Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Oct. 31, 1975, edition 1 / Page 8
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Richard Whittle surplus Sil ' Cgl Friday, October 31, 1975 ; Cohen The best mayoral candidate When two excellent candidates offer themselves for public office, it. becomes difficult for the electorate to choose between them on election day. That awesome choice faces the citizens of Chapel Hill this Tuesday, November 4. Jim Wallace has been an active participant in town affairs for the many years he has been a Chapel Hill resident. He'has contributed in the civil rights struggles of the early 60's and has been a leader in several environmental fights in Orange County and North Carolina. Gerry Cohen has also been active t "perpetual student" himself, Cohen because of his more recent involvements in campus activities. Both describe themselves as liberals, and both agree on the preponderance of issues facing the town. How, then, can we choose who ought to be the. next mayor? The two gentlemen differ strongly on one question, and their answers to that question will probably decide the election: what is the' appropriate concept of the mayor in town government? Wallace's concept is evident in his campaign literature and in his comments in various candidates' forums. The mayor has three functions, according to Wallace: to preside over Board of Aldermen meetings, to listen to citizen grievances and to act as the representative of Chapel Hill in intergovernmental affairs. He has promised to keep daily office hours in order that citizens can have access to him. Cohen sees the job of mayor as this and much more. He has said he will devote great effort to make the post of mayor an active participatory force in town government. That has been the hallmark of Howard Lee's mayorship. That is what Chapel Hill as a whole needs. And that is why Chapel Hill needs Gerry Cohen as mayor. As an alderman himself, Cohen can easily handle the task of presiding over board meetings. As a sympathetic ear for citizen complaints, Cohen is an outstanding candidate. A keynote of Cohen's political activism in Chapel Hill has been his untiring effort to contact the citizenry and to incorporate the less visible citizenry into town government. Cohen has mobilized student registration in every major election since he became interested in political activism. He has pushed for the appointment of students to town committees and commissions. He has campaigned hard in the less affluent neighborhoods of town which are too frequently considered as areas of little political clout and therefore are often neglected in the allocation of town resources. He has built support in these quarters because he has helped to bring these people into town government. Cohen enjoys support in the more politically powerful areas as well. Several of his more active supporters are themselves older, more Established" residents who appreciate the work and energies that Cohen has applied to his work as an alderman. Because of his lobbying in the state legislature and in Washington on issues of immediate concern to both Chapel Hill and the University, Cohen has experienced the role of a representative of this community and has established contacts that will enable him to work with other government units in maximizing the resources necessary to solve local problems. His youth, his forthrightness and his "image" (whatever that may mean) have not applied his effectiveness in the past; there is no reason to believe they will in the future. Gerry Cohen has been labelled by some detractors as some kind of political animal. If so, he is the kind of political animal we need to scientifically breed and share with other communities. He has given his time and energies to his work beyond anyone's expectations in preparing himself for board meetings and in lobbying on behalf of town and campus. He has sought out those elements of the town which need the most representation in town government. He sees the mayor as an active initiator of new ideas and policy directions to be acted upon by the board of aldermen and implemented by the town manager and the manager's staff. When confrontation breaks out between residents and municipal authorities, whether in the neighborhood development district or in established neighborhoods, someone will often call the mayor. Howard Lee has rolled out of bed in the middle of the night numerous times to respond to these calls. On the basis of Cohen's past participation, he will probably do the same. Two good men are running for mayor of Chapel Hill. Both have sound records of achievement. One is the superior choice because of his proven readiness to take town government out of the municipal building and out to the people. That man is Gerry Cohen. She Cole C. Campbell Editor latiy (Mr mn 83rd Year of Editorial Freedom' since his arrival seven years ago. He walked the 5:30 a.m. picket line in support of the cafeteria workers in' the 1969 strike. In every political race since, Cohen has actively pushed voter registration of all citizens. Between elections he has attempted to keep people informed about the state of politics in Orange County. Both candidates have claim to support by blacks Wallace because of his involvement in the early Ws, Cohen because of his recent support of town programs of benefit to the black community. Both have claims to support by students, Wallace because he is a; Jim Grimsley Managing Editor Greg Porter Associate Editor Jim Roberts News Editor Robin Clark Features Editor Susan Shackelford Sport Editor Bamie Day Projects Editor Joyce Fitzpatrick Graphic Arts Editor Somehow the word slipped out this week that there's a little extra loot in the student government purse. My reliably high sources tell me it's called the General Surplus: whatever pocket change is left over at the end of the school year after all the speakers, bands and voters have been paid off. Now, I'm one of these people who can't stand to have loose cash lying around, and I've been losing sleep about this General Surplus thing. We've got to find some way to spend this money. Of course, we're at a disadvantage, here at UNC. Our student governors like to keep our egg money under the mattress, instead of giving us a chance to live it up. If the Duke University student government has a general surplus burning a . hole in its collective pocket, you can bet there'd be no problem. They could just turn the funds over to University President Terry Sanford. He's in the midst of trying to get a little promotion from president of Duke to president of the U.S. and would have no trouble at all finding room for a couple of hundred thousand bucks in his campaign treasury. The same is the case over at N.C. State. Football Coach Lou Holtz has got this thing about privacy he doesn't like outsiders sneaking peaks at the fancy footwork involved when his boys are jumping cow chips and he'd love to have a few dollars to put a wall around his practice pasture. But here at UNC we've got no one of comparable spending ability available. We might give Ferebee Taylor some extra cigarette money, though I'm inclined to let him do what I have to do buy his own chains. Some people have suggested a one-way train ticket for Coach Bill Dooley, which is an idea I j ust can't go along with at this time. (In my mind, it's too early in the season to start serving scapegoat.) And President Friday's house has just been renovated. Obviously, then, we have a real problem. I f we j ust had an ex-senator or some other spending expert around, our worries would be over. According to a Better Business Bureau newsletter for October that somehow wound up in my possession, Homecoming court. lacks full participation To the editor: Looking at the picture of the homecoming contestants in Wednesday's Daily Tar Heel, 1 had a strong feeling that not all elements of the campus community were represented. I was a bit dismayed by this because I know that there are a lot of beautiful people on this campus and some of them are black. 1 realize that there is a lot of discontent on this campus, but I am not so sure if withdrawal is the answer to all of the problems. 1 believe that sometime or other we will have to go to the mirror and look in it. 1 don't believe we can continue to play, games with ourselves. At some point or other we will have to participate in something. And 1 wonder if the lack of participation comes from the fear of falling short. I think, so. 1 also have to wonder about our black females. The ones who are always bearing the load of the persecution. How do you feel about not being represented? Maybe you feel good and want this chauvinist to keep Tom Boney New York City Mayor Abraham Beame has been trying to convince Congress to give his city federal money which he claims the city needs to avoid bankruptcy. President Ford announced Wednesday he would veto any such measure. New York's problem is one of basic economies. Over the past five or six years the city has been spending more than it could afford. To cover the debts, the city borrowed money by offering municipal bonds for sale to investors (primarily large banks). Those bonds have now begun to come due, and the city does not have the money to repay the creditors. So Mayor Beame wants Congress to give his city a financial shot in the arm to pull it through the rough times ahead. But it's time for New York City to kick the habit. For years now Gotham citizens and more particularly city politicians have become addicted to lavish spending for expensive and sometimes unnecessary city services. Beame . wants the Federal Government i.e. U.S. taxpayers to help finance the city's "habit." It is an addiction created solely by the people of New York City and they are capable of curing themselves, if they so desire. Thus far they have shown no such inclination. There is rre reason why the rest of the country should foot the bill for New York City's expensive self-inflicted illness. If the city insists on continuing its costly habit, it must pay for it alone. The city's revenues have not dried up as some as the gloomy New Yorkers suggest. Indeed, Secretary of the Treasury William Simon has remarked on the uniqueness of the NYC situation. "Unlike other cities, the problem was on the expenditure, not the revenue side." Simon reports that in recent' years while revenue was increasing at 8 per cent annually, spending was skyrocketing at almost double that rate 15 per cent., today's legislators are more imaginative in their spending than ever. Just this year, says the newsletter, the U.S. Congress has appropriated funds for studies on the following: the mating calls of Central American toads; the perspiration smell of Australian aborigines; Polish bisexual frogs; and "Why people say 'ain't'." Now that's creative spending. And that's the kind of imagination we need if we're going to get rid of this insightly General Surplus. So as usual, in an attempt to fill the void I find in our student legislators, I have come up with a couple of suggestions, I. The first crying need on campus is an enclosed golf cart for Student Body THINGS LIKE TUVT I OUST don't happen V 11 RCAU UFc The VkVi TAR HCU quiet. 1 wonder strongly if the black people who would have! tried for the title felt it was not worth it. Felt that they had lost before they 'took the first step. Felt insecure about the whole process. Why? You are here to get an education aren't you? An education is more than a classroom with a book and an in-class test. 1 think it covers your experiences, your successes and your failures. I think that we cheat ourselves when" we don't try. So many people fought valiantly, and 1 suppose not so valiantly, for you or someone like you to have a chance Now you don't even want to take the chance. Where is the use in all of it? L. C. Rowe 640 Craige Hall Paranoia To the editor. Perhaps 1 can help alleviate some of the Indeed the city's budget has doubled just since the late 1960's. This year's budget is $12.3 billion, which includes an $800 million deficit. Mayor Beame has proposed a plan to slice $200 million from the budget. Big deal. As Secretary Simon has noted, it is time for Beame to touch the scalpel to the growing 1 , mem mwry (will! v 'GET OJTA HERB! LIKE I KEEP TELLIN' YOU, THE MONEY SHOULD ARRIVE FROM Mi RICH UNCLE ANY V ME NOW!' layer of fiscal fat which is strangling the city. More cuts major ones must be planned immediately. Municipal employees have benefited greatly from the. city government's extravagance. Despite a drop from 7.8 to 7.5 million residents over the past 12 years, an additional 100,000 city employees have been hired. There are now approximately 300,000 city employees on the payroll. Secretary. President Bill Bates. Of course, the President's Cart we might name it "The Spirit of Suite C must be covered with a bullet-proof dome to protect him from mud slinging ex-treasurers and other malcontents. But the important thing is that the Prez be able to get around campus quickly without damaging those . brick sidewalks and in a vehicle that will suit his position in life. A combination caddy security guard could be included for good measure. I estimate $20,000 for the whole package, not including dealer prep and destination charge. - 2. The immediate establishment of a Political Hack's Alternative Retirement Trust (PHART). An initial investment of THE ULTIMATE DISASTER MOVIE 1 1 iii X 1 asp t Eimammmxi , , . j f f rJ $ f V " '" I 1 V if u anxiety and paranoia felt by some of the Homecoming Queen candidates. My own interest in homecomings was nil until some ex-friend nominated me. The school (Earlham College) got kind of a kick out of it, and, as it turns out, I ran and placed a close second. Three years before this, a male was elected Queen, and the institution withstood it and is, as far as 1 can tell, none the worse for it. I believe the fears about the whole thing turning into a farce and withering away are unfounded; I'm told that Homecoming there is an even bigger event this year, with more people than ever taking an interest. Bob Chapin Graduate in pharmacology School Board ballot To the editor. Local elections remind us again that we, as Simon reports that while most cities have a ratio of about 30-35 city workers per 1,000 citizens, New York City has 49 employees per 1,000 citizens. The salaries these thousands earn are phenomenal, even making allowances for the higher cost of living. For example, a policeman with three years of experience makes $17,458. A subway ticket distributor makes $12,000. Fringe benefits also abound for municipal workers. They may retire at half pay after 20 years service. And retirement pay is based entirely on the salary they make their 20th year, including overtime. City workers need' not contribute to the pension plan which the city has set up for them. Former Mayor John Lindsay is largely. Jl' si mm mt $50,000 or so should enable PHART to buy books and pencils for retired campus politicians who have to go back to school. I suggest Mike O'Neal as a charter member. - (You remember him, he's the poor fellow who recently left public life to write his memoirs.) 3. A trip to Las Vegas (one-way) fpr " housing Czar James Condie. The good doctor likes to gamble, I hear, especially when he knows he'll be guaranteed a room this year. This Las Vegas junket is a bargain at any price. Rkfcsrd Wfelttlt is a crxduite studsst ia jourra&ni from Greensboro. .MOW SHOWING and a cast ofmilV" students, are members of the larger community. It is our duty to be responsible citizens by taking all the elections seriously. In the past, students have tended to ignore .the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board elections and concentrated on the Board of Aldermen or Mayoral races. But, in order to be responsible citizens of Chapel Hill or Carrboro, we must take the time to evaluate the candidates for the school board and vote for the one whom we feel would best fulfill that office. Even if you do not have children in the local public, schools, you have an opportunity to express your opinion of what public education should be. Don't leave the School Board ballot blank this election. Vote responsibly! Steve Somerford 1206 Roosevelt Dr. responsible for these exorbitant wage contracts. He made frequent and expensive concessions to various striking municipal unions during his term of office ( 1966-1973). New York City employees are far and away the best paid municipal workers in the U.S. The average cost for garbage pick-up in New York is $45 per ton. No other major city pays more than half that amount. Again the high wages of unionized workers, who frequently disrupt vital services with strikes, are a reason for the high overall costs. For an urban area. New York City has a relatively low percentage of people on welfare, about 1 1 per cent. But it surely is not because the city does not pay them well. The highest welfare benefits in the nation are received in New York City. And the state government recently estimated that approximately 9 per cent of those receiving benefits are ineligible. New York City runs an expensive municipal hospital system of its own. It costs $304 million yearly. Despite only 77 percent average occupancy, the city refuses to consolidate some of the hospitals and thereby cut expenses. The city also has its own university, the City University of New York. Students pay only about $100 in fees, but no tuition is charged. The annual cost of this educational extravaganza is about $300 million. Sure, it's nice to have highly-paid workers and offer lots of deluxe municipal services. But it is time for the city to undergo the painful yet necessary withdrawal effects of reducing its excessive spending. The solution to the current budget crisis lies in New York City, not in Washington. ,Tom Boney Jr. is a senior journalism major I from Graham, N.C.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Oct. 31, 1975, edition 1
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