Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 3

zll us Circulation Dept. Classified Gold Ads Insurance Dept. City News All other calls 222-6500 222-5000 222-6470 222-6600 222-6400 IstJsxy extra Tuesday's number, 070, has been selected once before: on 4-25-80. Lottery line 1-976-2020 For delivery 222-6SCQ Section Page 3 SECOND FRONT PAGE Wednesday, May 23, -1984 haw yea czn NRC probes charge against plant contractor 'rjj Susan t7atson Zt- JFsir could seek penalties as severe as fines or criminal prosecution. RESPONDING to Singleton's charge, a Bechtel spokesman said one problem with examining the soils tests is that they occurred so long ago.

"We're denying the fact that we directed anything incorrectly," said spokesman Mario Cotruvo. "It's absolutely not true. But we're talking seven years ago, and that's the thing. How do you determine how it was done correctly?" Singleton, contacted at his home in recent weeks, has repeatedly refused comment. Several officials, however, confirmed the allegation he made to Dow's attorneys.

Midland-based chemical com THE TESTS were important because they might have helped detect widespread soil settlement problems at the plant earlier than 1978, when Consumers says it first learned of the extent of the problems. The soils troubles are recognized as unprecedented in the industry. Consumers is spending $390 million to re-support two major buildings. NRC officials would not comment on their investigation of Bechtel, but Singleton's charge is drawing attention because Bechtel Power is one of the nation's biggest nuclear contractors. Jan Strasma, an NRC spokesman in Chicago, said if the charges against Bechtel were proven true, the NRC pany canceled its contract to buy steam from the Midland plant last year and is suing Consumers for $60 million.

Dow accuses Consumers of lying about the cost and completion schedule for the plant. Gerald Phillip, a retired NRC investigator who examined the soils problems at Midland in 1978-79, said in a telephone interview last week from his Chicago-area home that he told the NRC in April about Singleton's charge. He said he learned about the allegation from Dow attorneys, who also interviewed Phillip for their suit. "I thought that I should relay that information to the NRC because they See BFCHTEL, Page 12A tests, but said it is reviewing the tests. The U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission's office of investigations, which handles the most serious charges of wrongdoing at nuclear plants, is conducting the federal probe. The commission confirmed in April that the office was examining discrepancies in documents related to the 1977 tests, but the charge about Bechtel was not disclosed. Jackson-based Consumers also is investigating the tests, spokesman Paul Knopick said Tuesday. Pointing out that Singleton's statement has been sealed by court order in the Dow-Consumers suit, he added: "We feel that any conclusions to be drawn now would be premature and unfair." By DAVID EVERETT Free Press Staff Writer Federal officials are investigating a former worker's charge that Bechtel Power Corp. ordered critical soils tests to be done improperly at Consumers Power Midland nuclear power plant.

The former worker, Buford Singleton of Irish Hills, has charged in a sworn statement that 1977 tests on the strength of soil fill at the plant were done incorrectly at the direction of Bechtel, the main contractor on the project. His statement was made to attorneys for Dow Chemical who recently interviewed Singleton while preparing for a lawsuit against Consumers. Bechtel denies it ordered incorrect PA Gets Alaska victim wanted to be close to nature inpatient I I I With State By TIM JONES and MARCIA STEPANEK Free Press Staff Writers WASHINGTON U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator William Ruckelshaus said Tuesday he is "running out of patience and flexibility" with Michigan's refusal to implement a vehicle emissions and testing program in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. "You can't very well enforce the law without getting tough, and imposing economic sanctions appears to be the only way to do that," Ruckelshaus said before a speech at the National Press Club.

"I have no recourse but to impose sanctions if a state doesn't come up with a plan." Ruckelshaus' comments came as the regional director of the EPA warned in Lansing that the agency will levy sanctions against the tri-county area in July or August if the Legislature (If i ,4 I 1 St til By MARY O'DOHERTY Free Press Staff Writer Jim Madajski's biggest concern when his son decided to settle in Alaska and learn to live off the land was that his son's old pickup truck would not make the trek from Michigan. So he helped his son, Dale, get a new pickup with a camper so he and his girlfriend, Kirsten Groppuso, would have somewhere to live when they arrived. "I never had to worry about them," Madajski said Tuesday. "He was a real outdoors person. He even took a conservation course in school.

Monetarily it wasn't a good thing, but they wanted to live the life. And they made very good friends there." Madajski said he was stunned, when he learned Saturday that after surviving two years of primitive Alaskan life, Dale, 20, was one of eight people Alaska state troopers believed was slain by the same man. The Mt. Clemens native lived in Manley Hot Springs, a small fishing village 90 miles west of Fairbanks, with his wife now Kirsten Madajski and their seven-month-old son. He disappeared Thursday between 2 p.m.

and 4 p.m. when he went to a boat landing on the Tanana River. That evening his wife, 20, concerned because he had not returned, investigated and found vehicles and boats at the landing spattered with blood and littered with cartridge casings. Alaska state troopers believe Madajski and six others were killed in a three-hour rampage and dumped in the river by a 25-year-old drifter who was linked to another disappearance in Fairbanks a few weeks ago. THE SUSPECT, MIKE SILKA, 25, was killed Saturday in a shootout with police when he was spotted by six troopers.

The troopers were in two helicopters on a Tanana River slough about 25 miles upstream from Manley Hot Springs. Silka, in a boat that belonged to one of the missing people, began firing at the helicopters, fatally shooting 34-year-old trooper Troy Duncan. Police then shot and killed Silka, a native of Hoffman Estates, 111.. Lt. John Shover of the Alaska state troopers said helicopters and other aircraft had been searching between Manley Hot Springs and Fairbanks for Silka.

Police are dragging the Tanana River for the missing people, but they said they have had little success because the swift river is too murky. MADAJSKI AND HIS WIFE were married shortly after they moved to Alaska in 1982, just after she graduated from Fraser High School. "They were enticed by the idea of living closer to nature," said his aunt, Diane Madajski. "They had a dogsled with a pack of dogs for transportation. They lived off the land.

They fished and trapped and hunted. He really loved it. He was really good at it. "They loved it there. It was really a good choice for them.

Every time they called home, that's what they told us." AP contributed to this report. Low bid no winner; explanations aplenty Once upon a time there were three downriver businessmen vying for some contracts to serve the Ecorse Board of Education. Now these weren't the only people engaged in contract bidding for various services for the school district, but they certainly were among the most interesting. Businessman No. 1 was Olin Meador a resident of Ecorse and regional vice-president for Michigan Financial Planning Services.

Meador wanted to provide life, health and optical insurance for the Ecorse Public School system, but he lost because his bid was toooooo high. His bid for the two-year contract came in about $6,600 higher than the lowest bidder who, as logic would have it, got the contract. Businessman No. 2 was John Clark, who lives in Lincoln Park and owns the Dearborn Limousine Service. Clark wanted to provide bus service for Ecorse students who attend regular classes, but he lost because his bid of $69,750 for one year was toooooo low.

Finally, there was businessman No. 3, John Massolia, owner of the bus company, headquartered at 4127 W. Jefferson in Ecorse. Massolia, who lives in Melvindale, also wanted to provide bus service for the Ecorse kids who attend regular classes. In fact, Massolia already provides that service and simply wanted to continue.

So Massolia bid $87,444 for the contract, and guess what? Massolia's bid, which came in almost $18,000 higher than the low bidder, was juuuuust right. Since the bidding was for a two-year contract, Massolia's bid wound up being $35,388 higher than the lowest bidder. A good provider Some board members explained that Massolia got the contract because he hired local folks, provided good service in the past, provided lots of services he never charged for and is expected to do the same with the new contract. Also, his business is in the city in fact he rents office space in the Goreta Agency, also at 4127 W. Jefferson.

Board member Eugene Goreta explained that Massolia "has an office in an office I have an interest in." One reason for not going with the lowest bidder, said board President William Holmes, who, for the record, is my Cousin Bill is that Massolia had, unbeknownst to many people, provided many free services for the schools, Holmes said. Massolia said he has provided some free bus service for school and sports events, and sometimes gives them a good deal on extra bus service. He said he supports the community. Holmes voted for Mas(solia, as diu Goreta and two other board members. But what about MY bid? But wait a minute, said businessman No.

1, the insurance executive. I live in Ecorse, I do business here, and my bid. was only $6,600 higher than the lowest bidder, who is not from Ecorse. Massolia's was $35,000 higher spread over the two-year life of the contact. How come I don't get the same consideration on insurance that he got on busing? Yeah, hold on a second, said businessman No.

2, who had competed against Massolia. I don't live in Ecorse, and neither does Mr. Massolia. Plus, my bid was more than $35,000 cheaper. Now, now, explained board member Jerome Barlow.

You can't compare an insurance contract with a transportation contract. Buses provide jobs. "I feel Ecorse and this school district have the obligation to further businesses that operate in Ecorse," Barlow explained. "If we don't support our businesses, who will?" The board meeting went on pretty much like that all evening. Finally, the board president said, the school tranportation director recommended the higher bid on the bus service.

That's news to me, said board member Leona Bourassa, who with board member Doris Young voted against awarding the contract to M. Well, Holmes explained, the transportation director made the recommendation to me, not to the board. The board, explained a school official, can choose the company it wants. All the busing companies met the specifications, and the board made the final decision on what was toooooo high what was toooooo low and what was juuuuust right. does not enact the testing program Deiore Dreans im uk summer.

And the EPA's Valdas Adamkus questioned whether the state would be able to satisfy the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act by simply having Gov. Blanchard issue emergency rules to implement the testing program temporarily. CITING CONTINUED violations of federal clean air standards, the EPA warned the Legislature last month that its failure to implement a vehicle inspection program before the summer break would mean a halt to federal highway money and permits for industrial expansion and development in the three counties. State officials estimate the sanctions would affect more than $200 million in spending. "The law is the law.

I don't believe that any state should consider itself above the law," said Adamkus. "Unfortunately, there are misconceptions by politicians and administrators of this state that the law will be changed and they are going to avoid the issue. "The law is in place, and there will be no changes." A state-approved emissions test would cost motorists as much as $10. But if repairs were required, there would be additional cost. Legislative leaders have questioned the value of the program and have said there is little, if any, hope of approving the testing plan before the summer recess.

A TEMPORARY WAY to avoid the sanctions would be for Blanchard to declare an emergency and enact the program for six months. This would appear to remove the prospect of the Legislature acting on the unpopular proposal before the November elections. Lawmakers would, however, have to set up a See EPA, Page 10A I Ik if 1 .1,,,,, liilimlHilUVriniUliirtll Mtf hill IIIIMI 'HIM AP Photo Carrying on the tradition An Olympic torch carrier passes by the Capitol Building in Lansing during a Tuesday afternoon rainstorm. The torch will make its way out of the state today en route to Los Angeles. Record rights award expected jr Wonder drug costing man $500 a month Products, in Wyandotte.

The Ohio-based company no longer operates in Michigan. IN 1971, Citchen told the commission that he had been racially harassed on the job since being hired in 1967. The commission investigated the complaints and in 1981 found: At times, Citchen found dead rats, dead mice, dead fish and bones in his locker. Once he found nails in the shape of a cross. See AWARD, Page 6A By JEANNE MAY Free Press Staff Writer The Michigan Civil Rights Commission is expected to sward $1.5 million in damages today to an unemployed welder who was racially harassed on the job in the 1970s.

The amount of the award was reported by a source close to the commission. The commission's largest previous award was $400,000 in 1982 to a Wyoming, woman who was racially harassed by her landlord. The latest case involves Ben Citchen, one of the first black men hired by Firestone Steel 1 i I X'. Witness going, going, gone again By DOLLY KATZ Free Press Medical Writer Tim DeWald of Au Gres owes his health to a new drug that maintains his transplanted kidney. Beginning-next week, he also will owe more than $500 a month for the drug his entire take-home pay.

The federal Medicare program paid for DeWald's kidney transplant, but it will not pay for the drug. Nor will the state Medicaid program, DeWald's Blue Cross-Blue Shield policy, or any of the other institutions set up to help people pay their medical bills. DeWald does not know where the money will come from. "I have no idea. The pharmacist said I could be set up on a payment plan.

But I'm not going to be able to pay off the $500 the first month, so I'm constantly going to be in the hole." AT LEAST 5,500 Americans will receive kidney transplants this year. Like DeWald, most of them will take the new drug, cyclosporihe, to protect their kidneys from rejection. And, like DeWald, many of them will face the problem of scraping up $4,000 to $8,000 a year to buy the cyclosporine. Their predicament has become sadly U- Photo bv SUZANNE WEAVER Tim DeWald and his wife, Denise. He owes his health to an expensive new drug that maintains his transplanted kidney.

lar, as medical science has developed expensive new treatments faster than society can develop ways to pay for them. Like many people with chronic diseases, DeWald has fallen through the cracks of a health insurance system that critics say is uneconomical and unfair. It pays medical bills for some people, but not for others; it pays for some expensive medical treatments but not for other, cheaper, ones. DeWald, 25, has lived all his life in Au Gres, just across Saginaw Bay from the tip of the Thumb. He and his wife, Denise, work at See DRUG, Page 13A in several murder cases.

They said they were glad somebody else was in charge when be left this time. And they offered him some advice. "That boy lets on he knows too much," one officer said late Tuesday. "He'd better come on in here, or someone on the street is going to take him at his word, figure he knows too much, and that will be the end of his escaping days." Punchy, or anyone knowing his whereabouts, can call the Police Department at 91 1 or the Armed Robbery Section, which handles prisoner escapes, at 224-4270 anytime. Officers said they would gladly arrange to escort him back to headquarters.

By SANDY McCLURE Free Press Staff Writer His friends call him Punchy. Authorities call him gone. Tuesday afternoon, Oliver Thomas Cowan, 27, was awaiting arraignment in Recorder's Court on a charge of jail escape. But Cowan, also known as Gregory Harris, didn't wait long. He escaped again.

No one in any official capacity was willing to own up to how it happened. Jowa Security Service which Is responsible for court security, did not return Free Press calls inquiring about the escape. Detroit police homicide investigators had lost him the first time during the Christmas holidays while he was being held as a witness 1.