Lennox 'looking' for Peters
Topinabee junior Dennis Lennox II is determined to make Griffin Endowed Chair Gary Peters choose between CMU and his run for Congress.
In an effort to do so, Lennox and Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saulius Anuzis created a 7-foot-tall milk carton with a mock missing person profile of Gary Peters, which displayed his picture and the words "Have you seen me?"
Under the description for Peters, the milk carton read "Liberal Lansing insider. Wanted to put slot machines in super markets. If found please contact Central Michigan (University) President Michael Rao 989-774-4000."
The pair set up the display for about 45 minutes Wednesday in front of the Bovee University Center.
"Our mission is about making Peters pick between Congress and campus," Lennox said. "Everyone has the right to run for office, but they don't have the right to teach students."
Anuzis, who hosted a press conference in front of the display, said the milk carton campaign began Tuesday at Michigan's 9th Congressional District in Oakland County where Peters would have been campaigning for his Congressional position. Anuzis said the milk carton is a visual and practical point that Peters is "missing" work at CMU.
"I think it's ethically wrong, I think it's morally wrong," Anuzis said. "We would hope that the university as well as Gary Peters would either consider resigning or not running for Congress and making a commitment to the students of CMU."
Peters did not attend the conference.
Flint senior Brandon Bowser, who was in attendance, said he doesn't always agree with Lennox's views, but he respects his activism.
"What he's trying to do is educate people," Bowser said. "I don't think enough people understand the whole Gary Peters issue."
Bowser said Anuzis' participation may cause others in the Republican party to take notice.
"I feel that it (his appearance) gave (the campaign) more muscle," Bowser said.
Lennox, Students Against Gary Peters spokesman, said Peters makes $65,000 a year as a professor at CMU, and is not fulfilling his position.
"He's getting paid to be here today but, unlike all the other professors, he's back in Oakland County raising money and doing job activities that (don't) benefit the students at CMU," Lennox said.
Macomb junior David Grabowski said he supports Lennox and thinks Peters should choose.
"I really don't think Gary Peters should be paid $65,000 for one class," he said. "Maybe he should take a leave of absence."
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