Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 3

FEBRUARY 1S88 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 lottery extra Saturday's number, 754, has been drawn four times before: on 2-8-79, 11-15-82, 8-14-84 and 2-18-85. Lottery line 1-976-2020 Section Page 3 SECOND FRONT PAGE Monday, February 15, 1988 Runaway was good student Susan Watson Life of teenage slaying suspect surprises high school officials Lobbying is intense for lottery contract 4 firms seek prize of $130 million Hit's totally I puzzling to me. We're talking about a young lady we knew two years ago who could've changed. 7 7 i i isn't good about her," said Lynn Kerns, assistant principal at Hancock, where Munday was a student before running away almost two years ago from her home in Hancock, a town of about 2,000 in the Cumberland Gap area of the Appalachian mountains. "I was very surprised that she could be involved in this," he said, referring to murder and armed robbery charges faces in a Waterford Township case.

"It's totally puzzling to me. We're talking about a young lady we See MUNDAY, Page 9A BY Georgea kovanis Free Press Staff Writer Seventeen-year-old Melissa Mun-day was an A and student, a junior varsity basketball player, a choral singer and a practical joker. "She always had a wisecrack," said. Lawrence Cleaver, principal of Hancock Middle Senior High School. "She had a quick mind.

I thoroughly enjoyed being around her." She was, say those who knew her, the last person they would think capable of murder. "There is nothing I could say that Seized ivith fear while facing fame Why is it that I'm dumbest around the people I most want to dazzle? I'm serious. I always have been in awe of people who are so extraordinarily good at what they do that the word genius isn't rich enough to de-! scribe them. And, although I have fantasized about engaging in sparkling conversa-; tions with these chosen people, I always have known in my heart that I would be struck dumb if I ever came face-to-face, or phone-to-phone, with one of them. I mean, how do you talk to a poet like Maya Angelou? I have felt the force of "Still I Rise" slap against my i soul like the waves from the ocean.

I Lynn Kerns assistant principal Munday ...11 by Dawson bell Free Press Staff Writer LANSING The contract to replace and run Michigan's lottery's computer network is a prize worth more than any Lotto jackpot, the largest single contract in the history of state government. The money and influence used to win it is in proportion to the stakes an estimated $130 million to $180 million over 10 years. State Treasurer Robert Bowman said the involvement of current and former legislators, high-powered lobbyists and lawyers in the contract sweepstakes has been like "nothing; we've ever seen before." Bowman and six other members of the state Administrative Board are' scheduled to meet Tuesday to select a winner. They will choose from among four companies, one of which, GTECH of Providence, R.I., is preferred by the Bureau of State Lottery. State lottery Commissioner Michael Carr said GTECH outscored three other companies in a state evaluation of management and technical Si capabilities.

The others are General Instrument Corp. of New York City, Syntech International, a Nevada-based company with manufacturing operations in Traverse City, and Scientific Games Inc. of Georgia. The four companies spent a combined $102,000 on lobbying activities in 1987, according to records on file with the Secretary of State. This year's spending has not yet been reported.

All four bidders have recruited a supporting cast of the well known and MANNY CRISOSTOMODetroit Free Press wp -rnnnpfipn rttnnno rripm arp- I.nhhvists Rnhhv Crim. former Dem- ocratic speaker of the House, works with Syntech; Michael former House minority leader, with; General Instrument, and James Kar- NOT MERELY A STROLL Several students walk across the snow-covered grounds of Cranbrook Institute on Sunday during a walkathon for disabled children. More than 200 students from three private schools participated in the fund-raiser to benefit the Detroit Institute of Children. The students from Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School and Academy of the Sacred Heart, both in Bloomfield Hills, and Detroit Country Day School, in Birmingham secured pledges of money from sponsors of the walk. Tuesday is last day for JO A statements Neivspapers continue bid to overcome unions' opposition have recited the poem so often that I have sections committed to memory.

Still, I know if I met Angelou, the Dumb Fairy would sprinkle dumb dust all over my head. The same thing would happen if I ever met the Washington Post's Bob Woodward who with his sidekick, Carl Bernstein, broke the story of the century. Their inspired coverage of the Watergate cover-up set the tone for reporting in this I'd meet them and forget their names. Believe me. It's true.

Once when I was on assignment near Chicago, I actually found the courage to call Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Royko. Royko pokes and jabs and teases. His copy is needle-sharp, yet light as a feather. Direct Dialing A Celebrity I dialed Royko's number, and Royko himself answered the phone. I wasn't prepared for that.

I thought I'd get his secretary. My mouth turned to mush. Royko needed an interpreter to understand what I was saying. I couldn't even put two brain cells together long enough to pay him a decent compliment. Dumb.

I felt so dumb, even dumber than stone. With that call I had plumbed the depths of dumbness or so I thought until Friday. I was sitting at my desk when the phone rang. On the line was a woman who identified herself as being connected with Aretha Franklin. The woman explained that Aretha Franklin is sponsoring an Easter parade this year, and wondered if I would serve on an honorary committee.

Well, I felt great about being asked, but I had to turn down the offer. I steer clear of committees. I figure if I help set policy for something, I can't write about it. And heaven knows, I need things to write about. The woman listened, and then asked me to hold.

The next thing I knew, this incredibly smooth voice was speaking my name. At first I didn't know who it was. Then the voice said, "This is Aretha Franklin." I was in shock. There, on the other end of the line, was Aretha Franklin, Aretha "Get It, Girl" Franklin who sings like an angel that spent time on Twelfth Street before flying into heaven. All I wanted to do was to ask her if she would be my new best friend.

But I was unable to put together a cohesive sentence. In fact, all I could do was listen helplessly as my voice hopped on an express elevator to the top of my vocal range. "I'm so flattered to meet you," I squeaked. "You are good," I think I said. Invisible hands clutched my throat, making my voice squeakier and squeakier while Franklin's remained rich and resonant.

"Thank you for serving on my committee," she said in a voice that felt like Russian sable must feel. I explained at great length and in grating tones that I don't serve on committees. My voice skittered into the calm at the other end of the line. I should have shut up, but I couldn't. Oh no, I rambled on and on, assaulting the woman's eardrums with my eeks and squeaks.

Fingernails on a blackboard would be soothing compared to my voice. "I do work hard," I squawked. "I just don't serve on committees." Then, I bid adieu with the immortal words of the Burger King bard: "Have a nice day." Egad. I still can't believe I said that. The Dumb Fairy and all of her brothers and sisters must have been clog dancing on my brain.

They wouldn't even stop long enough to push the down button for my voice. But wait. Maybe the episode had a happy ending for both of us. Because I don't do committees, the Queen of Soul won't run the risk of becoming deaf from listening to me. And for certain, have landed on the rock-bottom dumb.

oub and Francis Coomes, two of the premier lobbyists in Lansing, with Sck'; entific Games and GTECH, respective-." ly. Conrad Mallett Gov. Blanchard's former legal adviser, is the lawyer for General Instrument. State Rep. Morris Hood, who with his son has formed a company to act as a subcontractor to Syntech! and could earn $4.4 million over 10; years if the company is selected.

V. Lonnie Peek, the former head of' Blanchard's Detroit office, who repre-; sents a company that could make $9.4 million working for General Instru: ment. Keith Stallworth, the son of state Rep. Alma Stallworth, whose insurance company stands tQ -make $1.2 million in insurance sales if GTECH gets the contract. Bowman said the involvement of so many powerful interests has not ad-" versely affected the process, "just slowed it down a little." "The lobbyists are indefatigable.

We have to listen; they have the right to petition government," he said. See CONTRACT, Page 9A Tuesday's i the deadline. We're ready and willing to talk to anyone if it will move us toward getting their support for the JOA.77 Free Press General Manager Robert Hall day with representatives of the biggest union, Teamsters Local 372. Tuesday is the last day for legal comment before the JOA case goes to U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III.

Robert Hall, Free Press general manager, said it also is the deadline for severance and buy-out offers designed to win union support for the JOA. "Tuesday's the deadline; there's no extension," Hall said. He added: "We're ready and willing to talk to anyone if it will move us toward getting their support for the JOA." Tom Brennan, president of the pressmen's union, said talks with his union are stalled but not necessarily stalemated. "It's not that we haven't made progress, but that we're not finished," said Brennan, who leads Local 13N of by John Spelich and KATHY WARBELOW Free Press Staff Writers Detroit's daily newspapers head toward a Tuesday deadline without having persuaded key unions to drop their challenge to their proposed joint operating agreement. After an intense lobbying campaign and more than two weeks of bargaining, the newspapers have so far persuaded only one opponent, Mayor Young, to reverse his position.

One of the six anti-JOA unions, Mailers Local 2040, has voted to drop its fight if minor issues can be resolved and is expected to announce its decision today. No talks are scheduled with four other anti-JOA unions, company and union officials said Sunday. Newspaper bargainers are scheduled to meet to the Detroit Newspaper and Graphics Communications Union. "I think we've both got our positions. If anyone changes their mind, they've got to make a phone call." Brennan said he would have to convene a meeting for his members to vote on whether to change their JOA stance, and "as time goes on, it gets more difficult." Attorneys for the Teamsters and the Newspaper Guild of Detroit have prepared a brief reaffirming their opposition to the JOA, to be filed if there is no breakthrough in the talks by Tuesday.

Samuel McKnight, an attorney for the other unions, said Sunday the pressmen and typographers might join in that brief if the talks fail, or might file See JOA, Page 13A 40 protest law7 banning some sex acts The Free Press corrects all errors of fact. If you know of an error, please call Joe Grimm, assistant to the executive editor, at 222-6415 anytime. Or write him at 321 W. Lafayette, Detroit 48231. 1 JT-flV 4 7 '4 i- How To Call Us Business Departments Home delivery 222-6500 Toll free 1-800-633-3968 Classified ads 222-5000 Retail ads 222-6519 National ads 222-6550 Insurance 1-312-570 5942 All other calls 222-6400 Him Departments Local news 222-6600 Sports 222-6660 Scores (50) 1-976-1313 The Way We Live 222-6610 Entertainment 222-6828 Business 222-8765 BY DEBORAH KAPLAN Free Press Staff Writer Charlie VanBoven wasn't particularly contrite Sunday when he turned himself in to Ann Arbor police for committing two felonies.

"I'm guilty of committing acts of oral love," VanBoven, 32, told the desk sergeant. "I understand that it's punishable by up to five years." VanBoven, a University of Michigan psychology student, was among about 40 people who participated in a "Love Crimes Protest Rally" sponsored to call for the repeal of two Michigan statutes outlawing oral and anal sex and mutual masturbation between consenting adults. See RALLY, Page 9A 1 I -v '1 I I 1 1 RICHARD LEEDetroit Free Press Protesters listen to speakers at the Ann Arbor rally..