Page 8-Saturday, June 16, 1979-The Michigan Daily County park project draws protests from area residents By RICK BLANCHARD To most people, a sandy beach, dense woods, and a sparkling lake mean a relaxed Sunday afternoon or perhaps a carefree day of swimming and sun- bathing. But to many of the residents near the site of the county's Indepen- dence Lake park project, the develop- ment means more traffic, big crowds, and increased litter in their neigh- borhood. The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission broke ground last Sunday for a 322 acre park, which is estimated to cost $450,000. The park, located 10 miles north of Ann Arbor, will be "one of the top recreation areas to be offered in Washtenaw County," according to park superintendent Stacy Fox.' "We plan to embroider on the existing resources," Fox said, adding the county plans to "reshape the sun- bathing area, realign the half-mile en- trance road, develop natural trails, and stabilize the long shoreline." BUT SOME area residents are not so enthused. "People drive bad enough as it is on these roads," said area resident Roy Barnett. "I'd hate to see the added litter it would bring," he added. "It is bad enough already." Daniel Godfrey, whose home is across from the proposed entrance to the park, said the unpaved roads in the area are not designed for the-volume of traffic that he believes the park would attract. "We are going to get dusted out," he said. But another resident expressed more hope that local dwellers and the park could peacefully coexist. "If the (coun- ty) keeps to their master plan, which indicates a nature-oriented park, things will go well," Robert Seel.ye said. "The park will be an asset to the com- munity."_ SEELYE ADDED the park com- mission and the Independence Lake Association have worked well together on anticipated problems with the development. Park superintendent Fox said he un- derstood residents' concerns over the park but expressed hope that any problems could be worked out. "When you hear that a park is going up next door, you are going to be concerned," she said. "But we have tried very carefully to touch base with the residents and keep them abreast of what's going on; any negative effects will be minimized." Fox said the park will be similar to the area's Silver Lake Park, although she said the new project will accom- modate fewer people. "The parking area of Independence Lake will ac- commodate 175 cars,"she said. "Silver Lake Park has a capacity of 500 cars." Tanker flips near Ypsi, closes 1-94 YPSILANTI (UPI) A tanker truck traffic was allowed to resume. hauling 8,000 gallons of liquid propane Ford spokesman Mike Davis said the hit a bridge abutment and flipped on its company temporarily closed its plant side yesterday, injuring the driver and near the accident site, sending home forcing officials to clear up to a mile- 330 midnight shift employees about 6:20 square area as a precaution. a.m. State Police closed the east- and Ford also sent home the 2,000 day- westbound lanes of a four-mile stretch shift workers as they arrived at the of busy Interstate 94 while authorities plant and later canceled the afternoon drained off the highly explosive shift, affecting another 1,200 em- propane into a second tanker brought to ployees. the scene. THE AUTOMAKER had hoped the A "VERY, VERY small" leak was plant, which makes electrical parts, noticed when the transfer operation horns, starters and other parts for began but Ypsilanti fire officials said it Ford's Electrical and Electronics presented no immediate danger. Division, could have been back in As a safety measure, fire officials operation by late afternoon. earlier recommended closing a Ford The truck's owner, Propane Tran- Motor Co. parts plant about 200 yards sport Inc. of Milford, Ohio, was notified from the accident site, along with of the accident but a Detroit firm several small businesses and a city specializing in handling dangerous sewage treatment plant. materials also was called in, State Also evacuated was a nearly vacant Police Sgt. Lyle Schroeder said. junior high school near the accident The truck driver, identified as Larry scene. The school was not in session, Hamm, 33, of Bluffton, Ind., was taken but some teachers and students were to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Ar- inside the building, Ypsilanti Fire Capt. bor,-where he was listed in fair con- John Coleman said. dition with unspecified injuries. ABOUT A half-mile to mile-square --------- area was cleared but no residences were affected, Coleman said. TEMPERAMENTAL "As a precautionary measure, the TOLEDO, Ohio (AP)-Max, a general area'has been cleared, od mGer s Coleman said. "This tanker is in a low gete orileimotedofrteomtGe rmyiste area. If it should erupt, it really tractions at the Toledo Zoo l wouldn't be too damging, I don't The 312-pound male animal is already Firefighters hosed down the tanker to up to pulling tricksMax for a physical keep it cool while the transfer of the examination and movement to the zoo's liquid continued. new ape house, Dr. Joseph Hardin, a THE DELICATE operation to drain veterinarian, shot a tranquilizer dart the liquid propane took much of the into the gorilla's hide. day. The tanker finally was removed Max pulled it out and thre it at Dr. from the highway shortly before 6 p.m. Hardin. and both eastbound and westbound Community leaders clash on abortion funding issue (Continued from Page 3) nment said states could continue to "small victory" for right-to-lifers who provide funding, if they wanted. are not only trying to stop all abortions but "save all lives." Rice said he Michigan provides state-funded abor- believes "a child is a human being from tions, but the plan will discontinue if a the moment of conception." current bill, now under review by the Senate Health and Social Services Thursday, the Senate voted 19-11 to Committee, passes. The bill is spon- join a suit against Gov. William sored by Sen. Edgar. Fredricks (R- Milliken, who recently vetoed a plan Holland), and would abolish Medicaid- whici would give $1 to Medicaid-funded funded abortions. abortions. The Senate conteuids that Milliken is acting beyond his power as Rice said, however, that even if the governor by becoming involved with bill passes, he would only consider it a appropriations..