Mayor pushes for change in process

Mark Meadows has been with East Lansing City Council since 1995. In 1997 he was elected by council to take the gavel at their meetings as mayor. This spring, Meadows hopes to change the process of who takes the gavel next. By allowing East Lansing citizens to vote for their mayor he’ll not only change the city’s charter, but the role the people in East Lansing play in their government. “I think the mayor, for good or bad, tends to be a representative of the city,” he said. If the election system does change, Meadows said there will still be a city manager and the city council will carry on the same. He’d just like to give the people in East Lansing a stronger voice, Meadows said. “For the most part in East Lansing, you can knock on any door and be treated with respect here,” he said. Having a role in government was not new to Meadows when he took center seat at the council meetings. Meadows serves as assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan. But he still finds time to enjoy being an East Lansing official. “It’s nice to be able to make decisions and to interact with citizens in the community,” he said. While Meadows is a popular figure among the city’s officials, the change has met with some different opinions. “I don’t always agree with him and he doesn’t always agree with me, but he has done a good job,” Councilmember Bill Sharp said. One issue Sharp doesn’t agree with Meadows on is the city’s election process. “It would make it too political, it is supposed to be nonpartisan,” he said. Councilmember Beverly Baten said it is no secret why the mayor has been effective. “He has done an excellent job with organization abilities and bringing people together and the leadership he has exemplified,” the council member said.

Rally promotes grad student rights

April Herndon’s pockets are empty. Herndon, a member of MSU’s Graduate Employees Union, ended a rally at the International Center that culminated the union’s two-day informational picket.

Weekend walk to aid local families with utility bills

Capital Area Community Services’ 12th annual Walk for Warmth starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday. The three-mile walk begins and ends at the Capital Area Community Services office, 101 E.

Senate passes bill to help suffering farmers

After a tough summer, local farmers are receiving some help from the government - or at least that’s the plan. The state Senate passed a bill 35-1 Wednesday providing more than $200 million for farmers in the form of five-year zero-interest loans to help make up for a poor situation. “The agricultural economy is experiencing severe losses that they have not seen since the Great Depression,” said Sen.

Town hall meeting to discuss minority issues

A town hall meeting for minority students to discuss such issues as racial profiling, a lack of university support and a new Multicultural Center will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Credit union to host seminar on how to avoid fraud

Students, faculty and residents will learn how to prevent becoming victims of fraud from noon to 1 p.m.

Conference to promote Filipino unity this weekend

The Midwest Association of Filipino Americans is holding its annual conference will come to MSU for the second time since it began this weekend. Telecommunication senior Romeo Salvani said he is excited about the conference this weekend because the event will help promote unity. “Things this year are the best we have had them,” the co-president of the Asian Pacific American Student Organization said.

Police briefs 02/22/02

Police briefs 02/21/02

Events make Splash in fund-raising efforts

Members of Delta Gamma are raising money for the blind this week through a series of events called Anchor Splash.One anchorman is chosen to represent each of the 15 fraternities participating and at the end of the week one anchorman and one fraternity win.Kinesiology junior Dave Smith is the anchorman for Pi Kappa Alpha.

Clouds have U down in dumps

When snowy winters approach, Heather Gibbons tries to stay happy - but it doesn’t always work.“When it’s really snowy, I get depressed because it seems like it’s never going to stop,” the family community services junior said.

RHA Web site returns

Campus residents won’t have to look any farther than their computer screen to see what their Residence Halls Association representatives are working on. RHA’s Web site is operating again after its server crashed during winter break.

Businesses weigh pros, cons of filing taxes online, by hand

As April 15 nears, businesses as well as individuals are examining the options they have for filing their tax returns.For businesses, the questions often outweigh the normal individual decision of a computer program or filing by hand.Larger businesses are required to file electronically, oftentimes prepared by a professional accountant, Internal Revenue Service spokeswoman Sarah Wreford said.“If you send in a paper return, we have to hire individuals to input the data,” she said.

ASMSU Funding Board runs dry

ASMSU’s Funding Board likely will stop giving registered student organizations money after its account runs dry next week.

Picket held to quicken GEU negotiations

After picketing for five hours, Jessica Goodkind and her sign needed a break.Both of them looked tired.Goodkind, president of MSU’s Graduate Employees Union, had been marching since 7:30 a.m.

Michigan Exile program would toughen laws against illegal guns

Lansing - Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus announced that he wants to tighten the reins on illegal guns in Michigan.In his Michigan Exile program announced last week, Posthumus addressed his desire to prosecute convicted felons and violent juveniles found possessing an illegal weapon.

U hosts civil rights leader

Although Dorothy Cotton is not as well known as some of her male counterparts, George Rowan can’t wait to hear the civil rights leader speak on campus today.

Minority students fall behind in graduating

Since entering MSU in 1998, Gerald Grant has experienced a financial roller coaster ride that has taught him valuable lessons. “You have to be dedicated,” the Southfield native said.

Police briefs 02/20/02

Local governments could receive more funding from state

Lansing - Local governments would receive more money in a proposal announced Tuesday. Local governments stood to receive the same amount of revenue sharing as last fiscal year in Gov.