Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Nov. 18, 1996, edition 1 / Page 3
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Daily (Tar Hppl nj yj ij a jiPpj BRIEFS Stones from the University and Chapel Hill Drug overdose brings halt to Lab! performance A student who might have eaten psy chedelic mushrooms caused a 45-minute intermission during Saturday’s Lab! The atre performance in Graham Memorial Hall. During the performance of “Land scape of the Body,” Jeremy Foster, a 19- year-old junior, passed out, according to police reports. When officers arrived, Foster was conscious, but passed out again as police were preparing to leave, reports state. Foster’s girlfriend told EMS person nel he had taken mushrooms before at tending the play, reports state. Foster was transported to Student Health Service and then taken to the emergency room at UNC Hospitals but was not in the hospital Sunday after noon, an employee on duty said. Staff report ASG discusses students' lobbying power, strategies Before the newly elected representa tives take their seats, some students are thinking of ways to educate them about student concerns. The Association of Student Govern ments, made up of student government members from all 16 campuses in the UNC system, held a roundtable discus sion Friday night to plan strategies to influence legislators both in Raleigh and Washington. “We’re still in the brainstorming stage,” said ASGPresident JohnDervin. “We still have to decide on a few key issues to focus on." Dervin said the ASG planned to send students to Raleigh in late January to meet with the new legislature, and in late April as well, when the budget is being decided. ASG members also hope to send as many students as possible to a Washing ton legislative conference in March, spon sored by the United States Student Asso ciation. Studentßody President Aaron Nelson said the legislative schedule poses prob lems for student involvement. “The biggest problem is that a lot will be decided in July after we’re all gone, But we’ll continue to keep the pressure on.” Dervin said the best way to get legisla tors to consider student concerns was to build a personal relationship with them. Le Ann Spradling Hooker discusses repairs, new major with faculty Chancellor Michael Hooker addressed theneed for classroom repairs and present and future educational advantages for students at the Faculty Council meeting Friday. Hooker said $1.7 million had been designated to classroom repair. The Classroom Advisory Committee identified 46 classrooms in need of im mediate repairs. “These renovations will begin almost immediately and will continue through the spring and summer terms,” he said. Hooker said $ 1.7 million had also been set aside for lecture hall repairs with the highest priority going to 207 and 268 Venable Hall. Murphey Hall renovations will begin in the summer with $2 million set aside for repairs, Hooker said. Hans have also been made to add new courses to the University’s curriculum. An undergraduate major in environmen tal studies is in the works and will go to the Board of Governors for approval. Hooker said he hoped the program would be up and running by fall 1998. “When students came and presented me with six petitions and urged what they have been urging for so long, it seems to me that it wouldn’t be prudent to wait any longer because we were be ginning to look silly.” Cheniece Wright Human Relations Summit examines communication Students agreed to form a committee to examine different ways to improve communication among organizations and between organizations and students. The Human Relations Committee held its first summit Saturday with represen tatives from 12 campus organizations. Student Body President Aaron Nelson made fostering communication between campus groups a priority after his elec tion, said Sarah Manekin, chairwoman of the Human Relations Committee. “It’s a need we’ve seen come up time and again,” she said. Continuous, effective communication among organizations is the goal of the Human Relations Committee, but the communication structure will not be founded in Student Congress because administrations change every year, said Shana Fulton, a summit co-coordinator. She said the organizations should dis tribute the information to ensure that the improved communication remains im portant even if the next student body president does not consider it a priority. Jennifer Pender UNC, Housekeepers nearing close of suit BY JAMIE GRISWOLD UNIVERSITY EDITOR The end of the six-year-old lawsuit between the University and the UNC Housekeepers Association could be in sight, a court-appointed mediator said at a Friday afternoon press conference. “I believe this will be done within the next lOdays to two weeks,” said Greens boro attorney Jonathan Harkavy, me diator in the case. “That is my hope.” The Housekeepers Association has been in a legal battle with UNC since 1991, when a group ofhousekeepers filed a grievance charging the University with institutional racism and asking for higher wages, stronger training programs and influence in derisions which affecthouse keepers. Chancellor Michael Hooker, reading from a prepared statement signed by both parties, said significant progress had been made in the case. “The University and the Housekeep County officials recognize local humanitarians ■ An Orange High School graduate received the First youth award for service. BY ROB NELSON STAFF WRITER The spotlight focused on two local humanitarians at the 1996 Pauli Murray Awards Reception at A.L. Stanback Middle School Sunday afternoon. Sponsored by the Orange County Board ofCommissioners and the county’s Human Relations Commission, the cer emony honored Orange High School graduate Katrina Mattison and human rights activistLightningßrown, whodied last year. “The purpose of today’s ceremony is to honor those individuals whose lives Gas buyers say boycott irrelevant ■ Texaco settled an 11-year discrimination suit, but the NAACP urged a boycott. BY AMANDA GREENE STAFF WRITER Local Texaco customers said they would consider price and not the company’s alleged racial discrimination when it came to selecting where they bought gas. The Houston-based company settled an 11-year discrimination suit with its black employees Friday by agreeing to pay slls million and give all black em ployees a 10-percent pay raise. When audio tapes played in court pro ceedings last week revealed racial slurs made by Texaco executives, the case attracted national attention and prompted a boycott. Despite the settlement, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People still urged a boycott of Texaco products. Local customers said the boycott would not affect them and they worried more about the settlement’s affect on gas prices. “I don’t think prices will go up be- Carrboro sells confiscated, surplus goods ■ Residents attended the annual auction to purchase bicycles and other items. BY RACHEL SWAIN STAFF WRITER Whoever says a dollar can’t buy much these days has never been to the town of Carrboro’s public auction. Approximately 150 people, including 70 people registered to bid, braved the cold weather Saturday at the Public Works Department to battle for the 159 items up for sale, all of which had an original price tag of sl. Even though everything from clothes to a six-ton asphalt roller was on the auction block, the most popular items of the day were bicycles. “Bicycles are our biggest pull,” said Kathy Duncan, Canboro’s purchasing officer. “One bike went for $l7O, which is quite good when people are willing to “The University and the Housekeepers Association Steering Committee have agreed in principle to resolve their disputes. ” MICHAEL HOOKER Chancellor ers have agreed in principle to resolve their disputes and have made substantial progress toward finalizing that agree ment,” Hooker said, “nie parties need a brief additional period of time to consult with their various constituencies before presenting a definitive agreement to the presiding administrative law judge.” Harkavy said he asked Judge Brenda Becton to give him additional time to finalize the agreement. “She kindly gave me an extension of this mediation process in order to con- are shining examples of what it means to live in a community,” said Quinton Baker, Human Relations Commission chairman. Pat Devine, assistant public defender for Orange and Chatham counties, told the audience about the various causes Brown championed. “He gave his life to local issues in this community, ” she said, describing Brown’s gay-rights activism and his commitment to fighting for the underdog. Devine also made note of the similari ties between Murray and Brown. “They both shared the courage and integrity to be true to themselves regardless of the costs,” she said. Murray, who died in 1985, spent her life as a lawyer, professor, priest, poet and activist who fought for equality and justice. Orange County Commissioner Will I WB HEj* x-,i- A steady flow of cars pulled into the pumps at the Zip Mart at the corner of Franklin Street and Estes Drive on Sunday afternoon. Customers said competitive prices were more important than a NAACP boycott. cause of Texaco’s settlement, and even if they did, I would still get my gas here,” said Chapel Hill resident Keith King. The manager and employees at the Texaco station on Franklin Street re fused to comment. Greensboro residents John and Julie Malone said they bought Texaco gaso line when they were in Chapel Hill. “I don’t think prices will rise much, especially for a big company like Texaco, but if they do, Texaco is not the only gas station around,” Julie Malone said. “I think it’s mostly about price and conve nience for us.” Debbie Wood, a Durham resident, said her personal ethics would determine go that high. Even children’s bikes at tracted a good amount of money. The whole bicycle auction is quite competi tive.” First-time attendee Todd Schwartz of Carrboro was attracted to the auction by the bicycle sale. “I saw the ads for the bikes,” he said. “There’s some good stuff here and not so-good stuff.” Beth Mauldin, of Carrboro, was also at her first Carrboro auction in search of a bicycle. “I need a bicycle because someone stole mine,” Mauldin said. “But I don’t see it here.” The 53 bicycles, which had been con fiscated by the Carrboro Police Depart ment, were only a fraction of the stolen, abandoned and surplus goods that at tracted people. Brent Mellott of Chapel Hill was in terested in bidding on the asphalt roller. “My interest in the Toller is incidental,” he said. “I came because of the bicycles but the roller caught my eye because I’m NEWS ** §g ?. *J g|j % i PHBHB ' ijK tM u M Hg TanjjßM r WhH B,Vfflf jnkaKWi j&r ™ Jonathon Harkavy (center), the attorney selected to moderate the dispute between UNC and the UNC Housekeepers Association, announces Friday at South Building that the groups could end to their six-year battle within two weeks. tinue to work out the details of a final agreement,” he said. Harkavy said he was in the process of preparing draft documents and consult ing with Housekeepers’ attorney Alan McSurely, University attorney Tom Ziko, “Thepurpose of today's ceremony is to honor those individuals ivhose lives are shining examples of what it means to live in a community. ” QUINTON BAKER Human Relations Commission Chairman iam Crowther, who challenged others to follow in the footsteps of Brown, pre sented a plaque and a book about the life of Murray to Brown’s brother Peter. “It is an honor to stand in for my brother,” he said. “When someone gives so much energy and compassion to their work, it is remarkable and good to re ceive this kind of recognition.” her position on the boycott. “If (the boycott) was something I be lieved in, I would go to BP or elsewhere to support the boycott.” Owners of the Zip Mart on Highway 54, another Texaco station in Chapel Hill, said they wanted customers to know they operated under a privately owned business, Stallings Oil Cos. “We are appalled at the recent racially degrading remarks attributed to a Texaco executive in New York,” a press release from Stallings Oil stated. “Actions which affect our customers and team members concern us deeply,” the release stated. Employees said they were not allowed “Bicycles are our biggest pull. ... The whole bicycle auction is quite competitive. ” KATHY DUNCAN Carrboro's purchasing officer in the business.” Mellott is owner of Mellott Contractors in Carrboro. Other bidders were simply curious. “I love going to auctions to check out the stuff,” said Dave Plummer of Chapel Hill. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Plummer was looking for a bicycle but was also interested in buying some tools. “If I can get a good price on some stuff, then why not do it?” he said. Sponsored annually by the town as a fund-raising and a housecleaning event, money raised from the auction of the abandoned and confiscated items is do nated to local schools. Money generated Becton and members of the Housekeep ers Association Steering Committee. “At this point in the process, I do not think any fiuther public discussion would be helpful,” he said. At a Faculty Council meeting foliow Praising Mattison’s work ethic and commitment, Louise Echols told the au dience she nominated her because of her leadership abilities. “Katrina is a role model not only for her own age group but to everyone.” Echols said, who worked with Mattison through activities in their church. This was the first year that a youth award was given, and Recognition Com mittee Chairwoman Mariah McPherson said she believed the award would help motivate other teens. “We felt that we needed role models for other youth,” she said. “We want others to see that they’re youth who are doing wonderful things with their lives. ’’ Mattison is currently enrolled at Fayetteville State University, and she said she aspired to a career in medicine. “I feel it is a great accomplishment to be able to help people.” DTH/TODD DARLING to comment. Black Student Movement co-president Shandra Taylor said she felt the contro versy was important to the issue of civil rights. “This situation (with Texaco) is a very tangible one for civil rights groups to fight for,” she said. Taylor said the Black Student Move ment supported the Texaco boycott, say ing it would make an important mark on the long range implications of the civil rights issue. “People pick their battles, and this one is very relevant,” she said. “We will stop fighting for civil rights when our point has been made.” I m 1 pS tt&ji&MK \ fe'Biß I II F i ?,; . . %~y r ' '■' * ~ ■ i , M rtM * Richard Reed, an employee in Carrboro's Public Works Department, calls Saturday's auction, which featured items left at the town’s police station. goes into a public fund for the entire town, Duncan said This year’s event raised $4,200 total, $1,500 from the abandoned and confis cated items and $2,700 from the surplus items, Duncan said. “After subtracting Monday, November 18,1996 DTH/AMYCAPnELLO ing the press conference, Hooker told faculty members he was happy with the progress that had been made in the law suit. “This is the happiest moment in my 14 months in Chapel Hill,” he said. “lam enormously pleased.” Agents seize local store’s paraphernalia ■ Customs agents also raided Knuckleheads stores in Florida and Wisconsin. BY AARON LEVINE STAFF WRITER U.S. Customs Service agents raided Chapel Hill’s Knuckleheads Tobacco & Gifts franchise Thursday, taking water pipes and other alleged drug parapherna lia. Mark Robinson, the U.S. Customs Service agent in charge of the search, said he could not comment on the Knuckleheads case specifically until an affidavit had been returned to court, but he did confirm the raid. “We did execute a search warrant Thursday, and we are looking for evi dence of violations o£drufl.r.ara.otiemaUa laws," ne SOT. * An employee at the Chapel Hill store would not comment, but the Chapel Hill raid coincided with raids at other Knuckleheads stores in Florida and Wis consin. An employee at Knuckleheads in Madison, Wis., who refused to give his name, said the store where he worked was raided Thursday as well. “Pretty much the same thing happened here as happened in North Carolina,” he said. The employee said the store didn’t have anything designed for use with ille gal drugs. “Everything we sell is intended for tobacco use, and that is what we told the officers, but they claimed otherwise, ” he said. Since no charges were filed, the store was waiting to see what to do, he said. “As soon as we know what is going on, we’re going to comply with every thing down to the letter. We certainly don’t want this to happen again.” Nik Robinson, city editor of the Inde pendent Florida Alligator, a newspaper in Gainesville, Fla., said the Knuckleheads in Gainesville was raided as well. “From everything that was ex plained to us, it was a joint investigation by several agencies,” she said. Jean Marie Henderson, a sophomore from Wallace, said she didn’t see how law enforcement agencies could get prob able cause. “It’s a fine line, but I think they would probably do better getting tips on the more serious drugs that are used in this community, rather than seeing if this little store on Franklin Street is selling marijuana paraphernalia,” she said. DTH/IOHN KEDA the advertising costs and the wages of employees, I anticipate at least ssooto go to schools,” she said. Even though Duncan is already an ticipating next year’s auction, she was quite pleased with this year’s efforts. 3
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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