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. 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