friday, april 2, 2004
news
the university daily kansar
7A
Proposed speed increase sparks further discussion
By Steve Vockrodt
svockrodt@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
While legislators hash out key points of a bill that would raise the highway speed limit in Kansas, issues behind the increase remain a source of controversy across the state.
Senate Bill 384 is set to raise the maximum speed limit on interstate multilane highways from 70 miles per hour to 75.
The House of Representatives passed the bill on March 23, but requested a Senate Committee. Amendments to the bill will be discussed this week.
The main concerns behind the bill are the potential rise in gas prices associated with commuters driving faster and the safety risks involved with higher speeds.
Dave Bach, owner of Das Autohaus, 1045 New Jersey St., said cars run on lower fuel economy at higher speeds. Bach is not buying the argument that gas prices will increase because of the speed increase.
Bach said that the way the highways are built there is not reason to not raise the speed limit.
"It's one of those issues where
people on both sides are making stupid arguments. Changing it to 75 isn't going to change anything. People are already driving 80," he said.
The Kansas State Highway Patrol was concerned about the effect the new speed limit might have on highway safety.
Highway Patrol Lieutenant John Eichkorn said his department would effectively enforce any speed limit the legislature passed, but added he had reservations about the increase in highway automobile accidents.
"Stats will show the faster people drive, injuries are more severe, and there is an increase in fatalities," Eichkorn said. "As far as property damage, that's something you have to consider."
The safety concern was echoed by Tom Mulinazzi, professor and chairman of the civil, environmental, and architectural engineering department.
Mulinazzi said the speed limit going to 75 miles per hour would increase average driving speeds to 80 miles per hour.
At 80 miles per hour, cars travel 117.6 feet per second and drivers' reaction times are calculated at 2.5 seconds in models used for designing roads Mulinazzi said. Given the speed and
the reaction time, Mulinazzi said a driver will travel 294 feet before reacting at speeds of 80 miles per hour.
"We're just going to increase accidents, and I don't like it," said Mulinazzi.
Mulinazzi said that the severity of accidents at the higher speeds would increase as well. He added that drivers reactions times are slower when drivers are distracted with cell phones or have consumed alcohol.
Despite the safety issues, the approval of the bill would be welcome news for some University of Kansas students who commute to and from Lawrence.
Brent Stevens, Wichita senior, works in Olathe, and said he would like to drive faster.
"It would be great. It means I could go up to 85 miles per hour," Stevens said.
Stevens also said he would not be concerned about his safety on the highways with a 75 mile per hour speed limit.
Governor Kathleen Sebelius has not publicly taken a position on the bill. Governor spokesperson Nicole Corcoran said the Governor will wait and see what happens with the Committee's changes to the bill.
—Edited by Michelle Rodick
Rice to testify next Thursday
The Associated Press
the information.
WASHINGTON — National security adviser Condoleezza Rice will go before the Sept. 11 commission next Thursday in an effort to counter criticism that the Bush administration failed to grasp the gravity of the terrorism threat before the hijackings.
The commission will hear only from Rice during a 21/2-hour public session focusing on what Clinton administration officials told the incoming Bush White House about al-Qaida and what the new administration did with
"We really want to find out about the transition, what they learned, and what changes in policy the Bush administration decided and what focus there was on terrorism," the commission chairman, Thomas Kean, said in an interview.
But on Thursday, Bruce Lindsey, Clinton's legal representative for records, told The Associated Press that the commission isn't getting the full picture of former President Clinton's terrorism policies because the Bush administration has turned
over only 25 percent of the 11,000 records requested by the panel.
The White House says it fully met the commission's information requests.
"Whether documents from the Clinton administration or the Bush administration, we have worked to ensure the commission has all the information it needs to get its job done," said Taylor Gross, a White House spokesman.
Richard Clarke testified last week that the Bush administration did not consider al-Qaida an urgent threat.
LORD WADS: Remains involved, but no campaign
CONTINUED FROM 1A
Wadsworth said he would have liked to see a third coalition similar to his spring up this year.
"There's not as much talk about the election this year because there's not things like jousing on Wescoe Beach, which was awesome," Thomas said.
"Having an election without a third party is like having a wedding without that crazy uncle." Wadsworth said. "I'm disappointed nobody else came out, but I must say most third parties in the past have sucked."
While Wadsworth isn't running for office this year, he still has ideas for the election. He said he wanted to invite the candidates to a debate on his show, which is a talk show inspired by his idol, Conan O'Brien.
He also has a grand plan for staging a Student Elections Olympics Day, in which the two coalitions would face off in a series of physical contests.
Wadsworth said the games might include tricycle races, obstacle courses and karaoke. He said a waterslide would be included somehow.
Blake Swenson, Topeka senior
"Having an election without a third party is like having a wedding without that crazy uncle."
Brett Wadsworth Overland Park senior
An elections Olympics would be a first, but Wadsworth has made unique endeavors an ongoing quest in his college years. He started his television show this year with no experience, getting plenty of help from KUJH general manager Gary Hawke and producer Chris Martin. His guests have included Chancellor Robert Hemenway, football coach Mark Mangino and Kevin Willmott,
and Delta Force presidential candidate, said he liked the Olympics idea and was for any event that would increase interest in the elections.
Steve Munch, Bellevue, Neb., sophomore and KUnited presidential candidate, said he wanted more details about time, location and what events would be involved, but that he wouldn't rule out competing in the Olympics.
Mangino enjoyed his guest appearance so much that he allowed Wadsworth to come and film football practice for the show. Wadsworth went expecting to watch from the safety of the sidelines, but Mangino had other ideas.
associate professor of theatre and film and director of C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America.
"Nobody gets on my field unless they've got pads on," Mangino told him. "I hope you've paid your insurance."
"Last year I was just a regular student and I had this idea to run for president and people just got on board," Wadsworth said. "Now I've got the TV show and people got on board that too. It just seems like anything's possible here, that's why I'm going to stay for my full seven years of undergrad. There's not many places like this after you leave."
Wadsworth strapped on the pads, signed a medical release form and spent a good portion of the practice getting lit up by charging linebackers.
Wadsworth is getting used to seeing even his wackiest dreams become realities.
— Edited by Nikki Nugent
Water supply limits growth in Kansas
By Joshua Kendall
jkendall@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
In western Kansas, hopes of city development are dictated by the limited supply of water.
The area has never been able to rely on surface water from live water sources. Instead, the Ogallala aquifer has provided the water necessary for cities.
"Water is becoming a limiting factor," said Wayne Bossert, manager of Colby's Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4 in Thomas County.
To continue developing, cities face the awkward position of buying water rights from farmers to support growth, he said.
Virtually all the available lake, stream and aquifer waters are already allocated for use. The state allocates a certain amount of water each year to farmers, cities and individuals. To preserve water for the future, Kansas is reluctant to pump any more water from sources, Bossert said.
Western Kansas is traditionally dry. Colby, for example, averages 34 inches of precipitation each year. Dry cities in western Kansas such as Goodland and Oakley cannot accept new industries into town because of the limited water supply, Bossert said. With limited access to water, plans for the future look stale.
Cities are like any other consumer of water and have to obtain water rights just like a farmer who irrigates his crops. As a city expands, its demand for water swells with the population growth and surrounding industries.
There are only two ways in which a city can go about getting new water rights, said John Peck, professor of law at the University of Kansas. A city can either petition for a new right — something highly unlikely to go through in western Kansas where water shortage is a major issue — or buy water rights from farmers.
At the recent Water and Future of Kansas Conference in Lawrence, Peck gave a presentation on the laws and issues of converting agricultural water to municipal water. Cities can't get the amount of water that the farmers get, he said. The problem comes from the theory of consumptive use, or the percent of water that is not returned to the aquifer.
"Just because a farmer receives 250 acre feet of water doesn't mean they use that entire amount."
When a farmer irrigates crops, a portion of the pumped water is returned back to the aquifer from which it was pulled. A crop such as corn absorbs more water than wheat and has a higher consumptive use — about 70 percent — meaning 30 percent is filtered back to the aquifer, Peck said.
John Peck Professor of law
"Just because a farmer receives 250 acre feet of water doesn't mean they use that entire amount." Peck said.
Municipal use is considered 100 percent consumptive because theoretically none of the water is returned to the source, said David Traster, an attorney who specializes in water law in Wichita.
Under Kansas law, when a city purchases a water it is only able to pump the net amount that is used by the farmer, not the total to which the farmer has access. In the instance of the corn farmer above, the city is only able to extract 70 percent of the water that a farmer uses to maintain the current usage of that water right.
The current estimated life of the Ogallala aquifer ranges from 20 to 200 years in parts, said Lee Allison, director of the Kansas Geological Survey.
- Edited by Danielle Hillix
WEIGHT: Hemenway sees change
CONTINUED FROM 1A
He did start to notice how much food advertising was on TV. The biggest adjustment was learning how to discipline himself, he said.
The first phase consists of a 12-week liquid diet where participants drink five shakes a day. Hemenway said that he lost touch with food during this part of the diet, but that he was never ravenous.
Hemenway said he knew the diet was working when he saw a steady decrease in his cholesterol.
"If you can control the urge, you can lose the weight," Hemenway said.
During this liquid phase, patients are monitored to make sure their heart and blood pressure are normal.
During the second phase, which lasts 40 weeks, Donnelly works with the participants and teaches them how to maintain their weight. Then he slowly introduces food back into their diets.
"If you can control the urge,you can lose the weight."
Robert Hemenway Chancellor
The program helps people keep stay at or near their goal weight.
Donnelly contacted 500 participants in 2000. He reached 138 and discovered that 38 percent of them were within 10 pounds of their lowest weight achieved while they were in the program.
In addition to the diet, participants must exercise 300 minutes a week or burn 2,000 calories.
Hemenway said he tried to exercise every day. Before getting on the diet, Hemenway said he told himself he was too busy to exercise.
Now he tries to dedicate at least an hour a day to walking on campus.
-Edited by Danielle Hillix
Visit us at
1-800-535-0301
Snuggle up with the sexiest bird around.
or call
lege-sheets.com
LIBERTY HALL CINEMA
3 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
STARS SCARLETT JONAMNSON
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING
PO-13
646 MASSACHUSETTS IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE
everyday
LATE FEE AMNESTY WEEK MARCH 29 - APRIL 4, NOW! RENT ANY, VIDEO OR DVD & WE'LL DELETE ANY LATE FEES ON YOUR ACCOUNT!
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE
SPOTLESS MIND
DK
W HOLLYWOOD THEATERS
SOUTHWILD 12 1430 W. 57th St. N.W.
STARRING JIM CARREY, KATE WINDSLEY WRITTEN BY CHARLES KAUFMAN
FRI: (4:40) ONLY
SAT: (2:10) (4:40)
SUN: (2:10) (4:40)
PRI: 7:00 8:30
SAT: 7:00 8:30
RUN: 7:00 8:30
DAILY BARRIAGE MATINEES INDICATED BY (  STUDIATING SEALED - ALL DIGITAL SOUND
- EAMBANGO * Purchase Your Tickets Online
At www.tandem.com
JERSEY GHLR [PG-12]
Daley (4:50) - 7:35 - 10:05
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
HALIDAGO [PG-13]
Daley (4:60) - 7:35 - 9:85
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST [R]
Daley (4:60) - 7:35 - 9:85
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
THE LADYLYNKILLERS [R]
Daley (5:05) - 7:25 - 9:55
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
WALKING TALL [PG-13]
Daley (4:35) - 7:20 - 9:45
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
HELLBOY *** [PG-13]
Daley (4:35) - 7:20 - 9:45
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
COBBY DOB * ** [PG]
Daley (4:55) - 7:10 - 9:40
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
HOME ON THE RANGE [PG]
Daley (4:30) - 7:05 - 9:35
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
THE PRINCE AND ME *** [PG-13]
Daley (6:00) - 7:35 - 10:05
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
STARSY & MUTCH [PG-13]
Daley (4:45) - 7:40 - 10:15
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
SAT & LUNES [R]
Daley (4:15) - 7:15
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
NEVER ONE ALONE [R]
Daley (5:05) - 7:35 - 10:05
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
DAWN'S HEAD [R]
Daley (4:40) - 7:45 - 10:10
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
Sat & Sun: (12:25 - 2:45)
735 WEST HAVE SCHOOL
MAR. 27 **ESOTERIC** (All Ages)
MON. 29 MAD CADDIES / THROW RAG (All Ages
4pm)
TUE. 30 DEXTER ROMWEBER / SHEBANGS
THUR. 31 SUGARCULT / LETTER KILLS (All Ages
4pm)
SAT. REYNEWEBERT HORTON HEAT
- No Passa * **No Passa** on Superusers
* Rated D failure - Human Photo Identification
www.pipelineproductions.com
COMING SOON AT
BOTTLENECK
BOTTLENECK
737 NEW HAMPSHIRE/LAWRENCE, K8
REVEREND HORTON HEAT
XRHL 4 CURSED / BREATHER RESIST 9pm
19m Alerts!
SUN
APRIL 4
DAN POTMHAUS OF MUSIC 300 All-Ages
MUSIC & INSTRUMENTS
SUN. DAN POTTHAJUST OF MIXER (All-Ages)
APRIL 4 VOURNEIL UNDERWATER RIGHT (All Ages)
INMIDWATER / SAILT THE WORLD (All Ages)
APRIE & CAPITAL TEAMS / CONVERSE (ALL AGES)
WED. 26 JULY 2014 BADGERS HAIRCRAFTS / ORGANIZATION
APRIL 5 WEEKENDS WITH THE SUNSET
TUES. CARNIVAL WEAR / JOINED (All Areas)
APRIL 10 10:00 AM TWO THOUSS THE PROTECTIVE HOME OF ALL LEGAL ARMS
INVESTIGATION GIVEN WITH HONOR
INVESTIGATION GIVEN WITH HONOR
SUN, MAY 9
REVEREND HORTON HEAT
SPLIT LIP RAYFIELD
DETROIT COBRAS
COMING SOON AT
BEAUMONT CLUB
UMPHREY'S MCGEE
COMING SOON AT
IGRANADA
THURS. APRIL 22 YONDER MOUNTAIN
STRING BAND
SPLIT LIP RAYFIELD
COMING SOON AT
LIBERTY HALL
EVERY THURSDAY: NEON
.75$ DRAWS / $1 SHOTS
EVERY SUNDAY:
SMACKDOWN LIVE ACTION TRIVIA
& KARAOKE
$1.50 DRAWS / $2.25 WELLS
FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF
BOTTleneck SHOWS VISIT
WWP.WPAKINEPRODUCTIONS.COM
WWW.WAKARUSAFESTIVAL.COM
WWW.WAKARUSAFESTIVAL.COM