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Posthumus Angered by Political Donation Allegation Senator Looks to Protect His Reputation and Integrity

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Posthumus Angered by Political Donation Allegation Senator Looks to Protect His Reputation and Integrity Volume 169 Issue 25 Lowell Area Readers Since 1893 Wednesday^ April 29,1992 Posthumus angered by political donation allegation Senator looks to protect his reputation and integrity Senate Majority leader Richard Posthumus believes a few tions for the following year within a month or two after friends he socializes with. bad politicians give politicians a bad name, and a few bad leaving. "If this job as Senate Majority Leader is going to require reporters give the press a bad name. NI am then billed. Upon receiving the bill it is paid," that I give up a 20-year friendship, Pam (Posthumus' wife) and Posthumus believes he was stung by some shoddy report- Posthumus said. Because of the questioning and interrogation I will kiss the job good-bye. * ing by a Detroit News reporter. the Senator said he opened up his records to the reporter. To avoid problems in the future, Posthumus says he will The story stated that Posthumus and three other state Posthumus also went ahead and paid for his stay before the bill pay the bill by VISA when he leaves the condominium site legislators who recently vacationed in Alabama beach-front arrived. instead of waiting for the bill. * • condominiums managed by two of Michigan's most powerful Records indicate Posthumus voted against a bill to cut •J | Capitol lobbyists took more than $29,800 in political dona- Postumus, cont'd., pg. 8 tions from lobbyists' clients. "If this job as Senate Majority Leader is Posthumus strongly denies the allegation that there was going to require that I give up a 20-year any connection between the Gulf Coast vacations, which they Explorers to keep a said they paid for, and po- friendship, Pam {Posthumus' wife) and I will litical dona- tions. kiss the job good-bye." watchful eye on MI don't care what a reporter on die east side Dick Posthumus of the state thinks of Stoney Lakeside Park me, but I am concerned if it jeopar- dizes the In an effort to help control and the 4-H Fair, participates Posthumus was further angered by the fact that the story did reputable reputation activities at Stoney Lakeside in Law Enforcement Week, not state that both he and Patrick Laughlin, a partner with and integrity that 1 carry Park, the Parks and Recre- supports the local crime pre- Gary Owen in a fast growing lobbying firm (also owners of with my con- stituents," ation Commission and the vention programs (Neighbor- the condominium site), have been friends for 20 years, even Posthumus Lowell City Council have hood and Childhood Watch), said. prior to Laughlin becoming a lobbyist and Posthumus a Michigan agreed to use the Law En- assists in the bicycle safety/ The legislator. legislator says he has forcement Explorers to watch rodeo program, conducts tours "The other fact is I was down there with seven other taken his fam- ily on and for park violation rules. of the Lowell Police Depart- members of my graduating class," Posthumus said. "But that off for the past seven The Law Enforcement Ex- ment for youth groups, and was all left out of the story." years to the Alabama plorers Post gives its mem- provides administrative sup- Posthumus said he has always been careful about avoiding vacation site, The spot bers, ages 14-20, a chance to port in recordkeeping, filing, socializing with lobbyists, because of the perception it gives. has become Richard Posthumus so popular leam about career opportuni- and related areas. The Senator said he was asked if he should be careful of the with vacationers that Posthumus said he has to make reserva- ties in law enforcement at the "The Law Enforcement local, state, federal, and mili- Explorers Post is excited tary levels. about the Stoney Lakeside Along Main Street Mikel Ltd.. Part of the Explorers pro- Park opportunity," program gram is service to the commu- advisor A1 Eckman says. 201 E. Main nity. It assists with traffic The Explorers will be control and parking at parades Explorer, cont'd., pg. 3 Crafty Cole creates crafts store for m creative customers When Mike Cole was laid merly Man's World). that the Lowell Area Schools "This area has a strong in- SHOWBOAT ENDMAN TRYOUTS off from his job at S tee lease, Cole's hobby of drawing stresses for a well rounded terest and following in the he decided to get crafty and and painting provided the education, a small but very arts," Cole explained. "Thus 1 The Lowell Showboat will be holding endman try outs on create his own job. impetus for the business jour- much respected Lowell Area felt there is a need for a con- Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. in the educational wing of the First Thus the genesis of Mikel, ney. Arts Council, and the numer- venient arts and crafts store in United Methodist Church. Ltd., a fine arts and craft sup- Supporting that charge was ous shows and fairs in the this area." Those wishing to try out are asked to bring their own ply store at 201E. Main (for- the strong interest in the arts West Michigan area. Cole added that people musical selection. A piano will be available. Also, bring a few from this area had to drive to jokes and stories along with a moderate resume of play and either Ionia or Grand Rapids musical involvement for art supplies. • SHOWBOAT CHOIR HAS OPENINGS Mikel Ltd. offers general crafts, bendable ribbons, There is still room on the Lowell Showboat Choir for more quilting fabrics, yams, an voices. The choir meets every Thursday night at the Middle PMNn supplies, cross stitch and rib- School choir room at 7 p.m. bon to name a few. "We will be looking to ex- ATHLETIC BOOSTERS CLUB MEETING pand our inventory within the A special meeting of the general membership of the Lowell next few weeks," Cole says. Area Schools Athletic Boosters Club will be held on Monday, The Lowell businessman May 4 in the Media Center of the High School. says things have been going " The Varsity coaches will be introducing their parent repre- good and expects that it will sentatives and a discussion on plans for the 1992-93 school get even better. year will take place. "I've set no time limit. I've SHOWBOAT TALENT SEARCH mapped out a plan which 1 will review annually," Cole The Lowell Showboat Amateut Talent Search will be said. "It takes a business five Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16. The winners selected years before it starts to turn a will perform one evening of the Lowell Showboat in the pre- profit. It takes time, through show entertainment. advertising and word of Application deadline is Friday, May 1. If you have any mouth." 0 questions, call the Showboat office at (616) 897-8280 or A misconception Cole be- Mike Cole, Mikel Ltd., offers a variety of arts and crafts for West Michigan artists. Karen Hample, Talent Search Director at (616) 897-0055. lieves he is fighting, is that a 3 Main St, cont'd., pg. 7 Mikel, cont'd., p*- The Lowell Ledger-Wcdaoday, April 9,1992-Page 2 The Lowell Ledger-Wednesday, April 29,1992-Page 3 loving care of her family. She port, Lori Ann Tisron of Fre- 29, from 12 to 2 pm. with the Wittenbach was preceded in will be greatly missed. She mont, Robert W. Zalsman of funeral service at 2 p.m. She death by her sister, Virginia Obituaries was preceded in death by her TN, Christopher Watkins, will be laid to rest in Oakwood White and brother, Wayne husband of 56 years, Ben and James C. Tisron and Benny Cemetery in Lowell. Blaser. Funeral Service will three of her children; Leela, Tisron of Grand Rapids; five be held Wednesday (today) 1 .Saranac High School Honor Roll Elmer and Daniel. She is sur- greatgrandchildren, Lewis C. WITTENBACH - Mrs. pm. at Roth-Gerst Chapel, FEEBACK • Mrs. Mary E. Holliday Hillary; and his The following students Lewis, Michelle Perry, Jenny As & Bs A, B, & 1 C A's & B s vived by her son, B. James Watkins of ID, Jeannie M. Louis Esther Wittenbach, Rev. Scott Christiansen of Janet Tichelaar, Melissa Feeback, aged 77, of brothers Francis and Louis. have made the Saranac High Thomas. Jennifer Anderson, Tim Eric Blum, Aubrey Culver, Brenda Bowen, Fred (Jim) Tisron and family of Watkins of WA, Shannon M. aged 74, of Belding, went to Ashley Baptist Church offici- Yarrington. Kentwood, passed away Mr. Hillary was a strong School honor roll: Brown, Julia DeYoung, Paula Wayne Kronewitter, Stacy Brickley, RickCahoon, Bryan Newport, W A and her daugh- Zalsman of GA and Jeff and Heaven April 25,1992. She is ating. Interment Ashley Cem- Tuesday, April 21, 1992 in Catholic and was a member llth: ALL A s Horste, Jenny Ida, Stephanie McKinch, Seth Rutz, Billie Courtnay, Chad Elliott, Tricia A, B, & 1 C ter, Mrs. Edwin (Margaret) Jodi Zalsman of Clarksville, survived by her husband, etery. Memorials may be Metropolitan Hospital. Sur- of Blessed Sacrament in FL 12TH: ALL A's Laura Bullen, Annette Irving, Jim LeSarge, Jamie Jo Willison. Goff, Derek Neumann, Angie Chase, Mindy Baron of Walker; her grand- MI. Visitation will be held at Walter; also her sisters-in-law made to the Ashley Baptist viving are her husband, Walt; and Holy Name Society Men's Heather Abel, Scot Chad wick, McCarty, Jill Nanninga, Julie Longwell, Corey Rolfe, Jes- Danette Rutz, Kylah Scoot, children, Mrs. David (Susan the Johnson Chapel in Beld- and brother-in-law and many Church.
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