6A the university daily kansan news friday,august22,2003 Neighborhood split on traffic diverter issue by Amanda Kim Stairrett astairrett@kansan.com Kansan staff writer Normally she used 18th Street to avoid the hustle and bustle of 19th Street. Karen Loudon, a physical therapist, commutes to and from the Watkins Memorial Health Center daily. But recent events have halted Loudon and others' frequent shortcut. In mid-July, the city of Lawrence installed a traffic diverter on 18th Street, between Maine and Missouri streets, in front of the new Student Recreation Fitness Center. A new sign does not stop a white SUV from going the wrong direction on 18th Street. The University plans to distribute larger fines to motorists who disregard new one way streets near campus. The diverter contains a passageway for automobiles, but is marked with "Do Not Enter" signs on both sides. The west side also contains a "Dead End" sign. The traffic diverter was installed at the request of the University Place Neighborhood Association. The result is a tiny, but important section of road being closed to local commuters. The closing has raised the ire of some members of the neighborhood, while others are enjoying the newly placid stretch of road. Megan True/Kansan Aline Hoey, Neighborhood Association president said residents became worried about traffic flow in 1999. A survey conducted by the city determined several streets in the area were carrying more traffic than they were designed for. More concern arose during the construction of the Student Recreation Fitness Center. Some in the neighborhood fear that traffic flow will worsen once the center opens on Sept. 15. That, combined with traffic from nearby Lawrence High School, left some worried about the state of their neighborhood. However, others in University Place that feel the traffic diverter is causing problems rather than solving them. It read, "We do not believe the false 'dead end' or 'do not enter' is the answer to any 18th Street traffic concern." Carothers lives in the neighborhood and said the diverter was a major inconvenience for residents. "Eighteenth is a street made for the purpose of carrying traffic," she said. "It needs to be open for residents to use." In a letter to the Lawrence City Commission, Lawrence JournalWorld, the University of Kansas and neighborhood residents, Sheila Maria Kortlucke criticized the diverter's effectiveness. "traffic is so often blocked up from the traffic light at the intersection of 19th and Naismith, that 18th is the only way to get anywhere," she said. Heavy traffic along 19th Street often leaves cars lined up to Louisiana or beyond. The same residents believe the diverter's effects will become worse once basketball season begins. Exits from parking lot 90 are located on 18th Street. Lot 90 is one of the largest areas used for parking during basketball games at Allen Fieldhouse. David Woosley, city traffic engineer and traffic safety commission liaison, said he was unaware there was so much disagreement about the issue amongst University Place neighborhood members. David Shulenburger, provost and executive vice chancellor, said the University asked the city of Lawrence to re-evaluate his decision to install a diverter. He said the University was concerned with pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Lt. Schuyler Bailey of the KU Public Safety Office said 23 tickets had been issued by campus police officers at the diverter. The $92.50 tickets are given to those who ignore the "do not enter" signs. Both the KU Public Safety Office and the Lawrence Police Department have jurisdiction to issue tickets at the 18th Street diverter. According to Woosley the diverter is temporary. Temporary traffic devices are typically in place for 60 to 90 days. He said there was no specific length of time the 18th street diverter would be in place. Teen's private 'Star Wars' video makes debut on Internet Web sites The Associated Press Edited by Shane Mettlen It was a moment of unadulterated goofiness, the kind of thing anyone might do with no one watching: A teen from Quebec videotaped himself as he pretended to wield a light saber "Star Wars" style. But that private moment went public, very public, when classmates at his high school found the tape in a cabinet and uploaded it onto an Internet file-sharing site this past spring. Now Ghyslain Raza is known far and wide as the "Star Wars Kid," with a fan base that only seems to be growing — even though he doesn't want the attention. The video shows the slightly portly teen awkwardly twirling a golf ball retriever like "Star Wars" bad guy Darth Maul, and has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. Web sites have been dedicated to the youth. Supporters have raised money for him. And several techies have created their own "clone" versions of the video, adding sound and visual effects or placing his image in any number of backdrops — from The Hulk to The Matrix. Many teens who post their images on the Web would probably be thrilled to get this kind of attention. But Ghyslain, who made the video while doing a school project when he was 15, has said he didn't intend for it to be seen by his classmates, let alone people across the world. "I want my life back," he said in an e-mail interview with the National Post newspaper, a Canadian daily. Claiming that their son has been humiliated, his parents are suing the parents of the teens who put the video on the Web. Democrats in California try different tactics to fight recall The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — California's congressional Democrats urged voters yesterday to oppose the recall but vote for Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, underscoring their fears that a Republican could unseat Gov. Gray Davis in the Oct. 7 election. Davis, meanwhile, was stepping up efforts to fight for his job, appearing with the state's most popular Democrat, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and planning his second town-hall-style meeting in as many days. The move by California's 31 House Democrats reflects a grow ing pessimism about Davis' chances, with polls showing his popularity reaching one all-time low after another. "We will strongly express our firm opposition to this misguided effort between now and Election Day and we will strongly campaign against it," delegation chairwoman Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, said in a statement. "In addition, we ask that after Californians vote 'no' and reject the recall, they cast a vote for Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante. We believe that whenever there is an election, Californians should always cast their vote." Davis supporters had urged fellow Democrats to stay off the ballot. Once his lieutenant governor decided to run, Davis still hoped to keep Democrats united against the recall without throwing their support behind Bustamante. Aides sought to present the congressional Democrats' announcement in a positive light. "We kind of look at it this way. We're all focused on the same goal, and that's defeating the recall. There's just different strategies out there about how to go about it," said Gabriel Sanchez, spokesman for Davis' campaign committee. SUNFLOWER OUTDOOR BIKE 804 Massachusetts St. - Downtown Lawrence (785) 843-5000 Swing by the Sunflower today to check out all the great new Jansport backpacks that have recently arrived...just in time for school! Choose from a wide variety including the Clark's Fork (pictured at left)! BACK TO SCHOOL IN STYLE! Beginning and Intermediate Knitting Classes Starting Soon Beginning Knitting: Learn by making a hat,mittens, or bag! Plus, get 20% off class yarns! Head Mittens Square Top Stocking Hat Felted Slipper Socks Basic Sweater Felted Brimmed Hat Felted Bag Hat & Felted Bag Hat & Felted Bag Aug. 26 (Tues) 7-9 p.m. 8 weeks $30.00 Sept. 08 (Mon) 7-9 p.m. 8 weeks $30.00 Sept. 11 (Thurs) 6:30-8:30 p.m. 7 weeks $27.50 Aug. 26 (Tues) 7-9 p.m. 6 sessions $27.50 Sept. 08 (Mon) 7-9 p.m. 7 weeks $27.50 Sept. 04 (Tues) 6:30-8:30 p.m. 7 sessions $27.50 Sept. 04 (Wed) 1:30-3:30 p.m. 7 weeks $27.50 More classes starting in October as well. Complete schedule of classes available at The Yarn Barn on knitting, weaving, crocheting, rugbraiding and spinning. Classes fill quickly, so come in today. 930 Massachusetts 842-4333 Open Daily Fits your lifestyle Convenient Smart 50¢ - MONDAY-FRIDAY: 6AM-8PM · SATURDAY: 7AM-8PM · NO SUNDAY SERVICE · FARE 50¢ - PURCHASE A "T" STICKER WITH YOUR KU ON WHEELS BUS PASS FOR $20/YR AT THE SUA OFFICE Route 8 - KU Route Leesw KU Union 23rd & Ousdahl Four Wheel Dr. & to 5 East Arrive Four Wheel Dr. & 32nd to 5 West Depart Four Wheel Dr. & 32nd from 5 West 23rd and Ousdahl From 5 West KU Union 06:43 AM 06:49 AM 07:03 AM 07:12 AM 07:24 AM 07:37 AM 07:43 AM 07:55 AM 08:00 AM 08:03 AM 08:09 AM 08:23 AM 08:32 AM 08:44 AM 08:57 AM 09:03 AM 08:15 AM 09:20 AM 09:23 AM 09:29 AM 09:43 AM 09:52 AM 10:04 AM 10:17 AM 10:23 AM 10:35 AM 10:40 AM 10:43 AM 10:49 AM 11:03 AM 11:12 AM 11:24 AM 11:37 AM 11:43 AM 11:55 AM 12:00 PM 12:03 PM 12:09 PM 12:29 PM 12:32 PM 12:44 PM 12:57 PM 10:03 PM 10:15 PM 01:20 PM 01:23 PM 01:29 PM 01:43 PM 01:52 PM 02:04 PM 02:17 PM 02:23 PM 02:35 PM 02:40 PM 02:43 PM 02:49 PM 03:03 PM 03:12 PM 03:24 PM 03:37 PM 03:43 PM 03:55 PM 04:00 PM 04:03 PM 04:09 PM 04:23 PM 04:32 PM 04:44 PM 04:57 PM 06:03 PM 06:15 PM 06:20 PM 06:23 PM 05:29 PM 06:43 PM 06:52 PM 06:04 PM 08:17 PM 06:23 PM 06:35 PM 06:40 PM 06:43 PM 06:49 PM 07:03 PM 07:12 PM 07:24 PM 07:37 PM 07:43 PM 07:55 PM 08:00 PM Please call 312-7054 or visit online at www.lawrencetransit.org for more information