Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 7

Lansing State Journal OCAL TATE Tuesday July 13, 2004 www.lsj.com Betsy Miner Metro Editor 377-1154 E-mail: Bush's visits to Michigan Marquette residents thrilled by first presidential visit since 1911 was moved from the municipal arena to the Superior Dome at Northern Michigan University, where about 11,000 spectators are expected, or Republican gubernatorial candidate Lt Gov. Dick Posthumus in Oakland County's Waterford Township. Sept 9, 2002: Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien reported progress in tightening security at crossings while keeping goods flowing between the world's largest trading partners. I July 19, 2002: Bush visited Oakland University with Aleksander Kwasniewski as part of the Polish president's state visit I May 6, 2002: Bush, at a speech in Southfield, stressed the importance of accountability measures in strengthening the nation's public schools. Sept 3, 2001: Bush made an appearance at the Teamsters Labor Day picnic in Detroit.

June 25, 2001: Bush visited Detroit to promote his faith-based initiative at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting. I March 27, 2001: In Kalamazoo, Bush described a proposed package of tax reductions and restrained federal spending. July 7: Bush met with six state judges he has nominated to federal courts before attending a $2.5 million fund-raiser in Bloomfield Hills. I May 3: Bush campaigned in Niles, Kalamazoo and Sterling Heights days after Democratic rival U.S.

Sen. John Kerry campaigned in Ann Arbor. Dec. 1, 2003: Bush attended a $750,000 fund-raiser for his 2004 presidential campaign in Dearborn. I Sept.

15, 2003: Bush visited a Detroit Edison coal-fired power plant in Monroe and talked about air pollution controls and improving the electrical grid. July 24, 2003: Bush spoke at a Livonia manufacturer for commercial aerospace and military markets. April 28, 2003: Bush met in Dearborn with Iraqi Americans. Jan. 29, 2003: Bush visited Grand Rapids to discuss Medicare, the economy, tax relief, the war on terrorism, education and helping African AIDS victims.

I Oct. 14, 2002: Bush appeared with ganizers said. City officials declared Monday as President's Day and held a parry President Bush's scheduled campaign appearance today has created a local sensation. "It will be a great day for Marquette," said Dick Wilson, 63, who will join the crowd at Bush's rally, the start of a two-day swing through the Upper Midwest Also planned are a stop in Duluth, and a bus trip in Wisconsin. People began lining up in the middle of the night last week for free tickets to the Marquette speech, and all 5,000 were quickly dispensed.

So many people clamored for more that the event excitement was evidence of the Bush's strength in the area. He carried 12 of the Upper Peninsula's 15 counties in 2000, although Marquette County which has a strong organized labor presence went for Al Gore. "We're thrilled with the overwhelming support we've seen," said Merrill Smith, Midwestern regional spokeswoman for the Bush-Cheney organization. Others attributed the intense interest to the novelty of a presidential visit to the Upper Peninsula, where Marquette, popu-. lation 20,000, is the largest city.

U.P. city celebrates appearance today; tickets snatched up By John Flesher Associated Press MARQUETTE US. presidents don't exactly beat a path to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The last incumbent to visit this Lake Superior city was William Howard Taft in 1911. Which helps explain why ELECTION downtown.

"We want to put on our best face for the world because the world will be watching," City Manager Gerry Peterson said. Campaign officials said the WILX to produce Area residents invited to free event Reo parade, concert mark Capitol's 125th anniversary 0 0 0X0 S3 i Water withdrawal I Proposed legislation would require permits to withdraw more than 2 million gallons of water a day or more than 100 million gallons a year. On the Web I To learn more about SB 1087 and HB 5634, go to www.michiganlegislature.org. j-12 Legislators seek to control loss of valued resource By Amy F. Bailey Associated Press State House and Senate Democrats on Monday presented Gov.

Jennifer Granholm with a pledge signed by several dozen lawmakers to support legislation that would regulate large-scale water diversions from the Great Lakes. The presentation at the state Capitol was part of a continuing news for Fox rival Channel 10 to gather stories forWSYM-TV By Robin Swartz Lansing State Journal Get ready for a change in local television news. Starting in early September, WILX (Channel 10) will produce the news broadcasts for rival WSYM (Channel 47), the stations announced Monday. The deal eliminates WSYM's newsroom in downtown Lansing but keeps news broadcasts on the Fox affiliate. In turn, WILX gains greater visibility and promotion with an expanded audience, as both stations promote the other's newscasts.

This will join the forces of both stations to expand our local news coverage," said Mike King, general manager of WILX. WILX will take over news gathering, editing and production of the 530 pjn. and 10 p.m. newscasts on WSYM. WSYM will have its own on-air anchor team and news set distinct from WILX's.

WSYM news employees who lose their jobs could be rehired by WILX. All newscasts will be broadcast from WILX's studios in south Lansing, which will be expanded to accommodate a larger staff. Much of what each station covers now is similar, King said, so with combined resources, only one news crew will be sent out to cover a story, freeing additional reporters and camerapeople to cover other news. The new production 53 CHRIS HOLMESLansing State Journal Ready: Master Decorative Painter Bill Finch works on the platform Capitol. The U.S.

Air Force Band of Flight will present a free concert, that will be used today for 125th anniversary celebrations at the preceded by a parade and a speech by Mayor Tony Benavides. Air Force musicians to offer pop, military tunes effort to encourage Republicans, who control both chambers of the Legislature, to take up Granholm hearing on either of them. Jefflrwin, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said each of the Senate's 16 Democrats signed the organization's pledge to "protect Michigan's lakes, streams and freshwater acquifers by supporting legislation that will strictly regulate large-water withdrawals." Forty-five of the House's 46 Democrats also signed the pledge, spokesman Dan Farough said. Reps. Dan Acciavatti of Chesterfield, John Stewart of Northville, Tom Meyer of Bad Axe and Jack Brandenburg of Macomb County's Harrison Township were the only Republican lawmakers to sign the pledge, Irwin said.

Republican legislative leaders have said they don't want to take up the legislation until they see the results of a law passed last year that requires an inventory of groundwater supplies, which could take about two years. The day's events 1 11 a.m.: Demonstrations by Tillers International 6 p.m.: Reo Motor Car Co. parade 1 6:30 p.m.: Speech by Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides 7 p.m.: U.S. Air Force Band of Flight concert I Free parking will be available at the Boji parking ramp on the corner of Townsend and Allegan streets. Inside I A look at the history of Reo Motor Car part of a series celebrating its centennial.

Page 10D By Kara Reinhardt Lansing State Journal Lansing area residents will break out their bug spray and picnic blankets this evening to commemorate the Capitol's 125th anniversary. A free concert by the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight on the Capitol steps will continue a yearlong series of festivities. The 60-mem-ber band plays everything from military and traditional pieces to popular music and Broadway show tunes. "Band concerts have always been a tradition on the Capitol steps," said Jerry Lawler, executive direc tor of the Michigan Capitol Committee.

Lansing has been the state's capital city since 1847, and the Capitol was dedicated in 1879. In the interim, there were several movements to relocate Michigan's capital. "Once they built that building, that virtually ensured that Lansing was going to be the capital of the state," Lawler said. "And that's been one of the pillars of Lansing's economy." Before Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides kicks off the concert at 630, there will be other attractions, including a Reo Motor Car Co. parade and tours of the Victorian-style statehouse.

This year also is the 100th anniversary of the founding of Reo. The parade will mark the start of the Reo Centennial Celebration, which runs through Saturday. Civil War-era re-enactors also will be on hand, as well as Tillers International, an organization created to preserve rural heritage. The concert will last an hour and 45 minutes no intermissions and will include a tribute to composer Irving Berlin. Contact Kara Reinhardt at 267-1302 or kreinhardt lsj.com.

a two-Din package to require companies and farms that withdraw water to get permits. The legislation would require permits to withdraw more than 2 million gallons of water a day or more than 100 million gallons a year. More than 1,000 existing operations fall into that category, including farms, utilities, golf courses and factories. The bills were introduced in March, but House and Senate Republicans have not yet scheduled a See TV NEWS I Page 2B Man with epilepsy fights ban from gym Kalamazoo natives start shooting film in their hometown John Schneider jschneidlsj.com 377-1175 Comedy follows women on hunt for time capsule By James Prichard There was nothing different about the epileptic seizure Larry Mason III experienced earlier this year while working out at the Frandor Fitness USA Supercenter. There WAS a difference, however, in the way Fitness USA responded to it.

Citing safety concerns, the company suspended the "lifetime membership," for which Mason had paid about $1,000 about 10 years ago. Mason, 40, lives in Has-lett He's had epilepsy all his life. In a typical year, he has two or three grand mal seizures, which involve convulsions. Two or three times a week, Mason suffers petit mal seizures, which is the kind he has experienced from time to time at the Frandor Fitness USA. They, he said, involve a "funny, lightheaded feel- West Bloomfield.

Messages left there were not returned Monday. Not alone Mason can't drive, and never goes to the spa by himself. He's always accompanied by three of his friends, who know what to do about his seizures. "There's no logical reason why I shouldn't be able to continue my membership," he said. Mason's doctor, neurologist Narendra Patel of Lansing, agrees.

However, Patel said he understands, and appreciates, Fitness USAs concerns. "Because of liability concerns, they have to call 911 every time it happens," Patel said. Pointing out that Mason experiences fewer seizures when he works out, Patel said he hopes spa officials will let Mason return. Fitness USA officials told Mason that his membership would be suspended until they received written approval of his doctor for him to continue. Patel provided that, saying that as long as Mason avoided the pool and "heights" and followed the "necessary safety precautions" with the various fitness equipment, he could continue working out.

Details sought Fitness USA officials wrote Patel back saying his note was too vague and that they needed more specific information before they could take Mason back. "In order for us to consider allowing Mr. Mason to continue using our facilities," the letter said, "we are asking you to help us by specifying exactly what you will and will not allow Mr. Mason to do Patel told me Monday that he'll do that, which he hopes will lead to Mason's reinstatement. After considering Mason's complaint, William Milzar-ski, a rights representative for the Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns, said he thought the cancellation of the membership was "a bit excessive." The commission, Milzar-ski said, would encourage Fitness USA to find a way to accommodate Mason.

Mason said he's willing to do whatever it takes. "I'll sign any waiver they want me to sign," he said. What do you think? Call John Schneider at 377-1175, send a fax to 377-1298 or e-mail jschneidlsj.com. Include your name, phone number, city, town or township. Her sister, Joanna Clare Scott, is not only a co-producer but also wrote the script and plays one of the three female leads.

The other two characters are portrayed by May-im Bialik, all grown up from her days as television's "Blossom," and Josie Davis of "Beverly Hills 90210." Also appearing in the independently produced film are British acting legend Claire Bloom, Tony Award-winning singer-dancer-actress Chita Rivera and Dee Wallace-Stone, who played the mother in "EX: The Extra-TerrestriaL" "Kalamazoo?" is a comedy that follows three women in their late 20s who return See FILM Page 2B ing" and a need to lie down. Mason said he always knows when one of these seizures is coming and that they're over in a few minutes. Medication helps limit Mason's seizures, as does exercise. That's one of the reasons he's eager to have his membership reinstated. The other reason is that Mason believes the suspension violates his rights under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Managers at the Frandor Fitness USA referred me to their executive offices in Associated Press KALAMAZOO Dana Kowalski felt a little strange returning to the southwestern Michigan city where she grew up to begin shooting the first movie that she and her sister are producing together. "But it's exciting, and it's cool," Kowalski said outside the large, two-story home where the cast and crew of "Kalamazoo?" spent the morning filming on Monday..