Etcetera
AGENDA is interested in receiving items from you for etcetera. Press clippings, press releases, summaries of local events and any other ideas or suggestions are welcome. Just mail them to: Etcetera Editor, AGENDA, 220 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
No Nuclear Repository!
Lake Michigan is in danger of getting a new neighbor - high-level nuclear waste! Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, in Southwest Michigan, has constructed giant concrete casks with the intention of using them as "temporary" waste storage containers. The container design, however, has not been thoroughly tested.
Under the rules of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the designation of "temporary" allows Palisades to avoid the lengthy process public hearings in order to gain approval for their waste storage plan.
Mich. Attorney General Frank Kelly held a well-attended meeting on the subject in Lansing, Tues. Feb. 23. He is now pressing for public hearings. The NRC is opposing the hearings.
This case is considered one which will set a nationwide precedent about nuclear waste storage. Write to Senators Levin and Riegle and Rep. Ford requesting hearings on this matter.
The Truth About the Panama Invasion
The producers of "Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair" have released a new film, "The Panama Deception." This film, which has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary, makes its Ann Arbor premier on Fri. March 26 at the Michigan Theater.
"The Panama Deception" explores the untold story of the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, revealing former strongman Gen. Manuel Noriega's longstanding relationship with the C.I.A., the D.E.A. and George Bush. It also documents the shocking events of the assault and its aftermath and uncovers the true motivation for the invasion.
The showing, which is a benefit for Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice, begins at 7 pm. It is preceded by a 6 pm reception. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and Mich. Theater members. Call 668-8397 for more info.
Ypsi City Charter Reconsidered
On April 5 Ypsilanti voters will go to the polls not only to elect a mayor and half of the city council, but also to decide whether to consider a new city charter. If the charter proposal passes, a commission - comprised of the top 9 of 17 candidates whose names will appear on the same ballot - will draft a proposed new city charter. That charter would then be submitted to voter approval.
The current city charter was adopted in 1972 and survived challenges led by the Chamber of Commerce in 1976 and 1981. The Chamber opposed the ward system of electing the city council. Between 1947 and 1973, at-large city council elections always produced councils dominated by the city's wealthiest west side neighborhood, with under-representation for Black and working class areas and no representation for students.
This time, former mayor Pete Murdock, who opposed the 1976 and 1981 Chamber drives, is promoting a charter review and running for a spot on the commission. Murdock and his allies, who support the ward system, want to eliminate the city manager post and replace it with an executive mayor. The Chamber of Commerce crowd is also fielding candidates, who would return to at large council elections if they could.
Rosenberg Fund for Children
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the executions of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, Americans who were accused of stealing information about the atomic bomb and giving it to the Soviet Union. U.S. documents reveal that the late Judge Irving Kaufman conspired with the FBI and prosecutors to deny the Rosenbergs a fair trial and tried to force the couple to turn in other communists. The Rosenbergs died rather than turn informer.
The Rosenberg's sons (raised by and named for the Meeropols) have created the Rosenberg Fund for Children, a foundation to aid children whose parents are political prisoners or who otherwise suffer due to political repression of their parents. Robert Meeropol will be in Ann Arbor on March 27 to speak at a fundraising reception for the Rosenberg Fund for Children.
The time and place are to be announced. For more information, call Rose Hochman at 769-3099 or Paquetta Palmer at 747-7146.
New Paradigms of Global Security
The Residential College, Women's Studies Program and others are sponsoring the "New Paradigms of Global Security" lecture series In March and April. Lectures will explore the global problems of environmental degradation, poverty, and militarism, as well as new strategies and conceptual frameworks for addressing these problems.
On Fri. March 19, Gita Sen, Harvard Professor of Population and Development Studies, will speak on "Expanding the Concept of Global Security: Gender and Human Development." On Wed. March 24, Gunther Handl, Wayne State Univ. Professor of Law, will speak on "Environmental Security and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development." Both lectures will be held in Hutchins Hall, U-M Law School, at 4 pm. See next month's calendar for lectures held in April. More info: call 763-0176.
Hillel Hosts Holocaust Conference
The U-M B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation is hosting the 14th Annual Conference on the Holocaust, March 15-21. The conference opens with a 24-hour vigil during which members of the Jewish community will read the names of those who perished in the Holocaust. The vigil begins March 15 at 12:30 pm, on the U-M Diag.
Solomon Perel, upon whose life the movie Europa, Europa is based, will give the keynote address on Thurs., March 18 at 8 pm. Perel will discuss how he survived the Holocaust and how he came to share his story with the world. For a complete list of events call 769-0500.
Discover Alternative Job Options
Serve Work, formerly the Alternative Career Center, recently re-opened in Rm. 2211, Michigan Union. lts purpose is to provide information and support to students seeking summer internships, long-term volunteer opportunities and jobs in non-profit and social change organizations. The office is open Mon.-Fri.,10 am-5 pm. For info. call 936-2437.