Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 13

THE STATE JOURNAL May 14, 1974 B-3 DeWitt Over Rock Concert By BARBARA MEEK Staff Writer .1 -Z DeWitt Township trustees stewed for an hour and a natf Monday night over next Saturday's rock concert scheduled at the Northside Drive-in, and they had plenty 7f- of company in their misery. 4 More than 60 area residents showed up at the small I meeting hall to ask what arrangements had been made for crowd control, how they could legally protect their per-sonal property and what they could do to stop future rock concerts. WHAT THEY really wanted was to stop the noon-to-midnight extravaganza this weekend, but prospects for that look dim. The Clinton County Board of Commissioners voted 7-4 last week to issue a permit for the concert, attaching a number of conditions for crowd control, safety and sanita tion. But since no one was sure a permit was really needed, any move to revoke it probably would have little effect.

Concert promoter Tom Demeter of Kosmic Kowboy Productions in Durand has agreed to provide a security force of 86 to control the estimated 6,000 concert-goers, station two ambulances and a fire rig on the premises, keep noise to a "reasonable" level, provide a tent staffed with physicians and overdose aides and prevent anyone on the property from violating any local or state ordinances. DEWITT TRUSTEES voted Monday night, however, that the fire rig would remain at the township station and would respond only for a major fire or, at the specific order of the sheriff, for crowd control. Fire committee chairman Roger Pline explained that "the presence of the fire truck might give the impression that it was there for crowd control," and added fire officials also were concerned about vandalism. Demeter also promised to provide a 20-acre field for additional parking, but as of Monday night that lease had not been signed. DEWITT Twp.

POLICE CHIEF Bill Nash told the group arrests for drug and other violations would "depend on the scale," adding he will have undercover officers inside the concert feeding constant intelligence to outside officers. "There are ways to identify sellers (of drugs) and then arrest them at a more convenient time and place," Nash remarked. To go in there and arrest one kid who's blowing pot and set off a full-scale riot is not, in my. mind, what we want." NASH ALSO said "several wrecking companies are gearing up for the day" to tow away illegally parked cars, and assured the group police would try valiantly to keep streets clear. Before it was over, board members asked their attorneys to research an ordinance to control future concerts, with a report due at the next meeting May 28 (May 27 is Memorial Day).

Only one person had an encouraging word about the concert Bruce Angell the former township police chief who has been hired to coordinate security and safety efforts for the concert. CANT stop it," Angell said. "I think if it could've been stopped, it should've been stopped long before this. "I don't think this is really going to be as bad as the Huns coming in, burning and pillaging," he added. No one seemed comforted.

Residents Stewin Portland Has P-R-I-D-E Trailbikers in City Parks May Discover Game's Up Thursday the merchants will have a golf outing for themselves at the Country Club. Friday all local manufacturers, utility and supply companies, implement and sporting equipment dealers as well as the truck and auto dealers will take over the block between Maple and Grand River. SATURDAY there" will be a massive river cleanup capped by an ox roast, "beer tent" with live entertainment. Oh, yes, Friday, Thomas Van Buren, president of the Chamber of Commerce, will make the really big announcement of the whole affair. He will announce the "most beautiful residence" and "most beautiful business" awards.

And this was the basic purpose of the whole event because PRIDE stands for Paint, Repair, Improve, Decorate Exteriors to make Portland just a bit nicer place to live. By PAULINE JORDAN Journal Correspondent PORTLAND Today the flower lovers and artists had their day. Tomorrow the shoppers will have a spree. AND IT will be like that for the rest of week. Lt.

Gov. James Brickley started it all off officially that is when he addressed the breakfast kick-off Monday of PRIDE week here. The week sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce has been months in planning. WEDNESDAY every retail store in town will have special features and all of the stores will be open until 9 p.m. But it was Councilman Terry McKane who offered the Big-Brother-in-the-Sky idea.

"That would be a beautiful way to use the helicopters," he said. LANSING HAS purchased a police helicopter, and Uncle Sam is sending along two surplus choppers at no extra cost. McKane suggested the police buy a few trailbikes, which are more mobile than the larger cycles presently ridden by the force, and chase down cyclists with directions radioed from the choppers. The police say they'll consider the idea. By DAN BIDDLE Staff Writer Picture this: It was a day to be outdoors.

The sun shone down from a cloudless sky, and the crisp wind blew in the young man's face as he raced his trailbike effortlessly over the rolling hills of Lansing's Washington Park. THEN REALITY crashed unceremoniously in. "HALT ordered a thundering voice from the sky. "YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF A CITY ORDINANCE FORBIDDING USE OF TRAILBIKES IN PUBLIC PARKS." merous complaints that trail-bike users are running wild in city parks and the police can't do a thing about it. "You can't catch these kids the way they can zip in and out on those things," said May, noting that patrolmen in squad cars are no match for the more versatile trailbikes.

DRIVING A cycle or trailer in public parks violates a city ordinance. "Maybe we ought to get the police some trailbikes," May "I'm sure we've got some young people on the force who'd like to act like cowboys." A monstrous helicopter emblazoned "LANSING POLICE" rose over the trees and bore down on its quarry. A trio helmeted patrolmen on trailbikes burst from the underbrush and surrounded the bike rider. IT MAY sound like a bad dream or a scene from George Orwell's totalitarian epic, "1984," but the above scenario may become Lansing's response to increased use of motorcycles on public property. The idea came up at Monday's committee of the whole meeting when Councilman Roger May said he has heard nu Dobie Road Facility May Be Talk of Meeting Tonight Council Makes Few Changes Record City Budget Sails Through Hearing face the possibility of having to close down the facility.

The apr propriation would pay for the minimum work necessary to meet the state standards. AMONG ALTERNATIVES expected to be studied by the committee is building of a new facility, likely on the property where the present building now stands. If such a recommendation is made, it would likely result in a request for additional millage from taxpayers to pay for the building. The special committee had originally recommended that the facility continue in operation for up to three years, during which time a determination would be made as to whether private nursing homes in the area could take over its role. Heavy public opposition to closing of the facility apparently has caused the committee and the rest of the commissioners to reconsider any idea of closing it.

ANYONE PLANNING to attend the meeting to find out how the matter is resolved will probably have to plan on staying late. By HUGH LEACH Staff Writer MASON There is no mention of the Ingham County Ex-; tended Care Facility on the printed agendas for tonight's meeting of the county board of commissioners, but the board is expected to take a significant step toward resolving the recent controversy surrounding the facility. It is expected that the board rules will be waived to permit introduction of a resolution to continue the seven-commissioner special committee study on the facility to determine what long-range steps should be taken to keep it operating. THE KEY statement in the minds of people who have feared the commissioners were about to abandon the facility is a commitment t6 keep the facility in operation, at least on some lever. In the meantime, a special appropriation is expected to be granted to pay for necessary remodeling required by state laws.

The county has until Jan. 1 to comply with the state rules or Lansing's record $23 million 1974-75 general fund budget came up for public comment at Monday night's city council meeting, but no one had anything to say. No questions or comments were voiced at the scheduled public hearing on the spending plan, which includes a 10-cent cut in current property tax levels. The decrease would lower the levy from $10.70 to budget intact while adding funds for lesser items such as planting 279 trees around the city, providing summer playground programs, and paying employes at the Potter Park Children's Zoo. OVER GRAVES' objections, councilmen also a 1 1 $100,000 to the Kingsley Place redevelopment project, which Graves feels Model Cities funds should cover.

Graves had recommended $10.60 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. THE COUNCIL is expected to approve the budget next Monday, the deadline for adoption. Mayor Graves presented the budget outline March 25 with the warning that councilmen should avoid making major changes in suggested appropriations. The council complied, leaving the biggest chunks of the cutting summer playground usage to 31 of the 52 available lots, but the revised budget covers all 52. The biggest portion of the new budget will go to general administrative costs, and the police and fire departments.

ONE SIZEABLE allotment in the mayor's original plan $380,000 for a new swimming pool at Kendon Park is considered low priority by most of the council. MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 9-10 A.M. 4 0 hi in Weekdays p.m. UU p.m. UU 3 Scott Wyman Robbie Timmons Bob Kurtz Denny Daily "Mies Von Where Crrfh.