Service By \ DBTROrr-A tenaDtwhowas going on a bitter rent strike against her landlord once got into a warm, friendly, conversa- tion with the landlord's little daughter. Observing t&is scene, the landlord turned to the tenant saying wistfully, "I don't know why we can't get along." . Jay Kaplan, Director of the LandlordITena t MediaHon Service of Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services, n es that many landlord tenant disputes do not involve slum landlords or neglectful tenants, . but people with good intentions, who do ndt communicate. . SE VICE OW OPEN The mediation service opened Thursday February n to help landlords and tenant within the boundaries of the City of Detroit settle differences without the hostility of a court battle. Tliose interested in such a ervice or churches, social worke bloc clubs, citizen dis­ trict councils or other com­ munity organizations who want to refer others there, should call 962-0466 ext 1f>7. In court cases, Kaplan noted, both sides are adver- . sarie , with one side judged right, the other wrong and each " trying to prove the other to blame. In mediation, there is no ," I hopesl ItO QUICKER RESULTS Kaplan added that citizens have to wait less time being served in mediation programs than they would in cases going to court. Emphasizing it was not legally binding for either party . to make an agreement and there I , �i t I . ttracting Aft" can .Amer" an question of who is "at fault", but a third party works together ith both .sides to help them find a way to solve their problems. "If mediation is successful, both sides win." Kaplan said. "Mediation enhances the self respect of both parties" As an example, Kaplan notes, how many tenants go on a rent strike, withholding money in order to force a landlord to make repairs. The Michigan Tenant's Right Law allows tenants to withhold rent when a landlord does not keep condi­ tions up to legal housing codes. In some cases, however, Kaplan note a landlord may GOP's working on By Rhonda B. Sewell Capital News Service LANSING -The Republican party has no traditionally at- . tracted the Black and Hispanic vote, but the GOP is trying to change it philosophy, said House Minority Leader Paul Hillegonds, R-Holland. In an interview,. Hillegonds said minorities -- especially African Americans -- have lar­ gely been loyal to the Democratic party. But, the Republican party is beginning to become more sens­ tive to the concerns of minority groups - particularly tho e in , urban areas. "What we are seeing those groups demographically is a ense that the Democratic philosophy, which has been - centralized government and to try and assure equal opportunity through government spending - not be very successful," Hil­ legonds said. "You are now seeing more in­ terest in h Republican philosophy which is - you can't guarantee an equal outcome th ough spending government m ney. But government must be ac­ tive in guaranteeing the oppor­ tunity to succeed after one com­ petes in the private market place." LOYAL TO DEMOCRATS ' Michigan Democratic Party chairman Richard Wiener said African Americans and Hispanics tend to be loyal to the Democratic party because of its responsivene to the working class. "VI e've always done well in appearling to all et pic groups, "Wiener said. "The Democratic party is the most caring of the needs f working men nd women bot Black and wJ.lite and to those who are out of work. , \ r Because of that both Blacks and whites and others tend to vote as Democrats ... our party is sensitive, moreso than the Republican party, to their needs." WE' ener added that Blacks have en the most "consistent and ophisticated" voters, but the Democratic party also ap­ peals to the Michigan's 1 per­ cent population of Hispanics. \. sincerely see such an action as nothing preventing either an insult, and may face practical (rpm going to court, if the difficulties about making ¥ation process seemed un- repairs without rent money to ,'. f.c�ptable, Kaplan admitted pay (I them. hat there were some cases Under mediation, the tenant . re mediation did Dot repre- may agree to negotiate a e t the best solution. schedule where certain repairs Kapla noted that a taskJ were made after partial pay- of the 36th district court meats, Kaplan stated studies ested the idea of such a have shown that parties are pr am and the Detroit City more ready to live up to terms .C neil provided a grant of that they "play an active role- in �,ooo through their Neigh- setting. than they are to fulfill hood Opportunity Fund, be- court orders set by a judge. e council members saw it as In mediation, Kaplan � ay of rehabilitating and added, people see each other.. .. existing housing in the face to face as persons, come to oflhe loss ,of housing stock understand their �ncerns, and ugh neglect and deteroira- find it harder to dismiss each Because the grant came other with labels and the City of Detroit, the stereotypes. An absentee . I . landlord, for instance, with many large apartments might be more able to understand what it is like to live in bad conditions . after meeting with a tenant and developing a personal relation­ ship in mediation. me Inspite of Wiene 's faith in African American and Hispanic Democratic voters, Hillegonds senses an increasing interest among minorities in the Republican party. . But, the Republican party has made mistakes in the past in diverting'its attention away from . the minority vote, he added. "The Republican party must began to attract the increasing population of Hispanics in Michigan and nationally by be­ coming more sensitive to issues affecting that group, Hillegonds said. 'GOP NEED SE SITlVITV' "If you look at the party na­ tionally, the Hispanic vote is a key targeted group, he added. "Quite frankly it was for that reason I was yery disappointed that the state party listed as one of its Issues - whether or not we should make English the primary language. I think that ends out a bad signal - per­ sonally I'm not opposed to bili - gual eduoation. Hillegonds aid African Americans are a harder group to at ract the GOP, be- . cause of loyalty to the II rogram can only se e Detroit sidents, but if other cities ce it, Kaplan indicates that e service wi I assist other eas. Kaplan ho that chu ch ganizatio b clubs social orkers in the epartment of ocial Services d citizen dis­ . ct councils . t refer people t the mediati service, and otes similar ediation or­ . tions have been success­ in divorce an custody cases, n ighborhood isputes, and . or criminal es where the v ctim and t e criminal n gotiate restitution, instea of t . g the matter to trial. , "Such a service can bring e commun itrf togelher." plan stated. '.