LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, March 9, 1999-3 *CRIME Man assaults 11- y .ear-old girl at Yost Ice Arena 4 'A Yost Ice Arena student manager t prted that he received a complaint Sunday from the parent of an Il-year- old girl, Department of Public Safety reports state. The mother said her daughter had been assaulted by a male subject while skating at the ice arena earlier that day. The incident allegedly occurred some- time between 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. According to DPS reports, the subject grabbed the girl twice and pinned her against the wall with his body. The report Oescribed him as a college-aged male, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt. DPS met with the mother and her daughter at their off-campus residence. A report was filed. Two escape from Arbor Heights Security officers at University Hospitals found two female inmates who escaped from the Arbor Heights Juvenile Corrections Center on Saturday, according to DPS reports. The two women were seen heading into a carport at University Hospitals, rompting DPS officers to notify secu- t'ity. -The Ann Arbor Police Department ~and neighboring police departments were also alerted. University Hospitals Security officers 4formed DPS officials that they had .located the escapees in the M-18 carport rnd were holding them in the Facility Control Center. Local police units were notified and the escapees returned to the center 4ettly Sunday morning. Man suspected of Onarijuana use in hospital restroom A man was removed from Mott Children's Hospital on Saturday after the smell of marijuana was reported in the visitor restroom, according to DPS reports. A University Hospitals Security offi- cer responded to a call and confirmed that the odor most likely was marijuana. DPS officers were dispatched to bteet with and assist University Hospitals Security, but neither of the security forces were able to locate ille- gal activity. The subject was escorted out of hos- pital without protest and was advised tt he could return the following day. Man calls DPS wring dispute DPS officers responded to a call Saturday concerning a domestic dis- pute in the Northwood family housing ccnplex located at the 1800 block of McIntyre Street, according to DPS teports. "The husband involved in the dispute bOfitacted DPS, saying his wife wanted hihi to call because the couple was f'ghting. DPS officers found no weapons in *he couple's home. They told the hus- band to stay in a separate room from his wife while they interviewed her. =According to DPS reports, the wife rolI DPS officers the fight did not *-,volve physical violence and was completely a verbal dispute. She added that her husband slammed the door in her face while they were fighting, making a noise loud enough oo wake their 5-year-old child, who had Men sleeping in the home. -Walkman stolen - V " from building A caller reported Friday the theft of a walkman radio from his office, accord- ing to DPS reports. The caller was not certain when the radio was taken, but said the theft occurred at some point during the week. The caller identified the walkman as yellow in color and valued at $100, DPS reports state. The radio was believed to have been taken from room 923 or 926 of the Legal Research Building located at 801 Monroe St. - Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Avram S. Turkel. Abraham will support Quayle for president Speech also highlights tax plan Bumping and sliding rlll 4 \ DETROIT (AP) - U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Michigan) is sup- porting former Vice President Dan Quayle as "far and away" the best can- didate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000. Abraham served as Quayle's deputy chief of staff while he was vice presi- dent. That role, Abraham told The Economic Club of Detroit, gave him a chance to see firsthand the way Quayle conducted himself in office. "I didn't see the filtered version that unfortunately sometimes por- trayed him adversely," he said. "I saw the real version, and I think of all of our candidates he is far and away the best prepared and most experienced to be president." Abraham is one of four co-chairs for Quayle's presidential exploratory com- mittee, meaning he will be a key adviser. The senator is breaking ranks with Michigan political ally Gov. John Engler, an ardent cheerleader for Texas Gov. George W. Bush's presidential bid. Abraham said he and Engler, both Republicans, have discussed their "At the end of the day, I'm sure we will work very closely for whoever gbets the nomination" - Spencer Abraham U.S. Senator (R-Michigan) '4.v respective endorsements, and neither believes the other has made "an inap- propriate choice" "We've agreed to disagree on things in the past of this sort," Abraham told reporters before his speech. "At the end of the day, I'm sure we will work very closely for whoever gets the nomination." Abraham's speech to the club pro- moted Republican budget principles. Abraham said the GOP wants to give part of the surplus back to Americans as a tax cut starting next year, which he says would increase economic revenue and keep money coming into govern- ment coffers. Abraham also promoted federal education block grants that state and local governments could spend as they see fit - without federal strings attached. Engler appeared before a Senate committee last month, calling for passage of legislation allowing the grants. Although Abraham said he is con- cerned about "disturbing statistics" involving Detroit public schools, he declined to take a position on Engler's initiative to allow Mayor Dennis Archer to take over the troubled district. "The last thing I think we need is people from Washington telling state and local bodies what to do," he said. "And I'm not going to add my name to that list." ,. ................... '; AP PHOTO Tyler Wackerle hits a bump in his ride down a hill Sunady at Veterans Memorial Park in Bay City following the weekend's winter storm. Engler may play role in Bush's campaign LANSING (AP) - Gov. John Engler would play a major role in the potential presidential cam- paign of Texas Gov. George W Bush, Republican political consultant Tom Shields says. The two men are friends, dining together with their wives when the Englers spent Christmas in Texas with the family of Michigan first lady Michelle Engler. They've known each other for a decade and share a similar philosophy about poli- tics and governing. But it's too early for specifics on what Engler would do in a Bush campaign, Engler spokesperson John Truscott said yesterday. For now, Engler is serving on Bush's explorato- ry committee - he flew to Texas on Sunday for the committee's unveiling - and touting his friend on talk shows and to other Republicans. It's still too early in the campaign to discuss a more spe- cific title for Engler. "Nothing has been offered," Truscott said. "He will play a key role, there's no doubt of that. But no titles have been discussed, no responsibilities." Shields, who heads Marketing Resource Group in Lansing, said Engler is a natural person for WALK Wel Continued from Page :1 Total Human Services, said the program will allow recipients to see what their legis- a st lator does on a day-to-day basis and Wash also understand that their legislator is approachable. aCas "There are a lot of stereotypes on consi either side;" Marston said. "This can two c help people to understand each other a little more." * Cos The pairs will meet twice during the 320.4 month - once so the family can accompany the legislator on a legisla- tive activity, such as attending meetings in Lansing, and once so the legislator can participate in an activity the family this prog does on a regular basis, such as taking of welfa children to child care. Curre Some of the legislators will also live subjecte off food stamps for the month. They Dennis s will receive the maximum allowance because for the month, which will be used both about we for buying groceries and eating out. Altho Michigan is the 24th state to partici- with a fa pate in "Walk a Mile"- a program that taking th is making an effort to reach all 50 states offering by the year 2000. The program, which on the h was started two years ago in This g Washington, is targeted at legislators, how the but many other state and local leaders (recipie also are participating in the program. one doe "It's important because legislators Other have a large role in regulating and for- pelledt mulating welfare reform," said Rep. Liz because Brater (D-Ann Arbor). Many of the "Its in state's legislators have never been on as a st welfare, Brater said, and this is a good John Pa chance to get firsthand experience on This i how the program is working. more in The Catholic Social Services for program Washtenaw County, the local organiza- it's som tion sponsoring Brater's match, has It isu informed her that she was recently program matched with a family. Marston Brater said she is waiting to be con- Mars tacted by the family and plans to invite back fr them to participate in her daily routine. particip Rep. Julie Dennis (D-Muskegon) said decided she feels it is important to participate in done ev Governor joins 10-member Bush support committee Bush to turn to for political savvy. "He (Engler) will certainly be an adviser to the campaign, not just as it goes to Michigan but in the larger national picture" Shields said. "He's a play- er on the national scene, especially with the other governors" Michigan State University professor David Rohde, who specializes in presidential politics, said Engler brings several plusses to Bush's campaign. "He (Engler) is relatively visible. He has good ties to the GOP right wing, and to the Christian right. He doesn't have cool or negative relations with them in the way the George Bush himself does," Rohde said. "He's valuable to the Bush campaign from that point." Rohde said the association also could carry advantages for Engler. "It may enhance the possibility of him being on the national ticket. It certainly enhances the possi- bility of him playing a significant role in a Bush administration should that come to pass;' Rohde said. "Given that Engler is coming to the end of his time as governor (in 2002), he has to start thinking about that.? But Shields said it's unlikely Engler is angling for a spot on the ticket or in a potential Bush cabinet. "He isn't going into a presidential campaign with the hope that at the end he has anything more than a good friend in the White House that would be ben- eficial to Michigan, that would share the same Republican philosophy that Engler has," he said. Still, Shields doesn't completely rule out Engler being a vice presidential candidate. Engler was talked about as a potential vice presidential chpiee in 1996, but former U.S. Rep. Jack Kemp got the nod instead. Engler has said it would be highly unlikely to have two governors on the same ticket. But Shields said Democrats won the White House in 1992 with two similar candidates: southern baby boomers Bill Clinton, then Arkansas governor, and Al Gore, then a U.S. senator from Tennessee. He's also making no predictions about whether Engler would accept a cabinet post. "I take John at his word that he's very comfort- able in Michigan at this time and has no intention of doing anything but finishing out his term, Shields said. But "until something is offered, yon never know what he would say." Both Shields and Truscott are sure about one Engler goal, however: Making sure Vice President Gore doesn't win the 2000 presidenr tial election. fare in Michigan: welfare case load as of ary 1999: ate of Mich. :87,684 cases tenaw County: 1,170 cases ses are families usually sting of a single mother and hildren sts for child care for 1998: 4 million for Mich. Source: The Family Independence Council gram because of the current state re in her home district. ntly all welfare recipients are d to mandatory drug testing, said, adding that this bothers her it sends a negative message elfare recipients. ugh she has yet to be matched amily, Dennis said she plans on hem to Lansing for the day and them the chance to come out ouse floor with her. gives her a chance "to really see families are," Dennis said. "All mts) get stereotyped because s something wrong. r participants said they are com- to be part of the program of their basic civic duties. mportant to my responsibilities ate representative," said Rep. ppageorge (R-Troy). s a good way for legislators to get nformation on what the welfare offers, Pappageorge said, and ething that needs to be done. uncertain if the "Walk a Mile" n will run again in Michigan, n said. ton said after the state gets feed- om legislators and the families ating in the program, it will be if "Walk a Mile" needs to be ery year or more sporadically. .: .., : I 7- , 4 What's happening in Ann Arbor today Amphitheater, 5 p.m. 0 Psychology Academic Peer Advising, U "Religious Coalition on Latin 647-3711, East Hall, Room 1346, chigan Union, Parker America," Sponsored by the Weekdays 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. nP interfaith Council for Peace and U Safewalk, 936-1000, Shapiro Library GROUPS U Alanza, Mi PRnnm.7-S 1 I I i