E.L. City Council faces backlash about annexation of property

An end has been found to the divisive issue of annexation that has brewed between Meridian Township and the city of East Lansing for months.Despite an occasional lapse into name-calling by citizens and trustees of Meridian Township Monday night, the board voted 7-2 in favor of adopting the annexation papers and an urban cooperation agreement.The agreement will allow the township to maintain some control over the property, the management of the area and its growth for the next 34 years.The annexation of 66 acres of Meridian Township on the corner of Park Lake Road and Saginaw Highway originally came up in August.

Heads up

As this year comes to a close, it is not a surprise possible deficits and revenue shortages are looming - at the federal, state and local levels of government.With city council elections on Tuesday, it’s encouraging to see the four East Lansing candidates recognize the importance of watching the city’s money.All indications point to a shrinking budget following the economic slowdown, and it would be unfortunate if the only actions taken are raising fees - such as the $5 increase in city parking fines last year.Charging higher fines and fees doesn’t help city relationships with students, and will lead to fewer people visiting East Lansing’s downtown.Instead, the two candidates who are elected Tuesday, along with the rest of the city council and other officials, will have to think smarter with the budget.

Police working to make intersections safer for all

It may be a long and hard road for some students to complete college, but MSU’s Department of Police and Public Safety doesn’t want the walk through campus to be that difficult. In coming months, police will begin stricter enforcement around crosswalk areas, trying to make the campus safer for pedestrians. A study sponsored by the All University Traffic Committee this fall using small yield signs in crosswalks around campus showed police which areas and times see heavy pedestrian congestion - and danger. MSU police Lt.

White men victims of hate crimes too

I have noticed that several halls, including Case Hall, have distributed fliers that inform residents about “hate crimes” committed throughout the United States.

U recommends against heart devices

Automated External Heart Defibrillators, have grown in popularity across the country and are now beginning to appear on college campuses - not only for sports purposes.In August, Northwestern University installed 10 such devices throughout its campus in places ranging from academic buildings to police cruisers.

Students accuse mall of discrimination

Ten students are seeking legal counsel after being asked to leave a store in Meridian Mall - a request they say was based on race. The students were shopping for Fake the Funk 11 outfits at the Deb Shop in the Okemos mall Oct.

Dorms adapt Halloween decor

The normally bright, cheerful environment of the Abbot Hall cafeteria was transformed into a spooky place to eat Wednesday night.Students entered through a tunnel guarded by a spider hanging from the ceiling, and were met inside by an alien spaceship, a glowing ghost and a bleeding, headless man.Education senior Sarah Kidd, who dressed as Winnie the Pooh, said she has been working at the hall for four years, and this year’s Halloween decorations have been the best so far.“It’s a great time for all the employees and students to have a good time for the holiday,” Kidd said.Mario Porco, who works at the cafeteria, said he and co-worker Adam Koivisto decided to decorate the cafeteria to put a smile on students’ faces.“After the bad things that happened a month ago, we wanted to do something fun,” Porco said.The cafeteria also showcased pumpkins carved by Abbot residents.

Police briefs 11/01/01

Turf wars

MSU sororities battled the cold and each other during the fifth annual powder puff football tournament to raise money for the American Red Cross.Each of the 10 sororities paid $75 to enter the event that was held Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

Hockey: Sweep drops team in polls

The Spartans fell to No. 3 in this week’s USCHO.com national poll and No. 4 in the USA Today/American Hockey Magazine rankings after being swept in their weekend series with Nebraska-Omaha.MSU (3-2-1 overall, 3-2-1 CCHA) entered the series at No.

Railroad companies should take responsibility for bad crossings

Earlier this semester, when I was supposed to finish reading a journal article that needed to head for an editor, prep a lecture for class and evaluate a bunch of papers for my students, I was instead consumed with thoughts of something that affects everyone’s lives on campus. It concerned the railroad situation at MSU and the possibility of more deaths than we have had because of the seeming lack of concern by the railroad interests that grind the university to a halt before 8 a.m.

Columnist gives advice on finding right costume

When I was 8 years old, I dressed up as a pumpkin for Halloween. When I was 9, I was dressed up as a dancer and when I was 10, I was a witch.

Group kicks out common delicatessen

Electronica and groove-based music with repeated loops is a delicacy.

E.L. could face potential budget woes following economic slowdown

Balancing the East Lansing city budget for the coming fiscal year may prove more cumbersome than in the past. The slowing economy because of the Sept.

Faculty plan 9-11 classes for future semesters

John Hudzik has noticed changes in the interests of MSU students in the seven weeks since the Sept.

Activist to speak on apartheid

Eddie Daniels, a South African political activist, will share some of his life experiences with the MSU community at noon today in 201 International Center. His visit is being sponsored by the African Studies Center. Daniels, who has worked to end apartheid and struggle in South Africa, was imprisoned on Robben Island with the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Robert Vassen, associate director of the English Language Center, is friends with Daniels and asked him to speak at MSU. “It’s important for people all over the world to know exactly what is happening in South Africa as the new country emerges from the apartheid era,” he said. David Wiley, a sociology professor and director of the African Studies Center, said Daniels was a leading figure in the apartheid struggle. “Daniels reveals how a person decides to put their life on the line for principles and justice instead of the comfort of home and family,” he said.

Womens soccer: Offense arrives late in season

Late in the season, the MSU women’s soccer team seems to have finally found its offense. And just in time - only two games remain on the team’s (8-7-2) regular season schedule, the first of which is being played at 3:00 p.m.

Workshops aid grads

The first workshops of the year aimed at improving graduate school education and solving conflicts between MSU graduate students and professors were held Monday and Tuesday.The Conflict Resolution Workshop was created by Karen Klomparens, dean of the Graduate School, and John Beck, associate director of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations, in 1997 after receiving a grant from the National Department of Education and the Hewlett Foundation.“The workshops train students and faculty in using an interest-based approach to conflict management,” Klomparens said.

Muddy Waters tribute outfit to perform

In the 1950s, Chicago was a blues Mecca, and Muddy Waters was king. He was considered a master of postwar blues, having established himself on the Chicago blues scene. It was about that time that he met up with Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson, a guitarist who worked in a steel mill outside Chicago.

Mens basketball: Freshmen get ready for Magic

When MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo recruits players he promises them the chance to win championships and to play against great players.Izzo’s three newcomers, freshmen guards Chris Hill and Kelvin Torbert and guard-forward Alan Anderson, will take advantage of that final promise when they play an exhibition game against the Magic Johnson All-Stars with the legend himself on the floor.