Eminent domain to be debated in SA lecture series

October 2, 2006 —

A panel discussion on the topic of eminent domain will kick off a lecture series aimed at informing students of some key political issues for this year's elections.

Beginning tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts, the Student Association sponsored discussion will feature several local individuals familiar with eminent domain, which is traditionally used by governments to purchase private property for infrastructure improvements such as roads and railways.

"What we hope to accomplish through this venue is student awareness and preparation," says SA Representative and event coordinator Steve Lewitzke. "Student Association is a means for the students to become equipped with being approached with some of these controversial issues, particularly eminent domain as we've seen how it has been a tremendous concern here in Kochville Township and some of the local surrounding areas."

Discussion panelists will include Saginaw attorney H. Michael Dwan, Senior Policy Analyst for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy Russ Harding, President of Prime Housing Group in East Lansing Nancy Kurdziel, Bay City attorney Bruce K. Mannikko, and Midland attorney Pete Poznak.

The discussion panel will have a campus connection as well, with Midland lawyer and adjunct political science professor James Randall Johnson serving as a panelist, and political science instructor Mark Nicol serving as discussion moderator.

"Through this discussion we hope students really become enlightened and feel as though they have a stake in the political process," Lewitzke says.

The lecture series will continue Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall with a discussion on K-16 funding.

Student Association is also working to schedule a third debate, which would potentially bring in candidates for a local city race as well as representatives from the Granholm and DeVos campaigns.

"My goal is to inform students," says SA Legislative Committee Chair Aaron R. Brown. "Students need to be aware. There's the old saying that ignorance of the law is no excuse. Ignorance of the issues is no excuse. We are bringing it directly to the students. Here are three to four opportunities that students can go out and be a part of. There is no reason not to go out and attend at least one of these events."

While the specific issues discussed in the series are important according to Lewitzke and Brown, both individuals believe that the main point of the series is to just get students active and involved with important issues in general.

"Let's prove the stereotype incorrect that this generation is apathetic," Lewitzke says, "because we're not.”