Political
groups
solicit in
Art Fair
by David Shepardson
Daily Opinion Editor
Last week,60political actiongroups
solicited donations and gave informa-
tion to the tens of thousands of people
who attended the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
Thiswasthefirstyearthatthebooths
werelocatedonSouthUniversity Street
instead of Liberty Street. Most volun-
teers working at the booths said the
* change resulted in decreased traffic by
their information booths.
"It was much busier when we were
on Liberty," said Charlie Wilson, a
member of Refuse & Restrict, an anti-
establishment organization.
But other volunteers said the change
did not matter. According to a Green
Party member, "I don't see much dif-
ference in foot-traffic between South
U., and Liberty."
In the shift to South University, 20
fewer groups had booths than last year.
The Washtenaw Council for the Arts
(WCA) worked to get a representa-
tional mix of groups with differing po-
litical views by establishing a steering
committee comprised of groups of
widely divergent backgrounds.
In a flyer lauding its performance,
the WCA said, "Our goal has been to
provide more spaces along a major
pedestrianthoroughfareofthe ArtFair."
However, a volunteer in Audobon
SocietydisagreedwiththeWCAclaims,
saying, "We have aworse location and
fewer spots."
Among the groups at the Art Fair
was the Washtenaw County chapter of
the National Organization of Women
(NOW).According tovolunteers work-
ing at the booth, NOW took in several
thousand dollars in donations. They
completely sold out of "I believe Anita
Hill" buttons.
Amnesty International displayed
various devices used to torture people
all over the world, as part of its exhibit
condemning human-tights violations.
They also supplied paper towriteletters
to aid in the release of political prison-
ers.
Both pro-life and pro-choice groups
had booths trying to win supporters.
Right to Life of Washtenaw County
distributed graphic brochures depict-
ing as one volunteer called it "the hor-
rors of abortion." Advocates on both
sides of the issue expressed vocal sup-
port. PlannedParenthoodtookpictures
ofpro-choicesupportersunderthehead-
line, "I am the face of pro-choice
America."
The Art Fair's Washtenaw Com-
mitteeforNon-profitssaidthattheevent
was a great success, surpassing atten-
dance expectations.
Wednesday, July 29, 1992 -The Michigan Daily Summer Weekly - 3
V. I.N.E. attempts
to shift elections
to November
by Nicole Converse uninformed group.
Daily Staff Reporter "I think most students aren't very
If the VoterInitiative for November politicallyresponsible.They don'tseem
Elections (V.I.N.E.) has its way, stu- to care," said Scott Reetz, Ann Arbor
dents and the Ann Arbor community at resident and former student. "Although
large may have a louder voice in local I believe that everyone should partici-
politics. patein the political process the students
The organization has petitioned to don't seem to have much of a stake in
move the April city elections to No- the community."
vember, a time when more than twice However,many students disagreed,
as many people go to the polls. arguing that moving the election would
"Politics have enough of a natural be a good idea. "Students are a large
turnoff. We should make it as easy as percentage of the Ann Arbor popula-
possible for the voter,"said JeffGourdji, tion," said ftrst-year LSA student Eric
V.I.N.E. coordinator. Kessell. "Although the same people
In addition to increasing accessibil- may not be here over an extended pe-
ity to voters, Gourdji cited cost effec- riod of time, their interests are similar
tiveness as a reason to move the elec- and can be maintained better through
tion. "In even-numbered years, the city November elections."
general and primary elections will be Brad Goldberg, LSA junior, con-
combined with the state elections, sav-
ing the city as much as $60,000," he
said.
However, Ann Arbor residents like 'Students are a large
Philip Mashke are concerned with the percentage of the Ann Arbor
fact that more students would be likely population. Although the
to vote. same people may not be here
"I don't agree with the idea beeause saepolmyntbehr
too many students would vote and as a over an eXtended period of
transient group they shouldnot have an time, their interests are
influence in local issues," he said. similar and can be maintained
But Ann Arbor resident andV.I.N.E. better through November
activist David DeVarti said a conflict elections.'
between residents and students is un- -- Edc Kessell
likely because students deserve some LSA first-year student
input in city policies. "I don't see any
conflict. I think students have a legiti-
mate interest ia the commtunity they
live in," he said. cured. "I think students have a vested
On a philosophical level, DeVarti interestin thecommunity."He cited the
also added that he believesaccess to the correlation between property taxes and
political process is of utmost impor- rentlevelsaswellascommunityprojects
Lance. He said moving elections to No- in which students are involved.
vemb r is a good way to increase par- Although Goldbergdoes not cur-
ticipation. rntiy vote in April eleetions, he said he
Don Divigilo, Ann Arbor resident, would vote in November if he were
said it is too bad that such measures as informed about the issues.
moving the election must be taken for But there seems to be a consensus
participation to be increased. "People that the decreased cost of the change is
should be more involved whenever the good. Even though he does not support
election is held," he said. the measure based on convenience
Some residents are still wary of alone, Divigilo added, "As a cost effec-
student input, finding them apolitically tive measure, it makes sense."
Sweet music MOLLY STEVENS/Deity
Bob Mould, of the group Sugar, performs at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit
Monday.
Students draw in
money by providing
parking for Art Fair
by Beth Echlin
Daily Staff Reporter
Anybody with enough optimism to
drive to Central Campus has experi-
enced being late for a class or appoint-
ment while battling for a parking space.
During the Ann Arbor Art Fair, this
problem is magnified a hundredfold.
To accommodate the culture-seek-
ers, fratemities, sororities and private
persons sacrifice their lawns and park-
ing lots-and pocket a tidy profit at the
same time.
No permit is required for people to
rent their lots, so many fraternities take
advantage oftheirempty parking spaces.
Chi Psi fraternity, which has al-
lowed cars to park for several years,
charged$10percarperday toparkinits
lot.
Fraternity members used the $220
they earned to pay for a party held later
in the week.
Beta Theta Pi fraternity charged
drivers $75-$200 to park for all four
days, depending on the size of the ve-
hicle.
Many of the cars were return cus-
tomers from the previous six years the
fraternity has been renting parking
spaces.
The main problem Beta Theta Pi
hadwasminordestructionoftheirfence.
Members said they were unsure if the
damage was caused by a patron or
someone else.
Both fraternities advertised by put-
ting up flyers around town and holding
up signs outside their parking lots.
Greek students are not the only ones
who took advantage of the thousandsof
out of town visitors. Recent University
graduates Chip Conley and Dave Kraft,
along with junior Shawn Allen,allowed
people to park in the driveway and on
the lawn of their rented house.
See PARKING, Page 13
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