vniume LI. Number 27
SfiA Poll locations
Today and tomorrow
University Unidn
ID A.M. TD 2 P.M.
WARWICK Center
1 a A.M. TD 2 P.M.
Wagoner Haul
ID A.M. TD 2 P.M.
4 P.M. TD 7:30 P.M.
Randall library
ID A.M. TD 2 P.M.
4 P.M. TD 7:30 P.M.
Inside
This
Issue...
CMSR open for business
$17.5 million facility finally
becomes reality / 9
UNCW Big Band’’’
Well-known
saxophonist
Vincent Her
ring joins the
UNCW Big
Band for an
evening/ 21
INDEX
Campus News......... 3
University
..8
12
Classifieds
13
A & E...............
.15
The Scene
.16
Sports........
23
Excellence Throu^ Truth and Dedication
lj\( u
www.theseahawk.org
April 5.2000
SGA elections this week, Gunn drops out of race
by THOMAS M. RUYLE
Editor-In-Chief
Three students are vying for the student body presidency
in campus-wide elections being held today and tomorrow.
Voting gets underway this morning at 10 a.m. at the Univer
sity Union, Randall Library, the Warwick Center and Wag
oner Hall.
Two of the candidates, SGA Secretary of Media Katie
Russell and Laura Southerland, gave campaign speeches and
answered questions at a public forum last Wednesday. They
were joined by the lone vice-presidential candidate. Sena
tor Erica Pittlekow, who is billed as Russell’s running mate.
SGA Senator Lee Keenen, the third presidential candidate,
was unable to participate due to scheduling conflicts. Keenen
was interviewed on campus radio station WLOZ later that
evening.
President Patrick Gunn, who had previously announced
his intention to win a second term, dropped out of the race
last Wednesday, citing financial and personal reasons. Gunn
did not attend the forum.
Gunn said he was glad to have served as president.
“I'm pleased with the results we’ve had, but it didn’t work
the way I had hoped,” he said. He expressed dissatisfaction
with the university administration. “Many administrators
don't care about the students, just job security and the way
they look. I’m a little fed up with it." he said.
About 25 students, mostly SGA members, were on hand
to hear the candidates’ views on various campus issues such
as parking, the safe ride program, apathy and tuition and
fees.
Elections Board Chairman Yancey Gulley, who hosted the
forum, said, “I was pleased. The turnout could have been
better.” He noted this is only the second year that the forum
was held, and he would like to make it a more visible event
in the future. Despite the low turnout. Gulley was satisfied
with the dialogue between students and candidates.
“I’m impressed with the questions and the professional
See SGA,page 5
SGA vice-presidential candidate Erica Pittelkow, left, and
presidential candidates Katie Russell and Laura Southerland
listen to a question at last Wednesday’s forum.
Campaign violations alleged
by THOMAS M. RUYLE
Editor-In-Chief
SGA presidential candidate Lee Keenen said last weekend that
he was planning to file a complaint to the SGA elections board,
alleging that candidates Katie Russell and Erica Pittelkow have
committed violations of campaign regulations.
Keenen took issue with a large campaign banner in the Univer
sity Union, saying it exceeded the SGA’s maximum size for cam
paign posters. While bcdshcet-sized banners can be displayed at
the main stairway in the Union, the SGA limits campaign materi
als to 20 inches by 30 inches. Russell and Pittelkow’s poster was
roughly four feet by six feet.
“It’s a technicality, but it is a violation; a campaign poster that’s
bigger than 20 by 30,” Keenen said.
He said he talked to election chairman Yancey Gulley by tele
phone on Saturday, and planned to submit a formal complaint this
See RULES, page 5
Azalea Festival 2000 Opens Tommorrow
by RACHEL S. CRUZ
Staff Writer
The 53rd annual Azalea Festival will offi
cially open tomorrow and run through Sunday.
April 9. From historical tours and reenactments
to pageants, gospel music and local bands, Aza
lea Fest 2000 promises a variety of entertain
ment, each day of the festival. The majority of
the events are free and located downtown.
“Over 200 thousand people are expected this
year,” said Emily Longley, festival president. _
The Azalea Festival begins with the arrival
and crowning of Queen Azalea LIII. Nina
Repeta tomorrow. Repeta, who plays Bessie _ _ _
Potter on “Dawson’s Creek,” will be crowned
at the Riverfront Park at 10 a.m. ,/j|
Kool and the Gang, KC and the Sunshine '
Band, and comedian Sinbad will be featured in
concert at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Friday’s activities include the ribbon cutting and Queen
Azalea’s garden party, which begins the 47th annual Azalea
Garden Tour. This event, which is sponsored by Cape Fear
Garden Club, officially opens 12 gardens of local Wilming-
^ _ ton residents for display, and offers attendees a
"X ' chance to meet some of the festival celebrities.
“The garden tour is for the people in the com-
' — munity to see what some people can do while
getting dirty in the garden.” said fifth-time gar
den tour participant Julian McKeithen. Like the
• i other tour participants, McKeithen and his wife
prepared their garden on a volunteer basis for
display. In the McKeithen’s garden, tourists will
see blooming azaleas, dogwood trees and many
types of flowers.
Eleven gardens will be on display from 10:30
a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Four gardens, including the McKeithen’s, will
be lit up and open until nine p.m. on Friday and
Saturday. i
The garden tour is an annual fundraiser which
benefits Wilmington ii^i^^)ni^)niom^ihui^
See AZALEA, page 11