CAMPUS/AREA
Thursday, April 29, 1993
3
Commission OKs festival
By Todd Seifert
Kansan staff writer
The Omega Music Festival, a two-day charitable concert, will go on tomorrow and Saturday as scheduled, thanks to the issuance of a temporary business permit to the festival's committee by the Douglas County Commission.
The commission granted the permit, which allows for the sale of tickets in Douglas County, last night.
The committee had to ask the commission for the permit because it missed an application deadline. Applications are supposed to be submitted 28 days before the event, but the festival's committee did not apply until April 15.
"We admit that we screwed up," said Kelly Furst, entertainment coordinator for the festival. "We should have dealt with this sooner than we did. But it's not like we're trying to do something dirty under the table."
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to midnight tomorrow and Saturday on a farm about 10 miles west of Lawrence on Douglas County Road 458.
Furst told the commission that his committee's
permit should be granted because of the charitable intentions behind the event. The festival committee has donated all proceeds, after costs, to Douglas County charities each of the festival's 11 years.
raising money for charities is something that our organization is very proud of." he said. "We believe in that. But we also believe in the music that is played at this event every year. It is an excellent opportunity for bands and musicians to gain exposure as well."
Alberta Smith, who lives about one-half mile from the concert site, said that she admired the work that the committee did but that she was unhappy about the noise late at night and the trespassing that happened during events like Omega.
she said. "There is always an awful lot of traffic.
"Last year we had disoriented cows for three days because of the noise."
Joe Comparato, committee member, said that the group was working hard to address the neighbors concerns. The committee has arranged for a neighborhood resident to water down Douglas County Road 458, which is a gravel road, and has
hired more security personnel than in past years
"We want to work with the neighbors as much as possible," he said. "For example, last year the music played until around 2 a.m. This year, the music is going to stop around midnight."
"I think that if the applicant can show good intent then this body doesn't have any authority to turn it down," he said.
Louie McEhaney, chair of the commission, said he understood that the inconveniences that accompanied the festival were nuisances to some neighbors but that he still favored issuing the permit.
The commission issued the permit with four conditions. The festival committee has to obtain a written statement from the Clinton Township Fire Department showing that it was notified of the event, parking must be limited to the 50-acre site and the committee has to hire 25 experienced security workers.
The committee also has to provide the county with a $1,000 performance bond that would pay for any damage done to neighbors' property during the festival. The bond would be refunded if no damage was reported.
County approves nuisance law
Outhouse proprietor says ordinance targets business
By Todd Selfert
Kansan staff writer
The Douglas County Commission passed a charter ordinance last night that provides the county with a means of dealing with public nuisances.
A nuisance is defined in the ordinance as anything that endangers or violates the peace or health of another citizen.
According to the ordinance, violators would be brought before the commission to answer complaints. If the commission decides that the complant is valid, and the violator does not cease the behavior, the commission may seek an injunction in Douglas County District Court.
The ordinance passed on a 2-1 vote.
Mark Buhler, the county commissioner who voted against the ordinance, said he did not support the action because he believed the term "nuisance" was too ambiguous.
"We need to figure out what it is we're trying to stop." Buhler said. "What might be a nuisance to me might not be a nuisance to someone else."
Jeff Fortier, who operates the Outhouse, an alternative music venue in rural Douglas County, said the commission's decision to pass the ordinance was really a decision to gain more control over alternative lifestyles.
"I look at this as just another way that government is trying to erode my First Amendment rights." Fortier said.
He said he believed that the commission was trying to target his business by passing the ordinance Jim Chappell, county commissioner, said that was not the case.
"This isn't because of complaints from one area of the county," he said. "The commissioners receive phone calls from all across the county."
Because it is a charter ordinance, citizens can force a referendum by presenting a petition signed by 5 percent of the county's registered voters to the commission within 60 days of the ordinance's publication.
Women to march to end violence
Participants mark 10th anniversary of nighttime vigil
By Vicki Bode
Tomorrow night at 7, candlelight will illuminate Massachusetts Street
The 10th anniversary of the Women Take Back the Night march and candlelight vigil will be tomorrow. The event takes place to recognize women who have survived a violent crime and to help people more aware of violence against women, said Jennifer Roth, an organizer of the event.
Lawrence first held the event in 1983 but it has not taken place each year. Roth said. This is the seventh time it has been held in Lawrence.
"It started out as a protest against rape," she said. "Now it recognizes all issues of violence against both women and children."
Women will meet at 7 p.m. at the South Park gazebo, 11th and Massachusetts streets, and walk with lighted candles to the intersection of Sixth and Kentucky streets. Survivors of violence will speak there, and then the women will march and chant as they go back to the gazebo. At the gazebo, those gathered will recite poems and sing songs.
"It's an empowering experience to be with others and speak about the violence," Roth said. "We are trying to overcome the thought that women
aren't supposed to go out at night and that they're supposed to be scared.
Last year, about 400 women attended the march, and Roth said she expected the same number this year.
While the women are marching, a group of men will remain at the gazebo.
Leslie Jones, organizer of the men's group, said men began meeting two years ago.
"Some men join the group because they're really concerned about the issue." Jones said. "And then there are those men that go because otherwise their girlfriends won't go out with them anymore."
He said about 20 men usually attended. During the 14-minute gathering, men discuss their attitudes about race and sexual harassment, he said.
"I have no hope that this one thing will change the attitude towards rape." Jones said. "Men aren going to see the light in one right. But I hope it points them in the right direction and they begin to question some of the activities they engage in, like yelling at women and just saying. Boys will be boys."
Connie Burk, facilitator for Students Against Violence Against Women, said the organizers had attempted to create a tradition with the march and that the format of the event had not changed since it began.
Parade will honor labor leader Chavez
"At the end of the march, we read a list of demands." Burk said. "This includes community response to survivors of violence and an end to sexual harassment."
Kansan staff writer
By Will Lewis
A parade will be at noon today in memory of Cesar Chavez, a Hispanic leader and president of the United Farm Workers.
Octavio Hinojosa, Hutchinson junior and president of the Hispanic-American Leaders Organization, said the parade would begin at the Chi Omega fountain and end in front of either Wescoe Hall or Stauffer-Flint Hall. Community leaders from Kansas City might speak at the event, he said.
Chavez founded United Farm Workers in the early 1960s. Mexican immigrants and itinerant workers, who are the bulk of the California farm labor force, remember Chavez as a man who converted them into an economic and political force. Chavez fasted several times to heighten awareness of his causes. He died Friday, apparently of natural causes, at age 66.
David Trevino, Lawrence senior,
remembered when Chavez spoke at
KU a little more than a year ago. He sat
with him at dinner that night and listened
as Chavez encouraged him to be an active member of the community
and to fight for his rights.
"That really affected me," Trevino said. "I'll never forget him for his life."
Hinojosa sad Chavez would be hard to replace.
"The United States has really lost an individual who meant a lot to us."
nunojosa said. "I just hope we can find someone to take his place."
Much remains unresolved, he said.
such remains unresolved, he said. "There's still lots to be done in regard to immigrant workers as well." He said "Because of him, all of us have benefited immensely from his efforts."
re said Chavez drew attention to the plight of immigrant workers.
"Whenever I eat a salad, I wonder who picked the lettuce for me and what conditions did that person work under," he said. "These are just questions we should ask ourselves."
cutley Bush, Miami senior, said he considered Chavez a mentor.
"I think basically he was a hero to a lot of Hispanics in the United States," he said. "I think he did something for everyone."
For the past three nights, a candlelight vigil has been held in front of Strauffer-Flint to honor Chavez.
About 15 people have been gathering to honor the Hispanic leader outside the offices of the University Daily Kansan, which did not run his obituary.
At the vigils, which have lasted about one hour each night, participants discussed Chavez's influence and leadership. Stories were told about him. Poems were read. And heads were bowed in prayer.
"I wanted a show of unity in remembrance of Cesar and his struggle for human rights," said Trevino, who organized the event.
KANSAK
A group gathers in front of Stauffer-Flint Hall Tuesday night in memory of Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers, who died Friday. The group began candlight vigil Monday night after the University Daily Kansan did not print a story about the Hispanic leader's death.
Plus! The animated short "Lightness, Dark, Lightness"
Parking Lot 91(behind Kansas Union)
Friday, April 30th 9:00 p.m.
Absolutely FREE
Inventory Clearance Sale!
Due to Education contract changes by Apple Computer,
we are reopening our Lawrence office.
We have lots of inventory we'd rather sell than move including office furniture and equipment. Below is a sample, but there's much more!
35mm Filmprinter    $350   GCC Postscript Printer     $899
2400 baud modem▲  $200   Shiva NetSerial
Mousepadss        $1   Hard Drives      $150-$400
Video Cards       from $50   Software         $140
Office Desks      $75-$150   Chairs           $25-$50
Come on down and take advantage of these incredible deals!
When: Friday, April 30, 9 am - 5 pm
When: Friday, April 30, 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday, May 1, 10 am - 4 pm
MacSource
Where: Macdonald
Hire: 3100 W 15th (Orchard Corners)
Lawrence KS 68049
Call Kristi at 749-4554 and we'll fax a price list.
Call Kirsti at 749-4554 and we will take a price list
Cash, Business check, Mastercard, Visa or Discover only