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®lj? loihj ®ar Heel LETTERS OF ENDORSEMENT Ballard would turn his 'big' platform ideas into reality TO THE EDITOR: Though I am not and never [ have been involved in campus politics, I have followed this year’s student body president race avidly mostly because there seems to be so much disagreement among groups of people who share the same values. j, After a thorough review of all "the candidates’ platforms and meeting all of them in person, I have come to the conclusion that ..although all four candidates are ,obviously extremely bright and j talented Tar Heels, my vote today will go to Seke Ballard. Though Ballard’s dodging a series of poignant questions posed ,by Carolina Review annoyed me i at first, I took him up on his gen erous offer to share the answers to these questions in person with .anyone who cared enough to ,ask. r Since then, I have learned that Seke is an extremely forward per son who does not hesitate to tell you how he thinks or feels about l*a given issue. In my opinion he is not a politi ’ cian, he is a businessman —and all things considered, that is an ideal quality for a student body president. Seke gives me the distinct impression that he can get things done. He might be a dreamer, and ■ some have accused his platform I of being “too big.” 1 But in my opinion, that is what ; business people do they take ; “big” ideas and manifest them in reality, even when people say it can’t be done. Jessica Crowell Sophomore Business ; Blackwell would make best : use of existing resources : TO THE EDITOR: \ We all want amazing promises ; from a student body president, but only if these promises can be : fulfilled. ! Leigh a Blackwell is a candidate \ offering a practical platform. J Seke Ballard promises to ; bring in distinguished speakers. ; Recently, Sam Donaldson of ABC News, senior White House corre spondent Helen Thomas and Ben I & Jerry’s Jerry Greenfield have [ been among many underpubli- speakers at UNC. 1 Blackwell’s plan to increase ' communication through (among other means) an advertisement , channel in the Student Union ; would ensure that students know about these speakers. 1 There is no need to scrounge around for money to bring in additional speakers whom no one ! will know about, i Tom Jensen promises to cut more than $60,000 of student government “waste.” This decision is not his alone, and if it does not go through, what else does his platform have to offer? By instead ensuring that we are all aware of events and services funded by this money, we can ensure that our $2 per person is not wasted. Seth Dearmin’s campaign promises more SRC cardio machines, wireless Internet on Franklin Street and express buses off campus. Where will the money for these initiatives come from? Rather than implementing new programs, publicizing existing services such as the gym open ing in the Rams Head Center this summer is more practical. Leigha Blackwell spoke with almost 30 campus leaders to ensure that each idea on her plat form is feasible and fundable. Instead of bringing in a pleth ora of new ideas, she proposes increasing communication so that we can really use the resources that are already available. Why reinvent the wheel with funding that just isn’t there? While the platforms of the other student body president candidates might sound glamor ous, they are sure to disappoint us when they fail to materialize. Answer the bell: Vote Leigha Blackwell. Gretchen Hutter Junior Journalism EDITOR'S NOTE: Gretchen Hutter is Leigha Blackwell's campaign manager. Dearmin has a realistic plan for tuition to help students TO THE EDITOR: Seth Dearmin is running for student body president for the right reason: He wants to make your life at Carolina better and easier. I have been impressed by Seth’s dedication since I met him the first week of our freshman year, and I’m excited that there is a candidate who is the real deal. Seth has experience in student government, and he knows every facet of the tuition battle. His platform is the product of months of research and meetings with students and administrators, and it is the only one that is truly feasible. He also loves Carolina more than anyone I know. Instead of empty promises that tuition will never rise again, Seth has a plan for predictable tuition, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll be paying for your education. This is a realistic plan that guarantees students won’t be sur prised by tuition hikes in the mid dle of their college career, forcing them to take on extra jobs or to transfer to other schools. The everyday issues matter, too, and that’s why Seth will make condoms available in every dorm vending machine, extend free wireless to Franklin Street (so you can be productive with your caffeine), bring a farmer’s market to campus and alleviate the frus trations of academic advising and housing recontracting. Seth believes that student gov ernment should work hard so that you can focus on the good stuff. The Daily Tar Heel, the Sports Club Council, the Graduate and Professional Student Federation, the Carolina Hispanic Association, Blue & White and the White Ribbon Campaign agree that Seth is the best one for the job. Seth Dearmin is the only candidate with the experience, insight and approachability to fight for what students really care about. He will be your advocate at Carolina. Make your life easier. Make Carolina a better place. Vote today for Seth Dearmin. Laurel Wamsley Junior History Vote for Tom Jensen to rid UNC of wasteful stipends TO THE EDITOR: We write to wholeheartedly endorse Tom Jensen for student body president. As of late, we’ve heard from several student government lead ers who support keeping their own stipends. Although we too are members of student government, we com pletely oppose stipends and sup port Tom Jensen for his steadfast opposition to them. Stipends are a complete and utter abuse of the trust and power the student body vests in its lead ers. Tom recognizes this. At a time of skyrocketing tuition and fees, it is wrong for seven student government leaders to take directly from the pockets of the rest of us. Tom recognizes this as well. The money saved from cut ting stipends and other wasteful spending will free up thousands of dollars to be used by student groups on campus. Recently, Student Congress began its annual budget process where student activity fee money is appropriated to student orga nizations. If you’re a member of a group whose funding was cut during this process, recognize that sti pends are partially to blame. Stipends cost you thousands of dollars a year that’s money which could be better spent on speakers and events. If you think it’s time you start ed getting more for your money, vote Tom Jensen for Student Body President. Luke Farley Chairman Rules and Judiciary Committee Student Congress Kris Wampler Vice-chairman Finance Committee Student Congress The most distinguished SBP candidate is Seke Ballard TO THE EDITOR: Seke Ballard would make the most effective student body presi dent. Seke’s platform is distin guished in the fact that it is fea sible (unlike the other platforms, and I question whether they were even researched) and innova tive (unlike the other platforms, which include issues already being implemented). Seke’s platform is a balance of aggressive and optimistic improvements that are rooted in realistic and achievable goals. I have been to several debates, Viewpoints and I have met every candidate. Seke’s character, too, is distinct. He is enjoyable, yet not cheesy, goofy or superficial. He is professional and has a personality that does not change depending on who is listening. Additionally, Seke’s campaign appears to have been run effi ciently, effectively and influen tially. I believe that these skills are an indicator of his abilities should he become student body president, just as others’ lack of those abili ties displays the contrary. Seke has proven that he has the innovation, the sincerity and the ability to make UNC a better place than it is, more so than any other candidate could. I say again, Seke Ballard would make the most effective student body president. Ben James Freshman Business Leigha Blackwell is the best candidate for an equal say TO THE EDITOR: As the election season approached I hadn’t really con sidered who to cast my vote for in the SBP race until the College Republicans’ forum Jan. 31. I was really trying to stay open-minded, but decision hit that night. Tom Jensen came out swinging. He surprisingly had all the right words to say, and he sparked some excitement among those in attendance. But, as I found myself nodding along in agreement with some of the issues he hit on, I had to stop myself and think, “What’s really going on here?” Tom Jensen is one who has stood in opposition to just about everything we as Republicans at Carolina have ever stood for as long as he’s been at Carolina and was just about the “Chief Dem in attendance” on campus last year —and still is. Yet he seemed to be holding his own in “enemy” territory. It really took me aback. When the candidates were asked to leave Hamilton Hall so that we could think about what options had just been presented to us, I voiced my concerns and asked the others to think about the opportunism that we had just witnessed from Tom Jensen. Yet when the “role was called up yonder,” the CRs chose to cast their vote in favor of Tom. Before I left for the crib, I was asked by a DTH reporter how I felt about what had happened, and in short, I told him it was pathetic, and I’ll tell you why. As I mentioned earlier, Tom hit upon a couple of issues that night, and one was liberal bias in the classroom. Now my question is: Where was Tom Jensen over the past couple of years on this issue? Where were his letters to the editor? How often did he voice his con cern over the existence of this bias in some of our classrooms? Obviously, it doesn’t exist in every classroom we all know that —but where was his voice on this issue? I’ll tell you where it was: It was nonexistent. There’s always a winner and there’s always a loser in the case of liberal bias in the classroom. A conservative-minded student just might be affected a little more by this kind of bias than a liberal minded student. I submit that Tom has pretty much benefited from this for the past three years, and that’s why he hasn’t spoken up until now when he wants to run for SBP. Jordan Selleck shared with everyone in attendance that night that shortly after the New Year Tom called him and said “What can I include in my platform?” Well, obviously Jordan let him know, if he didn’t know already. And there you have it Tom, possibly the biggest liberal on campus, won CR’s endorsement. Another issue that Tom raised that night was “cutting costs.” He addressed the Association of Student Governments’ money matters and how we could more responsibly allocate funds to or away from that organization and I agree with him on that. But he also addressed the issue of eliminating stipends for stu dents that serve in positions such as student body president or ASG president, et cetera, because they have tended to be independently wealthy students who don’t need the extra money in return for their service to the students at Carolina. Well, that’s awfully short sighted of him —and suffice to say, I would really appreciate that stipend if I were running for the venerable position of stu dent body president, because I’m not independently wealthy, as is the case for a lot of kids here at Carolina. So here it is: I will not be standing with my organization, the College Republicans. I’m supporting Leigha Blackwell for Student Body President. And here are just a few reasons why: 1. While putting money back in students’ pockets is a fiscally conservative idea, simply cutting a few dollars per person through student government stipends is not the answer. Those few dollars allow stu dents from all socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to run for these positions. 2. Asa conservative student, I know Leigha Blackwell recog nizes the importance of having input from both conservative and liberal students. She will ensure equal representation as commit tees are created to make decisions for Carolina. 3. She’s the best candidate hands down, and has been there for the College Republicans in the past as a CR herself. So I hope that you’ll Answer the Bell and Vote for Leigha Blackwell for Student Body President on Tuesday. Matt Vail Former president UNC-CH Students for Bush Dearmin's love for UNC and leadership are unmatched TO THE EDITOR: We often reflect fondly on Charles Kuralt’s famous words, that Chapel Hill “is, as it was meant to be, the University of the People.” As we vote today to elect our next student body president, we need to vote for the “candidate of the people” Seth Dearmin. From knowing Seth closely during the past few years, he is clearly the right person to fill this important leadership role. We know that the student body president’s most crucial task is not only to take the concerns of the students to the chancellor, UNC- Chapel Hill Board of Trustees and the UNC-system Board of Governors, but also to influence the decisions being made at the highest levels. Seth’s leadership abilities, as well as his caring and friendly personality, ensure that he will be most successful in this especially vital duty. Furthermore, Seth’s love for this University and his care for the students who go here are unmatched by any of the other candidates. Watch Seth for 10 minutes on campus, and you will see a candi date who seems to know everyone and a candidate who truly cares for everyone, as well as for their concerns. Seth always gains the respect and trust of those he works with, allowing him to bring people together to get things done. This ability alone is invaluable in the role of student body presi dent. Yet it’s Seth’s genuine love and passion for this wonderful place, and the students who walk its grounds, that make him the right choice as our next student body president. Heather O’Reilly Junior Member, women’s soccer team Dave Werry Junior Member, men’s lacrosse team Jensen's skills surpass those of plenty of student leaders TO THE EDITOR: As president of the N.C. Federation of College Democrats, I work with student leaders across the state. And there’s not a single one who matches the energy, work ethic and progressive passion of Tom Jensen, for whom I encour age all UNC students to cast a vote today. Tom’s No. 1 priority if he is elected is to keep Carolina afford able for the best students both in and out of state. He’s concerned that the rapidly rising cost of tuition will price middle class students out of UNC, and that’s why he has a clear plan for fighting tuition increases that promises to be the most effective a student body president has put forward in a long time. He has been a passionate advocate for minority students at Carolina, as reflected in his endorsements by the Black Student Movement, Sangam and the GLBTSA. His platform tack les hard issues such as racism in TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2005 Franklin Street business estab lishments and sexual harassment in Carolina’s classrooms. Tom Jensen is a leader who knows how to get things done. He’s a leader who knows how to fight for what he believes in. He has a long record of tre mendous successes in the causes he has overseen. The UNC student body needs that record put to work for them. I strongly encourage you to log on to Student Central today and to vote Tom Jensen for student body president. Elizabeth Self Senior Political science Jensen is committed to his promise of helping students TO THE EDITOR: I’ve had the pleasure to work with Tom Jensen on numerous occasions, and I can say without hesitation that Tom is a leader with immense ability and dedi cation. Asa staff member on Erskine Bowles’ U.S. Senate cam paign, I frequently looked to Tom for assistance. Each time, Tom delivered beyond expectation. It became clear very quickly that Tom has a talent for effective communication and organization, not to mention a work ethic that is second to none. In working with and watching Tom, it also became clear that he is very committed individual committed to a set of principles, committed to setting goals and achieving results and committed to improving the lives of those around him. Behind his low-key demeanor, Tom possesses an unmistakable passion for working toward the ideals he believes in. I have zero doubt that he will channel this passion toward one of those ideals improving the lives of students at Carolina. Asa proud and concerned alum, I very much hope to see Tom utilize his talents and capac ity for leadership as student body president. UNC students would be well served to have Tom Jensen as their advocate. Will Johnson Class 0f2003 Jensen will put the students first, regardless of ideology TO THE EDITOR: Back in November, one of us voted for George Bush, the other for John Kerry —but today we can both agree that Tom Jensen is the right person for student body president. Though we have been political rivals in the past, we can agree on the issues that affect UNC stu dents today. Student government has not been working for all students. Too often it has sided with interests other than what is best for stu dents for instance, the Calabria administration working hand-in hand with the administration to advocate tuition increases this year. But Tom will not. He is about putting student interests first, and that is how Republicans and Democrats can agree that he is the best choice for student body president. Getting you more for your money through eliminating thou sands of dollars of student gov ernment waste, improving the bus system to better suit student needs and having a real plan to keep tuition low is not liberal or conservative. Instead, it is a unifying plan to revamp student government. Republicans and Democrats alike, we urge you to put students first on Election Day, and to vote Tom Jensen for student body president. Jordan Selleck Chairman UNC College Republicans Justin Guillory Former president UNC Young Democrats EDITOR'S NOTE: Justin Guillory is Tom Jensen's campaign manager. Leigha Blackwell has shown the greatest arts awareness TO THE EDITOR: After attending the arts forum on Thursday, I was appalled to find how little most of the student body president candidates were sensitive to the arts at Carolina. We are a liberal university, and the influence that both visual and performing arts has among the students and campus of UNC is quite significant. I would like to emphasize Leigha Blackwell’s overall aware- ness of needs of the arts, the Carolina Union Activities Board and the Student Union. While other candidates strug gled for words and did not appear to have a clear understanding of the impact that such work has, Leigha clearly articulated her appreciation, involvement and concern for the financial and spatial needs of the visual and performing arts at Carolina. Her plans to connect all resources available across the campus and student body would be a great asset to Carolina and the performing and visual arts. Katy Field Sophomore English Blackwell is the real choice for conservative students TO THE EDITOR: Asa member of College Republicans, I was disappointed (perhaps that is an understate ment) that Tom Jensen received the so-called conservative endorsement. The office of student body pres ident is supposed to embody the ideals and values of the students. So when we, as an organization, endorse a candidate, it should be one who shares our values. Instead, what we did was endorse a candidate who is pro gay marriage, pro-abortion, pro increased taxes, pro-affirmative action, et cetera. In essence, we are handing an endorsement to someone who embodies all that we as conservatives oppose. So what if he plans to get rid of stipends? Once that happens, we are left with a symbol of liberal ism and moral depravity from a conservative perspective. How it came to be that we endorsed such a symbol of liber alism is beyond me. So, as a member of College Republicans, but not as someone speaking on behalf of the orga nization, I urge conservatives to vote for Leigha Blackwell for stu dent body president. Richard Bean Junior Journalism A 'yes' vote for referendum supports the environment TO THE EDITOR: I urge students who care about the Appalachian Mountains and about mountain communities to vote in favor of the renewable energy fee today. This $4 per student per semes ter fee supports projects such as placing solar thermal panels on Morrison Residence Hall. The electricity that every UNC student uses has ties to an enor mous environmental and social tragedy in Appalachia. That’s because most of the power plants in our region run on coal, some of which was obtained through the practice of mountaintop removal. As the name suggests, moun taintop removal involves blasting off the upper portion of moun tains to access the underlying coal. The debris is dumped into valleys, burying highland streams and replacing gentle peaks and valleys with barren moonscapes that will be an irrevocable legacy of our energy consumption. Meanwhile, the people of Appalachia are suffering. Floods and landslides resulting from the destruction of mountaintops have left hundreds dead or homeless. It’s time for us to use energy sources that are less harmful to people and to the environment. Voting “yes” on the renewable energy referendum is one small step in the right direction. Jane Hudson Sophomore International studies Congress needs members who won't always bicker TO THE EDITOR: Through all of the press for student body president, I think that it is important to look at the Student Congress. Not the incum bents coming in, but new faces. People who will not get stuck in partisan bickering, those who aren’t running for political power —but those who truly want to make a difference at UNC. I encourage you to write in Lee Ellis for an off-campus position in Student Congress. She is not run ning to make a name for herself, but I truly believe that she will work as hard as it takes, giving the credit to whoever wants it, to make the University an even bet ter on than it is. The best days at UNC have yet to come. Russ Ferguson Student Duke University 11
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