Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Nov. 6, 1996, edition 1 / Page 2
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2 Wednesday, November 6, 1996 Voters OK millions for school improvements ■ The passage of the bond will give nearly sll million to area schools. BY STACEY TURNAGE STAFF WRITER North Carolina schools will get their much needed face lift thanks to the over whelming approval of the $l.B billion school bond Tuesday. Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Edu cation members were pleased with the overwhelming support of the bond. “It is really an exciting day to be in the state of North Carolina," school board Chairman Mark Royster said. Senate still Democrat stronghold ■ The N.C. Senate will be Democratic, while Republi cans will keep the House. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS RALEIGH—EarIy returns indicated Democrats would extend their lead in the N.C. Senate on Tuesday, while Re publicans’ hold on the N.C. House won in 1994 for the first time this century appeared to be slipping. Democrats went into the election with a 26-24 majority in the Senate, while Republicans had a 68-52 majority in the House. Projections from incomplete re sults showed Democrats with a larger lead in the Senate and closing the gap in the House. Both Republicans and Democrats agreed whoever took control of the House would have a narrow margin, possibly as small as a single vote. Democrats upended one incumbent as Rep. Frances Cummings, R-Robeson, lost to Democrat Frank Bonner, who led 76 percent to 24 percent with 35 percent of the precincts reporting. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Mark McDaniel, a leading voice for the GOP minority, placed third in a five-candidate race for two seats in Forsyth County with 80 percent of the precincts reporting. And former Dunn mayor and Demo crat Oscar Harris led in early returns in a bid to upset Republican Sen. Dan Page in Harnett County. Senate Democrats also were in tight races. Senate Majority Leader Richard Conder and Senate Appropriations Com mittee Co-chairman Aaron Plyler were neck-and-neck with two Republicans running for their seats. In the House, Republican Reps. Jonathan Robinson and Cynthia Watson were behind in early returns, as was Bladen County Democrat Edd Nye. Legislative races are local elections that often turn on local political issues more than on state or national trends. Former Rep. Martin Nesbitt and former Sen. George Daniel—two former Democratic leaders hoping to regain the seats they lost in 1994 were behind in early balloting. Republican House Speaker Harold Brubaker and Demo cratic Senate President Pro Tern Marc Basnight have spent months raising money for candidates in their chambers as they tried to increase their margins. Basnight and Brubaker won unop posed on Tuesday, as did Senate Minor ity Leader Betsy Cochrane and 41 other House and Senate incumbents. Control of the two chambers was a critical issue for both parties because of several statewide issues that the Legisla ture will decide. Thenext Legislature, for example, has until April 1 to redraw the state’s U.S. congressional districts. A three-judge federal panel gave law makers that deadline earlier this year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the 12th Congressional District was an example of unconstitutional racial gerry mandering. Redrawing that district will require redrawing virtually every other district in the state. Wednesday 10 a.m.-ll:30 a.m. The Center for Teaching and Learning is conducting a work shop for teaching assistants on “Evaluations of Student Work." Please call the center at 966- 1289 to sign up. Enrollment is limited. noon The Sonja H. Stone Black Cul tural Center will present Around the Circle with Cha. les McKinney, a doctoral candidate at Duke University. This week’s topic will be "Can there be another Civil Rights Revolu tion?” Call 962-9001 for more information. noon The Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy will present “Regulation ofLym phocyte Functions by Tyrosine Protein Phos phorylation” featuring Dr. Andre Viellette of McGill University in 124 Taylor Hall. noon-4 p.m. University Career Ser vices will conduct “Law School Exploration Day” for seniots and graduate students in the Great Hall. Business attire recommended. UCS will also conduct “Job Hunt 101: Orientation “Voters made a definite statement that said they want to bring our schools up to the new standards of the 21st century.” Chapel Hill-Canboro City Schools will receive just less than sll million and Orange County schools will receive al most $6 million for new schools and renovations to existing structures. Counties throughout the state will re ceive a total of $l.B billion to build new schools. Funds will be dispersed to the counties based on the wealth of the county and growth rate of the school district. Neil Pedersen, superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, said the bond will help tremendously to alle viate overcrowding in the school system. “The passage of this bond is one piece of the puzzle that will allowus to keep the Republicans retain control of Congress THE ASSOCIATED PRESS As of press time, Republicans were confident they would hold the Senate and the House—where Democrats were hoping to end Newt Gingrich’s tenure as speaker. Gingrich accepted his own re election and said it was “people power” that assured his victory. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said Republicans were willing to work with Clinton on balancing the budget and tax cuts for families —but were skeptical he would follow through on his election-year conservative conversion. “He talks about how the era of big government is over, ’’Lott told The Asso ciated Press. “We’d like to help him keep his word on that, keep the government smaller and smarter.” In a sobering note for Clinton, Lott promised tough investi gations of questionable Democratic fund raising from foreign interests. Marshall wins checkered flag, edges Petty at finish BY VICKY ECKENRODE AND SARA DEMANIGOLD STAFF WRITERS RALEIGH Cheers erupted from a crowd of supporters as Democrat Elaine Marshal] became the first woman to be come N.C. secretary of state after defeat ing NASCAR racing legend Richard Petty. Marshall said doors of opportunity were now open because of the win. “Through those doors, we will lead North Carolina into the future and that future includes women in higher levels of state office,” she said. At press time, the count gave 54 per cent of the vote to Marshall while Petty received 44 percent. According to The Associated Press, Petty arrived at the Randolph County Republican Party headquarters without his traditional sunglasses but wearing his cowboy hat. Petty said he didn’t plan to stay up and watch the rest of the election returns trickle in. “I ain’t staying up all night,” Petty said to a reporter from The Associated Voters add amendments to constitution, give Hunt veto ■ All of the items appearing on the ballot, including the bond referenda passed. BY ERIC FLACK STAFF WRITER Gov. Jim Hunt will wield more power in his fourth term, after voters gave the governor veto power Tuesday in one of many constitutional amendments and state referenda. Voters overwhelmingly decided to amend the N.C. Constitution to give the governor a line-item veto, making North Carolina the last state to adopt such a measure. With 24 percent of the precincts re porting, 75 percent of voters supported Workshop” for seniors and graduate students at 4 p.m. in 210 Hanes Hall. 4 p.m. The Center for European Stud ies will present “International Career Comer” in the Center for International Studies seminar room. Representatives from the N.C. World Trade Center and IBM will speak candidly about why a European and/or International focus makes one more marketable. 4 p.m. The Sociology Club will meet in Union 206. Everyone is welcome. 5 p.m. Students United will be having a general interest meeting in Union 226. SU is an organization which is planninga “Department Night" to improve the student-faculty relation ship through forums. 5:30 p.m. The Lutheran Campus Min istry will have its All Saints Holy Communion this evening at the Lutheran Campus Center. All are invited! 6 p.m. The Wesley Foundation will host a dinner and program titled “Show and Tell.” Please bring an object that you would ELECTIONS '96 School board Chairman MARK ROYSTER said the bond would bring schools up to date. pace with the growth,” Pedersen said. The other piece would be the pass age of a district bond in 1997 that would allow Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools to com plete building projects, he said. Board member Mary Bushnell said she thought voters realized the need for facilities with more classroom space. “We need the finest education pos sible to make this generation able to work Indeed, the jubilation in Little Rock, Ark., afforded Democrats just a brief respite from controversies and scandals raised by Dole and Perot. The breadth of Clinton’s victory was sobering news to Republicans who once held an Electoral College advantage based on strength in the South, Plains and Mountain West. Republicans began the night with a 5347 Senate majority and won two seats from retiring Democrats. Attorney Gen eral Jeff Sessions took the Alabama seat of Howell Heflin. And Chuck Hagel cap tured the seat of James Exon in Ne braska. Republicans held open seats in Wyoming and two in Kansas. Demo crats did the same in Rhode Island, Geor gia, Illinois and New Jersey. Control hinged on competitive open-seat races in Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado, Oregon andMaine. InNew Hampshire, exit polls indicated Dick Swett would unseat Re Press. “I’ve been out campaigning. I need some sleep.” Although Petty was not victorious, he was optimistic before the final election totals were known. “If I do lose, I’ll be disappointed. I put a lot of time and effort and money into it,” Petty said. “If nothing else, I’ve seen a lot of racing fans that I didn’t get to see before,” he said. Marshall said some of her goals in cluded increasing morale within the of fice. The office came under attack earlier this year when Marshall’s Democratic predecessor Rufus Edmisten resigned due to allegations that he had misused his office by getting a family friend a job and by making employees do errands for him on state time. Although many did not believe a Democrat could overcome Petty’s name recognition, Marshall said her victory was due to a strong belief in herself. “I knew I could be a good secretary if given a chance.” The Associated Press contributed to this story. the measure. Two other amendments also passed: one to give violent crime victims basic rights to participate in the justice system and one to give judges the right to impose probation, restitution, community ser vice and work programs on people con victed of a criminal offense. N.C. residents also approved a bond referendum issuing $950 million in N orth Carolina highway bonds in order to pro vide funds to speed up road, highway and beltline construction in North Caro lina. As of press time, 60 percent of voters had supported the highway bond refer endum. Judge Kenneth Titus, chief district judge in Durham County, said the con stitutional amendment giving judges in creased options when sentencing crimi nals validated what state courts were Campus Calendar like to share and join members as they revert to their preschool days! 7:30 p.m. Sangam will hold its general body meeting in Union 205-206. The short meeting will be followed by the Interracial DatingForumatßp.m. sponsoredby S.A.R.R. and Sangam’s Minority Affairs Committee. 7:30 p.m. Habitat for Humanity will meet in 101 Greenlaw Hall. Come to sign up for work shifts and to eat some cookies! 8 p.m. The UNC Mountain Bike Club will meet in 104 Fetzer Gymnasium. New members are welcome! For more information, call Dan at 932-7245. Items of Interest N.C. Hillel will be conducting its annual parent phone campaign. Call Rabbi Ed at 942- 4057 if you are interested in helping. The UNC Ski Club is taking a trip to Que bec City, Canada, on Dec. 29 through Jan. 3. Rentals, lessons, snowboarding and night ski ing are all available. The price of the trip is and contribute in the technological age,” she said. Pedersen said the addition to East Chapel Hill High School was first on the agenda to complete with funds from the bond. “If all goes as planned, we will be able to proceed very shortly with the addition,” Pedersen said. Board member Ken Touw said the passage of the bond was wonderful news for schools statewide. “I am very pleased that voters in North Carolina have in vested in the future of our children and their education.” Voters also passed a special tax refer endum allowing the Chapel Hill - Canboro City Schools to use special taxes levied on property owners within the school district to fund school expansions. publican Sen. Robert Smith, but Smith held the lead with half the vote counted. In Massachusetts, Sen. John Kerry withstood a stiff challenge from popular Republican Gov. William Weld. Democratic incumbents won new terms in Michigan, West Virginia, Min nesota and Delaware. Republican sena tors won re-election in Texas, New Mexico, Mississippi, Virginia and Okla homa. Dole based his challenge to Clinton on a pledge of dramatic tax cuts and an indictment of Clinton’s ethical record. Clinton asked for four more years by citing the 10 million new jobs and low unemployment that marked the first four. Beyond policy differences, the White House campaign offered a stark genera tional contrast, pitting a graying 50-year old baby boomer against Dole, 73, a veteran of 35 years in Congress and the battlefields of World War n. Democrats keep each Council of State office BY TIFFANY CASHWELL AND JONATHAN SESSLER STAFF WRITERS RALEIGH Once again, Demo crats swept the N.C. Council of State positions, with only the race for state auditor too close to call by press time. Attorney General Mike Easley was the first Democrat to walk across the victory stage. “Once again we have proven that clean, positive, issue-oriented campaigns can win inNorth Carolina," Easley said. “The key things we’re to focus on are getting crime down and education up. The two to go hand in hand,” Easley said. Republicans took the losses that vot ers handed them in stride. They said they were disappointed with the election results but satisfied with their campaigns and optimistic about the fu ture. Steve Arnold said he was glad just to be a part of the political process. “I am happy to be a part of the Repub lican party," Arnold said. “This party stands for values, and I believe these values are right.” Arnold said he looks forward to two more years as a county commissioner and anew possible state campaign in the already practicing. He said he liked the measure that gives judges more options because it would allow him to sentence criminals with drug problems to rehabilitation. “It indicates to all parties that what we have been doing as far as probation and other sentences are punishment under the constitution,” Titus said. “Especially with the prevalence of drugs in North Carolina, more rehabili tation can be provided instead of active sentences. “This validates what has been going on for a long time.” Titus said the victims’ rights amend ment would improve the lack of commu nication between the courts and the vic tims. “It has always appeared that the ones left out of the loop in court are the vic- $350, which includes transportation, lift tick ets and lodging at the Quebec Hilton in the middle of town. Make sure to come to the meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, in 302 Woollen Gym. And don’t forget your $75 deposit! The Carolina Indian Circle will present the Third Annual Native American Perform ing Arts Festival at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22 in Memorial Hall. Tickets are on sale now in the Ticket Box Office! Prices are $3 for students and $5 for the general public. For more infor mation, call Sabrina at 914-1919. The Duke Art Museum is presenting an exhibit entitled “’Chaika’: Preserving the Im ages of Ideology" from Oct. 24 through Dec. 29 as part ofa growing collection of contempo rary Russian art. The museum is also sponsor ing an “After Hours” with the artist at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in the North Gallery. Ad mission for the general public is $3. The Sierra Club will be featuring Richard Franks at a science and technology program STICK IT IN, STICK IT IN, UHH r -> y ‘ iti , PSllifi Hi & DTH/BEN MCALLISTER Andrew Kinlaw, a junior from Wilmington, casts his ballot at Fetzer Gymnasium on Tuesday. Fetzer had one of its biggest turnouts ever. “This race was more than a choice between candidates; it was a referendum on the school system. The voters said through this election they care about public schools. ” HIKE WARS Superintendent of Public Instruction future. Jim Graham, who has served as com missioner of agriculture for eight terms, celebrated with a cigar in his hotel suite. just as excited now my ninth time Winning as I was the first time,” he said. Graham’s opponentfor Commissioner of Agriculture Tom Davidson said initial polls showed him winning early in the evening. After votes from the first precincts showed him significantly behind, his at titude changed. “I am sad,” Davidson said. “We worked hard for 10 months, but we will just have to wait and see.” When Davidson’s defeat became clear, he discussed his campaign and looked tims,” Titus said. “This provides that the victims will be as notified as the defendants.” Robert High, N.C. deputy state trea surer, said he expected residents to be pleased with the approval of the highway bonds, because it would shorten the time commuters would have to suffer through traffic as a result of construction on state roads. “Our needs require an increase in the speed at which roads are being built,” High said. “Commuters will spend less time sitting in traffic, less time around the outer loops which have become bottle necks, and have less petty gas consump tion. “I don’t think many people will com plain that we don’t need the roads, and by borrowing the money it speeds up the process of this happening." for children on Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at The Depot. Call (910) 578-3106 for additional in formation. The N.C. Crafts Gallery will be sponsor ing a show titled “Triangle Weavers” from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, featuring works by Chapel Hill, Durhamandßaleighresidents. The Crafts Gallery is located at 212 W. Main St. in Carrboro. For additional information, contact Mary Ellen Goyer at 942-4048. The N.C. Arts Gallery will be showing rustic furniture by Wayne Hall from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30. The Arts Gallery is located at 407 W. Weaver St. in Canboro. Call 942-4048 for more information. The Fall 1996 Duke Jazz Series will have a show on Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. featuring David Schumacher, baritone saxophone, and the Duke Jazz Ensemble. The performance will be in Baldwin Audi torium on Duke’s East Campus, and general admission is $lO. For more information, call 660-3333. SlDaily Stir Heel toward the future in North Carolina poli tics. “When I traveled the state and talked to folks, they seemed ready for a change, ” Davidson said. “The agricultural community was upset with current policy.” Davidson said he would look toward anew day and a future campaign. Voters chose Mike Ward to serve as superintendent of public instruction. “This race was more than a choice between candidates; it was a referendum on the school system,” Ward said. “ The voters said through this election they care about public schools,” he said. Harry Payne, commissioner of labor, said that he was happy with the election results, and that he was ready to get back to work today. “I’ve had a very busy but happy year and I’m really excited about going to the Caribbean next week,” Payne said. Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker, who said he was used to following Gov. Jim Hunt, was happy to follow in Hunt’s footsteps to victory on Tuesday. In his excitement, Wicker had to hesi tate to distinguish between his twin sons on stage. In Wicker’s speech, he outlined some ideas for the future. “I want to toughen drunk driving laws in the state so no one else is killed.” SENATE FROM PAGE 1 of the vote at 9 p.m., N.C. Republican Party political director Dan Gurley was confident. “Those numbers are in line with what we had projected,” Gurley said. Gurley said Helms had two kinds of conservatives to depend on in North Carolina. “The social conservatives combine with fiscal conservatives to support Jesse,” he said. Some Democrats touted the influx of new residents as possible Gantt support ers. However, Gurley said he believed his party had actually netted more voters this year, most of whom turned out to be supporters of Helms. “Eastern North Carolina is a power base for Helms,” Gurley said. “They grew accustomed to his televi sion commentaries, and they just iden tify with him. “New voters recognize that Helms is trustworthy, and that’s a hard find these days; even if they don’t always agree with him, they’ll vote for his honesty.” Helms apparently was neither too old nor too conservative to win for the fifth time in nearly a quarter-century. Helms would not comment on whether the 1996 campaign would be his last. So voters can only wonder whether the 75-year-old Helms will run again in 2002. If the victorious, 93-year-old Republi can, Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who won re-election Tuesday, is any kind of indicator, Democrats and Republicans alike can expect the senior senator to be around for at least three more terms. Gurley offered some light on Helms’ senior circuit bids, however. “I’ve not heard it from the senator, but Ive heard it in his campaign that this will be his last run."
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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