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Friday, January 31, 1997
CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Teacher faces off with student
Professor to re-evaluate public transportation if elected to commission
By Paul Eakins
Kansan staff writer
A KU professor is running for City Commission, and his main goal is to create a city-wide public bus system.
Alan Black, professor of urban planning, said he would like to see public busing, either combined with the KU-on-Wheels system or independent of it.
"The city is at a crossroads in deciding what to do about public transportation," Black said.
Black has a strong background in transportation.
The closing of Jayhawk Blvd. to all traffic but buses is an option that Black said he would consider.
Black has a strong background in urban planning.
He has a Ph.D. in city and regional planning, has written many books and articles about public transportation, and has served on several transportation committees in cities such as New York and Chicago.
Black is now chairman of the Douglas County Senior Services Transportation and Citizens Advisory Committee and is on the Douglas County Commission Transportation Coordinating Council.
Black said he also supported bike lanes.
Besides transportation issues, Black did not strongly support city development, though he said that some was to be expected.
"I would like to see some real facilities for Lawrence," he said. "An expansion of the existing bike lanes."
Laurie Betchall / KANSAN
"It's probably going too fast in terms of what tax payers are paying for it," Black said. "When they have to put in streets and schools, the old citizens are subsiding for things that the new citizens will have."
Black said he was pro-environment, pro-downtown and supported historic preservation.
Black said that the recreational center spending should be reduced and that he opposed a second hospital.
"I want to preserve the quality of life and help old neighborhoods,"he said.
"I'm not crazy about a for-profit hospital," he said.
I'm not crazy about promotion. Black said he intended to campaign with newspaper advertisements, letters, mailing lists and yard signs. He will do some door-to-door campaigning as well.
This is the first time that Black has run for public office. He chose to run because his friends encouraged him and because he had been involved with government all his life. He began covering city politics as a reporter for newspapers during the 50s, he said.
"I've always had the thought, in the back of my mind, of being on the inside of politics," Black said.
Alan Black, professor of urban planning, discusses a problem with one of his students, Chris Allison, Olathe graduate student. Black is running for city commission.
Black's students said they thought he would make a good city commissioner.
"He has a lot of experience in transportation planning, which is great for Lawrence," said Mario Heydecker, Winfield graduate student.
Black's colleagues agree.
"I've had a chance to work with him on a number of city committees," said Marci Francisco, space analyst for the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. "He's knowledgeable, interested in the issues, and willing to search for solutions."
Student focuses on environment during election
By Paul Eakins Kansan staff writer
Environmental issues are at the top of the agenda of a KU student running for City Commission.
"It's time that we had somebody on city commission that had some sort of a background in environmental studies or in areas not strictly business," said Sean Bergin, Lawrence.
An environmental background is exactly what Bergin has.
He earned bachelor's degrees in both environmental studies and biology at the University of Kansas and is working on a master's degree in biology.
Bergin said he decided to run for several reasons. With his knowledge of the environment and the city — he has lived in Lawrence for 18 years — he thought he had something to offer.
Bergin also provides the public with a larger choice of candidates, he said.
"It's nice to add another person just to increase diversity and let people choose what they want," he said.
Bergin's decision to run caught some colleagues off guard.
"It was out of the blue," said Lee Likins, Auburn, Ala., graduate student.
Likins said that he did not consider Bergin to be a stereotypical politician but that Bergin's candidacy made sense.
"He's enthusiastic, knowledgeable and emotional about issues he cares about," Likins said. "It's perfect for Sean and perfect for Lawrence."
For Bergin, there are some issues in Lawrence that are less-than-perfect.
Bergin said that areas of development in Lawrence were where environmental issues came in.
"We need to slow it down just enough that we can have a little more breathing space," he said.
Bergin said he did not support a second hospital in Lawrence.
"With all of the investment that the community has put into this hospital, I don't see any reason to lose it," Bergin said.
Issues like development can affect many people and areas, which is why Bergin said he would like more communication between the school board, city commission and county commission.
"For example, school closings go beyond just for the school board, it really affects the city also," Bergin said. "The trafficway is a county issue, but it affects the city."
Bergin would also like to see more public comment on issues, he said.
"The more thoughts you could get together, the better decisions you could make," he said.
Getting both the University and Haskell Indian Nations University involved with the city is also important, Bergin said.
When the city considers an issue, it may bring in an outside firm to research it, but the universities in Lawrence offer a wealth of information and could be utilized for the research, Bergin said.
"Then it would be a win-win situation," he said. "The money would stay right here, and you could get your study done."
Bergin said that he also supports bike lanes and public transportation.
Staff Photographer / KANSAN
Sean Bergin, Lawrence graduate student, is running for a seat on the Lawrence City Commission.
"This is a progressive city.It's only appropriate that we establish a public transportation system," he said.
For his campaign, Bergin said he did not intend to spend much money. He wants to get his name out and let people know who he is and what he stands for, he said.
Bergin did not know if he was going to win, but that he had to run.
"It's time to do something, instead of
Commission examines city transportation
By Paul Eakins
Kansan staff writer
A Philadelphia-based company hired by the Lawrence City Commission presented four possible transportation alternatives for the city Wednesday night. Only one plan would combine a bus system with KU on Wheels.
The first alternative called for the continuation of current financing and/or level of service. This would not include KU on Wheels in any plans, and would continue the services offered by the Douglas County Area Transit, at 10,700 hours of service for the combined vehicles per year.
Chance Management Advisors, Inc., presented the possible plans of action to the commission in a study session at City Hall.
These services include a passenger transport service requiring 24-hour notice by the customer for pick up. Senior citizens, those with disabilities and those receiving aid from social services pay $1 per ride, and all other people pay $5 per ride.
The second alternative was similar to the first in that it maintains the transit services, but the city would request and receive federal financing. With this, the service would be expanded by at least five percent to 12,300 hours of service per year.
This would be naid for with city taxes.
The fourth alternative was to combine the KU on Wheels bus system with a city-wide system similar to the third alternative. This would operate seven days per week, with a week-day service of 15 hours, a Saturday service of nine hours, and a Sunday service of six hours. Trans services would be dropped to 75 percent of its current rate, operating at 7500 hours per year.
The problems with the last two alternatives, said Bob Moody, city commissioner, is that to finance the system there would be at least a 10 percent tax increase for alternative three, and at least a 25 percent increase for alternative four.
He said these increases would be yearly, and would probably not be alleviated while the bus system was running.
"The only thing I support at this point is option two. I can't support another one without going to a public vote," Moody said. "If we're going to implement any fixed route, we need to put it to the citizens."
The commission has not set another date to consider the proposed systems, but getting the community involved will be an important part of the process, said Fred Sherman, city and county planner.
"A presentation and public input session is the next step," he said.
Lobby Day gives students a voice
By Dave Morantz
Kansan staff writer
The Student Senate voted Wednesday night to approve a package of nine resolutions concerning state funding for higher education in preparation for Lobby Day on Thursday, Feb. 13.
Lobby Day provides an opportunity for students from all six Board of Regents universities to meet with state representatives and senators to discuss issues affecting higher education. In addition, the student body presidents from the universities will speak to Governor Bill Graves.
The resolutions address such issues as increased funding for higher education, increased faculty salaries, maintaining the state's qualified admissions plan, increased funding for technological equipment, more affordable tuition levels and campus safety.
The same nine bills the Senate approved Wednesday are up for approval in the student governments of the five other Regents' universities. These resolutions, along with issue briefs, will make up a legislative handbook expressing the concerns and positions of students, de la Torre said.
She said students from the universities will give the books to all 165 legislators, the governor, the attorney general and the presidents and chancellors of the Regent's universities.
Ashleigh de la Torre, legislative director for Student Senate, said Lobby Day provided an opportunity for students to express their concerns to state lawmakers.
"Rather than just shaking hands and leaving, I wanted to leave something behind," she said.
De la Torre said any student interested in attending Lobby Day should contact her at the Student Senate office in the Kansas Union.
"I think students realize that higher education can still be a priority in an era of small government."
Robert Hemenway chancellor
chancellor
She said that at the November Board of Regents meeting, she and other legislative directors based the idea for the handbook on a similar book prepared by the student government of Kansas State University last year.
Chris Hansen, K-State student body president, said the combined effort for this year's legislative handbook concept represented common concerns among Kansas students.
But despite the enthusiasm, de la Torre said that some lawmakers may be hostile to the students' calls for more funding in a time of fiscal frugality.
"This year's handbook will be bigger, better and more inclusive," he said.
"I think students realize that higher education can still be a priority in an era of small government." he said.
Chancellor Robert Hemenway said the students' goals seemed appropriate.
"Because we're coming as such a force, I think it will make an impact." she said.
One lawmaker who realizes this fine balance is Governor Graves, said de la Torre.
African Americans observe history
February is a time to examine heritage
By Umut Bayramoglu
Kansan staff writer
For most KU students, the month of February is only another month into the semester, but for some, it is a time to look back at their heritage and decide on their purpose in life.
"African Americans have made tremendous contributions to this society, and the way the society has reported it has left out many aspects of it. This month is a chance to recognize a lot of those contributions," said Julius Williams, assistant director of the Office of Minority Affairs.
The month of February has been known as African-American History Month since 1976.
Williams said this year's theme for the month was "African Americans and Civil Rights: A Reappraisal."
"I think there is a lot of denial
HISTORY MONTH
going on in the United States, an inability to recognize problems," Williams said.
He said to have a better future, the society needed to develop positive interventions.
During the month of February, the Minority Affairs and Black Student Union, in conjunction with many other departments and campus organizations, will present about 20 events to examine the African-American heritage and culture.
"It's a month to focus on our heritage, dances and music and discuss a lot of issues," Julian Stevenson, St. Louis junior, said.
African-American History Month will kick off at the University of Kansas with a cultural extravaganza at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Lied Center.
Williams said the program would include a short address by Chancellor Robert Hemenway followed by dance and music performances.
Next week's events
Cultural Extravaganza, 7 p.m., Feb. 2, Lied Center
Panel Discussions
Panel Discussions
A Historic Reflection on the Continuum of Social Change Engineered by the Judicial and Legislative Bodies, presented by Cheryl Brown Henderson, executive director of the Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research.
Standards of Reappraisal: the Successes and Limitations of the Civil Rights Movement
7 p.m. Feb. 4 Kansas Union
7 p.m., Feb. 4, Kansas Union
The Traditional Music Society, an educational-based arts organization from Kansas City, Mo., is one of the performing groups of the evening. They will perform Sounds of Africa, which includes authentic music and dance from West African countries such as Mali, Senegal and Ghana.
Dialogue
Reflections of the Life of Zora Neale Hurston.
noon, Feb. 5, Kansas Union Video Presentation and Discussion
Shattering Silences: Minorities Break into the Ivory Tower
Break into the Ivy Tower 2 p.m., Feb. 6, Kansas Union Collumn
Landscapes of Technology Transfer: Rice Cultivation and African Countries
3:30 p.m., Feb. 7, 317 Lindley Hall
All of the events are free.
Also, a newly formed student dance group called NKWA will have its debut with traditional dances from Nigeria.
Asa Aanyanwu, KU graduate and director of NKWA, said the group of 15 students would perform the Necklace Dance for the evening.
The program will end with Antioch Mass Choir singing gospel songs.
Community colleges could join Regents
The Associated Press
TOPEKA — Two southeast Kansas legislators are touting a plan for bringing the state's 19 community colleges under coordination of the Board of Regents.
"What the Regents do for their universities, they will do for the community colleges," Rep. Cindy Empson said during a statehouse news conference yesterday.
The legislators say it would enhance the two-year colleges' stature and bring property tax relief to the residents of most of their districts.
it will create a seamless educational opportunity for students from community colleges to Regents universities, and increase the stature of the community colleges," Rep. Richard Reinhardt said.
Empson and Reinhard have introduced a bipartisan plan for changing
the financing and supervision of the community colleges — located in Highland, Overland Park, Iola, Chanute, Fort Scott, Parsons, Independence, Coffeyville, Concordia, El Dorado, Arkansas City, Hutchinson, Great Bend, Pratt, Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal, Colby and Kansas City, Kan.
Under the plan, the colleges' operations would be coordinated by the Regents rather than the state Board of Education, but would retain their own local boards of trustees and would propose their own budgets.
It also would eliminate the present
The bill would give community colleges a 5 percent increase in their budgets for fiscal year 1998, which begins July 1, 1997. It also would limit local community college boards to levying a maximum local property tax of 15 mills, or $86 a year for the owner of a $50,000 home.
Under the Empson-Reinhardt bill, the Regents would supervise community colleges, but control of their day-to-day operations would remain in the hands of elected boards of trustees.
credit-hour aid and out-district tuition money from the state, and replace it with operating grants, as Washburn now receives.
Reinhardt said the state now gives the community colleges $53 million a year and the plan he and Empson are proposing would cost $32 million more.
The bill would establish state "operating grants" to each community college, and require community colleges to raise 20 percent of their operating funds from tuition.
A council on higher education governance tentatively proposed earlier this month that the state create a new council to coordinate planning for both community colleges and state universities. Empson, who is on the council, said she does not support that approach.
Reinhardt said under the plan, community college financing would come about 20 percent from tuition, 40 percent from local property taxes and 40 percent from the state.
He said the colleges would submit their budgets to the Regents, just as Washburn University now does, and have them go through the state budgeting process with the legislature approving the final amount of state grant money.
Most community college representatives have opposed having their institutions placed under the purview of the Regents.
"I am aware there is some concern on the part of community colleges, and I think we will have to spell out very specifically the coordination responsibilities," Empson said.