The Michigan Daily- Wednesday, January 23, 1991- Page 5 HAC proposes citizens N vote on parking structure by David Rheingold Daily City Reporter The Homeless Action Committee (HAC) will introduce a resolution at the Ann Arbor City Council's next open session Feb. 4 that would let the citizens decide if the city should erect a proposed parking structure at the Kline's parking lot, HAC mem- ber Jennifer Hall told the council last night. At that meeting, the council will decide whether the question should appear on the citywide ballot April 1. Members of HAC protested the council's decision to remove three houses on South Ashley St. for the construction of a $10 million, eight- story parking structure behind Kline's Department store last fall. They wanted the city to construct 1,500 affordable housing units at the site instead. "No one has ever asked the peo- ple of Ann Arbor if they want the Kline's parking structure," Hall said. Hall, an Ann Arbor resident, made the announcement last night during the council's open session, which was changed because of Mar- tin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday. 'We'd be able to capitalize on the fact that they (the council) don't care about what people in Ann Arbor want by not letting them vote' - Jennifer Hall HAC member "There's two ways to get the ref- erendum on the ballot," Hall later explained. "One is to have some- thing like 15 percent of the Ann Ar- bor residents sign a petition, and in order for that to happen, you have to have it in by mid-December." "The other way is for the City Council to put it on the ballot themselves, and they can do that up until 45 days before the election;" Hall said. In order for the question to ap- pear on the April 1 ballot, the council would have to approve it by Feb. 14. "I think it'll be introduced, but I'd be real surprised if it were put to a vote," Mayor Gerald Jernigan said. "It would make sense to ask the citizens," said Councilmember Ann Marie Coleman (D-First Ward), but agreed that she would be "surprised" if the council passes the resolution. Even Hall was skeptical about the future of the proposed resolution, but said whether it passes or not, HAC will benefit. "We'd be able to capitalize on the fact that they (the council) don't care about what people in Ann Arbor want by not letting them vote," Hall said. AP Photo Aftermath A Tel Aviv man removes a painting Tuesday from the wreckage of his home which was hit by an Iraqi-fired Scud missile in an attack last week. Iraq fired more Scud missiles at Israel Tuesday night, with at least one missile hitting Tel Aviv and casualties reported. Letters from home: citizens determined not to forget troops Ann Arbor groups send American soldiers support and supplies by Jesse Snyder Daily Staff Reporter From the time U.S. troops first set foot on Saudi Arabian sands, members of the Ann Arbor com- munity have been trying to remind them of home. A number of local organiza- tions, from church groups to record stores, have taken part in package and letter sending campaigns di- rected at the American soldiers serving in the Middle East. The goods flowing from Ann Arbor to Saudi Arabia range from books, games, and soap, to rat traps. Missy Szymke, a Huron High School student, is involved in one such organization. She has written letters to troops as part of a school group called Letters From Home. f This group of about 20 high" school students has been sending * letters, as well as games, sham- poo, and books to the troops in Saudi Arabia. They have held fund raisers to help pay for postage. "They seem really excited to shear from us. We've gotten some really great responses," Szymke said. "One man said he had been in the Marines for twenty years, ,nd mail still excites him.", Church groups have been send- ng letters as well. Congregation members of the First Presbyterian Church on Washtenaw began col- lecting the names of family mem- bers and friends stationed in the Persian Gulf in order to pray for them. David Mast, the youth director, went a step further and encouraged the youth group to start sending letters. "We want to support the troops even though we wanted peace. We don't want them to feel alienated," he said, referring to the alienation of U.S. troops during the Vietnam war. Mast said he opens returning letters to the congregation, and posts the addresses of soldiers. Corresponding with the youth group are two chaplains stationed in the Gulf, one Catholic and one Baptist, who look after 1,500 sol- diers. "Work for us and we'll work for you," they wrote. Ann Arbor resident Sally Kennedy organized letter sending campaigns during the Vietnam war. She is again corresponding with troops overseas. Kennedy is currently involved with volunteer organizations, such as the Sustainers Junior League - which she described as a business organization consisting of older people - and high school groups in her efforts to promote corre- spondence with the troops. "They need backing. People should realize that just because they are in the military doesn't mean they want to fight," Kennedy said. "I write letters to people that I never would have had the chance to communicate with otherwise. And you can write about anything, because they don't know you," she added. The three branches of ROTC at the University have also been ac- tive in corresponding with the troops in the Middle East. "We sent three huge packages last November of over $1,000 worth of spy and western novels, and Gatorade," said Major Michael Gasapo of Navy ROTC. He said the students raised the money by selling football programs. Army ROTC has sent tea, crackers, and rat traps to former cadets serving in Saudi Arabia. The Arnold Air Society, an hon- orary community service organiza- tio n consisting of 42 Air Force ROTC students has sent over $1,000 of personal care items, such as razors and soap, to the Middle East. Sophomore member Dan Littman said he plans to dis- tribute fliers with troop addresses around campus. WhereHouse Record stores in Michigan have been sending tapes donated by customers to Saudi Arabia as part of a Tapes for Troops program. The WhereHouse Record outlet on S. University is still accepting tapes from people interested in adding to the 14,400 sent since November. by Jesse Snyder Daily Staff Reporter The fears, confusion, and emo- tional repercussions of war do not stop at the doors of elementary schools. Neither do its politics. Although sending letters and packages to U.S. troops stationed in Saudi Arabia may seem an in- nocent action, for some elemen- tary schools it poses serious problems. While the majority of Ann Ar- bor elementary schools have sent letters or gifts to Saudi Arabia, a small number have opted not to, in fear of alienating students of dif- ferent cultural backgrounds. Northside Elementary School draws almost exclusively from the North Campus area, which is home to the children of many foreign University students. "We talked about it as a staff, and decided notto send anything. We have a very diverse popula- tion. Many students are from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran, and others have parents serving in the Gulf. It's very personal, and we don't know how the students would re- act," explained school principal Shelley Bruden. "Some people have done it on their own, but the kids are having such a hard time. They are not all Americans," she added. Bruden said some students and parents have asked about sending letters to the troops, and were en- couraged to do it at home. "They fully understood the situ- ation," she said. Judy Urwin, the teachers' clerk at Angell Elementary School, said her school would not sponsor cor- respondence for the same reason. "Our students are multi-na- tional, and we have people from both sides of the conflict," she said. She added that the school did not set any rules about correspon- dence because the reasons against it were clear. Bach Elementary School is one that has been corresponding with troops stationed in the Middle East. Angela Williams' split first- second-third grade class baked and sent sugar cookies to Saudi Arabia. Williams said the situation in the Gulf has led to a confusing and scary situation for her students and she fears the actions in the Middle East will send the wrong message to her class. "We encourage students to seek and implore against physical force, and to talk through prob- lems. So we're very much against the policy of the situation, ap- palled at it. But it would be mis- taken to not appreciate the courage of the troops," Williams said. "We don't want to indoctrinate or whip up the fears of the stu- dents, but we try to keep clear the fact that those people are showing Schools face issue of sending letters to U.S. soldiers a great deal of courage, even if we disagree (with the use of force)," she added. Her class seemed to agree with supporting the troops regardless of their position on the war. "They might feel better if they knew someone cared," said Anna, a second grader. "If no one was grateful, what would they be dying for?" asked Jasmine, a third grade student. "They miss their beer and cigarettes," said Brian, a third grader with a cousin in Saudi Arabia. Ms. Bates' third grade class at Logan Elementary School sent 26 letters to the Gulf and received three responses. They sent pictures of horses, soldiers, and asked -an abundance of questions about the weather in the Middle East. A stu- dent named Patrick even wanied to send his Lucky Charms cereal, but his mother objected. "I feel proud for sending some- thing. It feels good inside," said Hanna, a member of the class. kinko's COPIES with this coupon 1 8 11/2 X 11, white, self serve or auto'fed only expires 4130191 Open 24 Hours 540 E. Liberty 761-4539 1220 S. University 747-9070 Open 7 Days Michigan Union 662-1222 F Hundreds check out job 6yErcRied Nearly 700 students arrived with resumes in hand to meet prospective employers at the 17th Annual Minority Career Confer- ence last night. The conference, hosted at the Michigan Union by Career Plan- ning and Placement, offers stu- dents an opportunity to meet with recruiters from over 100 organiza- dons - including social service *organizations, public service orga- nizations, graduate schools and na- tional corporations - in order to gain first-hand information about the organization and set up inter- views. "It helps you meet a lot of people and really know what's out there," said LSA senior LaVern Phillips, who has attended the con- ference for the last four years. "You need a different perspective of the real world than from behind the books." The conference began with a "sneak preview" panel discussion by four recruiters w interviewing and dents' questions.F phasized that stu come prepared byj organization they a and by researching what abilities theys to the recruiter. This was not the for many of the sh tended last night Many students exp prospects at c ho gave tips on tion with the opportunities offered answered stu- through the conference, though Recruiters em- some of the information was not udents should new to them. researching the "It's been pretty effective. It re interested in saves a lot of time in terms of in- themselves and dividual research," said LSA Ju- could point out nior Phil Dawson. Unlike previous years, much at- tention at last night's conference first career fair was focused on the impact of the udents who at- recession. 's conference. John Jones of the May Depart- ressed satisfac- ment Stores Company noted this )nference during the panel discussion by em- phasizing the importance of re- searching organizations students may be interested in. "Especially the way things are today, it's best that you choose a company that will still be around in a few years," said Jones. Recruiters had mixed com- ments on the impact of the reces- sion with some, particularly from the auto industry, reporting the de- crease of entry-level positions to college students. I BETTER THAN THE BATHROOM WALLS! Give your message a S Touch... 'Ebt AtciAtba EDu i Personals 764-0557 Arts and Programming Presents --m----------- ------------® Fredrick's Graphics Lrt Prit s 6 0 01. 0Z ol I A ANNARBOR CIVIC THEATRE PRESENTS ROBERT HARLING'S STEEL MAGNOLIAS and :I FD) (Z , n mP C .'