Etcetera

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

Joyce Dixson Freed!

Joyce Dixson, the first woman to graduate from U-M while in prison, is now free. Surrounded by family and friends, Dixson walked out of a Saginaw courtroom last month. She was In prison for 17 and-a-half years on a murder conviction.

Dixson's case received much attention over the years due to the number of irregularities surrounding It. There is evidence that she acted in self-defense - that the man she killed had abused her and threatened her life. Dixson's trial was blatantly unfair in that the lawyer appointed to her had also represented the man she allegedly killed. On April 15 a Saginaw Judge and prosecutor finally reviewed Dixson 's case and commuted her conviction from first degree to second degree murder. On May 11 Judge Lynda Heathscott ruled that Dixson 's time had been served.

Dixson, who is now residing in Ann Arbor, will begin a Masters Program at the U-M School of Social Work in the fall.

AGENDA Takes a Vacation

This is a reminder that next month AGENDA will publish a combined July/August issue. So get your August calendar events in early! The calendar deadline for July and August events is June 15. If you were planning to submit an article or press release, or to buy a display or classified ad in August, talk to us about it in June!

Disabled Woman Fights Landlord

Natasha Franke, a 14-year-old Ann Arbor resident with muscular dystrophy, cannot enter her apartment unassisted. Her landlord, McKinley Properties, could remedy this by providing a wheelchair-accessible ramp. Michigan law requires them to do so. McKinley, however, has thus far refused to act.

With the help of the Washtenaw County Fair Housing Center, Natasha's parents recently filled suit against McKinley Properties. They claim that McKinley's refusal to make the entrance to their apartment wheelchair-accessible is a violation of the Michigan Handicappers' Civil Rights Act. Donna Donati, attorney for McKinley, recently told a Detroit Free Press reporter that the company has offered solutions to the problem of access. The Frankes claim that McKinkley has only offered them the options of moving or of making repairs at their own expense.

Local disabled persons' rights group ADAPT is backing the Frankes' case. To get involved or for more Information call ADAPT at 747-9365 or the Fair Housing Center at 994-3426.

Walk-a-thon for Palestinian Hospital

The Palestine Aid Society (PAS) will hold its 5th annual 10 km walk-a-thon on Saturday, June 5. The walk begins at 10 am at Ann Arbor's Island Park. The goal is to raise $ 10,000 for the Al-Ahli Hospital in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Ahli Hospital, run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, is the only non-government hospital in the Gaza Strip. At govemment hospitals, patients, particularly Palestinian protesters, are often arrested and taken to Israeli prisons. There they are often subjected to torture. Al-Ahli Hospital does not permit such offenses against its patients. It also treats people regardless of whether or not they have health Insurance. The Ann Arbor chapter of the PAS has raised money for the hospital since 1991.

Walkers gather pledges from individual and business sponsors. The funds raised are used for hospital repairs and medical supplies. For more Information, call Wadad Abed at 668-9922 or Deborah Ehrlich at 763-6662.

Pro-Choice Info. Hotline

The Michigan Alliance for Choice has obtained a new 900 number. Cali 900-420-2126 for Information on pending abortion legislation, local pro-choice activities and opportunities to volunteer. The service costs $1 per minute and is only available from a touchtone phone.

Ann Arbor School Millage Election

On Monday June 14, Ann Arbor voters will elect three members to the Ann Arbor Board of Education. In addition, Ann Arbor Schools are asking voters to renew 13.66 mills for general school operating costs. This request is complicated by Proposal A, the State's June 2 school finance reform proposal, that would limit property tax assessments and increase sales tax from four to six percent.

According to Citizens' Millage Committee chair Neill Hollenshead, "If Proposal A falls on June 2, voter approval will be necessary to renew 13.66 mills beginning in 1994. If the state proposal passes, voter approval will be necessary to renew up to nine mills beginning in 1994."

For more information about the June 14 millage renewal, contact the Ann Arbor Public Schools Office of Information Services at 994-2236.

Pro-Choice Meeting Reminder

The National Organization for Women's Pro-Choice Task Force meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1917 Washtenaw. Call N.O.W. at 995-5494 for details.

Funds Available for Housing

The City of Ann Arbor is accepting applications for financial assistance for housing projects which create, retain, rehabilitate or preserve long-term affordable housing. Priority will be given to projects which create permanent affordable units or projects which predominately serve individuals or families with incomes less than 50% of the area median. Private and nonprofit developers and housing groups are eligible to apply.

Funding for these projects comes from Housing and Urban Development grants to the city and from Ann Arbor Housing Trust Funds. Applications and guidelines from the Trust Fund are available at the Community Development Department, Room 40, Basement level, 220 E. Huron. Applications are due September 1, 1993. Direct questions to Larry Friedman at 994-2912.

AGENDA Bucket DriveSet

AGENDA needs your volunteer services on June 16 for an on-the-street fundraising effort. See the back page AGENDA ad for details on how to volunteer.

AGENDA

Ann Arbor's Alternative Newsmonthly

EDITORS - Ted Sylvester, Philis Engelbert, Laurie Wechter

ASSOCIATE EDITOR - Eric Jackson

ETCETERA EDITOR - Stephanie harrell

MUSIC EDITOR - WILLIAM SHEA

CIRCULATION - Philis Engelebrt

DISTRIBUTION - Stephanie Harrell, Eric Jackson, Idaroos al-Mohdar, William Shea

Thanks - hunter VanValkenburgh

AGENDA is an independent, nonaligned newsmonthly published by Agenda Publications, 220 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 313/996-8018, ISSN 1047-0727. Vol. 8, No. 3, JUNE, 1993, Copyright Agenda Publications. Subscriptions: $15/year U.S., $30/year international.

20,000 free copies of AGENDA are distributed at the beginning of every month from over 300 locations in the Ann Arbor Metro Area.

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