Ulfc iaily ®ar Hrrl
Police
Roundup
University
Sunday, Nov. 24
■ A man was issued a written tres
pass warning at 1:30 a.m. when he was
discovered sleeping in the bushes
behind Hill Hall, reports state.
The man left campus without further
incident, reports state.
■ Police reports state that a UNC
student was issued a warrant for arrest
at 11:46 p.m. after a drug investigation
in Graham Residence Hall. No further
details were available.
Saturday, Nov. 23
■ Police arrested Shannon Clifton,
29, at 2:20 a.m. on charges of speeding
and driving while impaired, reports
state.
An officer stopped Clifton of 633
Berwick Valley Lane in Cary as he was
traveling 55 mph in a 35 mph zone
along Raleigh Road, reports state.
Upon further investigation, Clifton
was arrested for driving while intoxicat
ed and transported to the Chapel Hill
Police Department. He registered a .10
BAC on the Intoxilyzer 5000 and was
released on a written promise to appear
in Orange County District Court on
Jan. 7.
Thursday, Nov. 21
■ At 4:06 a.m., an employee of the
UNC Housekeeping Services
Department reported that three uniden
tified white males attacked her Ford
Explorer while she was driving to work,
police reports state.
The driver said she slowed to allow
the men to cross Country Club Road
only to have the trio begin beating her
vehicle with sticks, reports state. The
men reportedly broke her passenger
side window, and one of the men was
said to be hanging on the side mirror
when the victim drove away.
The police officer dispatched report
ed that he could find no glass on the
road to indicate the breaking of the win
dow and no evidence that the car was
beaten by any sort of blunt object,
reports state. The damage totaled S3OO.
■ An unidentified woman has visit
ed the Dogwood parking deck on 27 dif
ferent occasions, avoiding payment
each time, reports state.
The woman consistently claimed that
she did not have the money to pay at
the time, filling out a payment autho
rization form so that she could be billed
later. She filled out the forms with false
information about her name, Social
Security number and address, making
billing impossible, reports state.
Reports state that the incidents,
which occurred between Aug. 9 and
Nov. 5 of this year, totaled $154.50 in
parking fees. The case has been
assigned to Capt. Mark Mclntyre as a
criminal investigation.
City
Sunday, Nov. 24
■ Chapel Hill police arrested UNC
senior Lucille Jeanette Pittman, 21, of
430 Hillsborough St., at 2:14 a.m.,
reports state.
Pittman was arrested at 143 W.
Franklin St. and charged with DWI and
resisting arrest, reports state.
Pittman was the driver of a 1992 Jeep
Cherokee that police stopped for spin
ning its tires across travel lanes in front
of oncoming traffic and exceeding the
posted speed limit, reports state.
Reports state that when an officer asked
Pittman for her license, she refused and
attempted to leave the scene.
Officers had to struggle with Pittman
to prevent her from leaving and to take
her into custody. She refused to submit
to an Intoxilyzer 5000 test, reports state.
Thomas Armfield Cannon, 20, of
309 Skicrest Drive in Blowing Rock also
was arrested in the incident, reports
state. He was charged with aiding and
abetting a DWI for letting Pittman drive
his vehicle while she was intoxicated,
reports state.
Both are scheduled to appear in
Orange County District Court in
Hillsborough on Jan. 28.
Saturday, Nov. 23
■ Chapel Hill police arrested UNC
senior Leslie Elizabeth Matthews, 21, of
425 Hillsborough St. Apt. 2F, for DWI,
reports state.
Matthews was arrested at 3:30 a.m. at
Sharon Heights apartments, reports
state.
Matthews’ 1998 Ford Mustang was
stopped after officers saw her driving in
circles and weaving on Airport Road,
reports state. Reports state that
Matthews was arrested after she per
formed poorly on field sobriety tests.
Her Intoxilyzer 5000 results were .18,
reports state.
Matthews was released on written
promise to appear in Orange County
District Court in Chapel Hill on Jan. 28.
Original Union to Be Closed for Renovations
By Eshanthi Ranasinghe
Staff Writer
The Frank Porter Graham Student
Union face-lift will begin according to
plan next semester as construction
moves from the Union addition to the
original building.
Remodeling costs for the main build
ing of the Union and the additions com
pleted this August total more than sl4
million. Last week, after a rebid of the
renovations, the cost increased by $1
million. Construction also was handed
to a different company than the one in
charge of building the new Union.
Construction, which should start any
time between late December and
January, should be completed 10
months after the contractors begin, said
Union Director Don Luse. During ren
ovations, students will not have access to
any of the three floors of the Union. The
■ \ V-,
." I
PHOTO COURTESTY OF DENIEIIE LINCOLN
(From left) Steven Levitan, Dana Chell, Stefan Greenlee, Matt Brandau and Lem Butler make up the hip-hop
group Sankofa. Recently, Sankofa has struggled with internal conflict but remains optimistic and faithful.
Sankofa Overcomes Obstacles
By Nick Parker
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Big stages, bright lights, roaring
crowds, blaring speakers. The life of a
hip-hop icon has its appeal.
But it’s not always easy, nor is it
always glamorous. Sankofa, the local
hip-hop group that has been growing in
popularity and in talent during the past
five years, recently has seen the darker
side of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle.
For the countless hours in which the
band is not performing, its members
struggle with the same issues that plague
all people - notwithstanding their flashy
New Legislators Prepare for Office
IOG to host session
to orient newcomers
By Amanda Jepsen
Staff Writer
Newly elected members of the N.C.
General Assembly say that before
beginning their terms injanuary, much
work must be done to familiarize them
selves with legislative procedures and
the needs of their constituencies.
Legislators have to get their families
organized, settle business matters and
get acquainted with the demands of
their jobs before they can concentrate
on legislative affairs, said new House
member Bonner Stiller, R-Brunswick.
Though necessary preparations are
overwhelming at times, assistance in
preparing to enter the General Assembly
comes from both sides of the aisle, said
new Rep. Don Munford, R-Wake.
“Everyone is friendly,” he said. “All
you have to do is ask.”
New senator and UNC Board of
Trustees member Richard Stevens, R-
Wake, is reading all he can on the
General Assembly to prepare.
Stevens said officials from state polit
ical parties assist the acclimation process
Union annex will be the only part of the
original structure to remain open.
The renovation will add several new
features to the Union.
The building’s interior hasn’t
changed since it was built in 1968, when
the student population was only about
10,000, and officials say it’s long over
due for remodeling.
“Our (student population) numbers
are really high,” Luse said. “(The reno
vations) will allow for a much better
place for students to eat and more
lounge space to study ... and meet.”
The largest visible change will occur
when the stairwell in the center of the
Union, which violates fire codes, is moved
to the sides of the building, Luse said.
The space the stairs inhabit will be
paved over and replaced by a large stu
dent lounge extending from the Union
desk all the way to the front doors, he said.
Anew food service station, Alpine
personas, such as Creem MC and Juice,
that fill the stage with bouncing energy
and hip-hop swagger.
A monthly look at a
group of rising hip-hop
superstars.
sonal problems. The people that you see
up on stage are us, but not the people
that you would meet on the street.”
In the past two months, tensions with-
- : V jfl 'Sr*.' % > djnT'
DTH/BETH FLOYD
New Sen. Richard Stevens, R-Wake, will take part in an orientation
for new legislators sponsored by the UNC Institute of Government.
by holding caucuses to introduce veter
an members to new members. “There’s
not a formal mentoring system, but you
can get help from anyone.”
Many legislators, including Stevens,
also say they will take part in a three-day
orientation sponsored by the UNC
Institute of Government. The orientation,
News
Bagels, will replace Union Station. It will
be run by Carolina Dining Services, like
its predecessor. It will serve fresh bagels
baked daily on the premises, soups and
salads. The station will open early and
serve students until 1 a,m. on weeknights.
“This is going to be a lot more pre
pared foods ... (and) healthier choices,”
said Ira Simon, director of CDS. “We
feel this is providing a better mix of food
in this environment.”
Alpine Bagels will be located in the
same place as Union Station and will
remain the same size as its predecessor.
The old Carolina Union Activities
Board office on the second floor will be
opened up, expanding the lounge space
so students get a view of the Pit below,
Luse said.
But before students can take advan
tage of the new, more accommodating
See STUDENT UNION, Page 7
in the band have come close to a boiling
point several times. Stemming from
issues as important as management
choices and career goals to feuds as triv
ial as who gets to ride shotgun in the van,
arguments have grown -and com
pounded. It’s not the tension that leads to
a fiery Beatles breakup but rather the
drama that comes from strong individu
als with strong concepts and talents
working toward a common goal.
“We all came together to found this
band and all care deeply about it, so
when something goes wrong or some-
See SANKOFA, Page 7
“We are all nor
mal people when
we step off the
stage and have to
deal with the nor
mal problems,”
said Matt Brandau,
Sankofa’s bassist.
“Rent, money, per-
which will take place Dec. 5 to Dec. 7, will
acquaint members with the nuances of
the General Assembly. It is the first time
the institute has hosted such an event.
“Our purpose is to get new members
acquainted with the culture of the
See LEGISLATORS, Page 7
v9H| jlflfjpi bSUP” * '
m ■- w
DTH/ANNE PHILLIPS
Junior Seanna Poulsen (right) searches for money Monday to pay cashier
Erma Wilson at Union Station, which will be replaced by a bagel shop.
Council OKs
Housing Funds
For Habitat
By Alyssa Fine
Staff Writer
The Chapel Hill Town Council voted unanimously Monday
to loan Habitat for Humanity of Orange County $50,000 to help
the group purchase a tract of land for affordable housing units.
The money either will be used to extend the closing date on
the property to allow further discussion of the development
plans or go direcdy toward the land’s purchase.
Habitat requested a $300,000 grant to help purchase the
lot, located on Sunrise Road. Habitat’s original proposal
included 95 units, a number both camps say might change.
The council could not fund the entire $300,000 because the
loan’s source, the Housing Trust Fund, only holds $50,000.
One possible use for the funds - extending the closing date
from Feb. 28 - would allow for a more specific plan to be
developed and presented to the council, Town Manager Cal
Horton said Monday.
Habitat does not see moving the closing date as a realistic
option, said Susan Levy, executive director of the local chapter.
She said the landowner has not shown flexibility in regards to
the closing date and most likely will be unwilling to change it.
But if the closing date cannot be extended, the $50,000 no
interest loan - not a grant - will be used direcdy toward the
purchase. Chapel Hill established the fund more than 20 years
ago to support affordable housing efforts.
A near-capacity crowd turned out for Monday night’s meet
ing. Most of the residents who were present live near the tract
and were against the allocation of funds. Environmental impact
and density issues were the main concerns of those who spoke.
Steve Herman, who lives near the proposed development,
said residents have no problem with affordable housing being
located in their area. “If you love your environment, you have
to protect it," he said. “Our concern is with adverse environ
mental impact.”
But council members and Habitat officials all emphasized
that the approval of funding is not an approval of a specific
plan. “This is a request for funds, not a request for rezoning,”
Mayor Kevin Foy reminded the assembly.
A Habitat representative said there are a lot of unknowns
with regard to the development plan. He said Habitat officials
hope to talk with local residents and to take their interests into
account as the final plan is developed.
Levy said she is pleased with the recommendation even
though it is not for the full amount originally requested.
“We’re hoping that the balance will come from the county,”
she said, adding that Habitat already has submitted a propos
al and hopes to go before the Orange County Board of
Commissioners in December.
The organization already had planned on raising SIOO,OOO
in private donations to help it meet the final purchase price of
$400,000, and now it will continue to pursue other sources of
funding. Levy said she believes the loan only will need to be
repaid if Habitat’s plan does not meet expectations. “The town
has to protect the ftinds it does put out to affordable housing.”
The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.
Student Congress to Elect
Speaker to Succeed Larson
By Erin Ganley
Staff Writer
Student Congress will elect anew
speaker at tonight’s meeting after Speaker
Tony Larson resigns from his position.
Congress members Carey Richter and
Matt O’Brien said they intend to seek
nomination, though any member can be
nominated at the meeting, Larson said.
O’Brien and Richter are veterans in
Congress, as both have held key posi
tions. Richter is the chairwoman of the
Student Affairs Committee, and O’Brien
is the former speaker pro tern.
Larson must resign because he gradu
ates in December, but he said he enjoyed
his time as speaker. “I feel like a lot has
been accomplished,” he said. “We’ve
worked to try to make Congress an active
force for advocating student desires."
Larson said he will resign his position
after Congress handles legislation on its
agenda. Any committee chairmen seeking
to become speaker then must resign their
positions because Congress members can
not hold more than one post at a time.
The floor will be open for nomina
tions from any member. Candidates will
have five minutes to speak, followed by a
Tuesday, November 26, 2002
five-minute question-and-answer session
with the other members of Congress.
Congress members also may speak on
behalf of candidates they support.
O’Brien, who lost a close race to
Larson in April, said that if he is elected,
he will focus on Congress’ financial sit
uation. “Before our first meeting in
January, we will have already spent one
third of our budget,” he said. “Most of
the problem comes from the fact that
student fees have not increased in the
last 10 to 15 years.”
A referendum in a special election last
year calling for increasing student fees was
thrown out because of low voter turnout
Richter said she also would address
the financial situation of Congress.
“Student Congress has long been a
body that is not seen as relevant, and
that’s unfair,” Richter said. She pointed
out that Congress has thousands of dol
lars to give to student groups each year.
Larson said he is confident that who
ever is selected will serve Congress well.
“Hopefully, Congress will continue to
make its voice heard on campus.”
The University Editor can be reached
at udesk@unc.edu.
3