Cable TV hearing draws little comment, A2 w. Homelbwn „ v I:IIMH(IWII:*THII" wiifyoH* ,' Thursday •6 >:i> October 16,1997 Ite0tlan& ®towcu«r Putting You In Touch With Your World m VOLUME 33 NUMBER 38 WESTLANO, MICHIGAN • 86 PAGES • http://observer-eccentric.com SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS ® O 1M7 HomsTown Communication* Network, In?- $.-.' i N THE PAPER LeBlanc blasts Barns for letter TODAY Justine Barns says she decided to publicly member. he distanced himself from Barns' let­ oppose fellow council member Richard Barns accepted sole responsibility for ter. LeBlanc because of his performance on coun­ the letter, paid for by the Westland "I don't take any responsibility for Committee for Better Government. the decisions of the executive commit­ cil. LeBlanc dismissed Barns' letter as a trans­ "I am a part of that committee," tee of that group, nor do I have any COUNTY NEWS parent attempt to discredit his candidacy. Barns said, "and I didn't obligate any responsibility for the letter," Griffin BY DARRELL CLEM candidacy amid hopes of boosting other personalities for that letter said. Open primary: In an effort STAFF WRITER Charles "Trav" Griffin's campaign. except myself." The dispute erupted as six candi­ to open up the election Westland City Councilman Richard Barns isn't up for re-election, but she is LeBlanc charged that Griffin was dates compete for four council seats in LeBlanc is firing back at colleague Jus­ supporting Griffin. involved in the letter. the Nov. 4 election. Incumbents process here, a Wayne tine Barns for issuing a letter urging "I believe this is an attempt to dis­ This is Trav Griffin. Make no mis­ LeBlanc, Griffin, Sandra Cicirelli and County resident has voters to disregard his re-election credit my candidacy because of concern take about it," LeBlanc said. The com­ Sharon Scott and challengers Dennis organized Citizens for effort. for how Trav will fare in this election," mittee paid for it. The committee LeMaitre and Dorothy Smith are in the "I think it was in extremely poor LeBlanc said. mailed it. Trav Griffin runs that com­ race. Fairness in County Pri­ taste," he said Monday. Barns stood by her letter and said mittee." The top three vote-getters will win maries. The group wants LeBlanc dismissed Barns' letter as a she decided to publicly oppose LeBlanc Griffin conceded Tuesday that he has a charter amendment on transparent attempt to discredit his because of his performance as a council previously helped the committee, but Please see Lfcllfcfc'AB the August 1998 ballot which, if adopted, will Goes greyhound allow voters to nominate Activists, one candidate for each county office, regardless of'party. /A5 religious COMMUNITY LIFE leaders Best foot forward: Just for Kicks has two common clash denominators -the mem­ BY DARRELL CLEM bers' love of dancing and STAFF WRITER their commitment to -•> Gay activists sparred .with religious leaders, an attorney and parents Tues­ dance for the benefit of day over a Wayne-Westland school charities. /Bl board decision to omit "sexual orienta­ tion" from the district's non-discrimina­ tion policies. AT HOME Even as board members called for a Living with history: As the • SCHOOL BOARD Franklin Community Antiques Show draws ceasefire to the controversy that mush­ near, see how antique roomed in May, the debate on whether gay students and employees need pro­ pieces can be comfortable tective policies widened. as well as stylish./DB "This board has made a decision/ vice president Mathew McCusker said, "and it's time to move on." Sticking with style: A His remarks came on the same night Livonia native makes beautiful, unusual Please see CLASH* AS designs in mosaic twig furniture. IrD6 Thomas ENTERTAINMENT to skip ;ATT PHOTO BY TOM HAWIEY Photo exhibit: Now, the Fast friends: Vickie Nipp ofWestland adopted PJ, a nearly 5-year-old greyhound, in a rescue generation which grew up program, called REGAP. PJ was once a racing greyhound and joined the Nipp family in July. debate with The Beatles can For more, please see Page A3. BY DARRELL CLEM relive the early years with STAFF WRITER an exhibition of 32 black Mayor Robert Thomas is refusing to attend a mayoral candidates forum and white photographs at sponsored by Westland Jaycees, fuel­ Laurel Park Place in ing criticism that he is ignoring young Livonia. /El Workshop to focus on parenting issuesvoters . "As an organization in the city of BY LAURIE HUMPHREY said. The fee is $3 per person. from her job with Staff Development Westland, the Westland Jaycees are STAFF WRITER Parents' Day is an annual program, last June to focus on the Family disappointed that the mayor doesn't Parents in the Wayne-Westland beginning at 8 a.m., geared toward Resource Center, the goal of Parents' want to participate," event chairman improving a child's school life, home Day is three-fold: John Montesa said. "It seems like he's Opera: Michigan Opera school district are gearing up for school - Theatre's production of Saturday, Oct. 25. life and community life. The focus is to • Invite parents into the schools so ignoring a younger segment of the In a half-day event at Franklin Mid­ lay the foundation for a positive life for that they feel comfortable; community." lTJieMasic.EhitelwilLbe dle School-parentswillleamways-to— -jcMldren^&v£iLJtliQ^ghJ;hey are also Show parent8_that they are not Mayoral challenger Kenneth Mehl an exciting show promises cope with common issues concerning committed to help fix the lives of chil­ alone in trying to keep their child off ^confirmed Tuesday~trra1rhe-wiH atter their children. dren who have already experienced the right track to a successful life; the "Meet the Candidates" forum. Steven Vedder ofRedford, Yet, parenthood is not a requirement problems. • Provide parents some type of social Montesa said the event is scheduled and other local chorus to attend Parents' Day "4" according to "We really are focused at interven­ avenue (hence the event keynote come­ for 4 p.m. Nov. 2 at Livonia Churchill members. /El Beverly Brooks, director of the Family tion," said Brooks, a district employee dian who deals with real life issues). High School's auditorium. He said it is Resource Center, sponsoring agent of of 26 years. "Parents may not have a "When you have a child, you don't get free and open to the public. the event. child with a self-esteem problem today, a certificate saying you're qualified to Thomas said Tuesday he won't par­ "Anyone can come ... grandparents, or a drug problem today, but tomorrow, parent," Brooks said. "We're promoting ticipate in any more candidate forums those thinking of becoming parents, something may happen. Peer pressure healthy families, healthy kids." after Oct. 22, when he plans to face off INDEX (non-parents) who are parenting ... may come tomorrow." This program is intended to enhance against Mehl in a Westland Chamber we're reaching out to everyone," she According to Brooks, who retired Please see PARENTS, A4 Please see DEBATE, A8 Places & Faces A2 Obituaries XX Classified Index F6 Real Estate F6 Rental 8 G3 9-year-old honored for saving 5-year-old Jobs $ Careers HI BY LAURIE HUMPHREY Help is exactly what Brandy did when she saw Home & Service J2 STAFF WRITER Chandler Shahee, a niece of one of the tenants, at Sports CI A Westland resident is proving that heroes can the bottom of the pool last July. She didn't stop to At Home D6 come in any size. think about the one summer of swim lessons she Brandy Chaston, 9, stands about 4 feet tall. Yet took years ago, she just reacted. Entertainment El that did not stop her from swimming down five feet "I was walking around the pool and saw her lay­ Real Estate Fl to the bottom of the pool at Forest Lane Apart­ ing at the bottom," said the fourth-grader. "I yelled ments. She rescued a 5-year-old girl from drowning. at my mom, pointed to the bottom and jumped in." For this act of bravery, Brandy recently received Before Tiana could figure out what was going On, HOW TO REACH US a viBit from Mayor Robert Thomas during class at the young victim was dragged into the shallow end Edison Elementary. In addition to the visit, Brandy of the pool and began vomiting. got a plaque, a letter and a lot of recognition. "Brandy brought her to the shallow end by her Newsroom: 313-963-2104 "I didn't know he was coming," said Brandy. arm," said Tiana. Newsroom Fax: 313-591-7279 Brandy's mom, Tiana, knew though and she was "I thought she was dead," Brandy admitted, thero to watch and record the event. She pho­ E-mail: newsroom © ooonline.com "because she wasn't moving. She can't swim." tographed all the congratulatory hugs from Later that day,' Brandy remembers seeing her at Nlghtline/Sports: 313-953-2104 Brandy's classmates. the pool again, but nowhere near the water. Reader Comment Line: 313-953-2042 "He told the whole story," said Tiana about the "She kept following me and said I must be her Classified Advertising: 313-691-0900 mayoral visit. "He told the kids that if they see Hero: Brandy Chaston, 9, ?7iarks the spot', someone in trouble, they should try and help." Display Advertising: 313-591-2300 Please see SAVING, A4 where she jumped in a pool to save a life.. Home Delivery: 313-591-0500 mm A2(W) The Observer/THWSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1997 *.,*<, > 1tfake-up Westland Homecomjng court *JV^IQW to Obtain Small Business Loans" will be *i$.topic at the Westland Chamber of Commerce PLACES & FACES 3j?dke-Up Westland breakfast 8-9:30 a.m.