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University Daily Kansan
Second Section
wednesday, Jan. 15, 1986
Mark Mohler/KANSAN
Checking in
Judge resists seat belt law
The beginning of each semester means long lines as students queue up to pay their fees in the Kansas Union Ballroom. Fee payment was Monday and yesterday. Late enrollment starts Jan. 16 and ends Feb. 11.
The Associated Press
ROCKFORD, Mich. — In a town where not wearing seat belts is a crime without penalty because a judge refuses to fine violators, Jill Kolasa says the judge may have struck a sympathetic nerve.
But not everyone agrees with her observation or the judge's defying state law.
"I've noticed more and more people not wearing their belts," she said of motorists who drive up to the convenience store where she works.
"I can't imagine what he's got on his mind." said Mike Cooper, a 33-year-old landscaper. "I think he's out of line. Everybody I know wears
seat belts. I think it's a smart thing to do."
In the courthouse in this town in rural southwestern Michigan, District Judge Steven R. Servaas' desk is cluttered with phone slides for scores of unreturned calls. He received 60 Thursday from supporters, detractors and reporters from New York to California.
He hasn't had this much publicity since he bolted out of court, ran a block and a half, and collared a prisoner he'd just sentenced to 125 days in prison.
The 40-year-old judge also hasn't heard such public criticism since he requested bullet-proof panels in his
courtroom and a hiding place for a pistol.
Last week, Servaas admitted he'd suspended the fines of 25-30 people ticketed for not wearing seat belts. Michigan law has required seat belt use since July 1, but Servaas said the law infringed on individual rights.
Kent County Prosecutor David Sawyer, who wants Servaas disqualified from seat belt cases, said the judge had stated an opinion and couldn't rule objectively on such cases.
"Some of the more agitated people kind of bother me a little bit," Servaas said. "They look at it and they say 'Well, this guy's a cowboy, he's out of control.'"
WINTER INVENTORY CLEARANCE
We continue with the clearance of our stock of fall and winter merchandise.
- SUITS ... 33% to 50% off
- SPORTCOATS in all wool tweed ... 33% to 50% off
- ALL WEATHER COATS ... 33% to 40% off
- LEATHER JACKETS ... 25% off
- 100% COTTON CORDUROY SPORT COATS (125) . . . 79.59
- WINDBREAKERS ... 25% to 50% off
- LINED WINTER COATS AND JACKETS . . 33% to 40% off
- Caps and Hats ... 25% off
- Ties ... 50% off
- WOOLEN DRESS TROUSERS ... 20% to 33% off
- Sport Shirts ... 25% off * Patterned Dress Shirts ... 50% off
- Pendleton Sport Shirts . . 39.99 each
- Pajamas and Robes . . . . . . 25% off
- Sweaters ... 33%, 50% off * Casual Trousers ... 26.99 each
Death count for airlines 526 last year
United Press International
Members of The Nationa-
Transportation Safety Board said that another 35 people died last year in accidents involving commuter carriers and that 77 people died in air taxi operations.
WASHINGTON — Federal safety officials said Monday that 526 people were killed in accidents last year in U.S. airline accidents which involved larger planes — the deadliest period since 1977, when 655 people persisted.
Although weather and operational errors caused some crashes, federal officials and most safety experts agreed there was no common cause of the crashes.
Also, officials said 937 people were killed while flying in private aircraft.
Last year's fatal accident toll was the highest ever for international aviation — an estimated 2,000 killed in main flights, including 520 people who died when a Japan Air Lines Boeing 747 slammed into a mountain.
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The safety board said scheduled U.S. air carrier operations accounted for 197 of the total 526 air carrier fatalities, all involving larger planes.
ALVAMAR NAUTILUS Most complete Nautilus in town
Student $60 Special
Alvamar Nautilus Features:
- Newly Remodeled Center
- Trained experienced staff
- Complete circuit of Nautilus equipment
- Individual fitness programs for men and women
- Bodybuilding, aerobic conditioning and weight loss
- Special ski conditioning programs
- Saunas for both men and women
- Tanning bed
- Therapeutic massage call: 842-7766
ALVAMAR NAUTILUS FITNESS CENTER
4120 Clinton Pkwy. (adjacent to racquet club)