Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 9

Lansing State journal L0CAL.c?5TATE Wednesday Contact Metro 377-1112 E-mail: metroIsj.com April 26, 2006 www.lsj.com SfJsfi sap Pandemic prevention and planning Here are the main things state agencies are doing to prepare for a pandemic of influenza. Michigan to get $3 million in U.S. funds for action plan worldwide flu pandemic. Officials are concerned that a virulent strain of bird flu spreading through Asia, Europe and Africa could mutate Monitoring and testing commercial poultry and wild waterfowl. Surveying luggage for smuggled birds and potentially contaminated products on flights into Detroit Metro Airport from infected countries.

Planning an exercise of the state plan within the next six months. Expanding its pandemic preparedness coordinating committee to include all state agencies. Awaiting review by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of the state's pandemic preparedness plan. Determining how much influenza antiviral to request for the state's stockpile of drugs.

More information on pandemic flu readiness is available at www.pandemicflu.gov. and start spreading among people. There are about 200 known Online xtra For more information on the bird flu, visit www.lsj.com. Key statements On travel: "It is fine to travel anywhere in the world, but use caution. Don't handle sick or dead birds." Dr.

Eden Wells, state epidemiologist On eating poultry: "Michigan poultry and poultry in general is a very safe product. But we always recommend cooking it to 160 degrees and there should be no pink." Steve Halstead, state veterinarian On how the virus could enter the U.S.: "It's most likely to enter in Alaska because the birds there co-winter in Asia." Steve Schmitt, DNR veterinarian "Pandemics happen, and we are overdue and under-prepared," said Deputy Secretary Alex Azar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "If a pandemic strikes again in North America it will strike in Michigan." During an average winter, various strains of influenza kill about 36,000 Americans. But a pandemic would kill many more.

About 500,000 Americans died in the 1918 By Sarah Karush Associated Press DETROIT Michigan will receive $3 million in initial federal assistance to prepare for a possible flu pandemic, officials said Tuesday during a forum for state and local leaders. The state will use the money to conduct emergency response exercises and improve coordination. cases ot humans contracting the virus. The federal government is building its own stockpiles of anti-viral drugs for national distribution in the event of a pandemic, but it also is providing a 25 percent subsidy for individual state purchases, Azar said. Janet Olszewski, director of the Michigan Department of Community Health, said the state's pandemic planning will build on plans developed to respond to bioterrorism.

The $3 million grant comes from a total of $100 million that the federal government is releasing to states for ini tial planning. Federal officials have been holding planning forums in each state and have nearly completed them, Azar said. Staff -writer Stacey Range contributed to this report I in BRIE "I was about to cry." Matt Brickner, Sexton student leader, on the Gay Straight Alliance's Tuesday demonstration if'' Jly? td YAK' 4v Tt "sjp $3M in housing planned at dump site A $3 million subdivision on 4.32 acres will be built at a south Lansing site that had been an illegal dumping spot for trash and junk automobiles, a group of developers and city officials plans to announce today. The team of Thomas Q. Wilson, Elton Anderson and Andrew Pettress plans to clean the site and build 18 single-family homes priced at $120,000 to $200,000, said Karl Dorshimer, a project coordinator with the Lansing Economic Development Corp.

The site is at the eastern end of Victoria Drive, near Washington Avenue and Edgewood Boulevard. City officials are working on a brownfield incentive plan to provide $369,000 over 12 years for cleanup and site preparation. City officials say the project is the first subdivision of single-family, detached housing south of Interstate 496 in nearly 30 years. Park closed during police search HOLT The area in and near Dead Man's Hill Park was closed for nearly three hours Tuesday as police searched unsuccessfully for a rnan who robbed The Hair Place, 1785 N. Cedar St, at about 425 p.m.

The Ingham County Sheriff's Department said the man entered the business, indicated he had a weapon and demanded money. He then ran. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff department 676-8211. Rally cost State Police $170,000 The neo-Nazi rally at the Capitol cost Michigan State Police more than $170,000, officials said Tuesday. The cost includes overtime, mileage, helicopter fuel and meals for officers.

About 220 of the 500 officers on hand at the rally Saturday were from the State Police, according to Shanon Akans, state police spokeswoman. The city of Lansing reported Monday that its costs associated with the rally totaled $74,605. Body found Saturday identified MASON Police identified the body found Saturday at Howell and Keams roads as that of Raymond Eugene Smith Jr. Smith was 36 when he was reported missing in May 2005, police said. A mushroom hunter found Smith's remains and clothing in a wooded area on the city's northwest side.

The cause of death has not been determined. Homerun for Hope plans are set Lansing city and school leaders plan a news conference at L30 p.m. today at Oldsmobile Park to announce details of the Homerun for Hope baseball tournament This year it will feature teams from Haslett, Eastern, Sexton and Everett high schools. Granholm, DeVos to share platform Lawmakers renew push for changes to welfare Proposal would prohibit aid for more than 4 years By Tim Martin Associated Press House Republicans are again pushing for changes in the state's welfare system. The plan announced Tuesday would prevent able-bodied welfare recipients from getting benefits for more than two consecutive years or more than four years combined in their lifetime.

Recipients would get more assistance with education and finding jobs in an effort to help them become self-sufficient. Recipients would lose some of their benefits if they don't fulfill work or training requirements. The plan comes about four months after Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed some similar measures passed by the state Legislature. This year's GOP plan has some differences, but many of its main features have similar themes.

Several GOP members will sponsor the legislation. Michigan is one of the few states that does not have a limit on how long a welfare recipient can receive assistance. The federal government has a five-year limit but allows states to have a portion of the population continue to receive benefits for a longer period. Granholm said in her veto letter last year that she supports limiting the amount of time welfare recipients can receive cash if there is nothing keeping them self-sufficiency. But she said the proposals went too far and that a lifetime limit on aid would hurt recipients who follow the rules but don't earn enough money to get out of poverty.

TONY RICHARDSFor the Lansing State Journal Silence is golden: Students and their adviser from the Gay protest the treatment of gay people by society. Some demonstrators Straight Alliance held a silent sit-in Tuesday at Sexton High School to painted their faces as visual expressions of their protest. Silent protest speaks tolerance Students to use sit-ins to object to treatment of gays '-J ''-aa V- Area alliances The following schools have gay-straight alliances. Most groups have 20-25 members and a faculty adviser: I DeWitt High School I East Lansing High School Haslett High School I Sexton High School Mason High School Okemos High School Eastern and Everett high schools (called 10 Percent Clubs) Holt's Human Rights Club and a diversity club at Grand Ledge address sexual orientation and gender among other issues, such as race and religion. DeWitt, Eastern, Haslett, Mason and Okemos high schools plan to participate today or later this week in the national Day of Silence.

For more information, visit www.glsen.org Silenced by society: A group of Sexton High School students held a Day of Silence on Tuesday to show how gay people are silenced by society. The demonstrators hung miniature versions of this sign around their necks to explain their purpose. By Nicole Geary Lansing State Journal Kids have ripped down their fliers. They've shouted threats and called them "faggots" in school hallways. On Tuesday, several uneasy months, since forming, members of the Gay Straight Alliance at Sexton High School made their own statement without saying a word.

They held hands and huddled quietly on the floor during the entire lunch hour, symbolizing how society silences many young gays and lesbians. Passing students stopped -xa Granholm DETROIT Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Republican challenger Dick DeVos are scheduled to share a platform Friday, at which they are to answer questions from the public and reporters. The event will not be a debate, and the two campaigns have not agreed on when or where to debate in advance of the Nov. 7 gubernatorial election.

The event is part of the 2006 Freedom Weekend at Cobo Hall, sponsored by the Freedom Institute. About 500 people are to attend. From staff and wire reports Proposed limits I The GOP plan would prevent able-bodied welfare recipients from getting benefits for more than two consecutive years or more than four years combined in their lifetimes. I The state has about 74,000 welfare cases and about 230,000 people receiving assistance. Michigan is one of the few states without limits on assistance.

About a quarter of recipients have been on welfare more than four years. to watch, wondering what was going on. Some smiled and waved. Some snickered. But no one disrespected them.

"I was about to cry," student leader Matt Brickner said of the demonstration's subtle success. "We did it. And it's definitely not over." Sexton is the latest Lansing-area addition to a growing list of schools with see Silence Page4B DeVos I more insioi Mom, Sparrow help troops in Iraq keep cool Commuting alternatives What is smart commuting all about? Get five tips, Page 3B John Schneider jschneidlsj.com 377-1175 ivouRTake LSJ's ONLINE POLL Are people showing too much flesh these days with fashions like low-rise jeans? 12 364 responses No, the more skin tha Kofar By Tuesday relief was on its way to Rawah. Innes wrote: "I realize that Sparrow is a large facility that gets hundreds of requests for donations every month. "Thank you from me and the 172nd Stryker Brigade for caring about my son and the members of his unit.

The cold packs will help make a miserable situation a little better. "I can't even begin to explain to you how wonderful this makes me feel." Are you listening? J.C. Cochran of Alaiedon Township wishes the people with the big speakers wouldn't feel so compelled to push them and their fellow motorists to the limit: "It starts as a low rumble, Request granted On a long shot, Innes called Sparrow Hospital to see if she could get the folks there to donate a few dozen of the chemically activated disposable cold packs used at the hospital. Within 24 hours of Innes' request, hospital spokeswoman Lorri Rishar came up with 200 of them "All it took was a quick call to our materials department," Rishar said. "This was an easy way for Sparrow to support the troops in Iraq." Innes works at Lansing's Thoracic Cardiovascular Institute.

One of the doctors there James Zito overheard Innes talking about the $135 cost for shipping the cold packs to Iraq and wrote a check for the whole amount. building to a crescendo. "A thunderstorm on the horizon? No, just another pin-headed driver, their radio turned up to teeth-rattling volumes. "The fact that these self-centered individuals have no regard for others goes without saying. It is little solace that these duds will be partially deafbyage40.

"I am certain there are laws. on the books which prohibit disturbing the peace, but are they enforced? "What about the safety issue? Could these drivers hear an emergency siren or a cry for help? Does this offend other people or is it just me?" What do you think? Call John Schneider at 377-1175, send a fax to 377-1298 or e-mail jschneidlsj.com. The temperature in Rawah, Iraq, routinely climbs past 120 degrees these days. Add another 30 or 40 degrees to the interior of Sgt. Larry VanderMolen's Stryker, a tank-like battle vehicle.

It's no wonder VanderMo-len sent his mother, Julie Innes of Owosso, this urgent plea last week: PLEASE SEND ICE. Sgt. VanderMolen, who's 22, is a graduate of Owosso High School. He's a member of the Army's 172nd Stryker Brigade of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, in Rawah. In an e-mail home, VanderMolen asked his parents for disposable cold packs.

The soldiers put them on the backs of their necks, on their wrists, under their -75 13 It's not our 'place to judge 'what others wear. helmets wherever they'll fit in an attempt to keep their body temperatures down to a low broil. VanderMolen described a recent incident in which the driver of his Stryker passed out because of the heat. In an e-mail to me, Innes wrote: "This poor young man sits in the front of the Stryker, totally surrounded by steel, near enormous engines that continuously put out heat." All under a blazing desert sun. Yes, it's very unattractive.

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