HIGHLAND PARK omen. 1 te t call, the 0 I m oin to t 1 bout, ppened the other mornin t 4:04 a.m. Bin o. J t li e B d e Charlie, that bl ted i trument II' ened m . "H llo!" I yelled. "Wh t nut i thi lling m t 4 o'cloc in the m rnin ? "It' me, Wrote. Wichita. Sam, Sf ter P rl nd I drew tit night to ee who would call you to d' very important m tter." "TIle only thing th t' important to me at 4 a.m. is leep," I replied. "Why n't you nocturnal wha vers pick reaso I ble hour to call?" "H h, Wrote. You're wasting time. Besid . I have 10 of thin to do. By the way, do you believe in love?" "No! I don't believe in anything except you do your thing and I'll do mine. Why? Are you and Sam thinking about eloping?" I asked, thinking, "PI e, God. Let her ay yes." "Why I ked doesn't matter but what we three wanted to know is: who do you think will win the mayoral po ition in Highland Park?" "Whomever gets the mo t votes. Are there any more questions?" "Yes. There are a couple of other questions. Have you ever heard of a $4 million water bill?" "No," I replied. "But the city could have made a mistake on your bill. Sometim s a computer will go berserk." H.P. Youn honor d By 0 IG L HIGHLAND PA K-Two young Highl nd Par boy received certificate of p- preci tion from M yor Mart G. Scott before the city council for acts of bravery. Keith Taylor and Nichol Looney helped nior citizen by pprehending a criminal who tole her purse. T ylor suffered bra ion in the proce . Taylor w pre ent to receive hi awa but Looney w unable to be there. I G TI G equipment from th three citi ponded d the burning brick building which n Bell 'for new law Michig lobbi By NATHANIEL COTT !!11� HIGHLAND PARK- There w a meeting of the' ues if not of the mind Monday, September 16 at the Brown B g nd Eatery, 15070 Hamilton Avenue. Mayor Martha G. Scon, the in­ cumbent, eeking econd term w there mainly to welcome Kenneth "Ken" Millard, the president of Michigan Bell, whose focus was, upport for th Michigan Telecom­ munications Act of 1991. Mill rd's rgument wa: Michigan Bell is constrained by the existing 1913 law and uch, can­ not operate on an "even playing field" with its competitors which, eventually will affect Michigan Bell' ability to create jo and help improve the quality of life for many who will profit by th company' growth. , However, Joan King, Michigan' state legislative chairper on for AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) said, "We feel it (the Act of 1991) does not protect the rate payer (and) there are a lot of other interested parties who also op­ pose this bill." BELL'S POSITION IS: the Act of 1991 will allow them to create "job opportunities," offer "protec­ tion for consumers," maintain "fair price for all," introduce "new products and services" and provide for a "stronger state economy." However, James Hudson Junior, also a member of AARP said, "I am � very concerned about how seniors will be affected." Hudson expressed his concern even though Millard said, "We can provide a flat rate wi th up to 300 calls per month." More over, he said, Michigan Bell has "$7.2 billion invested" in the tate but the company "cannot make" millions of dollars worth of invest­ ments if they are "hampered by this 1913 law." On the other hand, King, via y N. Scott) Highland Park Hall of Fame plan induction , , cupation: - Reginald A. Ball ('69), U.S .: ;'1 Secret Service - Eleanor Blackwell ('60), Ex- '." ecutive Secretary to the Highland ':': Park Board of Education · -" - L. Kim Hoagland ('73), 30th ,: � District Court Judge • z: - Horace R. Holloway ('35), phy ician -,. -CiffordLarkins('67), Univer- '':! ity of Michigan educator " .-. Lilian McBeth ('61), HP High ,4." Bookroom Supervisor - Martha G. Scott ('52), Mayor "" of Highland Park I , ., munity High School students to aspire to a higher tandard of achievement and to increase com­ munity awareness of the school's traditions of excellence and uccess, Honorees are elected on the basi of outst nding leadership, character, and rvice to their communities and professions. Nominations may be ubmitted by anyone, anytime, to Darrel PUTSi­ ful at the school ddre . The dead­ line for consideration in any given year is Feb. 1 of that year. The Hall of Fame at Highland Park Community High School will hold it econd annual induction ceremony and banquet Friday, Oct. 18, at the school, 15900 Woodward, midway between Davison and Me­ Nichols. The event will begin with a social gathering at 6 p.m., followed by din­ ner at 6:30 p.m. and the program. Tickets, at $15 each, may be re­ quested through Hall of Fame Com­ mittee chairman Darrell Pursiful at 252-0474 or Greg Byndrian at 252- 0440. The Hall of Fame includes alumni of the former Highland Park High School, which opened on Glendale Avenue in 1915, and the present-day HP Community High SCOOol, which opened in 1977. In the Hall of Fame inaugural ceremony last fall, 15 alumni were inducted. SENIOR WITH A PURPOSE - James Hudson, Jr., a member of AARP (American I 00 Retired Per on) attended Michigan Bell' breald: fOnlm nd expressed concern about the effects the Tejecommunlcatlon Act of 1991 would have on nlo and people on fixed Income . (pboto by N. Scott) "NO. NO. NO. It's not my w ter bill," Wichita said. "It's the city of Highland Park' water bill. As of May 31 of this year, the ci ty owed Detroit $4,697,966 for ' water." "I didn't know people in Highland Park got that thirsty," I said. "Are you through? I need sleep." " Another thing we wanted to talk over with you is a matter concerning the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan which puzzle us." �I am listening, Wichita. This better be good." "I don't know all of-the particulars but from what I've , heard, the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan, founded by Reprersentative Alma Stallworth, will be having a 'P rtners in Progress' dinner. It's to raise money to support their endeavors, 'which include an internship program for minority college students,' which is all right. But why would they hire a white public relations firm to publicize it?" :"Who did they hire, Wichita?" :"They hired Hermanoff & Associates Public Relations Consultants, which has offices in Farmington Hills."When the question was put to Stallworth, she sai;d, 'Our constituency base is made up with Black people, white people and cooperations. We get support from a lot of diverse sources.' THE 1991 INDUCTEES, with their graduating cl s and current oc- " H.P. Mayor says drug forfeiture .f fund issue misrepresented telephone, maintai ned, current regulations rhat have been up­ dated-"Public Act 305"-allow for flexibility. By RON SEIGEL Co""yottd.nt HIGHLAND PARK-Highland Park Mayor Martha O. Scott stated that charges of missing money in the drug forfeiture fund misrepresented, the facts to citizens. Scott noted that an unaudited ,ac­ counting of the drug forfeiture fund was recently handled by City treasurer Ben Rolland $117,693.47 w transfered form the general fund to the drug forfeiture fund in an un- : ,� audited estimate, until a final audit- ,," lng was done. - She said the drug forfeiture fund I', used to be in the general fund, until :,'; Rolland made a separate account for .., � the fund in October, 1990. This happened, she noted, be­ cause of allegations concerning the ,,� drug forfeiture fund in Detroit, " which Highland Park wished to ., avoid. "THERE IS NO (semblance) of power in this bill," she said, adding, Michigan Bell is going to get "one hell of a fight." While AARP continues to study "this version" of the bill they received ten days ago, Hudson said, "The president of Michigan Bell (Millard) sounded like, if you opposed it (the bill) you were going against mother and country." Millard spoke about billions of dollars and maintained that Highland Park hould benefit from the telecommunications age of the fu­ ture. Mayor Scott, in her closing remarks, said Highland Park is. centraU y located and would be an ideal city �or a "pilot project." THIS YEAR'S INDUCTEES have been elected from among 31 eligible nominees. Selections were made by an lS-member committee of staff, administrato , tudents, parents, and a local school board member. The Hall is intended to motivate and encourage Highland Park Com- ,. ----�------------��----------------�--------------------------------�' , tate ays H.P. must reduce budget 2.million By RON SEIGEL Co""pttd,. HIGHLAND PARK-In a letter to the Highland Park Mayor and City Council, an official of the Michigan Department of the Treasury warned that in order to balance the city budget effective September 1,1991, "expenditures would have to be reduced by $1990,000. In thi letter dated September 4, David Lutchka, of the tate treasury's Local Government Audit Divi ion said, "If the deficit reduction budget relies upon layoffs, the 1.99 million equates to approximately 62 employees. " He added that with every month' delay in amend­ ing the budget, "the amount that must be cut increases by $130,000" or "by four employees." THE STATE requested the City of Highland Park submit within the next two weeks: - A balanced operating budget, reflecting the . projected deficits and the Mayor' re porse to a city council order to the Mayor directing expenditure be reduced by $1,000,000. - Confirmation that all pension liabilities, includ­ ing employee and employers 401K pension con­ tributions have been depo ited through August 1, 1991. - Monthly cash flow tatements beginning with September 15 "and for each month thereafter through June 1992 projccting vail_ble reven and expen- dlt " In an add to the City Council during Mayor's Night ¥onday September 16, 1991, Highland Park Mayor Martha G. Scott aid, "We have cut (expenses) and will continue to cut, but added that if the city eliminated 62 more positions "no one would be work­ ing." Readers Write: IN DICUSSING the cuts that had already been made, the Mayor said, "When I had come into office, there were 52 appointees. Now there are 24 to 25." She added that the city had ended the practice of getting employees to work overtime on Fridays and Saturdays to clean the alley in order to cut expenses, even though she said, "We can't keep them (the alleys) clean even with overtime." A woman in the audience shouted, ·We haven't had the alley clean in four years." Scott answered, "We are working on It and will continue to work on it." She added that the city was also working on bring­ ing new revenues into the city and made some ac­ compli hments in thi area. Build up the youth· and successful event. But, it let's me know there are people who are still concern about the young people in our community. I am writing concerning the . article written by Nathaniel Scott, entitled "Tough to say kind words." First of all, for one to say kind words, one must be kind, loving and concern. It is 0 unfair. to allow one person's view to dowplay such a constructive and positive event. It is so easy for one who bas not been behind the cene of the hard work, time, and efforts to criticize. I attended the "Say Kind WOrds" Talent Show. The Children and youths were truly inspired. TIley were allowed to expre the talent within themsel­ ves, which in some individual of­ tentime lay dormant. I have been a resident of the Highland Park Community for ix years now. And there are not many things geared tow rd oW' children and yout . TIle Talent Show whidl w presented, August 24, 1991, at the Highland Park Community College, was not only a beautiful · - . • • • WE NEED MORE people like the ones who sponsored this event. I hope that the belinlement of this event will not cause others . not to upport it. And for the female who called to downplay such a uccessful event at 4:00am, I ubject she find some­ thing more positive, and con­ structive to do with her time. I also ubject that we give praise to our young people for a job well done! We must not allow such things as this discourage any efforts, whic� are put forth by our youths. , I would like to congratulate everyone who particip ted in the event. Continue bein kind, loving, and co�rned. Sincerely, SI ter Francine Shaw "WOW." I SAID. "I am afraid to ask, but are there any more questions?" . '"Yes. Not that you will be able to answer it, but why do you think thC voters in Highland Park are 0 apathetic? According to City Clerk Mattie Carter, approximately one fourth of the registered voters voted in the primary; She said most of the people who did vote were enior citizens, Wrote. Why?" I said, "You three are something else. A water bill, Black Caucus' choice of public relations firms and voter apathy. And if it had not been for the three of you, I wouldn't know a thing about any of them. And that is the bottom line." • • " AT THE request of Highland Park Council Presi­ dent Linsey Porter. the city council unanimously voted to et up a blue ribbon commi ion to analyze the city's financial ituation and come up Ith recom­ mendations. Serving on this comm ion with Porter would be Wayne County Commission Chair Arthur Blackwell (who though he is the Highland Park' representative does not live in the city, State Senator Virgil Smith and different financial experts. Councilwoman Christine Franklin expressed con­ cern t the tate might bring in a receiver to ke over Hlihland Par financeI, if council dieS DOt negotia�, givin Highland Parte and tbelr elected representative no ay about how to deal with the budget crisis. �. - • · • � • • , )