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(02/12/04 5:33am)
A proposed development had Bloomington residents and physicians speaking out at Wednesday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. Controversy over 102 acres of land marked for development, including a for-profit specialty hospital, meant a jam-packed City Hall.\nMembers of the Bloomington City Council met not to vote on legislation, but rather to let the two opposing sides, the Planning Department and Bloomington Hospital, present their case to the council concerning the petiton.\nThe land, off West Tapp Road along Indiana State Road 37, is being proposed to be re-zoned into a mixture of office, commercial, industrial and medical buildings.\nCurrently, the land is undeveloped and zoned as a quarry.\nJames Roach, senior zoning planner from the Planning Department said the owner wanted to build on the land that currently isn't serving much of a purpose.\n"The existing zone now is limestone mining, but the owner, Southern Indiana Medical Park, instead would like to develop the land," Roach said.\nThis is the second time the legislation is being discussed by the council. \n"The first project was denied by the council with concerns about the environment issues," Roach said. "But much of the project now meets city plans."\nSince the proposed legislation includes a mixture of zones, the Planning Department said in order to allow the project, it must be established as a Planned Unit Development.\nThe controversy surrounds the medical uses proposed. Employees of Bloomington Hospital raised concerns over the construction of a speciality hospital built on the property. If such a facility was built, employees are concerned it would take away both revenue and ambulance services available through Bloomington Hospital.\nOwen Slaughter, medical director for Bloomington Hospital's Emergency Department, said he is afraid of some parts of the petition.\n"There are currently about 12 uses of the plan, and I don't have a problem with the petition except for the part that concerns creating a for-profit speciality hospital in Bloomington," Slaughter said.\n"Our fear is, as a community, we have limited healthcare resources, and we have constructed a system that allows subsidies for ambulances ... this is not in the best interests of the community."\nJim Roach also pointed out in his presentation to the council that the Bloomington Hospital opposed the petition due to Bloomington Hospital already providing adequate healthcare. The speciality hospital may increase the burden of the Bloomington Hospital to provide indigent care, and it may also have a negative impact on their ability to maintain ambulance services.\nLocal attorney Mike Ellis said Bloomington Hospital lacks proof that the speciality hospital will be harmful.\n"We are proposing to offer patients and doctors healthcare choices that they currently don't have," Ellis said. "What has been missing from the hospital is evidence showing that revenue will be taken from the hospital or ambulance services will be gone."\nCity Council District V Representative David Sabbagh also felt concerns about the hospital should be taken with high regard.\n"I would be concerned about the speciality hospital and the effects of long-term care," Sabbagh said. "Medical care in Bloomington is the major issue, I think we need to look at the effects of Bloomington Hospital revenue, ambulance services and emergency room service as well."\nThe council will vote on the matter at its Feb. 25 or March 3 meeting.
(02/03/04 6:10am)
Indiana is in desperate need of change. That was the message republican candidate for governor Mitch Daniels brought to Monroe County Monday night when the Indiana Republican Party held its annual Lincoln Day Dinner.\nDaniels, the keynote speaker for the evening, gave his view on the current problems facing Indiana and offered a series of solutions that formed the theme of his campaign agenda. \nMany of Indiana's republican leaders and supporters were present to discuss Daniels' campaign and to share ideas about the state's financial problems.\nBloomington City Council District V Representative David Sabbagh expressed his happiness with Daniels and the need for change in the state.\n"Mitch is a very bright man. He's about innovative solutions to the state's problems," Sabbagh said. "For example, he is trying to bring investments into the state, like venture capital."\nDaniels has plenty of experience in working with leaders. He worked under both George W. Bush and President Ronald Reagan and as a member of senior management with Eli Lilly from 1990 to 2001.\nAs the keynote speaker of the evening, Daniels addressed the growing concerns of Indiana's current budget, job growth and the ever-present brain drain.\n"I think the Republican Party in Indiana has a duty to prepare a constructive and compelling case for change," Daniels said. "Given the loss of jobs and the the loss of bright people, we need a new direction."\nDaniels said Indiana is faced with the recognition of economic decline and government mismanagement. \n"We need to change for change's sake," Daniels said. "If there was a place in Indiana where jobs existed and people were satisfied and complacent, I would think I had found it by now."\nRepublican Eric Miller, another candidate for governor, also emphasized Indiana's need to control spending and increase jobs.\n"Over the last four years, spending has increased more than the state has room for," Miller said. "We need to make Indiana business-friendly and create more jobs to give to Indiana graduates. Businesses create jobs, not the government."\nConnie Nass, auditor of the state, said the state is desperate for new leadership and a new direction.\n"Indiana is a great place to live, but we're far behind, thanks to 16 years of leadership by the other guys."\nDaniels called for an end to the state's regional feuding.\n"It's important that we start to act like a uniform state. We are so divided right now, and every corner of the state that I've been to, someone tells me they feel like the forgotten part of the state. We don't have the luxury to pit ourselves against one another."\nDaniels said that although the state faces problems, Indiana residents are still succeeding.\n"For every story of hardship I hear about, I find five stories of people who are making it against the odds," Daniels said. "We've got what it takes, I don't doubt we can get Indiana back into the game."\nThe banquet had the largest crowd in its history with almost 260 republican supporters in attendance.\nJohn Shean, chairperson of the Monroe County Republican Party, helped run the evening's event and was very pleased with the outcome.\n"Traditionally, this is the annual gathering for republicans throughout Indiana," Shean said. "It's a way for all of us to get together and have a celebration of the party, and its our biggest event of the year, and this year was our biggest crowd ever."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(01/30/04 6:04am)
Mayor Mark Kruzan appointed Susan Clark as the new city interim controller Friday, Jan. 23, because the term of the previous controller has ended. \nAs the interm city controller, she will help with some of the most important jobs in the city, such as preparing the city's annual budget.\nClark has served as budget and research manager since 1999 and has been a part of many budget plannings since then.\n"The city controller is one of the most important jobs," Kruzan said. "It is literally the office of the control of finances in Bloomington, every financial transaction that occurs is controlled through that office."\nClark is officially the interim city controller, which means she is not yet permanently the city controller. \n"This is an interim position," Kruzan said. "There is not a set term for office for this position, it's on a trial-run period, and we'll see how it works out and how Susan enjoys the job."\nClark's duties as the budget and research manager made her a logical choice for city controller, Kruzan said.\nDuties included the main responsibility for arranging Bloomington's annual budget in addition to assessing and developing recommendations on an assortment of fiscal and management programs, requests and policies of the city.\nClark expressed her confidence with her new position.\n"I've been with the city for six years," Clark said, "I am confident that I will be able to fairly easily make the transition to controller, mainly in part because I so completely understand the duties to the 'n'th degree." \nSome of Clark's new duties will include preparing different financial documents and submitting to the appropriate officials and agencies -- including the city's annual budget, monthly and annual finance statements, cash flow balances and administering department budget upon approval.\nClark's experience with preparing Bloomington's budget over the years made her a strong applicant for the position.\n"Her budget and research background for the last five years made her the perfect person for the job." Kruzan said.\nClark also asserted her confidence about the job she has done with preparing the city's annual budget. \n"As the budget manager, I was involved from the start to finish of the budget process, which takes about nine months to organize." Clark said.\nPenni Sims, communications director for the mayor, said Clark's understanding of the position makes her the best person for the job.\n"Susan has been an integral part of the controller's office for some time now, she's had her hand in several different budget years," Sims said. "She's a logical choice for this transitional change."\nClark also said she is confident, mainly due to the staff surrounding her.\n"I think that the comfort level is high because the staff here at the controller's office is very competent and things here run very smoothly," she said.\nClark's position of budget and research manager will not be filled immediately, the mayor said. \n"I do not plan to fill that, in case she does not like the interim position, she can have that job back."\nThe mayor also said later in the year, there will be an evaluation of Clark and an assessment of her position. A date has not yet been set.\nOverall, Kruzan said he is pleased with the appointment. In a statement he said, "I'd like to thank Susan Clark for taking on the responsibility of serving in this interim position," Kruzan said. "She has the knowledge, skills and abilities required to assume this very important role for the city and the community."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(01/29/04 5:44am)
Pyrotechnics may no longer be seen by local residents in Bloomington's premier clubs because of new legislation that places rules and regulations on indoor pyrotechnic use throughout Indiana.\nState Sen. Vi Simpson D-Ellettsville introduced legislation that would establish rules to help ensure the safe use of indoor pyrotechnics and fireworks. Simpson said her legislation, Senate Bill 386, was prompted by a nightclub fire caused by a pyrotechnic show in Rhode Island in February 2003 that claimed the lives of nearly 100 people. \nSimpson said in a statement the legislation is needed because currently no rules exist.\n"This fire drew nationwide attention to the dangers of indoor pyrotechnics and the lack of regulation existing to prevent such tragedies," Simpson said. "As Indiana and many other states quickly discovered, there were no state provisions in law to regulate the use of indoor pyrotechnics."\nThe bill requires the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission to adopt rules and issue permits for supervised displays of fireworks and also. The bill requires at least $500,000 of personal injury and $500,000 of property damage insurance coverage for a supervised display of indoor pyrotechnics under certain circumstances. \nSimpson said in a statement if club owners do violate the legislation severe penalties will be given. If a venue commits a violation, it will result in a Class C infraction. If the violation results in injury, it will be a Class D infraction. A reckless violation of the rules resulting in death is a Class C felony.\nRandy Brown, general manager of the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, said the legislation will not really affect the Coliseum.\n"The new legislation will not make a big difference," Brown. "We require a liability insurance of $1 million dollars, whereas the legislation only needs $500,000."\nBrown said the pyrotechnics are used for sporting events and music venues, including the local football team.\n"Our indoor football team uses pyrotechnics, it's small and not as big as a KISS concert, but we do use flash pots."\nBrown said the legislation will help to regulate the smaller venues that use fireworks and set guidelines.\n"I think the legislation is more beneficial and gives value to a greater degree for safety purposes," Brown said. "This hopefully will stop amateurs from trying to shoot off firearms without experience and not endanger the lives of innocent people as well."\nState Sen. Thomas Wyss R-Fort Wayne, a co-author of the legislation, is very pleased to now have something in place in Indiana.\n"Presently, there is no regulation," Wyss said. "I am trying to ensure that what happened in Rhode Island does not happen here in Indiana.\n"We've been working all summer on this bill; Vi came to me and asked me to help her and other senators around the area," Wyss said.\n"I am thrilled to death about this bill, we can't guarantee that a situation like Rhode Island wouldn't happen here, but I am certain that this is a big step to making sure that this does not happen here," Wyss said. "I just applaud Vi Simpson's efforts. It seems that every time a major disaster occurs, unfortunately it spurs code changes and requirements that will help to ensure it never happens again"
(01/23/04 5:27am)
Nearly 35 students and members of the Bloomington community gathered at Dunn Meadow Thursday night to express their feelings of discontent with the 31st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that gave women the right to have an abortion. They stood in a large circle with their eyes closed and their heads bowed as a prayer was said.\n"We must work in the face of abortion so that lives may be saved," said Father Atkins of the St. Paul Catholic Center. \nThe Vigil for Life was hosted by members of the Grand Old Cause, a conservative activism group on campus. The group has been active for over a year. Chase Dowman, president of IU's chapter of the GOC, said he organized the event to give fellow conservatives the opportunity to come together and speak out against abortion. Dowman, a sophomore, said he has been anti-abortion for as long as he can remember.\n"I believe that life begins at conception," Dowman said. "There is still a potential life there. Whatever you call it, it is going to be a baby; it is going to be a mother or a father, and that is a life to me. If you look at it like that, how could you be for abortion?"\nDowman urged the group to contact their congressmen and get them to vote anti-abortion on the issues. He said a change must be made.\n"There have been 40 million lives lost to abortion," Dowman said. "We can not go another 30 years like that. We are better than that as a nation."\nBibiana Pipher, a resident of Bloomington, said she regretted not speaking out against the Roe v. Wade ruling when it occurred in 1973. \n"I felt very guilty that I was not more verbal in objecting to it," Pipher said. She said she has recently joined other Bloomington residents to protest outside of the local Planned Parenthood on Thursday mornings, when most abortions are scheduled. \nStudents involved with Campus for Choice, an abortion rights group at IU, have a different view. \n"I believe that the fact that the Roe v. Wade decision was made 31 years ago should be celebrated," said junior Lindsay Prater, vice president of the Campus for Choice group. "But it's also important to reflect on the difficulties and struggles faced by women before 1973 and to keep in mind that the right to freedom of choice can be taken away just as easily as it was given." \nPrater said the anniversary serves as a reminder of the time before the Supreme Court's decision when many desperate women resorted to dangerous methods, having to use coat hangers or by employing 'back alley abortionists' to terminate their pregnancies. Prater said while she does not agree with the opinions held by anti-abortionists, she respects and appreciates everyone's right to choose and voice their own opinions. \n"I know that both sides of the abortion issue can coexist peacefully," Prater said. "Or at least agree to disagree."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Lyon at lrlyon@indiana.edu.
(01/22/04 5:01am)
A new session of City Council began Wednesday night with two newly-elected members taking part in their first meeting.\nRepresentatives Chris Sturbaugm of District I and Steven Volan of District VI were both enthusiastic about their very first, regular city council meeting of the year.\n"I'm really pleased to be on the council," Sturbaum said. "Each issue looked at will be given my full attention."\nWith the elections, Democrats maintained their majority lead over the council, and controlled the top three seats within the council -- president, vice president and parliamentarian. The council met Jan. 5 and elected council members to these positions as well as chose their assigned seats for the remainder of the term.\n"It felt like the first day of school," Sturbaum joked. "We were making seating charts and picking our assigned seats."\nOther returning council members expressed their hopes about both the newer members and the new leadership of the council, newly-elected president Michael Diekhoff said.\nDistrict V Representative David Sabbagh said the new changes should make for an effective council in cooperation with the new mayor.\n"I think the relationship between the council and the mayor's office will be good, and I hope that it will continue throughout the four years," Sabbagh said.\nCouncil members also thought Diekhoff would help lead the council.\nNewly elected parliamentarian and Council-at-Large, Tim Mayer, said he is enthusiastic about this term.\n"I am happy with the results," Mayer said. "I think that president Diekhoff, vice president Ruff and myself will work well together."\nSabbagh is also looking forward to the council's new leadership.\n"I think Mike Diekhoff will be a good president and run efficient meetings," Sabbagh said.\nDistrict II Representative Jason Banach said he is confident about the new members of the Bloomington government.\n"We have a new administration, a new mayor, a new council president and two new council members," Banach said. "I do not foresee a lot of changes. I am confident that everyone will be cooperative."\nBanach also said Sturbaugm and Volan will bring new ideas to the group.\n"I think they'll bring out new perspectives to the council," Banach.\nMayer agreed new blood will bring new viewpoints.\n"I think this is a whole new council," Mayer said. "Two new people will bring a whole different dynamic to the group. The new faces will invigorate the council."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(01/22/04 5:00am)
The first regular city council meeting of the new term began and ended with a unanimous vote to keep the McDoel Gardens District a conservation district.\nThe McDoel Gardens District, located south of the Bloomington Hospital, was designated a conservation district in February 2001. The ordinance called for the Housing and Neighborhood Development department to survey owners of the property within the district regarding the future of the district after three years and report to the council.\nThe council voted to keep the district as a conservation district instead of elevating the status of the neighborhood to a historical district, which many current owners of the district and council members also oppose.\n"McDoel is a wonderful neighborhood," said District I Representative Chris Sturbaum. "It's a very successful place to live, and I think others will look to this neighborhood as a pattern for other neighborhoods in the future."\nThe residents and property owners of the neighborhood were given the opportunity to vote on whether or not to keep the district the way it currently is. Of the 265 ballots received, 105 residents voted to retain the conservation district and 121 voted to not elevate it to a historic district.\nMany council members were opposed to making the district a historical one.\n"If the council upgrades the district, it will place a much higher bar on the property," said Council-at-Large, Tim Mayer. "A historical district would take away affordability and make it harder for people -- especially younger people -- to buy homes here."\nThe district was established to provide protection from demolition and establish a border around homes to prevent further erosion of the neighborhood.\nDanielle Bachant-Bell, member of the executive committee for the McDoel Gardens neighborhood, said she is happy with the current status of the neighborhood.\n"I realize how safe it is to walk in this neighborhood. It is also a very diverse neighborhood. We have older couples, younger couples, veterans, teachers, with all kinds of background," Bachant-Bell said. "The neighborhood really gets along well, and it's a nice, small community that the conservation district has helped to establish as a great neighborhood."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(01/21/04 4:28am)
Members of the Bloomington community will gather this week in the Main Library to participate in the second-annual Fraternity vs. Sorority Blood Challenge. The event was organized by IU's Panhellenic Association and the American Red Cross in response to a critical need for blood in the River Valley Region.\nThe River Valley Blood Services Region supplies blood to 56 hospitals throughout Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. The RVR must collect 650 pints of blood each day in order to provide hospitals with sufficient amounts of blood for patients.\n"We don't have enough blood right now," said Michael Young, communications manager for the American Red Cross. "We have been operating at about a half day's supply of blood for the last ten days, and that is a critical level. We normally require a three day's supply to be considered safe."\nOn Jan. 12, the Red Cross issued a nationwide appeal for blood. Young said that a national appeal seriously impacts the RVR because when extra blood is needed in regional hospitals, there will be nowhere to import it from.\n"Hospitals are using more, and more blood, and we can't keep up with the demand," he said. "For us to keep up, we need to get donors faster than we could. We hope to get more donors than we had before."\nBloomington is one of the region's major metropolitan areas with a large student population to collect blood from. The blood challenge will continue through Thursday, beginning each day at 11 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. Those who helped organize the event said they hope to reach their goal of at least 375 donors, which would exceed last year's turn out. \n"We don't want to give off the impression that this is exclusively a Greek event," said Rebecca Neale, vice president of programming for the Panhellenic Association. "We are hoping that members of the non-Greek community will come out and help us with this important community cause." \nNeale said she hopes the blood drive is successful and that a competitive spin on the blood drive might increase community involvement.\nThe men's chapters won the challenge at last year's blood drive. Whichever chapter has the most member involvement this year will be recognized -- their names will be placed on a plaque that will hang near the student activities desk in the Indiana Memorial Union.\nJay Kinney, chairman of Philanthropy for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, said he anticipates many members of his house will participate in the event. There are at least 20 individuals planning to donate their blood and 10 to 15 others who are volunteering. \n"One of our brothers could need blood one day," Kinney said. "We decided, as a house, the event was important."\nDonors must be 17-years-old and weigh at least 110 pounds. They should also bring a valid I.D with them when they donate. Young said people who have the flu will not be able to give blood until they are in good health. He also said live operators will be answering the hotline (1-800-GIVE-LIFE) from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and will answer any questions people may have about where and how they can donate blood.\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Lyon at lrlyon@indiana.edu.
(01/21/04 3:59am)
The Indiana House Republicans are looking in a new direction this year. With the release of the 2004 legislative agenda and the State of the State address, Republicans of the Indiana House of Representatives will look to topics such as job creation, eliminating executive branch scandal, taxpayer protection and the state's budget problems.\nHouse Republican Leader Brian Bosma said the current economic situation in Indiana needs to be remedied.\n"The statistics are staggering," said Bosma. "We lag the nation in job growth and continue to lose our college graduates due to the absence of quality jobs ... this must change. Our economic growth plan will protect the recent achievements we have made and further the House Republican goal to create jobs."\nBosma attributes the dearth of jobs to the lack of business growth in recent years. Bosma also attributes the lack of economic growth to Indiana's infamous "brain drain."\n"When I grew up in Indiana, the state's number one exports were soy and corn," Bosma said. "Today the number one export is college graduates."\nIn a press release, House Republicans said they will propose a package of economic development proposals to stimulate job creation. Indiana has fallen from sixth in the nation in job creation in 1988, to 50th in 2000 and was ranked 50th in job growth in 2001.\nBosma said there is a need to attract employers and provide tax benefits to locate new businesses in Indiana. \n"We need to provide strong incentives for employers to locate in Indiana and expand their business. Only then will we have a strong environment that employees will want to work in," Bosma said.\nThe current budget also has House Republicans concerned. Bosma said the fiscal situation continues to worsen, and will take in $450 million less than projected for the current biennium, which will result in a $1 billion budget deficit. \n"The problem is a result of overspending with money we never had. We need to get back to basic balanced budget." Bosma said.\n"The administration's fiscal management is causing hardships for Hoosiers that must be ended," said Rep. Cindy Noe, R-Indianapolis. "Our economy will not grow when we are constantly struggling to stay afloat ... This legislation will force us to adhere to fiscal discipline."\nTo solve the problem, Republicans have proposed a 99 percent appropriation limit which will redistrict annual appropriations to 99 percent of projected revenue collections.\nTo address the ongoing scandals and mismanagement, Bosma will introduce a bill to establish a non-partisan Legislative Office of Accountability. The office will provide a system for immediate accountability and ongoing review of state agency performance. It will be directed by the Legislative Council, an already-established body that includes bipartisan representation from all four legislative bodies.\n"Actions speak much louder than words," Bosma said. "Commissions and study committees have their place, but in the numerous cases of our most vulnerable Hoosiers dying, suffering from neglect or facing undue hardships because of a broken system, we need to act immediately and make changes. The Legislative Office of Accountability will serve Hoosiers as an independent entity with a mission to seek out the causes to these dangerous situations and eliminate them."\nHouse Republicans are also proposing a plan to create Agricultural Enterprise Zones to increase demand for Indiana agricultural output by encouraging investments in agricultural processing operations. \nRep. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo said the plan will help to stimulate the agricultural growth in the state. \n"One of the greatest economic assets for Indiana is our agricultural community," Buck said in a press release. "This initiative expands the opportunity for the agricultural community to grow and prosper from new technology and processing locations in closer proximity."\nThe press release also stated House Republicans will also propose amendments to bring tax relief to Hoosier homeowners. The amendment will address shortcomings in various House Democrat bills regarding property tax reassessment.\nHouse Republican Fiscal Leader Jeff Espich said the proposed legislation will help to give tax relief to Hoosiers. \n"Our legislation will offer responsible and attainable relief to Hoosiers," said Espich.\nOverall, Bosma hopes the new agenda will help get the state back in the right direction.\n"It's time we lead Indiana in a new direction," said Bosma. "It's time we end the downward spiral we have been caught in for several years. The results are devastating and they are hurting Hoosiers. It's time for efficiency, integrity and honesty. It's time for a new direction"
(01/15/04 5:29am)
While some will use next Monday's day off for leisure, local volunteers in the Bloomington community will be donating their time for a good cause.\nThe city of Bloomington has been awarded a $7,500 grant distributed among 35 local organizations for the "A Day On! Not a Day Off!" volunteer services for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday Monday. \nThe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission received the grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service and dispersed the funds to groups in need of supplies and materials used by volunteers.\nCraig Brenner, special projects coordinator for the community and family resources department, said he is very pleased with the grant.\n"We're really grateful to receive these funds," Brenner said. "It's an important day to honor Dr. King and celebrate his life."\nAfter the commission awarded the grant, Brenner said the King Commission subcommittee was formed to review proposals and decide which local organizations would receive funds.\nDetermining the amount of funds awarded to each group proved to be a challenge.\nBeverly Calendar-Anderson, chairperson for the 2004 Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission for the City of Bloomington, also served on the subcommittee that chose which groups in the community received parts of the $7,500 for the project.\n"It was very hard to decide," Calender-Anderson said. "The subcommittee looked at every proposal and we just could not award the full amount requested by any group."\nThe amount of funds given was determined by what the groups would use the funds for and if local groups were planning to use the money just on MLK Day or over a period of time, said Brenner.\nCalendar-Anderson said she is happy with the amount of money given to the city.\n"I'm totally excited; we are the only community that applied for the Commission National Service that was funded for the full amount," she said. "I am very proud of what we do, this community is better and bigger when it comes to volunteering activities, and everyone really helps out. We're really keeping the spirit of the day to get out and about and volunteer."\nAnother local group that received funds was the IU Asian Culture Center, which received $50 and plans on holding a panel-led discussion Monday evening at the Union led by former IU students who were active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's.\nTheresa Chen, graduate assistant for the Asian Culture Center, said she hopes the panel discussion will be beneficial to those who attend.\n"I think it will be a very strong program," Chen said. "We wanted to celebrate MLK Day and bring a part of history back to life."\nThe Bloomington Opportunity House, in its sixth year of participating in the project, located at 907 W. 11th St., will have volunteers from the Circle K Club paint and refurbish two dressing rooms, two bathrooms and a cabinet.\nWilma Crewell, chairperson of the Board of the Directors for the Opportunity House, said she is happy to participate in the project.\n"I found out yesterday we received $90, and I am very pleased with that," Crewell said.\nThe Area 10 Nutrition Project received $400 that will help cover the delivery of shelf-stable meals for homebound seniors to parts of Bloomington and Monroe County. \nThe shelf-stable meals will be used during periods of inclement weather when meal delivery must be suspended.\nJewel Echelbarger, Executive Director of Area 10 Agency on Aging, said the money received by the Commission will be used to cover as many meals as possible.\n"I think that we welcome the cash and volunteers to help deliver meals," Echelbarger said. "We ask everyone to celebrate the spirit of MLK."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(12/15/03 5:18am)
United Way Community Services of Monroe County has elected an interim executive director for the organization, until a permanent person is found.\nRebecca Beckfield, who completed her graduate studies at IU, accepted the position last month. Board President-elect Ed Gross said he thought Beckfield was a good choice.\n"She is knowledgeable, resourceful and can pull together the committees very well," Gross said. "She knows intimately what each one of those committees are about because she was closely involved in them before."\nBeckfield has been involved with United Way operations since 2000 and first served as campaign director. Two years later, she worked as the community resources director. Her past experience with the organization has helped her with her new job. The main duty for an interim director is to aid the organization in its search for a permanent person to hold the position, Beckfield said. These searches can be time consuming.\n"It can take three to five months to find another director. It might be a national search where we get hundreds of resumes," said Patty Boone, communications director. "The interim is appointed to take over and do what the staff would do. The staff does not have time to do what the executive director does."\nOne of Beckfield's most important tasks is to oversee the overall operation of the United Way. She is responsible for detecting when any particular department needs help, so that all the different parts of the United Way can work together.\n"My job is to see the big picture in the organization ... to see what holes need to be plugged, and what issues need to be addressed," Beckfield said. \nBeckfield also said that one of the main duties of the United Way is to raise funds. One of her priorities, along with all the affiliates of the organization, is to finish up this year's fund-raising campaign.\nThe United Way Community Services organization allocates funds for 23 nonprofit organizations so these member agencies can provide social services for people who need help in the community. This year, the goal is to raise $1.6 million, Boone explained, and then to make sure this money benefits people who need it.\n"We are at about 62 percent of our goal," Boone said.\nLast year, the monetary goal was exceeded. It has been a tough economic year, Boone said; yet, both she and Beckfield are optimistic.\nBeckfield has been attracted to the social services field since she was a child. As a Girl Scout, her eyes were opened to the needs of people in the community. In college, she volunteered for an emergency crisis hotline. She completed her master's degree in public affairs through the SPEA program at IU and specialized in nonprofit management. Once a permanent executive director is found, Beckfield plans to stay true to her interests.\n"I will be looking for another job in the community in a nonprofit organization," Beckfield said. "I want to help people and get involved with a good organization that contributes something to the world, and there are so many different organizations in town that are good." \n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Lyon at lrlyon@indiana.edu
(12/12/03 6:05am)
After 20 years of business, the Martinsville Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana will close its doors Dec. 15.\nThe Martinsville clinic is one of three clinics scheduled to close this year, with others closing in Salem and New Castle.\nA statement released last month from Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana, said after a demographic evaluation, the clinic was said to be unnecessary.\n"It was a difficult decision," said Vice President of Medical Services, Cathy Hansell, of the decision to close this clinic."But we're examining all areas of the agency and streamlining everything we do."\nTheresa Browning, Director of Communications for Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana, said when looking at zip codes from which Planned Parenthood patients go, people were traveling elsewhere.\n"We found that Martinsville residents were driving to Bloomington and Indianapolis, for other services," Browning said. "Those that work in those cities also tend to seek services in these cities."\nBrowning also said confidentiality issues from living in a smaller community could also be another important factor in why people travel to other cities.\n"You want that sense of privacy," Browning said. "Running into your next door neighbor when you're at your local Planned Parenthood sometimes makes people uncomfortable."\nBecky Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana, said more time and resources dispersed in a smaller number of clinics can better provide for patients.\n"We are investing our resources differently to best serve our clients, and we will be upgrading and adding services at existing and new locations," Cockrum said. "We're freeing up resources to increase professional healthcare hours and services." \nAccording to a press release, the other Indiana clinics will be open longer hours and more days of the week to allow for more patients to schedule appointments and have walk-ins.\nThe Bloomington clinic is one of the largest clinics in the state. Indiana offers 35 clinics in the state, making it one of the biggest Planned Parenthood states in the nation.\n"These are tough economic times for all non-profits," Cockrum said. "Planned Parenthood depends on patient fees and donations to meet its expenses. There are nearby sites open more days that could better serve these clients. It's the responsible thing to do."\n--Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(12/11/03 6:09am)
The Bloomington Common Council unanimously voted to approve a lease with Mercury Development Group LLC Wednesday night at City Hall. The vote will enable the downtown Regester parking garages to open to the public.\nThe council also questioned, for the third meeting in a row, the lack of a hotel across from the parking garage on the corner of Ninth Street and College Avenue.\nConcerns were raised about Mercury Development, who contracted Holiday Inn, earlier this year, to build a hotel at the corner of Seventh and College Ave. Holiday Inn backed out of the deal and is now scheduled to build a hotel on Ind. 37. Because Mercury Development promised a hotel when the deal was signed, council members are questioning the company about the project's status.\nAt last week's city council meeting, District II Representative Jason Banach expressed his concerns on the issue. \n"When this whole thing started, the hotel deal was in place," Banach said. "Now it is under debate."\nAlong with the hotel, the Regester Parking garage and several apartments were also a part of the overall project. Until the council voted on the lease for a hotel, the garage cannot be used and a main priority of the council has been to have the garage open and ready for use for the holiday shopping season. \nCouncil members voted last week to postpone a vote on the lease to build a hotel until Wednesday night.\nIf the council members had approved the lease, Regester Garage would have opened last Monday.\nCity Controller Tom Guevara reassured council members that the hotel issue would be taken care of and things are underway. \n"I think it's a good starting point," Guevara said. "We're at a point right now where the garage is ready for use."\nThe council voted to postpone the vote on the hotel after concerns were raised by the public about the lack of information. Council members wanted questions answered by the owner of the Mercury Development Group, David Ferguson, who was not present at the meeting last week.\nCouncil members questioned the finality of the lease and asked if interpretation could occur if the legislation is passed.\n"We have a means of assessing to see if the project follows guidelines, but it does leave room for interpretation," Guevara said.\nDistrict I Representative Patricia Cole said the overall goal is to make a decision for the betterment of downtown Bloomingotn.\n"I think we need to feel for our comfort level. We ultimately want what's good for downtown Bloomington," Cole said. "I think a hotel is a great idea. I'm not against the deal, I am just concerned about certain issues."\nThe council decided to unanimously approve the lease to open the garage and still continue discussion on the hotel matter.\nDistrict III Representative Michael Diekhoff said many topics for discussion remain, but the garage needs to be opened.\n"I will approve the lease, and this matter is very important to the city," Diekhoff said. "I think there is an importance of opening the garage and if we approve the lease, we can still raise concerns."\nThe council also voted on other issues as well in the past two weeks that have affected other areas of the city. The council approved an ordinance to give $14,295 to new software to appeal parking tickets online. City Clerk Regina Moore, who processes the ticketing system currently, said the new software will help make things easier for her and the community. \n"The result of this system will be easier and more convenient access for our citizens, more efficiency by the city clerk's staff and fewer opportunities for errors on data entry," Moore said.\nAnother piece of legislation was unanimously denied until further brought up at a later date. An ordinance to rezone approximately 102 acres of land next to the Southern Indiana Medical Park Planned Unit Development and also plans for the development of medical, industrial and commercial use on about 64 of those acres. Due to some unresolved issues, District IV Representative Dave Rollo has spoken to a petitioner about the issue and requested the denial of the ordinance.\n"I urge my colleagues to vote for this tonight and I think that the overall plan is environmentally sound," he said.\nThe petitioner will try to file a modified version with the Plan Department later this month.\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(12/05/03 5:52am)
Doctors at the Krannert Institute of Cardiology in Indianapolis performed their first gene therapy treatment last week with hopes to use it as a new procedure to alleviate heart disease. \nGene therapy is a technique for correcting defective genes responsible for disease development. \nThe idea of gene therapy started in Europe about seven years ago. Doctors had been using it for back pain and other parts of the body, so they thought if they stimulated the spinal cord they could use it on patients with heart disease as well. \nDr. Douglas Zipes, who is the principal investigator of the national study and the director of cardiology at the IU Krannert Institute of Cardiology, said they first did an animal study in Indianapolis to investigate the details of the treatment.\nThe team at Krannert set up different studies at the various Krannert sites throughout Indianapolis.\nThe primary substance for the gene therapy treatment is the human protein, fibronectin.\nDavid Williams, another principal investigator and a member of the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research at the IU Medical Center, said the protein has adhesive characteristics, which help transfer genes into cells that are used in this procedure.\n"In essence, think of fibronectin as Velcro and retroviral particles and stem cells as balls. Envision that, like Velcro, the fibronectin allows attachment of the retroviral particles and stem cells, or balls, immediately adjacent to each other. This then permits genes to pass easily from the retroviral ball to the stem cell ball," Williams said in a statement.\nDr. Jeffrey Breall was the main force behind the surgery. \n"This is a gene product that stimulates the growth of blood vessels," Breall explained. "So, ultimately, preliminary studies have shown that people who do get this product feel better and are able to exercise longer."\nZipes said there are no serious side effects other than a small risk of infection or hemorrhage. "Patients should experience the results of the surgery almost immediately and they should only have to go through the treatment once," he said.\nThe first patient was John Schleicher, a 63-year-old resident of Indianapolis. Schleicher has dealt with heart disease and severe chest pains for years. A week after the surgery he felt no difference; however, the doctors who performed the surgery told him it may take up to four weeks to feel results. \n"The responses are pretty dramatic," Zipes said. "Once it is approved, I am confident that it will be a widely used procedure."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Kaplan at lkaplan@indiana.edu.
(11/21/03 5:11am)
The Bloomington City Council has approved a $200,000 proposal made by the city's Parking Enforcement Division for an automated parking enforcement system at the new Regester Parking Garage, located downtown at the corner of 7th St. and College Ave. \nThe Council passed the measure during its meeting Wednesday night. \nJack Davis, manager of the Parking Enforcement Division said there are a few reasons they decided on the automated system.\n"The number one reason for this system instead of other options is the convenience, and also it allows us to control the traffic," Davis said.\nDistrict V representative David Sabbagh commended the department for their work on the proposal.\n"The automated parking system is expensive, but I think in the long run it will pay off," Sabbagh said.\nThe system itself costs roughly $175,000 to $180,000, which doesn't include the cost to connect the system to City Hall, which is estimated at around $20,000.\nSusan Clark, Budget and Researcher Manager for the Controller's Office, said there are many benefits to the system, one of which is 24-hour accessibility without an attendant. Clark said the new parking enforcement will also be beneficial to Bloomington because it would allow the city to track usage over the day and also distribute traffic spaces. \n"The system would also allow for a versatile ticketing system that can accept various forms of payments and allow different access for different types of parkers, including visitors," Clark said.\nThe Council also approved a $17,000 allocation to the Bloomington Police Department to cover fuel costs for the remainder of the year.\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(11/13/03 5:32am)
Tiny voices echo through the halls as the elementary students file into their morning classrooms. They have sharpened their pencils and put their knapsacks away. Teachers instruct them to prepare for morning announcements, which are broadcast on a schoolwide television program.\nAt 9 a.m. a television set in the general office flicks on. Two students and assistant principal Jim Morrison appear on the screen and give a weather report for the day. An image of the American flag appears and is enlarged until all 50 stars and 13 stripes fill the screen. \n"Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance," says one of the students. \nThe 470 students at Highland Park Elementary School in Bloomington follow this routine each morning and recite the Pledge of Allegiance before classes commence. \nMorrison said among parents, there is blanket support for the pledge, but he emphasized that if parents or children had strong objections to it, the pledge can be optional.\nThe U.S. Supreme Court decided Oct. 14 it would rule on the constitutionality of requiring students to recite the pledge in public schools across the country. \nThis decision resulted after an atheist father, Michael Newdow, objected to his 5-year-old daughter having to listen to the pledge each morning at her public elementary school in southern California. Both Newdow and the Elk Grove Unified School District have appealed to the Supreme Court, but because his guardianship of the 5-year-old has been questioned, the court will only hear the school district's appeal. \nThere are many people like Newdow who view the phrase "one nation under God" as a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. At some elementary schools in Bloomington, the pledge is recited by students, while at others it is not.\nLaw professor Daniel O. Conkle, who specializes in First Amendment issues, said even if a student is not required to recite the pledge, there may be subtle pressure to participate, including peer pressure.\nThe Establishment Clause can be violated even without direct religious references being made in public schools. Conkle noted that the Supreme Court might decide the pledge is merely a statement of patriotism regardless of its reference to God.\nThe Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1942, and originally lacked the controversial phrase "one nation under God." It was inserted in 1954 by the U.S. Congress when the government decided it needed a way to distinguish the United States from communist and atheist countries. \nAt Arlington Heights Elementary School in Bloomington, there is no designated time for the pledge. Principal Linda Black said there are students who are Jehovah's Witnesses as well as atheists, whose families simply do not say the pledge. \n"At our school we respect the community at large," Black said. "We embrace lots of cultures and beliefs." \nShe also noted that not requiring classes to begin with the pledge each morning allows teachers more academic freedom.\nHeather Rhodes, a third grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary School, said she does not see the pledge as a religious oath. For Rhodes, it is important that her students recite the pledge out of respect for the soldiers fighting overseas, she said. \nLast year, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction in Indiana, ruled it is constitutional for students in public schools to be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge has been supported by a close neighbor to Indiana.\nIn a document addressed to the members of the Illinois Senate and 92nd General Assembly, Gov. George H. Ryan wrote that the pledge is important because it is a "voluntary act of patriotism" and reminds students what the United States was founded upon. Students who do not want to participate in reciting the pledge cannot be forced to against their will.\nSandy Ducey, a mother of two children who have both attended Bloomington schools, said she has mixed feelings on this issue. \nDucey said her daughter Meagan, a Girl Scout, used to have to say the pledge before each Brownie meeting. This made Ducey uncomfortable, especially with the reference to God.\nDucey also has a 9-year-old son, Nathan, who currently attends Childs Elementary School. She said she now has no objections to him reciting the pledge.\n"Now I have a different view," Ducey said. "I don't have a problem with the pledge. I don't think of God as the Judeo-Christian God, as a man in the sky with curly white hair. I define God as an energy and life force. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and when you think about that as God then the pledge is great."\nThe Supreme Court plans to make its ruling by the end of next year.\nAsst. Principal Morrison said, "Frankly, if it loses the two words 'under God' and goes back to the original pledge, it will still be the pledge."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Lyon at lrlyon@indiana.edu.
(11/11/03 5:44am)
Since IU boasts one of the highest ranked music schools in the country, it is no surprise that the creation of many local bands begins at IU. Sex Tiger and John Wilkes Booze represent two Bloomington-based bands aiming for entirely different goals. However, they both share the same overall objective of success.\nRuss Castillo, an IU telecommunications professor and the owner of Castle Creek Recording, Bloomington, sees many local bands struggling for a bigger name. \nCastillo said bands often have a minimal amount of revenue and are digging deep into their pockets when trying to produce a record. \n"If groups are as serious as I am, I am happy to work with them and take them down," he said. "Most students cannot afford to record and it is easier for me to produce because I have all the equipment." \nCastillo produced the 3 Minute Mile CD which gained a good amount of recognition, but he has also seen groups he's worked with fail. \n"Everyone is trying to make it one way or another and gain some kind of local or national recognition," he said. "Their hopes are high and if they really want it, they're going to succeed."\nEach band has its own definition of success. John Wilkes Booze is aiming for nationwide recognition and a tour-driven career path. \n"We were originally inspired by the punk, new wave scene that was prominent in Bloomington in the late 1970s," said Eric Weddle, who plays electronic saxophone and guitar for the band. "We come from the place where bands like The Gizmos, MX-80 Sound and the Dancing Cigarettes were born."\nSince its founding in 1999 the goal of "The Booze" has been to combine an interesting live show with a conceptual political show. The band originally played in local bars, where it still appears sporadically, but it did not take the group long to move to the larger music spectrum. \nJust over 2 years ago, Chris Barth and John Dawson, both members of Impossible Shapes, a mellow, psychedelic band also started in Bloomington, joined John Wilkes Booze. The two have managed to tour with both bands and work daytime jobs while they are in town.\n"It definitely gets hard touring with two bands," Barth said. "I'll be on the road with one band for a month and without a break I have to switch and be on tour again for another month." \nDuring the off times when he happens to be in Bloomington, Barth works part time delivering sandwiches on campus. \n"If they fired me when I got back, it wouldn't bother me. I have no aspirations to do anything but play music," Barth said. \nJohn Wilkes Booze is currently on a two-and-a-half week tour in New York City. The band members travel together with their equipment in a van they share with Impossible Shapes. This summer "The Booze" toured the entire western U.S. and plans on covering the East Coast this summer. \n"We have gotten a lot of national press (coverage) and support from our record label, so our name is already becoming more recognized throughout the nation," Wilkes said. \nSuch extensive touring has made the band members very conscientious of planning expenses for their tours. They book all of their own performances and make sure they have the money to travel before they commit to anything.\n"We all work day jobs so we have our own money individually and we use money that we make for gigs to pay for our gas and food when we are on the road," Wilkes said. \nAll the band members are IU graduates and said their attachment to Bloomington is still important to them. \n"Ultimately we are most interested in touring outside of Indiana, but we are still coming back to play for the time being," Barth said. \nSex Tiger's guitarist Kevin Clarke expresses quite different goals than those of John Wilkes Booze. \n"Our band is definitely more of a part-time activity right now," Clarke said. "We are really into writing songs and looking to improve ourselves, so we are not so much about money making thus far."\nThe band consists of five members, all from the original group, other than a bass player who quit last year. Their first performance was during the summer of 2001 in a house basement on 12th and Washington streets. They had virtually no start-up fees, because each member already owned their own equipment.\n"We usually play once or twice a month either at house parties or Bears Place," Clarke said. \nDuring the spring of 2002 Sex Tiger borrowed a van from a relative and toured for a week on the east coast. They played 5-6 shows scheduled through friends and bands that have come through Bloomington. \n"There is really a network of friends among bands, everyone tries to help each other out," he said.\nClarke is currently a full-time student at IU, and he makes his academic lifestyle his first priority. He hopes to continue touring and expanding the band after graduation and hopefully break through to a larger audience. The band has not yet signed with a record label, but it has recorded two demos.\nThere are many trials to starting a band and making it a success. Sex Tiger and John Wilkes Booze are a good representation of the varied size and success of Bloomington bands. Though it may be an economic drain, all bands are ultimately searching for success.\n-- Contact staff reporter Lindsey Kaplan at lkaplan@indiana.edu.
(11/05/03 6:08am)
Democrats will enjoy another four years as the majority party in Bloomington city government -- a position backed by 32 years of tradition. \nAfter a long day of waiting for results and several close district races, the 2003 city council election ended with Democrats winning seven of the nine seats on the city council.\n"I'm happy with the Democratic party and with the effort we all put forth," said Regina Moore, Vice Chairman of the Democratic party and current city clerk.\nSeven current council members who ran for re-election successfully won their respective districts and two newcomers, Democrats Chris Sturbaum and Steve Volan were also elected to the council.\nAfter election results were announced, candidates including mayor-elect Mark Kruzan, Fred Prall and Moore filtered into the Monroe County Public Library to speak and celebrate with other candidates and members of the Bloomington public.\nSeveral districts had close races. District VI recorded the closest race with newcomer Republican candidate Chris Smith in the lead early against opponent Democrat Steve Volan. The two were tied with 50 percent of the vote with 96 percent of precincts reporting. Minutes later, final results announced Democrat Steve Volan as the winner with 439 votes, a mere 29 votes ahead of Smith's 468. \nVolan expressed his relief once the announcement had been made.\n"It takes a lot of preparation and work to run for office," he said. "It also took a lot of pressure, not from the public, but from the people you know and work with who are depending on you. I am going to listen to the people and I care about the students and I have a lot to say."\nDistrict IV also proved a tough competition, with Democrat Dave Rollo in a close race with Republican candidate Rod Young through most of the evening. In final returns, incumbent Rollo took the election with 54 percent of the vote. Rollo, who was appointed by caucus in January of this year, said he felt good overall about the outcome of the election.\n"I think the issues that I talked about seemed to matter to the public," Rollo said. "I considered the campaign between myself and my opponent clean and Rod Young is a gentleman."\nSix percent of the vote in District IV went to Independent candidate Jim Sherman, who dropped out of the race after the deadline to remove his name from the ballot earlier this year.\nThe final tight finish was in District V. Returns showed republican incumbent David Sabbagh trailing democratic opponent Bill Hayden through most of the evening. Late-reporting precinct numbers gave Sabbagh a last-minute boost, putting him ahead in final returns with 53 percent of the vote.\nSabbagh said he was cleary pleased with the end results, but was discouraged by the lack of Republican wins for the evening.\n"I am relieved, and disappointed that the Republicans didn't do better," Sabbagh said. "I look forward to working with the new mayor Mark Kruzan and I hope to have regular meetings with him as well."\nThe remaining three districts recorded more clear cut finishes. District I Democrat Chris Sturbaum won with 63 percent of the vote over his opponent, Republican Dax Norton.\n"I was relieved when the results came in," Sturbaum said. "I think the public recognizes what the Democrats have done and we can do the best job serving the public."\nNorton was on hand to congratulate his opponent and wish him the best of luck.\nThe second Republican re-elected to the primarily Democratic council was District II's Jason Banach, who beat democrat Susan Sandberg with 54 percent of the vote.\n"I think this victory was bittersweet," Banach said. "Sandberg was my toughest opponent and I think that I ran a very positive campaign. I am very tired and I thank everyone who helped out today or participated."\nSandberg was also present at the Monroe County Library Tuesday evening with the other candidates and congratulated Banach on his victory.\nDemocrat Mike Diekhoff maintained a steady lead over Republican John Hurlow winning with 61 percent in District III. With the Democrats remaining in control, Diekhoff said the party maintained a positive image overall.\n"I think if you look at the party, we kept an open slate, we focused on the issues," Diekhoff said. "I had a plan, I followed it and I came out on top."\nThe final decision of the evening was made for the At-large seats, which were all taken by three Democrats and all current council members. Democrats Chris Gaal, Andy Ruff and Tim Mayer beat Republicans Doug Bruce, Mark Brostoff and Greg Dougherty.\nRuff said he was pleased with the Democrats clenching all three at-large spots. \n"The voters finally validated what (Democrats) have been doing and saying all along," Ruff said. "They validated what I've been doing and saying all along too."\nGaal commented on the overall campaign and the effectiveness of the Democratic party.\n"We ran a very strong, positive campaign," Gaal said. "Our issues were focused through the message we gave to the public."\n -- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu
(11/04/03 5:23am)
With package names like "Exam cram," "Get well, be swell," "Early bird special" and "Munchy madness," young entrepreneurs Scott Lesht and Michael Eizenga are finding quick success with their online care package business, www.sendmesnacks.com. \nThe entrepreneurial spirit of Lesht and Eizenga led them to an opportunity to improve upon and go mainstream with the care packages that many students receive from their parents.\n"The care packages we had received in the past never had the kind of casual snacks we liked," Eizenga said. "We wanted to incorporate more mainstream candy and snacks and make it easy for parents to go online and order the package without the hassle of picking out snacks and shipping it themselves."\nThe two IU juniors met last year after they were assigned to the same group for a business class presentation. \n"We did really well on our project and we decided to apply what we had learned to formulate our own company," Lesht said. \nThe new friends casually exchanged ideas throughout the year and began to take action on their plan this past summer in their respective suburban Chicago homes. They spent the summer of 2002 commuting from each other's homes, evaluating and planning how to get their business off the ground.\n"It took us about three months time to actually prepare the Web site for orders," Eizenga said. "We made sure to file a limited liability partnership with the state of Indiana."\nLesht and Eizenga began promoting their business through friends and family, e-mail and fliers. Since they had no means of income, they viewed these channels as the most effective and inexpensive ways to get their name recognized. \n"We wanted to make sure processes and systems were working before we marketed it to a large audience," Lesht said.\nTheir first month was much more successful than they expected; however, the business has since become somewhat inconsistent. \n"It seems to come in seasonal spurts," Eizenga said. "In September we had a lot of back to school orders. October was more Halloween-based."\nThe men's newest marketing project is to form partnerships and set up fund-raising with other organizations. They hope by reaching out to a larger audience, they can donate a percentage of their new profits to the organization with which they worked. \n"We are looking to propose our ideas to organizations in the business school and fraternities and sororities," Eizenga said.\nAlthough they are currently targeting the IU and Bloomington community, Eizenga and Lesht are by no means confining themselves to this limited audience. They ship their packages anywhere in the nation, and they hope to eventually expand to partnerships outside of Indiana. \nThe most popular packages are the "sweet tooth" care package and the "health nut" package. The average cost of each is $45; however, some packages are as low as $21.99. \n"Sendmesnacks.com is one of the easiest care package Web sites to use," said IU student Nicole Greenbaum. "They're very specific with exactly what comes in the package, and their prices are affordable, even for a college student."\nThe partners are enthusiastic about the future growth of www.sendmesnacks.com after they graduate from IU.\n"It's all about volume," Eizenga said. "You have to sell a lot to make a lot, so we need to make bigger contact with bigger organizations." \nLesht agreed that he would definitely want to continue with the business if they expanded. \n"We are still a new company, but if we broaden our marketing base, I think we are on the right track."\nFor questions about sendmesnacks.com, contact Scott Lesht or Michael Eizenga at: scottlesht@sendmesnacks.com or michaeleizenga@sendmesnacks.com, or visit their home page at www.sendmesnacks.com. . \n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Kaplan at lkaplan@indiana.edu.
(11/04/03 5:12am)
Months of hard campaign work have come down to today's election, when roles reverse and Bloomington's city council candidates finally find out where the voters stand on the issues. \nGoing into the election, Democrats hold seven of the nine city council seats and have had control of the council for the last 32 years. \nRepublican candidate for District V David Sabbagh said Republicans have been working hard for a shot at taking over a majority .\n"Certainly, we are very interested in capturing control of the council," Sabbagh said. "We tried to change our agenda this year and work for what we campaigned for."\nWith one seat for each district and three at-large seats up for grabs, a total of 18 candidates are vying for nine seats. District I representative Patricia Cole and at-large councilman Anthony Pizzo are not seeking re-election. \nTonight, officials with both respective parties said candidates will be gathering at their designated headquarters to wait for the results to come in.\nBloomington Democratic Party Vice Chairman Regina Moore expressed her happiness with the Democratic campaign.\n"I feel so good about what our candidates have done," she said. "I think we've all stayed positive to put out our issues and visions in a clear cut way."\nMoore, who is also running for re-election as city clerk, said volunteers brought a lot of energy to the party and everyone worked very hard together.\n"There were so many people in headquarters, there was a very good feeling," Moore said. "Everyone hung together really well."\nRepublican Party consultant Suzanne Long said she's satisfied with the effort put forth by the local GOP. \n"We've been out knocking on doors and trying to talk to as many people as possible," Long said. "I am happy with the way things went throughout the campaigns." \nIn District I, Democratic candidate Chris Sturbaum has been focusing his campaign on expanding programs around the city and addressing sidewalk and traffic issues for safer neighborhoods. \nSturbaum said at times the campaigning has been discouraging, but it's now time for voters to make their choice.\n"I'm really satisfied with my campaign," Sturbaum said. "I just wish there had been more public forums, but I'm pleased with the way I ran my campaign."\nDistrict IV Republican Rod Young said he's also happy with his campaign, but now it's out of his hands. \n"You go out and hope things go well," Young said. "I spent yesterday talking with family and tonight I will be at headquarters to hear the results."\nSabbagh said he spent last night talking with council candidates to discuss today's agenda and visiting polling places.\n"I always think back and feel that I could have done more things," Sabbagh said. "For the most part, I am content and I hope that voters turn out."\nSturbaum said that last minute campaign moves were not as necessary closer to election time.\n"Right now, the work is done," Sturbaum said. "You can't do much more the night before elections, you either have done or you haven't."\nMoore also stated all candidates will meet tonight at the Monroe County Public Library at 7 p.m. for a statement concerning the elections and to receive election returns.\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
