THE UNIVERSITY HAIRY KANSAN
NEWS
5A
CITY COMMISSION
Candidates look to students
BY MARK VIERTHALER
Two candidates have announced their decision to run for city commissioner, and both are looking to increase student involvement in local government.
Rob Chestnut, chief financial officer of the Lawrence-based Allen Press, is looking to gain one of three positions on the commission opening next year. Mike Denver, owner of Guidewire Consulting environmental consulting firm, was the first to announce his candidacy.
Current commissioners David Schauner, Mike Rundle and Dennis "Boog" Highberger are up for reelection. None have announced intentions to re-run, but Schauner
said he would announce yes or no before Christmas Dav.
Denver said he announced his candidacy because he said there was too much division and bickering on the city commission.
Denver said he would encourage students to be more active in local government, because what the city did would affect their lives one way or another.
"I'm not really a politician," Denver said. "I have this habit of telling the truth rather than dancing around the issue."
Chestnut said the student body was regularly ignored when dealing with local issues. To encourage student involvement, he said, the commission should hold open forums
for students at the Kansas Union.
A Lawrence native, Chestnut has worked as the CFO of Allen Press since the beginning of this year. Before that, he worked for several large companies in the Kansas City area.
Chestnut said he wanted to run for city commissioner in an effort to increase job opportunities in Lawrence.
"The commissioners recognize the issues," Chestnut said. "But I think people are looking for a change in mentality."
Kansan staff writer Mark Vierthaler can be contacted at mvierthaler@kansan.com.
Edited by Shanxi Upsdell
LAWRENCE Fire on Sixth Street closes traffic routes, damages inn
Lawrence residents were forced to take detours on icy roads Thursday night. A large portion of Sixth Street was closed off to traffic from Crestline onward as the Lawrence fire department worked to extinguish a blaze in the Westminster Inn and
Suites, 2525 W. Sixth Street.
Pat Talkington, a firefighter on the scene, said the fire damaged the lobby and some of the rooms surrounding it. The sign that topped the lobby once said "motel," yet the blaze burned through the roof and destroyed the last three letters of the sign.
and secure the scene.
"The power company was called because we just want to make sure all the utilities are safe on the street."Talkington said.
Numerous fire trucks, ambulances and power company trucks were present to put out the blaze
Talkington said the fire was contained in the Westminster Inn. As of press time, the cause of the fire was still unknown.
Courtney Hagen
》 WORLD
South Africa legalizes gay marriage Country made first in continent to permit same-sex unions
BY CLARE NULLIS ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa on Thursday became the first country in Africa, and only the fifth in the world, to legalize same sex marriages.
The Civil Union Act goes into effect a day ahead of a Dec. 1 deadline set by the country's Constitutional Court, which required the marriage law be changed to ensure equality for gay and lesbians.
Gay rights criticized provisions allowing clergy and civil marriage officers to turn away gay couples if their consciences prevented them from marrying them.
Some couples began hurrying to make preparations for long awaited nuptials.
"There will be a huge response from same sex couples who have waited such a long time for their relationship to be recognized," said Melanie Judge, a program manager for the South Africa-based lesbian and gay rights group, OUT.
Janine Pressman, a pastor with the Glorious Light Metropolitan Community Churches in Pretoria, said she hoped to marry a couple on Saturday, provided the paperwork could be rushed through.
"We are ready to go," said Jacky Mashapu, a spokesman for the Home Affairs Ministry, where altar-bound couples must apply for permission to wed.
South African leaders, determined to bury all forms of discrimination, recognized the rights of gays and lesbians in the constitution drafted after the end of apartheid in 1994.
That constitution, the first in the world to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, provided a powerful legal tool for gay rights activists, even though South Africa remains conservative on issues of sexuality.
Influential traditional leaders said the legislation violated African cultural norms.
The Roman Catholic Church and Muslim groups denounced it as violating the sanctity of mar-
rage. Radio talk shows aired strong opposition to the legislation.
The public reaction, said Judge OF OUT, "forced us to confront the deep-seated prejudice and intolerance against gays and lesbians. It's a day-to-day reality ... It's been quite a frightening process to see the level of hatred that has been openly expressed against this minority"
Homosexuality is still largely taboo in Africa. It is illegal in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and most other sub-Saharan countries. Even in South Africa, homosexuals are often attacked because of their sexual orientation.
Denmark in 1989 became the first country to legislate same-sex partnerships and several other European Union members have followed suit. Only four other countries — Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain — allow same-sex marriage.
Volunteer boards recruit
LAWRENCE
Students have opportunity to serve as advisers to city commission
BY MARK VIERTHALER
Students interested in helping out the Lawrence City Commission now have several new opportunities to serve on advisory commissions.
Mayor Mike Amyx is now accepting applications for eight volunteer spots on seven boards.
Volunteer board positions range from two to four years in term, depending on the group. Advisory commissions are assigned a specific area of governance to meet and study. They then submit monthly reports to the city commission, occasionally working on specific issues the commission may assign them.
Jonathan Douglass with the city manager's office said there were no age or citizenship requirements, which means students are open to apply for any position unless there are specific criteria applicants have to meet.
advisory commission positions
For example, he said, some boards required certified electricians, plumbers, etc.
Students interested in applying can visit the city's Web site to view vacancies and fill out an application form.
Amyx said it was always important to get fresh viewpoints onto the advisory boards. He said students could offer unique suggestions, so
Community Commission on Homelessness
Community Homelessness Develops a broad-base funding plan for homeless services throughout Lawrence Three year term.
Lawrence-Douglas County Advocacy Council on Aging Determines the needs of citizens over the age of 60. Three year term.
Grant Review Board Reviews and takes action on financial assistance for housing rehabilitation. Three year term.
Human Relations Commission Works to eliminate discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and housing. Three year term.
Mechanical Code Board of Appeals Hears appeals on administrative interpretations of the Uniform Mechanical Code. Three year term.
Neighborhood Resources Advisory Committee Reviews housing codes, allocation of building funds and works with the Neighborhood Resources Department. Three year term.
long as they understood the responsibilities given to them by applying
Most boards meet on a regular basis, he said, and some required students to be in Lawrence yearround for said meetings.
"I'm always looking forward to more people helping out on these boards." Amyx said.
Amyx encouraged those who were interested to either call him at (785) 864-9425 or fill out the volunteer forms online. He would then
meet with the applicant in person to make sure they are the right person for the job.
After Amyx appoints volunteers, the commission approves all appointees.
Kansan staff writer Mark Vierthaler can be contacted at mvierthaler@kansan.com.
- Edited by Elyse Weidner
ACADEMICS
Ph.D.s in engineering increase
BY KIM LYNCH
A November report found that engineering doctorates increased nationwide last year, reflecting the University of Kansas' own numbers.
The report released from the National Science Foundation recorded that the number of doctorates increased from 5,775 in 2004 to 6,404 in 2005.
Glen Marotz, associate dean in engineering for research and graduate programs, said that the U.S. was in need of more engineers.
He said KU's School of Engineering had seen the increase in the number of students earning a doctorate as well.
Last year, 133 engineering students were awarded doctorates compared to 102 students in 2004. Marotz said.
Kyle Camarda, associate professor and graduate recruiter for the department of chemical and petroleum engineering, said the department was trying to increase recruiting of Ph.D. students.
It was especially hard to get Ph.D. students in the chemical and petroleum field because starting salaries have increased to more than $100,000 because of the increase in oil prices, he said.
developing, Soltys said.
Joseph Soltys, Camillus, N.Y., doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering, said he came to the University because he wasn't happy with his job at the time.
He said he did web searches for schools and looked into emerging fields in engineering.
He decided to come to the University because it had good biomechanical engineering field
Kansan staff writer Kim Lynch can be contacted at klynch@kansan. com.
- Edited by Shanxi Upsdell
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