I I
11
\
Edi begins peace
�I s with H.P. ayor
By
lUGHLA D PARK- ues­
day November 22 in front of
members of the Michigan
Public Service Commission
(P.S.C.), Highland Park Mayor
Martha G. Scott began talks
with representatives of Detroit
Edison about the possibility of
keeping the utility's Highland
Park office open.
Fred Ferris, administrative
assistant to Mayor Scott stated
that Edison still wished to close
its office and Mayor Scott in­
sisted that any closing of the of­
fice was "unacceptable."
However, Ferris stated that
there was "foreward movement"
and "ongoing dialogue" and ex­
pressed some gratification that
"Edison has had to come to the
bargaining table."
Ferri stated Scott still wants
concerned citizens to express
their views to the P.S.C. by
either dialing the number of its
consumer affairs office, toll
free, 1-800-292-9555 or by writ­
ing its chairman,. William E.
Long, Public Service Commis­
sion, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing,
Michigan 48909.
According to Ferris, Edison
proposed threeto four alterna­
tives, which would make the
closings easi r for those in­
volved. Ferris stated he could
not explain what these alterna­
tives were, because both sides
were involved in negotiations.
The city requested further
information s that it might
respond to the alternatives, Fer­
ris stated, but be' emphasized
that the mayor considered any
) solution was "unacceptable"
which did not involve keeping
the office open.
Another meeting will be held
around the wee of Christmas in
the middle of December, Ferris
tated
"The mayor wants Detroit
Edison to stay in Highland
Park, " he s ted
However, he stated, "This
was the rust meaningful discus-
ion we've have had with Detroit
Edison thus far. Before action
was taken by the P.S.c., the or­
ganization regulating Detroit
Edison, none of the alternatives
were offered to us. Edison has
had to come to the bargaining
table."
Earlier this year, Detroit
Edison planned to clo e the
Highland Park office December
19, but fter testimony before
the Public Service Commission
(P.S.C. byth mayor, public of­
ficials, community organiza­
tions d a large number of
senior citizens, the P.S.c. got
Edison to agree to a three
month delay until March 31.
P.S.C. Chairman William
Long ted that in the nexl30
days the P.S.C. would try to
negotiate a compromise be­
tween both Edison and the
mayor, which ould be c-
\..
tory to both parties.
Long promised that if a
mutually acceptable agreement
could not be reached in that
time, the P.S.C. wo ld grant
'Scott's request for a public
hearing on this' issue in the City
of Highland Park, where those
most affected could attend
The November 22 meeting
was the first stage in the attempt
at negotiations.
Ferris credits this "foreward
movement" to Mayor Scott's
"people po er" approach, get­
ting "in front of this issue,"
:ma� it "a common rallying
point and getting community
organizations and individual
citizens involved
If this had not been made a
"common issue" by the people
and supported by city officials
and influential state legislators
and if it had not received "a good
response from the press", Ferris
predicts that "the Edison office
would lhave quietly closed and
they would have been out of
here."
Re presenting Detroit
Edison at the rust negotiation
meeting were the utility's vice
president Burke Schneider,
Edison I bbyist Nancy Moody,
and the head of the Detroit
Division Ron Klinect.
Joining the mayor were Fer­
ris and City Attorney Darnell
Dickerson.
State Senator Virgil Smith
and State Representative Alma
Stallworth, two state legislators
who supported Mayor Scott at
the public hearings, were also
pre ent.
William Smith, administra­
tive assistant io Stale Represen- .
tative Carolyn Cheeks Kil­
patrick was also there.
P.S.C. Chairman Long stated
that tate Representative Ter­
rell was not able to attend, but
s e spo e with him about the
issue over the telephone.
Ferris stated the general
public was not aUowed to attend
the negotiations meeting.
HIGHILA
I
The most' �owe�ul antlnote to crime ever·
known to the B aek ccmmumty was a simple mes-
sage: 'What 0 elsow one also �eaps.1I _
. � I· I .,
That message said t lis If children were t be
inspired' by the ideal of being their brotHers
I keepers, they ollJld re eive that inspiration f�om
adults who sub cribed 0 the same value, not only
. in WO�d, but by deed a well: .l . I
That message gave ssurance th t the pursuit
of axe lIence as not i vain.: It also gave mean­
Ing to the frustrations trials and sacrifices Iwe
made for each enerat on 0 succeed the other.
That message impli d that love, unity, respect
and courtesy a e the f ndamentals of a progJies­
sive communlty and t at coope�atibn connects
the minds of people, and that an communi y
which ignores his imp rtant item on the ge a
must suffer so ner or ater accordingly. It aid
'progress is not aut matic, but comes a Iy
through denberate efta and deep c mmittm nt.
Highland Park we lov you and hope you ace pt
our way of saying than s for helping us make out
first' annual banque� a s ccess. ' I
Shop
in
your
community
and
. watch
it
grow
J '
d business on the ag n-
I
l' Join us in the
da
Earl Wheele -President
. Lin ey P.ort -Corresponding Secretary
Jo n Hollo y-Program Chairman
l .