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.