10 -The Michgan Daiy Summer Weekly - Wednesday, June 10, 1992
Judge to decide Tent City's fate next week
. 'As tenants
people gath
the building
the rentablil
property owne
"How do you see a conection
between obtaining affordable
housing and occupying the site
across the street?"
- Thomas Roumell,
iugie
by Joey Barker back of her store, allegedly drinking.
Daily Staff Reporter On one occasion, she was vomited
Last Wednesday, Salvation City upon while trying to prevent a home-
foughtforitslifejustacrossthestreetin lessmanfromtulnblingdownthebase-
the Washtenaw County Courthouse. ment stairs.
becom~fe fghtened by Supporters of the tent city crowded.the Stapleton claims her walk-in sales
courtroom as they watched the fate of have been down markedly from last
ering In the back (of their 'protest' being decided. year at this time, and feet this de-
), It could threaten In acase brought against the Home- crease is due to the amount of home-
ity of my buildings.' less Union by Washtenaw County, the less people gathering outside of her
- Peter Bilakos, county asked the court that all activity store, intimidating potential custom-
ir on block of Salvation City on the sitebe abated. If the orderis not ers.
complied with, the county said it should "I understand that they're a pro-
be able to remove the tents.Judge Tho- test,andIunderstandthecause,butit's
mas Roumell-whopresidedover the interfering with people trying to do
case -said he will have a decision on business, and I'm just a very small
Monday of next week. - businesstrying tosurviveonEastAnn
Attorney RobertGunzel,represent- Street," Stapleton said on the stand.
ing the county, alleged that the tent city The defense's case relied on prov-
is a public nuisance, and brought wit- ing that Homeless Union members
nesses to the standto testify abouttheir never drank or used illegal drugs on
experiences with Salvation City.
The county also alleged that people
were residing in the tent city, in viola-
tion of both the agreement made with I understand that they
the Homeless Union, and city zoning are a protest, and I
ordinances. understand the cause,
Elizabeth Luckenbacharesidentof but It's Interfering with
thebuildingnexttothetentcity,wasthe
first to take the stand. She spoke of the people trying to survive
late night noise that she believes was on East Ann Street.'
caused by the establishment of the tent - Bridget Stapleton,
city, and the excessive public drinking flower shop owner
and drug use of those gathered outside
Salvation City boundaries. the site, nordidthey allow this behav-
Witnesses for the defense claimed ior by others. The defense also con-
that those who wereintoxicatedor oth- tended that the members could not be
erwise inhibited were kicked off the held responsible for the actions of
ng that the city and tent city site, and what they did after- those whogatheredoutsidethebound-
ais choose to listen to wards was out of the control of the aries of Salvation City-- including
Homeless Union. the public drunkeniness, urination,
ed Ignore people like Bridget Stapleton, the owner of a fights,andloudnoisethatcausedlocal
-"- small flower shop located on East Ann residents to complain to police and
- David Noel, Street next to the tent city, was next tn county officials.
Homeless Union member the witness stand. Stapleton testifiedon Homeless Union members put on
the County's behalf thaton many occa- stand denied that people were actually
sions since April 15-SalvationCity's living in the tents, and those that slept
founding date -shehashadproblems there were simply obtaining neces-
Photos by SHARON MUSHER/Daily entering her storein themoming due to sary sleep during the 24-hour vigil.
"I'm protesti
county offich
businesses a
myself."
WHAT'S
HAPPENING
RECREATIONAL SPORTS
Intramural Sports Program
GOLF
Medal Play
(Friday & Saturday, June 12 & 13, 1992)
Entries close: Tomorrow, Thursday, June 11, 1992
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.. IMSB
Cookout for participants following completion of play
Saturday, June 13 (approx. 5:30 p.m.)
CALL 763-3562 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Michigan Daily.e Weve got it all*
NEWS. aSPORTS e ARTS e PHOTO e OPINION
A UNIVERSITY
Comedy by TOWERS
A - Ken Ludwig The Best of Campus Lire!
-..C-" "M.. directed by Joy Dennis Great Location
June 10-13, 1992-:00 p.m. For Tickets call 662-7282. Corner of S. University & S Forest
Saturday Matinee-2:Of-p.m. After Juneqth, call 763-1085 536 S. Forest Ave.
LYDIA MENDELSSOHN THEATRE 76u-2680