The Michigan Daily
Vol. LXXXV, No. 34-S Ann Arbor, Michigan-Tuesday, June 24, 1975 Ten Cents Twelve Pages
Regent Laro: GOP'S rising star
By BILL TURQUE
Copyright 4 1975 The Michigan Daily
At first glance, David Laro, the University's
newest Regent, fits effortlessly into the classic
American mold of the up and coming young man.
Son of a Jewish immigrant from Poland who
fled Hitler's Europe, partner in a prestigious
Flint law firm, and a solid family man, Laro is
every mother's son-a credit to the community.
At 33, he looks even less than a decade removed
from his picture in the 1964 Michiganensian.
ONLY A SLIGHTLY receding hairline counters
a set of still boyish good looks. With a gray pin-
striped suit and dark, burgundy tie, the effect is
complete. If Laro's old fraternity, Zeta Beta
Tau, had not folded, he could still pass as its
president.
But beyond the cleancut, Junior Achievement
veneer lurks a sharp, politically street-wise intel-
lect. David Laro is keenly aware of his new re-
sponsibilities, and anxious to prove he was not
named Regent because he has played many in-
nings of political ball with Governor William
Milliken.
It would not be an overestimation to call Laro
a key figure in state Republican politics. He
served as Genesee County chairman for Milli-
ken's election campaigns in both 1970 and 1974,
and was employed in the same capacity for
Richard Nixon in 1972. He has also been a mem-
ber of the state Republican leadership steering
committee.
UNDERSTANDABLY, Laro is sensitive to
charges of blatant partisanship surrounding his
rather abruptly, as if he had heard the question
a dozen times before.
"Okay, politics plays a part in every appoint-
ment, but I like to think I'm modest. I didn't
get the appointment because, hey, I'm David
Laro, and I'm a great guy, and I deserve to be
on the Board of Regents."
LARO WAS NAMED to the Board on June 3,
filling a vacancy created by the resignation of
Regent Lawrence Lindemer, who was appointed
to the State Supreme Court, replacing the late
Thomas Kavanaugh. Laro's selection culminated
a month long search for Lindemer's successor,
involving more than So candidates.
"I remember talking with Larry Lindemer
after he resigned from the Regents," Laro re-
called, pondering a Coke at a local bar. "He
prof ile
described the job to me, the duties and every-
thing, but the one thing he emphasized is that
you really have to have a fondness for the Uni-
versity . . . a real fondness."
Laro's fondness became more than evident as
he reflected on life at the University for a mem-
ber of the class of '64. Checking into South Quad
in the fall of 1960 after graduating from Flint
Central High, he found dorm life pleasant enough,
but lacking in several respects.
uaily Photo Ov TEV EtKAGAN
La ro
appointment.
"I CAME TO school a few years early," he
"Yes, I know, people will say that Milliken said wistfully, regretting that South Quad was
paid off a political debt," he acknowledged, See LARO, Page 7
City Council votes
6-3 to recognize
Gay Pride Week
By ANN MARIE LIPINSKI
During a lively session attended by a sizeable con-
tingent of the local gay and lesbian community, City
Council last night passed 6-3 a resolution recognizing
the week of June 22 at Lesbian and Gay Pride Week.
The resolution, introduced by self-proclaimed lesbian
Kathy Kozachenko (HRP-Second Ward), won the ap-
proval of Council after similar resolutions had been
defeated by Republican-dominated councils for two
successive years.
AFTER READING the resolution, which was met
by a spirited round of applause from members of the
audience, Kozachenko appealed to the Council mem-
bers to not merely perfunctorily recognize the week
which has already been declared by the gay com-
munity, but to review their "sexist" attitudes and
speech.
"'Don't just vote for this resolution so the press will
sly we have a more liberal Council," said Koza-
chenko. "You should really attempt to act in a more
sincere way than by just passing an easy resolution."
The three votes against the resolution came from
Republicans Robert Henry (Third Ward), Roger Ber-
toia (Third Ward), and Ronald Trowbridge (Fourth
Ward). (Fifth Ward Republicans Gerald Bell and Louis
Belcher were not in attendance.)
A D M O N I S H I N G "society" for its antiquated
attitudes, Kozachenko told Council, "What I think
we're struggling for is a society and culture in which
male superiority is abolished and the last remnants
of male supremacy are overthrown."
About 40 gays and gay supporters - many of them
clad in T-shirts reading "200 years of gay oppression,
See COUNCIL, Page 9
Daily Photo by STEVE KAGAN
Play it again, Stan
Stan Kenton, renowned figure from the big band era of the '40s, leads his jazz group froni the piano
during last night's Briarwood concert. The monthly Monday evening series should continue through
the summer. Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman are scheduled to perform later in the season.