Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Dec. 12, 1978, edition 1 / Page 2
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Campus News Page two/Carolina Journal/December 12, 1978 Mayor unharmed by abductors By Kim Burns Charlotte Mayor Ken Harris was abducted from his office and held in the Student Govern ment Conference Room at UNCC this past Thursday. A group of seven renegades fulfilled their threat to kidnap Harris and hold him for ransom of toys, clothes, canned items and money. The kidnappers specified all items received as ran som were to be collected and turned over to the Newell Lions Club for distribution to the needy. Many students, organizations arid dignitaries came to bargain for Harris' safe release. Delta Zeta brought two bags of can ned goods. But kidnap pers said they wanted more. First on the list of negotiators was Santa Claus. When he heard of Harris’ plight, “I flew right down to see what I could do." Santa Claus said after his attempt to negotiate, “The mayor is under great duress. I can’t understand why they are holding him. If it weren’t for Charlotte, UNCC wouldn't be here. So I think the students UNCC included in "share-a ride” By Kathy Espin Negotiations between striking bus drivers and Transit Management of Charlotte broke down for the second time last Thursday as the two groups failed to agree on wage increases for drivers and mechanics. Federal Mediator Leonard Duggins said he has no plans for call ing another meeting. Meanwhile, most of the students and faculty members who hold bus passes are driving to school or riding in car- pools, but students without their own means of transportation are in a bind. Several students said they hitchhike to school. “I stand in the park ing lot and beg (for a ride in the afternoon),” Ann Owens said. She said she is sometimes let off two or three miles from her home in Foxcroft. Mayor Ken Harris visited the UNCC campus last Thursday after being ab ducted by some strange characters. should dig down into the bottom of their pockets and souls and give. Right now the case looks hopeless.' ’ Shortly after Santa Claus left the abductors sent a message for the students through a reporter on the scene, Jeff Wicker. The message read, “The mayor’s life is truly on the line." Eighth floor Sanford, “Krazy 8’s" came to try and appease the kidnap pers. “We’re here to rescue the mayor. If we can’t then we’re going to Owens, like most of the other students and faculty members inter viewed, said she had not called the Public Safety office about arranging carpools. Many of the students said they did not even know about the service. Two students said they had called the office but had no results. Jerry Hudson; Public Safety director, said anyone with a serious transportation problem should contact him per sonally by calling 597-2282. Fred and Vickie Amon said they called a Charlotte cab company 24 hours in advance to arrange a ride home from Fred's work-study job in the Cone Center recreation room. They were told they need only call four hours in ad vance to qualify for the “Share-a-ride’’ plan sing some Christmas carols. We’ve also brought some canned food and clothes for ran som,” Karen Popp, an eighth floor represen tative, said. The kidnappers agreed to let the girls sing to the mayor. They sang a total of six songs from “Jingle Bells” to “We’re the Girls from Krazy 8." Harris seemed more at ease after the first song. Even the kidnappers gathered around to listen, and for a moment relaxed their firm guard on the mayor. which charges a flat rate of $1.25. When they call ed they were told the “Share-a-ride” program did not apply to UNCC because the campus is outside the city limits, and they would have to pay full fare. Amon said he made about $5 at work that night. The ride home cost $10. Neither Hudson nor Libby Webber of Charlotte Transit Authority knew the “Share-a-ride” plan did not apply to UNCC. The CTA announced Friday that a new phase of the “Share-a-ride" plan would go into effect Monday that would in clude the UNCC cam pus. Rides can be ar ranged with no advance notice for $1.25 for the first mile and 30 cents a mile after the first. Regular rates are $1.35 for the first mile and 60 cents a mile after the Students milled around outside the con ference room, leaving donations on the tape sign that said, “Free the Mayor." Others left can ned foods and clothes in boxes placed beneath the tape sign. Two attempts were made by Student Body President Larry Springs to free Harris. The kid nappers sent another representative out to talk with reporter Wicker. One of the kidnappers delivered the following statement. “I let Spr- first. There is no extra charge for more than one passenger under the “Share-a-ride” plan. Webber said the plan was changed because the cab companies were losing money and with the four hour notice, drivers often found the riders had already left when the cab arrived. Joe King, president of the Charlotte Cab Com pany, said, “The public has let us down very bad with “share-a-ride." He said three out of five callers are not there when the cab arrives. “This has had a real bad effect on drivers’ moral and has cost a lot in gas, mileage and wages,” King said. Hudson said he has not considered what ar rangements will be made next semester because he feels certain the strike will be over by that time. (photo by Bob Henderson) Harris was released only after enough students had contributed canned goods and money. ings go out of the goodness of my heart. I will not stand for this again ... the mayor is an important man. This school is a big universi ty. I do not understand the apathy. There is a lot of money. If the people do not give, we will have to take drastic measures." Dean of Students Chuck Lynch tried and failed to get the mayor’s release. Zeta Tau Alpha came by to drop off a small box of canned goods and present Harris with a lady bug. Santa Claus returned at this point to try and renegotiate. At approximately 1:30 p.m. Sigma Phi Epsilon brought canned goods for ransom. Kidnappers pleased by the large amount agreed to let several of them in to pre sent the mayor with a Sig Ep jersey. The mayor slipped on the jersey to pose for a pic ture. With the jersey on and so many in the room Reminder Dec. 16, 9 a.m. — all residence halls close for Christmas break: any students checking out after this time will be billed a late check-out charge of $10. Jan. 9, 1 p.m. — all Harris was able to slip out among them un noticed by the kidnap pers. The Sig Eps were able to get Harris as far as Cone Center Cafeteria before being recaptured by the kidnappers. Seeing the situation was getting desperate Robert Gwaltney, presi dent of the Newell Lions Club was brought in to negotiate with the kid nappers. Lambda Chi Alpha brought in more canned items. This along with Gwaltney’s finesse for negotiating convinced the kidnappers to release Harris in Gwaltney’s custody. The mayor's parting words after his ordeal were “Where’s my car?” (Editor's Note: All contributions were turn ed over to the Newell Lions Club for distribu tion to the needy for Christmas. Sigma Phi Epsilon won a pizza par ty from PFM for the most contributions.) residence halls open for spring semester. Jan. 16 — contracts due for all clubs, organizations and stu dent groups wishing to participate in any homecoming contests.
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