Last Call
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itti eman
Nights fell peacefully but ended prematurely at
the Kaplan family home in West Bloomfield,
when Steve and Lisa Kaplan's teenage daughter's
late-night returns would consistently wake them
in the neighboring bedroom. This coupled with a
dining room table that would no longer support both
dinners for four and Lisa's home office equipment
led the Kaplans to Gittleman, with a cry for more
space and privacy.
After customizing four distinct plans for the Kaplan's
selection, Gittleman allowed the couple to modify
the winning plan to their liking. "They were really
flexible," praised Lisa Kaplan, whose 3-bedroom
ranch would soon include an office—converted from
hers and Steve's former bedroom—and a new master
suite added to the rear of the house, strategically
buffered by the office to prevent sound from leaking.
The Kaplans commend both Gittleman's
administrative staff and the crew for an unwavering
show of respect and courtesy while rearranging the walls of their bedroom come office. Even•eir
family of gerbils went undisturbed.
Today, the Kaplans are thrilled with what is, essentially, a new home for them. Everyone sleeps
soundly, and the neighbors marvel at Gittleman's flawless matching of 30-year old brick. "I don't
know how they did it!" said Lisa.
They may not share their secrets...but they'll shape your dreams.
Just ask the Kaplans.
GITTLEMAN
CONSTRUCTION inc
28580 ORCHARD LAKE RD., SUITE 102
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334
248.538.5400
www.gittleman.net
2/27
2004
68
CUSTOM
R E NOVAT I O N S
P.
he last
time I
saw him,
he was in
the shadow of the
real candidate.
It was after the
Detroit Labor Day
parade in 2000, and
HARRY
I was standing out-
KIRS BAUM
side a downtown
Columnist
office building with
a few photographers
and other press
members braving a cold wind, watch-
ing garbage swirling around the street.
A man holding a tray of hot dogs,
chips and soft drinks exited the build-
ing and approached the motorcade's
"War Wagon," the black Suburban
with darkened windows and heavily
armed Secret Service agents inside.
The door flew open.
An- agent wearing a
machine gun around
his shoulder like a lap-
top computer case
took the tray and shut
the door in one
motion.
The startled man
glanced around before
returning to the build-
ing.
Vice-presidential candidate Joe
Lieberman was getting ready to leave
the area after wooing the Michigan
labor vote, and a well-fed Secret
Service is a happy one.
At the same time, about 100 feet
away, the Green Party presidential can-
didate, Ralph Nader, surrounded by a
menacing group of handlers armed
with sharpened pencils, climbed into a
minivan.
Nader had the professorial look, clad
in a rumpled suit that would make
Howard Dean's look custom made. He
barely elicited a response from the
press.
Although everyone who followed
politics knew the 2000 presidential
race was going to be close, Ralph
Nader as a spoiler was incomprehensi-
ble.
Nader took enough votes in New
Hampshire and Florida to give the
election to George W. Bush, say the
Democrats.
If Democratic National Chairman
Terry McAuliffe owns a dartboard, I'm
sure Raiphie's photo is on it.
Terry was slinging darts at Ralph on
a CBS Sunday morning news program
on Feb. 22, while Ralph was announc-
ing Spoilermania on NBC.
On Monday afternoon, Nader held
a press conference and offered an olive
branch.
"I'd like to make a personal state-
ment to Terry McAuliffe, John Kerry,
John Edwards, Al Sharpton and ex-
governor Dean: Relax," he said.
"Rejoice that you have another front
carrying the ancient but unfulfilled
pretensions and aspirations of the
Democratic Party. Do not deny mil-
lions of voters the opportunity to vote
for this candidacy. Everyone should
have a chance.
Nader might try to come off as a
noble man chasing windmills, but after
an appearance on MSNBC's Hardball
Monday night, Chris Matthews called
him a 70-year-old man who's never
raised a family, never owned a house
or even a car and said he doesn't have
a grasp of
typical
Americans.
Nader is a
non-event, a
two-week blip
in political
reporting.
He's
entered the
race too late,
he has no
party to back
Bush
him and he'll
be lucky to get on the ballot in
American Samoa.
The Bush administration began
unloading its campaign war chest this
week, but I don't think Nader should
be concerned about the dartboard on
his back.
As much as the Democrats blame
Nader for putting Bush in the White
House, Gore's the real reason. Any
man who can't win his home state
doesn't deserve to be president, and
Tennessee's "favorite son" walked away
with only 47 percent of that vote in
2000, giving Bush 11 electoral votes
and the win.
If Gore wins Tennessee, there's no
Florida, no Supreme Court and no
hanging chads.
If the motorcade shows up during
the Labor Day parade this fall, the
closest Nader will be to the action is if
he's delivering the hot dogs. El