Saline parents express safety concerns at forum following playground assault
Saline parents met with administrators in small groups to discuss safety concerns during a forum at Pleasant Ridge Elementary on Monday evening.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Several Saline parents questioned using parent volunteers to supervise students on playgrounds during a forum Monday night in response to an assault that injured an 11-year-old boy last month.
“I think they need to have teachers out there, or hire more parapros to watch the kids while they are out at recess,” parent Tina Mackey said.
Mackey was among 80 parents and community members who attended the forum to raise questions about the playground assault that injured an 11-year-old boy at Heritage Elementary School on April 20.
But those in attendance got few answers from district administrators.
“We’re sorry we can’t get into specifics,” Steve Laatsch, assistant superintendent of instruction, told one group of parents.
Saline Assistant Superintendent Steve Laatsch speaks to parents at the start of the forum.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Saline police requested charges of assault and battery against seven Heritage Elementary students last week after a lengthy investigation into the April 20 incident. The 11-year-old victim suffered seizure-like symptoms and briefly lost consciousness.
Instead of talking about that incident, administrators tried to focus the session on any concerns parents and others have about safety in the schools.
Laatsch repeatedly told parents that while he didn’t think the district has problems with racial tensions or widespread bullying, he didn’t walk in their shoes or hear everything from their kids.
The goal of the evening was to compile concerns and work to solve those issues within the constraints of the budget.
The district asked for feedback on playground safety, bullying/tolerance, building safety procedures, parking lot safety, transportation and large event safety protocols.
Several of those issues are tied to the April 20 incident.
Police reports indicate the 11-year-old boy was play fighting with another student near a playground structure during the lunch recess when another classmate walked by and may have used a racial slur. The victim and one of the alleged assailants are black.
A different student then approached the victim, yanked off the headband he was wearing and ran off, refusing to give it back, reports said. The victim told police at least one of the boys involved had bullied him about a week earlier and made racially-charged comments toward him, including calling him “slave.”
The victim told police he remembered being kicked repeatedly, including once in the back of his head and neck.
An adult volunteer supervising the playground intervened and ordered the boys to go to the principal’s office while tending to the victim.
During Monday's forum, parents were split into several small groups, each led by a district administrators.
Parents offered a variety of suggestions for improving safety. Those included adding cameras to school buses, improving security screening for those entering buildings, and having some sort of alarm system in each school connected directly to the police.
Several groups also talked about the training parent volunteers get before being sent out to supervise.
“What type of skills (do they have) other than they checked the box on the form to be a lunch/recess supervisor?” board member Lisa Slawson asked.
Other parents also asked about the consistency of training and discipline response from the parent volunteers, both on the playground and in other situations, such as the lunchroom or in a class. That's something administrators said is being worked on.
“We feel like we have been doing a good job of supervision,” Laatsch said. “But we want to hear what you have to say.”
David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.
Comments
annarborfan
Fri, May 21, 2010 : 4:27 p.m.
Does it matter if you put a parent, teacher or hired help on the playground? The only person need apply is the one that would actually be proactive in walking over to the "action" and finding out what is going on! Be productive.
annarborfan
Fri, May 21, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
Saline Schools knew that we as Saline parents never wanted "Schools of Choice". This is what happens.
MichMash
Fri, May 21, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
Everybody wants schools to do more as they vote down a millage. you get what you pay for. When all these people who bash and dont fund public educatio were in schools they had school nurses, wood shop, auto, foreign lang. etc. Now these same snot nosed brats don't want to pay for this genteration education. It is unbelievable how self centered and spoiled the baby boomers, gen x and the me genteration(s) are! Dont cut teachers, bussing, sports, etc but no on the millage. Ridiculous!
mikesaline
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 6:12 a.m.
It's great to see that Saline is a district where the parents are involved. The fact that over 100 parents attended this session is a great thing. Certainly, this was an isolated incident which is not reflective of the community at large. The fact that the school and the parents are addressing this issue head-on is what is most impressive. With respect to racial violence, the most common form of this hate crime (by far) today is violence perpetrated by African Americans on people from white, hispanic, asian, or middle eastern heritage. However, since this doesn't fit the "traditional" model of racism, it's not commented on much by the liberal media who leap at any opportunity to brand a decent community like Saline "racist" while turning a blind eye to the violence that occurs each and every day in other communities that lack the parental involvement and who promote a race-based agenda such as the recent "blacks only" field trips in the Ann Arbor district. One can't be "against racism" yet openly welcome it when it's practiced by blacks. That's not progress. That's institutional racism.
mike from saline
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 12:06 a.m.
@ Carla, Sounds reasonable to me. I love your thoughtful, reasoned, inteligent comments. There's no one, who post's comments at A2.com, that I respect more.
Carla
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.
I attended the SAS meeting and felt that it was a useful tool to hear from families and citizens with concerns. I do feel it was a little shady to put bullying and tolerance so far down on the agenda, however I completely understand why administration would be cautious of a very difficult discussion. This banter is interesting to me.... it really surprises me how people go out of their way to avoid the idea that any community could do a better job teaching children to respect all people. Any community with such a large caucasian majority (or any racial majority) is going to have some sort of bias. Bias comes from that very thing, not being exposed, not knowing. Does that mean that everyone should get defensive and assume people are pointing fingers, no! I suggest that people stop debating this particular incident and leave the details to the courts. I think we all would be better off spending more time and energy teaching children to be tolerant, considerate, and caring people. This effort must be on all fronts, home, school, community, media, etc..... I say to so many people who love this community, please love it enough to be willing to grow and change. I'm so sad at the turn out at the meeting, 80 people, really? There are 5400 students in SAS, obviously we're not working as hard as we could to make our schools better. Mr. Graden, Mr. Laetch can't do it all by themselves even though I personally see the long hours that their vehicles spend at school. Please stop the argument, roll up your sleeves and start figuring out how we can all learn from each other and especially from the tragedy of an injured child.
mike from saline
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 5:56 a.m.
@ bornblu. Thanks for the info. Saline will handle these problems in a fair, thoughtful, inteligent manner, and do it transparently. Saline is a great little city, with one of the best school systems in the State of Michigan.
bornblu
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.
From reading article and following comments, I guess that I was at the wrong location last night. I actually attended the "SAS School Safety Community Forum"; this was not just a meeting to react to the April 20th incident but to address a 6 areas of concern within the school system (2 being Playground/Recess and Bullying/Tolerance. Ann Arbor.com, I feel that we were provided "answers" by District Administrators within parameters of information that could be responsibly released based on the status of the continuing legal investigation. We were informed of the when, where, how of what occurred, as well as the amount of adult supervision present, and that the incident itself has not been determined (and does not appear to be) racial in nature. From the small focus groups reports, bullying was seen to be a major issue, but not JUST potentially from a racial perspective, but also as to those with disabilities, varius sexual persuasion, obeseness, age (older children to younger), etc. IMHO I felt that the administration was extremely concerned with all issues presented by the focus groups, and even last night began the process of addressing the issues (including building, parking lot, and busing safety), both internally and through further involvment of the community and its resources. I guess if I were to find a negative, it would be the lack of parents who attended this forum given the significance of the agenda.
Lokalisierung
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 4:25 p.m.
"And the fact that bullying incidents increased significantly at that school." So this isn't heresay? Was this information giving by the PTo or something?
AMOC
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
About parents acting as lunchroom and playground supervisors, my kid reports from his elementary school that since the principal at his (AAPS) elementary school hired new playground supervisors who were all stay-at-home moms from one low-income housing neighborhood, the supervisors dropped all the organized games that the PTO had bought equipment and training for. It's claimed it was too much work for the new playground supervisors to have to roam around the playground to mediate any serious disputes. The previous playground supervisors were the staff for before- and after-school childcare, and they had no problems with helping the kids play a variety of active games during lunch recess. But those longtime employees had their hours cut to make room for a more "community-oriented" staff. The new people also show a great deal of favoritism to their own and their neighborhood kids, doing such things as buying them soda in the teachers' lounge and letting them, but not other kids, give and take "cuts" in line. Granted, this is all hearsay from an 11 year old. Except the report that the games were "too much work" which came back to the PTO. And the fact that bullying incidents increased significantly at that school.
Lokalisierung
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 3:14 p.m.
"so it seemed to me you must be defending the context of the word or the idea of "hate speak"." I will just say in reply tothis I am an Amercian, and I believe people can say whatever they like and they have the freedom to do it. Doesn't really apply here because kids in school have to live by rules imposed and I understand that. Wouldn't be OK to say such a thing when i was in school shouldn't be ok now.
Lokalisierung
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 3:09 p.m.
"usage of the word "slave" in the manner the article describes, if true, is unacceptable and indeed, racist." I'll agree with you there 100%. I'm just pretty gun shy on calling incident's like this a raciest attack or something like that because of the whole hate crime laws these days which personally, I think are complete garbage. But in this type of story it's just very confusing as to what was going on all around. 1 kid called another slave and he was one of the kids that was in the fight the next week, but he's not the one that took his hat and "maybe" called him a raciest name and yad yada...it's just pretty cloudy in there. What if only 2 of the kids are "convicted raciests" here does that still make the other kids involved, including the other black child, raciest against black people? We all agree that kids fight and it happens, but obviously a 7 on 1 school ground beatdown is a punk move and I say bring charges. It's a simple assault charge and these kids will go on probation and get taught a lesson. I do not consider myself a reactionist so i'm not ready to start thinking the sky is falling and we need "better" lunch supervisors watching the kids now etc.
mike from saline
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 3:04 p.m.
@ ZULU. I think you may want to go back and read What I Said. Perhaps you could quote something I said, that led you to believe what you were lecturing me about. I don't play little games!! Try to pay attention would you.
KeepingItReal
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 2:58 p.m.
@GRANDPABOB: It is not ok for African American kids to use racial slur words to refer to others and if as you say you "work with all races" and you tolerate this from black youth then you are just as guilty as they are. I assume that you are an adult and kids will take directions from adults they respect if the adults respect them.
michaeldeluca
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 2:29 p.m.
@Lokalisierung I appreciate the civil response (and Star Wars reference). I kind of thought you'd go that route... I chose a more extreme word, because I wasn't sure what you were getting at when you said there's a place for this language and/or people who use this terminology in a hateful manner. I've never seen a movement to ban the word "slave" from day to day usage, so it seemed to me you must be defending the context of the word or the idea of "hate speak". So, I just argued the most direct route I could find. Now that I think I'm clearer on what you were trying to say, there's much less for us to discuss. Ha, I won't breach the topic of "white man's guilt" since there's no point in dragging this out. And, for what it's worth, I still stand by my assertions that the usage of the word "slave" in the manner the article describes, if true, is unacceptable and indeed, racist. It's sad to see some people shrug that off so lightly.
GRANDPABOB
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
That is stange, I work with all races and it is okay for one black to call another the N word or call the white boy HONKY or the Japanese or oriental slant eye,but if they are called the N work heaven forbid.
Lokalisierung
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.
"but please can you give me an example of when a word such as the N-word is used in polite society and is considered constructive? In fact, if you could maybe even tell me how you utilize it in your day to day conversations I'd love to know." If I'm responding to the actual facts of this case as stated, the only "recial" term that is stated is the word "slave." So if you're asking me how I would use the word "slave" in "polite society" I would say: Slave 1 - Bobba Fett's Ship Slave drive - computing term Salve 4 U - Horrible B. Spears song etc.... This is a word that can have different meaning in differnt situations. I don't recall reading anywhere that an n-bomb had been dropped, but if you wish me to persist I will. This is used by many people for many different ways. In music, in poetry, in history etc. So do I have to explain myself more? Or was what you were really trying to say that these words used in a raciest way are only used to hurt people? I made a mistake by leaving out the word "only" when refering to these words in society.
michaeldeluca
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:22 p.m.
@Lokalisierung "I disagree with your idea that such words only exsist in society to hurt people....so i can't really respond to the rest." Fair enough I suppose, but please can you give me an example of when a word such as the N-word is used in polite society and is considered constructive? In fact, if you could maybe even tell me how you utilize it in your day to day conversations I'd love to know. And for what it's worth, I went through the Saline School systems from K-12. I've been here most of my whole life, to say that there are no racial problems/tensions in this area is, in my opinion, very, very ignorant.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:19 p.m.
@a2citezen: I was replying to Stunshif's comment about stay-at-home moms, nothing more. I struck me that his comment was something that one might have heard on "Leave it to Beaver" because, of course, modern mothers have plenty of time to volunteer for school duties in their Betty Crocker/Hints from Heloise world. I was not knocking stay-at-home moms. Far from it. I was critiquing the 1950s view of the world that his comment expressed. Good Night and Good Luck
Lokalisierung
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:14 p.m.
"there is absolutely no reason why a kid should be subject to a planned attack and beaten in the manner that he was." yes we all know this. Race is at the very heart of this story and has been since the begginning, so please leave us to play our "little games."
Lokalisierung
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:08 p.m.
"... but if a racial slur is uttered in anway really, but especially BEFORE a violent attack I don't see how this can be just cast aside so blatantly. It has NOTHING to do with white guilt. What qualifies as a racial incident then?" Well it is muddled becasue it states one of the kidsw "could have" used a racial slur. And that one of them had used one at a prior time. So really I have a problem with the way you're presenting it as "BEFORE the attack." Certainly if they had walked up and dropped slur, and then started a fight thast is more cut and dry. "And your last sentence seems to imply that you believe there's a welcome place for these hateful words, that exist only to belittle and hurt your fellow man, in society?" I disagree with your idea that such words only exsist in society to hurt people....so i can't really respond to the rest.
KeepingItReal
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 1:02 p.m.
@ MikefromSaline,Lokalisierung: I can understand the two of you not accepting that race may have played a role in this incident. However, whether race played a role or not, there is absolutely no reason why a kid should be subject to a planned attack and beaten in the manner that he was. I can tell you that I would be highly upset if this was a child of mine and I'm sure the two of you would be too if it happened to your child whether the bullies were black or white. Rather than play these little games about "are you really sure that race was involved," let's address the incident so it lessen the chance another child will have to go through this nonsense.
michaeldeluca
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:55 p.m.
@Lokalisierung "I agree with this. Just becasue the kid dropped a racial slur doesn't make it a racial incident. I understand that becasue of white guilt certain words are looked upon now as completely evil and anyone who says them should be removed from society but I don't agree with that." Wait, what? While I understand that sometimes kids say things... things they hear their parents say, things they hear on TV, things they hear from other kids... but if a racial slur is uttered in anway really, but especially BEFORE a violent attack I don't see how this can be just cast aside so blatantly. It has NOTHING to do with white guilt. What qualifies as a racial incident then? And your last sentence seems to imply that you believe there's a welcome place for these hateful words, that exist only to belittle and hurt your fellow man, in society? Please tell me where the acceptable place is to use a hate words during my daily interactions. Is it the bank? With my coworkers? Enlighten me.
michaeldeluca
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:53 p.m.
"I agree with this. Just becasue the kid dropped a racial slur doesn't make it a racial incident. I understand that becasue of white guilt certain words are looked upon now as completely evil and anyone who says them should be removed from society but I don't agree with that." Wait, what? While I understand that sometimes kids say things, things they hear their parents say, things they hear on TV, things they hear from other kids... but if a racial slur is uttered in anway really, but especially BEFORE a violent attack I don't see how this can be just cast aside so blatantly. It has NOTHING to do with white guilt. What qualifies as a racial incident then? And your last sentence seems to imply that you believe there's a welcome place for these hateful words, that exist only to belittle and hurt your fellow man, in society? Please tell me where the acceptable place is to use a hate words during my daily interactions. Is it the bank? With my coworkers? Enlighten me.
Lokalisierung
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:20 p.m.
"Could this be an attack based on race? It's possible. My instict's tell me it may not be." I agree with this. Just becasue the kid dropped a racial slur doesn't make it a racial incident. I understand that becasue of white guilt certain words are looked upon now as completely evil and anyone who says them should be removed from society but I don't agree with that.
kmgeb2000
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:12 p.m.
@mike from saline "It has been my experience,......, that sometimes the bully turns out to be the victim, and the victim turns out to be the bully". In my experience this has NOT been the case. Everyone in the school knew the bully from day one. He may have been retaliated againt but only because he pissed someone off.
mike from saline
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:54 a.m.
@Lorie. I don't know anything more than what I've read in the A2.com article. A group of kids, all white accept one black kid, ganged up on one black kid on the school playground. One of the kids [per- haps the ring-leader, alledgely used a racial slur days before the incident. At this point in time, I'm willing to wait for the facts to come out. Could this be an attack based on race? It's possible. My instict's tell me it may not be. My wife and I raised 4 children. All 4 went through public schools in Saline [all college grads]. We both work- ed, full time. It has been my experience, with school kids [including my own], that sometimes the bully turns out to be the victim, and the victim turns out to be the bully. It's also been my exprience, that children, who are not involved in incidents like these, turn out to be very the WORST sources of information. Rumors travel at the speed of light, in public schools. Most kid's opinions on issues like this, ain't worth a plug nickle. It turns out to be pure gossip. And that includes my own little dar- ings. It's best to wait and let the information come out. You've made alot of serious charges based on a conversation with a couple of neighborhood kids. To jump to the conlusion that these kids are guilty of a racist attack that almost killed a kid because he was different, is not backed up by the facts we've been given so far.
stunhsif
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:49 a.m.
@David, "1. Racism is taught at home, not in schools" Really, then what do you call the recent "black kids only" field trip and "lunch club" supported and endorsed by AAPS? Secondly you state that parents make bad supervisor's because they are racists??????????????????????????? You would support hiring professionals or laid off teachers to watch the kids during recess. What do you mean by "professional", didn't know there were "professional" kid watchers? If you cannot trust parents to watch kids, then you get out your wallet and write a big fat check to pay for the laid off teachers to come watch the kids. Parents will do it for free and will do it well.
Riley
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:44 a.m.
All it takes is some common sense to be a playground supervisor. If they are parents I would think they would know how to monitor a group of children. The REAL problem is that the supervisors tend to stand in little groups gossiping and not really paying attention to what is happening. They should be constantly walking around the playground and letting their presence be known. This does not take training.
Me Next
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:30 a.m.
There is nothing wrong with Public School requiring parents to serve in their school in order to have adequate supervision outside the classroom if their budget is streamlined for making available Basic Education. Homeowners are required to pay School Taxes whether they have children there or not. I would not feel put upon in such a policy. What assurances were required & met by the offending children & their parents to the Public School & fellow children & parents? Elected or appointed officials need to continue this debate with all parents of children under their timed & limited jurisdiction. Both parents & Officials have responsibility to ensure disciplined & safe environment.
Rasputin
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:03 a.m.
Couple of things: 1. Racism is taught at home, not in schools. 2. Parents make bad supervisors because are actually guilty of point 1 (see above) and have a conflict of interest (literally). I'd really suggest hiring professionals or have laid off teachers return to supervise students; they're worth the MONEY!
a2citizen
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 10:28 a.m.
@little eddie murrow, Exactly how does a stay at home parent contribute to discipline issues at schools? Do a little research as I'm sure the real Murrow would do and let me know if there is a correlation between stay at home mothering in Detroit and discipline in schools.
pseudo
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 10:18 a.m.
@MikefromSaline so what do you know? I'm interested because I just had a conversation with two kids at the school. Its clear to them that this was bullying based on race. This victim was targeted, it was on-going. And this incident was apparently planned. This wasn't boys being boys. This was boys being bullies and nearly killing a kid who was different from them. Saline has a problem. They need to embrace that reality and work toward solving it. Further, it seems these kids remain a bit proud of what they did as they talk amongst the other students. I find it interesting that the police are recommending charges. From what I heard, I hope they win. I hope the parents of this kid sue and win. I am stunned that these kids are allowed back in school based on the extreme violence and planning of this attack. This was something that should have been stopped before a kid had to be rushed to the er with a head trauma.
stunhsif
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 9:55 a.m.
Because Saline is fortunate to have a lot of Mom's that are stay at home Mom's we see comments like this: "Saline is, apparently,still in the 19th century.Just keep 'em barefoot and pregnant so they can watch the kids. That will solve the discipline problems in Saline Schools". So because we have more stay at home Mom's in Saline we are stuck in the 19th century? And what does that mean? Guessing the writer is trying to imply that Saline is a backwards, racist community. How sad is it when people make fun of stay at home Mom's. Very sad indeed! Good Day
Wolverine3660
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.
@ Danah- this incident in Saline happened before the Lunch bunch incident was exposed. Are you suggesting that the kids in this Saline school were reacting to the debate over the Lunch bunch incident?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
"In Saline, there are still a lot of stay at home Mom's that would probably jump at an opportunity like this." Judged by this comment, Saline is, apparently, still in the 19th century. Just keep 'em barefoot and pregnant so they can watch the kids. That will solve the discipline problems in Saline schools. Oh my! Good Night and Good Luck
Danah Greer
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:46 a.m.
I believe this is happening, because people made such a big deal out of that whole Lunch Bunch fiasco. Parents talk to your kids about choosing better words and getting along with everyone before this esclates to the middle schhool and high school level, then it will be the 60's all over again, and we are way beyond that in the 21st century.
Smiley
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
@mike from saline - There are three distinct references in the story to racial issues. In my opinion, these issues are all about parenting. I don't blame some parents, as in many homes both have to work or there are other issues that prevent the needed level of attention for children, but that doesn't mean it isn't the cause. I would think the best question to ask is what can be done generally to improve parenting (whether the improvement result from a carrot or a stick).
Technojunkie
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:30 a.m.
"The victim and one of the alleged assailants are black." Oh gee, it's a little more complicated than the simplistic black/white thing some of you are imagining. Maybe the focus should be on how to detect and prevent such violence and not on race?
alterego
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.
What? You mean parent involvement in a school improves behavior? Do you think parent involvement has any effect on academic achievement?
stunhsif
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:56 a.m.
Glad I didn't attend last night, appears not much came of it. The best way and least costly way to help is to have more parent volunteer supervision on the playgrounds. In Saline, there are still a lot of stay at home Mom's that would probably jump at an opportunity like this.
mike from saline
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:48 a.m.
@Susan. Are you sure this is about Race? If you believe that, what do you base that {belief] on.
GRANDPABOB
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:48 a.m.
What about parents being parents and teaching their children right from wrong at home instead of complaining the school isn't doing it right?
jmac
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:29 a.m.
When I was a kid, it seemed like teachers were everywhere - in the lunchroom, out with us at recess, supervising school dismissal, etc. Now (and according to my own kids) it seems the only place you encounter teachers is in their individual classrooms. Is it not in their contract to supervise kids anywhere outside their own classrooms? I would much rather have teachers involved in supervision than volunteers or (likely low-paid) attendants as their experience might have prevented this incident in Saline.
susan
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:25 a.m.
Unfortunately, racism is alive and well AND everywhere.
mike from saline
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:08 a.m.
rinmem10. "In the area"? Do you mean Saline? "Something I would have expected here in Memphis"? "Something"? Can you be a little more specific?
rinmem10
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 6:44 a.m.
I haven't lived in the area in many years, but I have been stunned to follow this story. It's something I would have expected here in Memphis, but the Ann Arbor area. What's going on?