive director of the Jew-
ish Community Council, said he
is most indebted to Rep. Berman
for her proactive role in arrang-
ing a 1990 legislative trip to Is-
rael.
"She has been the eyes and
ears for the Jewish community,
being there to alert us of oppor-
tunities or potential obstacles we
needed to deal with," Mr. Gad-
Harf said. "I guess I'm disap-
pointed. It's surprising because
she has been such a fixture in
Lansing."
Those who support Rep.
Berman praise her for ad-
dressing long-term elder
care, supporting women's c/\
rights, family issues and
public education.
At this point Rep.
Berman does not know
what she will do once she
leaves the Legislature. But
she does plan to work.
"I not leaving here with
the intention of seeking an- (-\
other office, but never say
`never,' " she said.
Rep. Berman, who turns
50 this year, will remain ac-
tive politically, helping the
reelection campaigns of Sen.
Carl Levin, U.S. Rep. Lynn
Rivers and President Clin- ,—/
Maxine Berman leaves the Legislature at the
ton. She will also be helping
end of the year.
Debbie Stabenow with her
House Committee on Appro- bid for Congress.
For months, Rep. Berman
priations, said she considered
ending her tenure in state talked with friends about step-
government after the 1992 elec- ping down, although she kept her
tion but decided not to and thoughts a secret from colleagues
sought office for one last time in until she made up her mind.
Some were unaware of her deci-
1994.
"At this point in my life I think sion even on Tuesday, the day it
I'll be happier being outside of the was made public.
"I didn't want any added po-
Legislature," said Rep. Berman.
One of the high points in her 14- litical pressures," she said of her
year legislative career, she be- secrecy in Lansing.
Although Rep. Berman has
lieves, was sponsoring a
mammogram accreditation law earned the respect of many, in-
in the late 1980s. The legislation cluding her Republican col-
was later duplicated in other leagues, there are those who don't
agree with her staunch pro-choice
states.
When the Southfield Democrat views.
In 1994 Rep. Berman pub-
publicly announced she would
not run, many, including Dennis lished The Only Boobs in the
Muchmore, of Muchmore Har- House are Men, her nonfiction ac-
rington Associates, were sur- count of being a women in a
prised. Mr. Muchmore, a male-dominated Legislature.
Even Mr. Muchmore said Rep.
Lansing-based lobbyist who rep-
resents the Jewish community, Berman has not always agreed
sees Ms. Berman's decision as a with the Jewish community's
major setback for the community. stance. He points to the Jewish
"It's always been easy for us to Home for Aged as an example.
ep. Maxine Berman, a
Southfield Democrat, has
been considered through-
out her tenure a voice in
Lansing the Jewish community
could count on.
Earlier this week, that voice
decided not to seek another term
in the Michigan House of Repre-
sentatives.
"It's time to do something else,"
Rep. Berman said from her Lans-
ing office. "I still care deeply, but
it's an extraordinarily stressful
job, and I'm starting to wear
down.
"People will make supposi-
tions, but this has nothing to do
with term limits. Being in the mi-
nority has nothing to do with it
either. I'm tired."
Rep. Berman, a diehard liber-
al and member of the powerful
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