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(12/08/04 6:14am)
After leading the IU football team to the University's first-ever bowl appearance in the 1968 Rose Bowl, IU alumnus Harry Gonso will be tackling a different kind of position. Gonso has been appointed by Governor-elect Mitch Daniels to head his transition team as chief of staff.\nGonso met Daniels when asking the newly elected governor to work at the law firm Ice Miller. Daniels turned the firm down and eventually took an attorney position at another firm.\n"We've remained close, and I'm a true admirer and have been working intensely with him the last month," Gonso said. "I've only become more (of) a believer in his absolute ability in shaping the state for betterment."\nGonso graduated from IU-Bloomington in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and graduated from the IU School of Law in 1973 with honors. While attending IU, Gonso was an All-American football player on the 1968 football team, known as the "Cardiac Kids," and played in the Rose Bowl game against the University of Southern California and running back O.J. Simpson. \nGonso said the team's nickname reflected an enthusiasm that the players and coaches shared in last-minute wins throughout the Cinderella season. \n"It was one continuous exciting moment after another, that reference, the 'Cardiac' team, is about how we won games in the last minutes, which made it exciting, but we were truly an outstanding team," Gonso said. "No one expected we would be good. As each game rolled on, we continued to win and were almost unbeatable. It was a fairy tale story."\nGonso kept close ties with IU after graduation and served on the board of trustees for 18 years, for which he was vice president from 1988 to 1994. Former Trustee Ray Richardson served on the board with Gonso for two years.\n"Undoubtedly, Gonso was first elected to the board because of his football background," Richardson said. "But his contribution over 18 years offered as much as I've ever known. He was easy to get along with, smart and knowledgeable. It takes quite a while to get to know the workings of a university, but being on a board for 18 years will give you that knowledge."\nGonso has been practicing law since 1973 and took a position with Ice Miller in 1980. Currently Gonso is a partner at Ice Miller, where he specializes in general corporate and transaction law. Fellow colleague and attorney Richard Thrapp, who also graduated from IU School of Law, was recruited by Gonso and praised his leadership skills. \n"He was the hiring partner at the time and helped recruit me to Ice Miller," Thrapp said. "He's the kind of guy who really gets to know you. I could tell he wasn't going through a performance; he was charismatic."\nThrapp also said Gonso's experience as a quarterback helped him excel both as a leader and work as a team member.\n"He was quarterback of a team, and no one person can accomplish the objectives of an administration," Thrapp said. "Everyone has a role, and a quarterback's role is to make sure that, in any given play, everyone is doing what they need to do. His job is to make sure everyone does their job and follows the governor's lead."\nThrapp also said another qualification Gonso exudes is his talent of team-building, an idea Ice Miller stands behind.\n"One aspect the firm has is teamwork," Thrapp said. "It kind of flows from ability to understand what the other side of a particular situation wants. Harry's approach has been to find out what everyone is seeking in negotiations and for each party to reach an agreement. His whole goal is to assist clients into achieving objectives. That's why he's effective, and I think those skills will serve the governor well."\nFormer IU Interim President Gerald Bepko praised Gonso for his accomplishments at IU and said his talents will make him an excellent chief of staff. \n"Harry Gonso has been a great leader in so many different fields of interest at Indiana University," Bepko said. "Harry is very intelligent and has excellent values and works well with people, and they look up to him," Bepko said. "People who are students today or future or alums should look at Harry as a model. Harry is very genuine, honorable and an honest man. Very often, nice guys finish first."\nGonso said he valued his seven "tremendous" years at IU and has a deep devotion to the school. \n"I went to IU as a football athlete and went to IU School of Law, and I fell in love with the institution and grew to feel indebtedness and (loyalty) to Indiana University," he said.\nGonso's life thus far has encompassed many things. He said he will not forget his time at IU and is grateful for the opportunities he has had.\n"This is a new chapter of my life. Mitch needed someone he trusted to provide leadership, and I want to help higher quality people and help communicate (Daniels') message. And then who knows what I'll do after that? Obviously I miss IU."\nGonso said although he's done much in his life, some things still remain the same.\n"I'm essentially the same guy. I've developed better balance, tolerance and more diversity," Gonso said. "I tell my kids usually you've got to look for someone to be successful who has fire in their belly."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(11/11/04 5:00am)
Bloomington nightlife wouldn't be the same without the bars, and the bars wouldn't be same if Nick's English Hut didn't exist. \nLocated on Kirkwood Avenue just off the Sample Gates, Nick's has been around for 76 years, has four bars and offers food including burgers, pizza, Stromboli and jambalaya. \nNick's once again has been voted Best Bar in Bloomington, and general manager Gregg "Rags" Rago couldn't be happier.\n"We're always excited with things that have to do with being called number one bar; that makes us ecstatic," Rago said. \nRago has been a part of Nick's since 1978; he started out working in the kitchen while attending IU.\n"I stopped going to school to work in the kitchen," he said.\nRago worked his way up to his current general manager position and works days, spending most of his time with his number one love, food.\n"Food is my main focus," Rago said. "During the day our loyal customers come here to eat."\nRago also said the reason Nick's is different from other bars is that all types of people come to Nick's to eat and just enjoy the unique atmosphere.\n"We get a chance to cater to different people, from the guy who plays guitar on the street to the president of the University," he said. "I love to travel, but there is nowhere like this place in the world. There are a lot of good restaurants in the world, but we've found our own little niche right here in Bloomington."\nRago also said while many people come during the day for the food, nightlife at Nick's is unlike any other bar.\n"At night, it's more of a party scene; it's a no-holds-barred type of place," Rago said. "It does get to be like New Year's Eve every night, and people have fun in a controlled environment. It's a large bar with a lot of nooks, so you can have your own little space, rather than a huge warehouse. That's what makes us unique."\nRago also noted other aspects that make Nick's stand out at a great place to come back to again and again.\n"Our décor is cool. We've got old wood, not plastic. We've got old pictures, some from the 1920s and some directly related to IU," he said. "But people identify with IU. People who came to IU years ago see the stuff in the bar, and they feel like they're young again. There's a sense of constant youth, and the youth motivates people. We have a product, and IU is a part of that product and we are a part of IU."\nRago said visitors to Bloomington can enjoy a one-of-a-kind-experience when they come to Nick's and Bloomington.\n"Some people have heard of Nick's and want to check it out, and Bloomington is an oasis like no other place," he said. "There is no place like this in the state or this region. Bloomington is a vibrant place; it's a stop in the corner of Indiana."\nAnother reason Rago thinks Nick's stands out is the relationships that exist between the customers and the employees.\n"You have to be a good employee. If I see the same guy in here three or four times a week eating lunch, and I don't go and talk to him, and then something is wrong with me," Rago said. "I like to talk to customers; I want to do whatever I can to make a customer feel comfortable."\nRago also said no matter when you visit Nick's there's always something going on.\n"There's a saying around here that is nothing is going on anywhere else, we're the busiest," he said. "People have nothing else to do so they come here and it ends up getting pretty packed."\nSenior Amanda Hardesty said she enjoys going to Nick's on nights that are less crowded.\n"I really like the atmosphere; it's very laid back and relaxed, and it's a place you can go to and not have to get all dressed up for," Hardesty said. "It's what we go there for, and the food is really good too."\nOther students come from other universities to play Nick's favorite game, "Sink the Bismarck." \n"My friends took me there to play Sink the Biz, so I wanted to come down and check it out and see what it was all about," said University of Indianapolis senior Greg Mundt, who heard about Nick's through friends that attend IU.\nThough Nick's was voted best bar, it's definitely not the only bar. Coming in second and third were Bluebird Nightclub and Kilroy's Sports Bar, respectively, both on North Walnut Street. \nMany IU students make going to Bluebird Wednesday nights a priority, mainly for 15 cent drafts and to hear good music from bands like Dave and Rae.\nSenior Liz Sander likes the Wednesday night crowd and the inexpensive drinks.\n"You can't beat beers for 15 cents, and plus you get to hear Pfreak Show, Catfight and Dave and Rae, and the crowd is ridiculous," Sander said.\nKilroy's Sports Bar, located on Walnut, offers many specials throughout the week and provides lots of entertainment on weekends.\nSenior Vicki Hunziker likes to go to Sports Thursdays and also likes the crowd that goes there. \n"I really like the fact that when my roommates and I go there, we always run into people that we know, then we end up hanging out with a group of people," Hunziker said. "I also like that downstairs has the DJ type of music and upstairs is usually a band, so you can pick what atmosphere you want to be in."\nWhether you crave bands, drink specials or discreet places to hang with friends and play a game of Sink the Biz, the Bloomington bar scene has something for everyone.
(11/11/04 2:55am)
Bloomington nightlife wouldn't be the same without the bars, and the bars wouldn't be same if Nick's English Hut didn't exist. \nLocated on Kirkwood Avenue just off the Sample Gates, Nick's has been around for 76 years, has four bars and offers food including burgers, pizza, Stromboli and jambalaya. \nNick's once again has been voted Best Bar in Bloomington, and general manager Gregg "Rags" Rago couldn't be happier.\n"We're always excited with things that have to do with being called number one bar; that makes us ecstatic," Rago said. \nRago has been a part of Nick's since 1978; he started out working in the kitchen while attending IU.\n"I stopped going to school to work in the kitchen," he said.\nRago worked his way up to his current general manager position and works days, spending most of his time with his number one love, food.\n"Food is my main focus," Rago said. "During the day our loyal customers come here to eat."\nRago also said the reason Nick's is different from other bars is that all types of people come to Nick's to eat and just enjoy the unique atmosphere.\n"We get a chance to cater to different people, from the guy who plays guitar on the street to the president of the University," he said. "I love to travel, but there is nowhere like this place in the world. There are a lot of good restaurants in the world, but we've found our own little niche right here in Bloomington."\nRago also said while many people come during the day for the food, nightlife at Nick's is unlike any other bar.\n"At night, it's more of a party scene; it's a no-holds-barred type of place," Rago said. "It does get to be like New Year's Eve every night, and people have fun in a controlled environment. It's a large bar with a lot of nooks, so you can have your own little space, rather than a huge warehouse. That's what makes us unique."\nRago also noted other aspects that make Nick's stand out at a great place to come back to again and again.\n"Our décor is cool. We've got old wood, not plastic. We've got old pictures, some from the 1920s and some directly related to IU," he said. "But people identify with IU. People who came to IU years ago see the stuff in the bar, and they feel like they're young again. There's a sense of constant youth, and the youth motivates people. We have a product, and IU is a part of that product and we are a part of IU."\nRago said visitors to Bloomington can enjoy a one-of-a-kind-experience when they come to Nick's and Bloomington.\n"Some people have heard of Nick's and want to check it out, and Bloomington is an oasis like no other place," he said. "There is no place like this in the state or this region. Bloomington is a vibrant place; it's a stop in the corner of Indiana."\nAnother reason Rago thinks Nick's stands out is the relationships that exist between the customers and the employees.\n"You have to be a good employee. If I see the same guy in here three or four times a week eating lunch, and I don't go and talk to him, and then something is wrong with me," Rago said. "I like to talk to customers; I want to do whatever I can to make a customer feel comfortable."\nRago also said no matter when you visit Nick's there's always something going on.\n"There's a saying around here that is nothing is going on anywhere else, we're the busiest," he said. "People have nothing else to do so they come here and it ends up getting pretty packed."\nSenior Amanda Hardesty said she enjoys going to Nick's on nights that are less crowded.\n"I really like the atmosphere; it's very laid back and relaxed, and it's a place you can go to and not have to get all dressed up for," Hardesty said. "It's what we go there for, and the food is really good too."\nOther students come from other universities to play Nick's favorite game, "Sink the Bismarck." \n"My friends took me there to play Sink the Biz, so I wanted to come down and check it out and see what it was all about," said University of Indianapolis senior Greg Mundt, who heard about Nick's through friends that attend IU.\nThough Nick's was voted best bar, it's definitely not the only bar. Coming in second and third were Bluebird Nightclub and Kilroy's Sports Bar, respectively, both on North Walnut Street. \nMany IU students make going to Bluebird Wednesday nights a priority, mainly for 15 cent drafts and to hear good music from bands like Dave and Rae.\nSenior Liz Sander likes the Wednesday night crowd and the inexpensive drinks.\n"You can't beat beers for 15 cents, and plus you get to hear Pfreak Show, Catfight and Dave and Rae, and the crowd is ridiculous," Sander said.\nKilroy's Sports Bar, located on Walnut, offers many specials throughout the week and provides lots of entertainment on weekends.\nSenior Vicki Hunziker likes to go to Sports Thursdays and also likes the crowd that goes there. \n"I really like the fact that when my roommates and I go there, we always run into people that we know, then we end up hanging out with a group of people," Hunziker said. "I also like that downstairs has the DJ type of music and upstairs is usually a band, so you can pick what atmosphere you want to be in."\nWhether you crave bands, drink specials or discreet places to hang with friends and play a game of Sink the Biz, the Bloomington bar scene has something for everyone.
(11/09/04 6:11am)
More than 3,000 people packed the IU Auditorium Sunday night to hear the alternative rock band Incubus play live songs from both its newest album and older albums. The IU Auditorium was filled with students wanting to hear their favorite songs, and with surprise covers of R. Kelly and Prince by lead singer Brandon Boyd. Students came from as far as Ball State and Purdue universities to hear the popular band.\nBall State sophomore Matt Grey said he was really happy with the performances by the opening act, The Music, and Incubus. \n"Incubus put on an amazing performance. I enjoyed the opening band as well, they did awesome opening for such a highly respected band," Grey said. Grey also said he liked Boyd's version of Prince's song "When Doves Cry" and said he was not expecting the unusual covers.\nPurdue senior Tom Sak said he was overly impressed with the show and liked the atmosphere of the crowd.\n"They played a lot of stuff that everyone knew," Sak said. "My favorite song is 'Drive' and when they started everyone screamed and yelled, it was pretty cool. I thought they did a great job and now I want to see them again."\nIncubus covered its bases by playing songs from its latest album "Megalomaniac," as well as older songs that were familiar to the crowd. The band's first set included four of its most popular songs: "Drive," "Wish You Were Here," "Stellar" and "Nice to Know You" while the crowd sang along with the music. Sophomore Ann Boester said she liked the older songs Incubus played and was glad the band didn't just play songs from its newest album.\n"Actually I liked the older stuff better, I really like 'Make yourself' and 'Focus' and 'Stellar,' all songs they played," Boester said. "A lot of people that go to Incubus concerts know the older songs and that's what they want to hear. Overall, I liked it a lot, I thought (Boyd) mixed it up with old and new and I think it was a good show."\nBoester also said although she liked the concert, she was disappointed with the restriction of not being able to move around her seat.\n"It sucked in the Auditorium because you couldn't move around and were kept in front of your seat. I didn't like that," she said. "That is something that definitely has an effect if fans are going to go, especially when people want to be close to the stage and whether or not you have freedom to move around or stay in your seat."\nJunior Brian Kelley liked the set list and said he thought it was one of the best Incubus shows he's been to.\n"The set list was definitely one of their top shows I've seen and I've been to quite a few," Kelley said. "The drum solos, 'Stellar's' freestyle verse in the middle, and 'Pantomime' were highlights."\nCommittee Chairman for the Union Board Jeffrey Hasson said he was very pleased with the concert and that all of the hard work paid off.\n"It was phenomenal, I couldn't have asked for better show," Hasson said. "The lighting was great, and Incubus played for the longest time; The sound was good and the music was excellent. I can't explain how happy I feel right now on my committee. The entire Union Board and the committees feel so great to give something to the student body like this concert. All the time and effort we put in was great and worth it."\nIU Auditorium Director Doug Booher said he thought Incubus was happy to be in Bloomington.\n"We thought it was great show, both the opening act and Incubus. It was a really inspiring performance and Incubus was excited to be at IU," Booher said. "They had asked to come here and I think Union Board did a good job of making it work out."\nBooher said student support in the concert will help the Auditorium and other groups book bands of Incubus' caliber.\n"(The support for Incubus) makes booking shows for rock and popular music an easier job when students get behind a show and bring friends," Booher said. "The better track record we have, it's easier to book big name bands. ... To me, this semester is a turning point. We've had Nickel Creek, Howie Day and now Incubus. This helps us to continue to build history with the industry and helps us to get other shows lined up."\nBooher said the Incubus crew gave compliments to the Union Board for all of its hard work.\n"One of the greatest accomplishments IU was paid was by Incubus's tour manager who said this was the best group of students they had worked with," Booher said. "...They were also impressed with professionalism that Union Board had to make sure it was a smooth show with no problems. That was a very nice compliment."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(11/03/04 8:14am)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Hundreds of supporters chanted 'Our Man Mitch' inside a packed Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University as they welcomed their new governor, Mitch Daniels.\nTaking the podium Tuesday night, the newly elected Governor accepted his position at the same spot where he started his campaign 16 months ago.\n"I started my campaign in the parking lot here at Hinkle Fieldhouse," Daniels said, "and there is no better place to finish it tonight." \nHundreds of volunteers, supporters and staff were on hand to cheer on their candidate and celebrate.\nNewly elected Lt. Governor Becky Skillman was also in attendance and thanked fellow Hoosier and her man Mitch.\n"I thank all volunteers. Without your support, we couldn't have done this, and my heartiest thank you to Mitch Daniels," Skillman said. "I will forever be grateful to get the opportunity to help fellow Hoosiers."\nAs soon as Daniels' victory was announced, supporters distributed hundreds of buttons with the slogan "Our Gov. Mitch."\nLisa Naville, a Daniels volunteer, jumped up and down as the crowd cheered for Daniels.\n"We're so excited he's won," Naville said. "I've been a volunteer for three months, and I worked the phone booth this weekend in Hamilton County. I think Indiana can expect incredible changes to come."\nDaniels let Hoosiers know what the next four years would be like, but also reminded people about what his campaign focused on: aiming higher.\n"To the members of the next Indiana General Assembly, congratulations on your election. Buckle up," Daniels said. "We have important work to do, big changes to bring, courageous decisions to take, working together, across all boundaries of parties and geography and philosophy. We must tackle Indiana's problems and achieve Indiana's potential in a way that brings honor to our state and progress to all 6.1 million of our fellow citizens."\nPress Secretary for the Daniels campaign Marc Lotter also said the level of support for Daniels had been building throughout the week.\n"I think Mitch was encouraged, and he felt good all day, the overall show of support was vast and was followed by a week of support," Lotter said. "I think the high amount of enthusiasm showed the grass roots support for Mitch. Volunteers were overwhelming in the amount of work, and we couldn't have gotten this far without them."\nDaniels' victory ends a 16-year Democratic rule over the governor position. Daniels said although Tuesday night was about celebration, Wednesday morning would be "time to get back to work."\n"To my fellow friends in the Indiana Republican Party, welcome back from wilderness," he said. "After 16 years, I think we're entitled to a party ... tonight, get a good rest and be ready to work starting tomorrow."\nVolunteer Lane Ralph has known Governor-Elect Daniels since 1973 and thinks he will do the best job to get Indiana back on track.\n"I think he'll be a tremendous governor to the state," Ralph said. "Bottom line: This campaign brought people from all over, especially younger voters.\nDaniels also reminded supporters his campaign wasn't only about winning but making a change for the better. \n"I want to tell you one more time what I have told you over and over for 16 months now: All that we have done, all the miles we have traveled, all the people we have visited, all the doors we have knocked on and phone calls we have made were not about something so relatively minor as winning an election," he said. \n"They were about the chance to lead a comeback for 6.1 million Hoosiers who deserve better. They were about our dreams of bringing this state, this large and diverse and too often fractured state that I have traveled and traveled, together in a way it ought to be, together in a way we'll need to be if we are going to make all of our dreams real."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(10/29/04 5:49am)
Sixteen months of visiting Hoosiers around the state ended Monday for Republican gubernatorial candidate Mitch Daniels. The journey began July 7, 2003, in the parking lot of Butler University's Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis with a promise by Daniels to visit all 92 counties in the state in 100 days. He did it in the first 91 days. \nDaniels traveled the state in an RV, nicknamed RV1, that was lent to him by a family friend. He journeyed non-stop for almost two years, visiting almost every county in Indiana four times. Now, RV1 can be seen with thousands upon thousands of signatures scrawled on every facet of the vehicle.\nWith over 75,000 miles on the odometer, the RV campaign for governor ended in West Baden, Ind., on the last trip in his home away from home.\nDaniels said in a statement that he enjoyed his journey through Indiana and all the people he met along the way. He added that it's going to be hard to stop saying he will be back to check up on everyone.\n"I think it hit me somewhere between Salem and West Baden on (Oct. 18): I have to stop saying, 'I'll be back.' Daniels said. "Those have been my parting words everywhere for 16 months with total confidence that in fact we would be back, but suddenly I realize that, with the days dwindling, in most places, we're visiting for the last time. Or, I should say, 'for the last time as a candidate."\nRV1 has had a busy 16 months. It has visited all 92 counties in Indiana at least three times and has visited Lake, St. Joseph and Vanderburgh Counties more than 15 times. \nEllen Whitt, deputy campaign manager for the Daniels campaign, worked on the first lap of the Daniels' tour and said working on the campaign at that early stage was a learning experience. \n"I think we learned a lot in those first days," Whitt said. "Essentially Mitch wanted to be on the road five to six days a week, and he wanted (to) stay overnight several days a week and not stay in a hotel (but) stay in family homes. (He) also said he was going to hit 92 in 100 days, and actually he did it in 91 days and exceeded his goal."\nWhitt also said the first place Daniels wanted to go was Scottsburg.\n"Initially there were just a few people on staff headed to Scottsburg because Mitch heard from someone that no candidate ever came there, and he wanted to make sure that was the first place he visited," Whitt said. \nWhitt said if Daniels wins the election, he still plans to travel throughout Indiana and talk to Hoosiers, but RV1 probably won't be his mode of transportation.\nWhitt said many people are asking about post-election plans for RV1. She said there have been many ideas thrown out about what to do, but right now, no definite plans have been made. \n"I don't know yet. People have talked about all kinds of things," Whitt said. "There's a possibility of donating it to an RV museum if Mitch wins or the possibility of putting it into a state museum. I don't know. I think the guy who loaned it to us probably won't want it back since it's pretty beat up."\nIU freshman Maggie Daniels, Mitch Daniels' daughter, said RV1 has been her dad's second home for the last 16 months.\n"The RV has turned into my dad's home away from home, and in a way, the whole family's," Maggie Daniels said. "I personally thoroughly enjoy it. It's so interesting meeting all the Hoosiers around the state and learning about their lifestyles."\nMaggie Daniels said she isn't sure what is in store for RV1 after the election but could see her family keeping it or giving it to a museum.\n"After the election, if we win, some museums might want it, but I could see us hanging onto it. After the election, if we win, that does not mean (by any means) that the traveling stops there," Maggie Daniels said. "If we won on Nov. 2, that would just be the beginning of our journey. The thing is ... if we won, we would not only be responsible for the people who voted for us, but for every single Hoosier." \nRV1 has symbolized Daniels' commitment to visiting not only every county in the state, but trying to meet as many Hoosiers as possible. In a statement on the first anniversary of RV1 traveling through Indiana, Mitch Daniels emphasized the importance of touring the state.\n"The main purpose of our travel is to prepare myself to be the best governor I can be to six million Hoosiers," Daniels said. "My travels have taken me to places no candidate for governor has visited in many years. But wherever we go, people of every background share our conviction that, with a fresh start and a new direction, Indiana can come back strong."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(10/13/04 6:02am)
Surrounded by IU College Republicans, Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita spoke Tuesday night about how he became the youngest person to hold the office, at the age of 32, and how he followed the road less traveled.\nRokita, a graduate of the IU School of Law, came to IU to speak about young voters and his experience in politics.\nHe also discussed how being the youngest secretary of state made him realize the importance of younger representation in the political realm. Rokita was introduced by freshman Maggie Daniels, daughter of gubernatorial candidate Mitch Daniels. Rokita chuckled when she mentioned his age.\n"I feel kind of ancient. When I was in college, to me, 34 seemed old," he said. "I was 32 when I was elected to secretary of state in 2002, and there has been a fascination with my age. My political advisors told me to not include the fact that I was so young in my Web site profile. But if you look on my Web site, I didn't take their advice. It's important to share my story of how I got here."\nRokita graduated from the IU law school and immediately went on to work for several unsuccessful campaigns. During that experience, he learned a lot about what it takes to run for office, he said.\n"I saw what works and what doesn't," Rokita said. "It was an amazing experience, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."\nOther members of the IUCRs were in attendance to hear about the job of the secretary of state and to find out more about Todd Rokita.\nAfter campaigning, Rokita began working for a private law practice until 1997, when he became deputy secretary of state.\nAs the deputy secretary of state, Rokita helped implement friendly "e-government" services and provided tougher securities enforcement.\nRokita advised attendees not to plan out their careers but, rather, to set goals.\n"I thought that I would be deputy secretary for a year, then one year turned into five years," she said. "Timing is everything, and so many things are outside your control. You can't make career plans, but you can have goals. You need to have your personal and financial ducks in a row."\nRokita also spoke of his time running for election and the lengths he went to for his party's nomination.\nRokita was nominated by his party at their convention, at which 2,000 delegates were in attendance. Prior to the convention, Rokita traveled over 102,000 miles without leaving the state to personally talk to over 1,500 of those delegates either in their homes or offices.\nAfter his nomination, Rokita ran against former Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez for secretary of state. Rokita won by 12 percentage points. He said that money wasn't the only winning factor in the race.\n"I raised $100,000 by the time I was nominated," he said. "Then, by the time was nominated, I had almost zero dollars. On election day, I had a 12-point advantage with only half the money Fernandez had. So, money isn't everything in Indiana."\nIUCRs member and sophomore Jeff Evitts said he came to hear more information about the role of the secretary of state.\n"I wanted to come and hear more about Rokita," Evitts said. "I didn't know what the secretary of state does. I think it's very important for him to come to IU in his off-election year to talk to students."\nChairman of the College Republicans and senior Angel Rivera attended the event to show his support for Rokita.\n"We are proud to have him here and find out about his career and what he does for the state of Indiana," Rivera said.\nBefore he left, Rokita encouraged students to choose their own future.\n"Robert Frost said to take the road less traveled. I chose the more humble road. If you have courage, I'd like to humbly submit to you that I am an example. I love the law, but I thoroughly love what I am doing right now. I can't promise you riches, but I can promise a certain degree of satisfaction. Now, we're 21 days before the election, and it will be one of the state's finest hours."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsey Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(10/07/04 6:19am)
The six-month controversy concerning the existence of an outpatient facility in Bloomington was clarified Wednesday night when the Bloomington City Council amended the municipal code to alter definitions concerning the words 'hospital' and 'outpatient care facilities.' The debate began in February of this year when a for-profit specialty hospital was proposed by Dr. Kamal Tiwari. The debate sparked many within the Bloomington community to voice concerns about competition between the Bloomington Hospital and a new facility. Mark Moore, president and CEO of Bloomington Hospital, said he opposed the option of building a new hospital and maintained another hospital would have had a negative impact and not provide the best possible care to its patients.\nLocal attorney Mike Ellis said Bloomington Hospital lacks proof that the specialty 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."\nThe debate ended in a straw vote against the plan, in which five of the nine members voted against the petition, finding no need for another hospital in Bloomington. Four of the council members passed on the vote, wanting more time to go through information for next week's meeting.\nThe council then heard more arguments the following week of Feb. 17 when a packed audience listened as both sides discussed the pros and cons of having a specialty hospital in Bloomington. \n"We do not oppose a new medical complex being built," said Moore, in a \nstatement, "but we do oppose the possibility of a new hospital being built with inpatient, overnight beds that does not share our mission of serving all patients," Moore said.\nCreating a specialty hospital will create more jobs, and competition between the two hospitals will decrease patient costs, said David Goodman, executive director of Allied Employer Healthcare Coalition.\n"Having a specialty hospital will create a convenience of access," Goodman said. "A large general hospital is mandated by special interests, they have, by necessity diversification. A specialty clinic can develop overhead."\nThe Bloomington City Council unanimously denied a petition for the creation of a for-profit specialty hospital at the request of both the petitioner and the Bloomington Hospital at Wednesday night's meeting Feb. 26.\nIn a surprising announcement, the petitioner representing the physician trying to build a specialty hospital in Bloomington asked the City Council Wednesday night to deny the petition, citing a lack of support and the use of the word "inpatient" in the petition.\n"We had hoped to handle this differently. We understand that several groups are opposed to this petition, and we formally request that city council deny this request so that we can work to accommodate the city council," Ubecker said. "We ask the city council to give clear directions, and we ask the Planning Commission to give clear intent."\nThe controversy surrounding a new for-profit specialty hospital has divided the community for the last several months. \nMoore urged the council to deny the petition and thanked the public and fellow physicians for their support on the issue.\n"We oppose the use of inpatient care. If this is removed and the petition is firm, we will not oppose a future petition," Moore said. "Bloomington Hospital will continue to work with the city and county to make sure that anything regarding an inpatient hospital will go through city comment."\nDistrict V Rep. David Sabbagh was pleased with the outcome for now, but would like a clear definition of "outpatient."\n"I'm happy to see that the 'inpatient' is being removed from the petition," Sabbagh said. "I also want a good definition of 'outpatient,' consistent with current community standards."\nOn April 28, Dr. Tiwari announced his plans to move the hospital outside city limits and into the jurisdiction of Monroe County. His change of plans comes after the Bloomington City Plan Commission failed to give a recommendation to the Bloomington City Council.\n"City Council will not approve the zoning for my project," Tiwari said. "Bloomington Hospital has political influence over the City Council, and I didn't have enough votes. I only had four, they had five, and (the City Council) politically outmaneuvered me. So I decided to go somewhere else. The county was available and welcomed me."\nTiwari said the county approached him about moving his hospital even before the City Council had made its decision, but Tiwari waited until the final vote.\n"I wanted to give City Council the opportunity, and I did not respond to the county's invitation. So it was natural for me to look to other locations after my plan was rejected," he said.\nThe new full hospital will be located at Indiana State Road 37 and Fullerton Pike -- outside city boundaries.\nNow that the proposed hospital is out of city limits, the county only needs to review the proposal. The land is already pre-zoned, so the county will not need to accept or reject the plan.\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(10/06/04 5:19am)
When students arrived at the IU Auditorium Tuesday morning to buy tickets to the Nov. 7 Incubus concert, they were prepared to wait in line. Instead, they were handed a blue ticket with a number on it.\nAll were informed by Auditorium employees that a lottery would determine where they would stand line. Some students had arrived as early as 6 a.m. only to later find out that people who had walked in at 9:45 a.m. could possibly get better seats than they did.\nWith the lottery system, a number was randomly selected and those holding the tickets with the following 10 numbers could then purchase tickets. Then they would draw a new number and progress through the 10 numbers. The lottery started at 758; the first person who arrived at the Auditorium had number 641. \nMany students who had been waiting were not happy with Ticketmaster or the lottery policy.\nSenior Kirsten Washburn and sophomore Ashley Washburn were at the Auditorium at 8 a.m. to get tickets and didn't know there would be a lottery until they got there. "We've been here since a little after 8 a.m. this morning," said Ashley Washburn. "There were about 20 people that were here before us, and we thought that we would be the first ones there. And we weren't. I think the lottery system really sucks. What if you were here at 6 a.m. and you're last in line? That's horrible."\nThe Washburns were not the only upset people waiting in the lobby.\nSophomore Jason Alexander said he had found out about the lottery when he went to the Auditorium to buy tickets to another event. \n"I found out that the tickets were going to be given out by a lottery ... and I asked them why, and they said it was a Ticketmaster policy. They said they don't want people to loiter and get here early, like the night before, and that it leads to security problems," Alexander said. "But take a look around, we're all loitering right now. It doesn't make sense. It's not right for the people who walk in 5 minutes before tickets go on sale and get tickets before the people who have been waiting. It's not fair."\nJunior Brian Kelley was the first person to arrive at the Auditorium, and he ended up being in the second half of the line to get tickets.\n"I've been here since about 6:30 (a.m.), I was the very first person to be here to get tickets," Kelley said. "How do you justify people getting here at 9:59 (a.m.) when I've been here for 3 1/2 hours and get ahead of me? I don't think you should punish loyal fans. It doesn't make sense."\nDoug Booher, director of the IU Auditorium, said the Auditorium has no control over the policy of how tickets are distributed and that is left up to Ticketmaster.\n"The lottery is an industry standard; it's Ticketmaster's policy," Booher said. "The lottery system is used for two reasons: The first is to ensure fairness, and secondly to prevent people from camping out. With fairness, if you have an 8 o'clock class and you want to attend, and you send in a buddy at 6 (a.m.) to wait in line for you, then you finish your class and jump in line, that's not fair since you were not in line at 6 (a.m.) and other people have been waiting."\nBooher maintained a lottery system is the only true way to eliminate biases in buying tickets.\n"There is nothing more fair than a lottery system, it's the only way to ensure random bias," he said. "So far, I haven't seen anyone disappointed with their seats."\nBooher also said Incubus is excited to come to IU and hopes students look forward to a good show.\n"Students are in for a great night. Make sure to bring your IDs and definitely prepare to have an awesome time," Booher said. "I know that Incubus is fired up to be coming to IU, and this is a place that they wanted to play at."\nDespite the ticket buyers frustrated with the lottery system, half of the seating was sold in two hours.\nUnion Board Concert Committee Director Jeffrey Hasson said the 3,200 seat Auditorium venue had sold 1,600 by noon.\nHasson helped to get Incubus to play at IU and had been working on this project since this summer.\n"Some committee members heard this summer that Incubus was playing at smaller venues this fall, so we have been talking to them for the last four months trying to get them to come here," Hasson said. "I think I found out the third week of school that they were finally coming here."\nHasson also said the band was coming through the area, playing a concert at University of Illinois in Champaign Nov. 9, so playing in Bloomington was a logical choice.\n"It just made sense for the band to play at IU, and they were coming through Indiana on their way to Illinois," he said. "We wanted to have the student body have a really good rock show.\nRegardless of the Incubus fans' discontent with the lottery system, they were not discouraged from buying tickets to see the band in concert.\nFreshman David Sokoloff has seen Incubus several times and thinks their ability to adapt makes them worth seeing again. \n"I've seen them four times, and this will be my fifth," Sokoloff said. "I'm from San Diego, and I saw them over the summer, and they played a two-hour show. It was awesome. I really think they are a cross-over band. They have such a unique sound -- that's I why I like them so much."\nMany students also agreed getting such a big band to play at IU will only help increase their support.\n"I think Incubus coming to IU only increases their fan base," Sokoloff said. "I don't buy CDs, but I will pay to see them in concert."\nAshley Washburn agreed, saying Incubus can usually be found on tour, keeping their fans happy.\n"I think it's really good that Incubus is coming to IU. They are always on the road. This summer I think they were on an overseas tour, and now they are back in the states," Washburn said. "I don't think they ever stop touring, and that just keeps the fans wanting more."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(10/05/04 5:31am)
Monroe County candidates debated issues such as health care, the homeless situation and overcrowded jails at a public forum Monday evening at the United Methodist Church of Bloomington. Candidates for commissioner, county council, auditor and judges spoke in front of the public and discussed important issues. \nThe question was raised about expanding a program for those in Bloomington who cannot afford healthcare instead of seeking primary care from the emergency room at Bloomington Hospital. \nAt-large candidates unanimously responded that funding is the biggest concern when looking at important issues such as healthcare.\nRepublican Andy Dodds said more research is needed before making a decision.\n"I will have to dig into and find out where we spend our money now," Dodds said. "Healthcare is a huge issue and it's one of a number of issues that affects the unemployed and the elderly. Bottom line, we as tax payers have to be able to fund this program and provide highest quality health care we can."\nDemocrat Michael Woods, a current IU law student running for council at-large, said he supports a program to expand care but he proposed using grants to fund it.\n"I support this absolutely. The question is how to fund this," he said. "I think we need to find grants to support this."\nDemocratic candidate for County Commissioner Jeff Ellington also agreed with council candidates, asserting that people must find preventative measures for health care.\n"I'm a believer in preventative measures, and we need to have true emergencies occurring in the emergency room," he said. "In order to do that we need to increase our funding."\nOvernight shelters, or a lack thereof, was also an issue raised at the forum.\nMany candidates were surprised by the absence of such a shelter and said the need for funding and support was necessary.\nDistrict 2 Republican candidate for Commissioner Joyce Poling said Martha's House, a Bloomington shelter, is currently the best solution. \n"Martha's House is working to try and open a family shelter. Any way we can help them, we should," Poling said. "The Salvation Army is also giving wonderful opportunities, but right now, the best possible future on our horizon is Martha's House."\nDistrict 3 Democratic candidate Iris Kiesling said a coalition is needed to raise funds.\n"Funding is the biggest part of the problem," she said. "We need to make this a community effort."\nBoth candidates for judge in the 7th Circuit Court were present and discussed why they would be the best man for the job.\nRepublican Jeff Chalfant said he wants to help those who cannot help themselves.\n"I want to be a judge because I can help a lot of people," Chalfant said. "The legal system can be difficult, even for some attorneys, to understand. I would like to help you one person, one case at a time."\nChalfant also said he would like to tackle the overcrowded jails in Monroe County.\n"I think there is a problem with the crowded jails and crowded court dockets," he said. "I think I can use case management to overcome these problems and (pursue) justice administration."\nChalfant's opponent, Democrat Stephen Galvin, said he would be fair and impartial and that his 23 years of experience as a public defender make him the best person for the job.\n"When I look at social issues, I look from the ground up," Galvin said. "You want a judge based on experience and who can see both sides, and you want somebody who will render justice fairly, I am that person. I promise to render justice fairly and impartially."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu .
(10/01/04 6:23am)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Thousands of Butler University students lined the main road through campus Thursday to say goodbye to a member of the Butler family one last time. A somber week at Butler ended with the funeral procession of Butler Police Officer James Davis through campus. Students gathered as helicopters flew overhead and over 300 police cars rode in the funeral procession to show their respect to a fellow officer. \nDavis, a 1995 graduate of IU, was killed in the line of duty last Friday when he responded to a call that a suspicious man had been watching the women's basketball team practice at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The suspect, Khadir Al-Khattab, 26, shot Davis and then took his gun, fleeing on foot into the Butler neighborhood. Al-Khattab was later shot by officers after a three-hour manhunt. Al-Khattab was pronounced dead later that evening.\nStudents began filling the streets as early as noon for the procession, which began at 2 p.m. Students, faculty and staff wearing black ribbons stood huddled in silent groups to pay tribute to the fallen officer. The 17-minute long funeral procession through Butler stopped in front of a BUPD squad car covered in flowers, and stuffed with Butler Bulldogs and signs. \nBUPD Communications Officer Maurice Woolfolk made one announcement signing Davis off from the force over the police scanners and speakers on Butler's campus.\n"There is no greater love than a police officer who would give his life for another man. Butler Police Officer Davis is 10-42, and he is going home for the final time."\nStudents commented the mood on campus was quiet, and it was noticeable something was different. \nFreshman Kassy Hostetler said the atmosphere on campus changed this week.\n"You can definitely tell that something has happened on campus," Hostetler said. "Everybody here is more aware, especially at nights. We've realized things go on outside our school, and we're not immune to things like this happening to us."\nFreshman Johnanna Marvin said more BUPD officers have been out on campus since Friday.\n"I've noticed some things that have been different since Friday, like I've seen less people walking alone at night," Marvin said. "I've also noticed the BUPD (officers) out much more; there are definitely more cops around."\nThe outpouring of support for Davis on Thursday overwhelmed some who were present on Hampton Drive as the procession went by.\n"I think it's a great outpouring of support for Davis," said Maggie McGlynn, staff member for the Media & Art Department. "This just shows the appreciation and respect for the job the BUPD do for us."\nMarvin was also taken aback by the crowd on hand Thursday. \n"I was surprised at the amount of people out here showing support," she said. "I didn't think there would be this many people. No one is in the hallways of the dorms, everyone is out here. This is pretty amazing. I'm surprised and happy. I think this tragedy woke us all up, unfortunately."\nAllan also said that a representative from National City Bank was on hand Wednesday to collect money for a trust fund for Officer Davis' three children and collected over $10,000. \nMarc Allan, associate director of University Relations at Butler said the amount of students, faculty and staff members who came was tremendous. \n"It was overwhelming. I've been working at Butler for a month, (and) I've just been really amazed, proud and pleased at what they have rallied to do," Allan said. "It was phenomenal to see everyone lined up 2, 3 and 4 deep. It just made you feel good. They always say the Butler family really comes through when it matters, and they certainly did."\nDavis' children are also being awarded full tuition scholarships to attend Butler University.\n"The children will be given full tuition and fees," Allan said. "That is given to all Butler employees, the only requirement is you have to be able to get in Butler."\nAllan said Butler President Bobby Fong told Davis' 8-year-old son, Josiah, about his scholarship to Butler. \nAllan said Davis' son was upset because he didn't want to leave his current school. \nFong told Davis' son "It's OK, Butler will wait for you."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(09/27/04 4:58am)
INDIANAPOLIS -- There are unanswered questions at Butler University after two people, including a police officer, were fatally shot Friday in Indianapolis.\nPolice say Officer James Davis responded to a call of a suspicious person inside the Hinkle Fieldhouse, where Khadir Al-Khattab, 26, had been watching the women's basketball team practice. \nIndianapolis police Sgt. Steve Staletovich said Al-Khattab was already outside when Davis arrived. Witnesses say they heard a single gunshot, saw the suspect pick up a gun -- later identified as Davis'gun -- and run away.\nThe search for Al-Khattab continued for three hours in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, all surrounding schools, including Butler, were placed on lockdown.\nA man who matched Al-Khattab's description was later identified on the 4400 block of N. Illinois St. When Indianapolis police responded to the scene, Al-Khattab instigated an exchange of gunfire that left him fatally wounded, said Capt. Phil Burton, spokesman for the Marion County Sheriff's Department. He was pronounced dead later that evening at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis.\nStudents continued to visit the site all day Friday. A ring of candles marked the spot where Davis was fatally shot outside Hinkle. Davis' BUPD squad car was moved to the entrance of Butler along 46th Street. The car became barely visible, as passerbys adorned it with dozens of flowers and balloons. Even during the late hours, students were seen quietly remembering one of their own, paying tribute past midnight Friday.\nQuestions are still being asked as to what prompted Al-Khattab to fire at Davis in the first place. An autopsy later this week will reveal whether Davis was shot with his own gun.\nMeanwhile, Butler students remained on lockdown and were not allowed to go on campus until it was deemed safe.\nJordan Hall, one of the main buildings on Butler's campus, is where a majority of students were attending Friday morning classes.\nFreshman Matt Mishler was leaving Jordan Hall to go back to his dorm, Ross Hall, when an administrator would not let him leave.\n"She told me we had to stay there until further notice," Mishler said. "And we just sat in the halls for three hours."\nMishler said no one knew the reason for the lockdown until Butler President Bobby Fong came to Jordan to explain the situation to students.\n"About a half-hour into the lockdown, Fong came out and said there had been an officer shot, and we were on lockdown until it was known that it was safe to be on campus," he said.\nMishler also said the campus had been very quiet this past weekend, with most of the student body going home.\n"Even this weekend, I've heard half the campus went home and parties were cancelled, so it was really quiet," Mishler said.\nSenior Jared King, who was also in Jordan Hall during the lockdown, said he went to the computer lab to find out what had happened.\n"I had just finished class, and they wouldn't let us out," King said. "I had heard something before class, and in the middle of class, the director of student services was making announcements in the hallways."\nKing said the students were on lockdown in Jordan until 1:30 p.m. He also said that students around him were complaining about the lack of information being provided.\n"There were people in the computer lab that were complaining about the news coverage," King said. "They were mad that they didn't know what was going on."\nKing also speculated changes will be made on campus in light of Friday's events.\n"My friends and I have been talking and expect that security will be increased," he said. "Now, we'll probably have to show student IDs at events and to get into certain places."\nBUPD Sergeant Shawn Barks said the investigation of Officer Davis's death will be under the direction of the Indianapolis Police Department. Barks spoke of Officer Davis, who had only been with Butler since January 2003, as an exceptional officer. \n"He was an outstanding officer," Barks said. "I am in charge of scheduling, and he was always first to volunteer. He was an outstanding person and a pleasure to work with."\nFuneral services for Davis will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday. Fong has canceled Thursday classes. He is urging students, faculty, staff and community members to line the street from 46th Street and Sunset Avenue to Crown Hill Cemetery, where Officer Davis will be buried, in tribute to the fallen BUPD officer. The funeral procession will pass through the Butler campus on the way to the cemetery, according to Butler's Web site.\nThe Associated Press contributed to this story. \n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(09/22/04 4:38am)
Freshman Joseph Loy stood in line for more than five hours to get his copy of the "Star Wars" trilogy. \nLoy joined more than 200 people gathered before midnight on Monday to wait in line at Best Buy for their copy of the "Star Wars" Trilogy on DVD. \nEmployees dressed as Storm Troopers, Imperial Guards and Darth Vader greeted "Star Wars" fans at the doors.\n"Technically I was here at 6:30," Loy said. "I've been a 'Star Wars' fan since birth ... really. I first saw the movies when I was three, and it was just awesome."\nBest Buy manager Scott Bush said the idea to open at midnight was brought to him by a local "Star Wars" group.\n"We were approached by the local group, the Hoosier Alliance, a 'Star Wars' group that wanted to have a midnight opening here," Bush said. "All we did was call corporate Best Buy and asked them, and they said yes."\nThe Bloomington Best Buy was one of nine Best Buy stores in the nation that were open Monday night for the DVD release. Other cities with midnight releases included, Chicago, Riverside, Calif., Westwood, Calif., Los Angeles, Sterling, Va., White Marsh, Md., Richfield, Minn., Plano, Texas, and Westbury, Ny.\nBush also said this was the first time the Best Buy in Bloomington had held a midnight event since the store opened in 2003. \n"We've never done this before," Bush said. "It's always a learning experience, but it was pretty well planned. And we had a good response, and everyone chipped in and helped out."\nLoy said one of the things he first liked about the movies was the bright shiny objects used throughout the films. \n"I loved, like, light sabers," he said. "As a kid, you love anything shiny."\nLoy said he would be buying multiple copies of the movie.\n"I am buying two of everything," he said.\nThe Hoosier Alliance was in full force Monday night. Hoosier Alliance member and Bloomington resident Eric Stuckey got the ball rolling for the event by approaching Best Buy with his suggestion for the midnight release party.\n"I came in at the end of March and approached Best Buy about having this event here," he said. "Best Buy didn't do that good with 'Lord of the Rings' because Wal-Mart was open and they weren't. I told the managers that they should stay open."\nDedication helped to assure Stuckey saw the big event come to pass, as he went to the store on a bi-weekly basis to talk to Best Buy staff. \n"Basically I came in every other week since March," Stuckey said.\nStuckey also said because his group has been founded in March, this has been its biggest event. The next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9. All are welcome to monthly meetings at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 2813 E. Third St.\nAnd there is only one requirement, Stuckey said: "We're open to everyone and anyone who has a passion for 'Star Wars.'"\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(09/21/04 6:23am)
After five days of looking for a man who robbed a Total Tan at gunpoint Thursday, authorities have no new leads.\nJunior Lisa Aigner was working behind the counter of the store, located on 2544 E. Third St., with another co-worker when a man ran into the tanning salon with a cloth over his face demanding money.\n"It was a normal night," Aigner said. "There were five people tanning, and I see this man run into the store with a cloth he was holding over his face. He said, 'Get down, this is a robbery,' and we didn't know if he was serious."\nAigner also said that he pushed her and her coworker on the ground, then attempted to open a broken cash register.\n"Then he said, 'No, I said get down' and pushed us down," she said. "We have two registers. One of them doesn't work and he was by the one that doesn't work. I got up and he put a gun in front of me, and I got the money out and got back down on the ground."\nThe robber then took off down the hall and went out the back door. Meanwhile, employees called 911 and alerted police.\nRyan Chandler, owner of Total Tan, said he can't understand why anyone would want to rob a tanning salon.\n"Pretty much I don't know why they did it," he said. "I don't know what they thought they were going to go get. We charge people to tan for $2.95. I'm dumbfounded why anyone would do this."\nChandler said this is the first robbery Total Tan has ever had. He said video cameras were installed this year, but doesn't plan for any additional security measures.\n"There's really nothing more we can do -- he walked in the front door," Chandler said. "This is beyond my imagination that someone would do this. I couldn't believe it."\nAigner described the robber as a Caucasian, about 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 6 inches, in his early to mid 20s. He was wearing a blue baseball hat and had short, dark hair and a medium build.\nBloomington Police Department Sgt. Joseph Sanders said the BPD has no leads and is still looking for the suspect.\n"(The robber) had a T-shirt tucked under his baseball cap, so it's really hard to see his face on the video surveillance," Sanders said. "The only thing that can be made out are his eyes."\nSanders said the only evidence the BPD currently has is the video from the night of the robbery. He was also not optimistic about making a positive identification.\n"We probably won't make out an exact (identification)," he said. "With the info we have we can go through known people in the area with a criminal background that match the description we have."\nSanders said the BPD will be asking other businesses for their videos from Thursday night to search for additional evidence. If not, Sanders said he believes the suspect will be turned in by the community.\n"This is one of those cases where it will more than likely be solved by someone from the public coming in and saying they know who did this," he said.\nAuthorities and Total Tan refused to say how much money was stolen.\nAnyone with information regarding the robbery should contact Sanders at 339-3321.\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(09/21/04 5:23am)
There is a club on IU's campus that allows students to talk to anyone in the world -- for free. The IU Amateur Radio Club has been around for more than 25 years, and its members include students, Bloomington residents, faculty and staff. \n"Amateur radio is a lot of fun, and it's a hobby that people can do," senior Mark Hermsdorfer said. "We help to direct communication during an emergency. You've got to have fun with it, but know (how to) handle yourself when there is an actual emergency."\nTo be able to talk and signal on amateur radio, you must take a test to be licensed. The test consists of multiple choice questions and a basic understanding of etiquette when operating over the airways. There are also three levels at which you can operate -- the higher the level, the more places you can contact. The Tech level is the most basic; the middle level is General; and the highest level is called Extra.\nJunior A.J. Ragusa was rooming with Hermsdorfer during their freshman year when they both joined and got their amateur radio licenses. Now both students have Tech positions.\n"(Hermsdorfer) and I have known each other for two years, and we were friends before we joined. I got into amateur radio when my friend from home, their dad was into amateur radio," Ragusa said.\nRagusa also described several of the advantages of being a part of this particular club.\n"I can spend as much or as little time as I want to. Sometimes I am really busy and other times I don't have as much going on, so it's not as demanding as other things on campus are," he said. "There is also a wealth of knowledge from participating in amateur radio, as well. I get to talk to people that I wouldn't normally get a chance to talk with, so that's a plus."\nThe radios can be built and operated from just about anywhere.\nSenior Bryan Jaffe, president of the Amateur Radio club, said he operates a radio from his car.\n"You can also build your own equipment and operate from anywhere: I have one set up in my truck."\nThe club also has drawn members that are not the typical student with a computer science major.\nPeggy Kelley is a senior elementary education major who joined to help teach her future students about geography and science.\n"I'm an education major, so I think this will help when I am teaching science to my kids," Kelley said. "We will be able to talk on the radio, and there are so many projects that I will be able to do. For example, we could communicate with space stations and talk to other schools in other areas."\nKelley is not yet licensed to talk on the radio but plans to receive her license in October.\nThe Amateur Radio Club participated in a contest Sunday to see how many other stations they could contact throughout the day. The club was able to contact 103 stations, and a majority of those stations were located on the West Coast.\nJaffe said this was the first year for the contest and the club already has plans for upcoming contests.\n"We got through to the West Coast really easily," Jaffe said. "We also talked to some IU alumni that just happened to be on the air. I hope to participate in contests in the fall where we contact worldwide stations."\nKelley said the biggest reward of being a part of the club is being able to talk to others in different parts of the county.\n"It's fun to actually talk to someone and not be remotely in the area," she said. "It's really open ended."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(09/17/04 6:05am)
The 10-year national assault weapon ban expired Monday, making more than a dozen formerly illegal assault rifles once again accessible to the public.\nThe ban, which was introduced in 1994 in response to assault weapons-related shootings, led to sweeping nationwide legislation that restricted the distribution of specific models of military-style assault weapons and weapons with certain combinations of features specifically designed for military use.\nOpponents of the ban argue it is ineffective. Advocates maintain the ban keeps military weapons out of the wrong hands. \n"I think guns will go up in the selling and distribution," said Patty Williams, a registered nurse from Muncie and a leader of Gun Responsibility In Every Family In Indiana. "I don't think it will cause a rise in crime, but it will lead to more deaths because now (criminals) have more deadly weapons accessible to them. An assault weapon that is accessible now makes it easier to mow down people really quick. What do you need these guns for? We're not a military."\nWilliams' son Ryan was accidentally killed while he was visiting a friend's house May 28, 1994. Ryan's friend was playing with a gun when it mistakenly went off. Her organization advocates safe storage of handguns and being responsible with firearms in households. \nWilliams and her husband, Tim, have attempted to introduce legislation into the Indiana General Assembly restricting the accessibility of weapons since their son's death but have been turned down six years in a row.\nTim Williams, also a member of GRIEF, said in a dominant Republican state like Indiana, it's hard to get legislation passed for their cause.\n"They don't look at owners to keep their firearms stored safely. We tried for five to six years and got exhausted by being scoffed at," Tim Williams said. "The first year we were heard in the Senate, then the (National Rifle Association) spoke and coerced them for funding, (and) everyone jumped off the bandwagon."\nPatty Williams noted the uphill battle GRIEF faces.\n"It's hard to try and pass gun legislation when several legislators are gun owners and some of them used to bring them into the Statehouse and put them in their desks," Patty Williams said.\nNot all feel that crime will increase or adverse affects will result without a ban.\nAngel Rivera, chairman of the IU College Republicans, said the ban will have no impact on weapons or safety.\n"I'm glad that our Second Amendment rights are protected -- the ban in no way will make Americans safer, and its listing will have no effect on criminals or safety," Rivera said. "The weapons that the ban restricts could be easily replaced with almost identical weapons. The ban is pretty useless."\nRivera said guns aren't as bad as they are portrayed, but he fears the ban could be renewed.\n"In any way, (having a gun) makes you safer. I'm a gun owner, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep intruders out," Rivera said. "I believe that, unfortunately, liberals might get their way and restrict our right to own guns, which our founding fathers sought as our right to bear arms." \nMatt Brunner, political vice president of the IU College Democrats, said he opposes the end of the ban and feels it should be renewed. He said he is indecisive of what kind of effect it will have.\n"Well I don't know what effect (the ban's expiration) will have on Indiana," Brunner said. "I think the ban should've been renewed and not (been made) easier to obtain assault rifles."\nBrunner also said without the ban in place, he feels crime rates will only rise. \nTim Williams said the lifting of the ban will only help to spur juvenile violence in the future.\n"I can't help but think it will have an effect on juvenile violence," he said. "We've heard the horrible stories of the people who are killed with inaccessible weapons numbers at one time, and now we're going to legalize it, and now it's going to do nothing but increase the deaths."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu .
(09/09/04 6:38am)
Monroe and Lawrence County Sheriff's departments and officers, the City of Bedford and TASER International Inc., have been added to the lawsuit in the death of James Borden.\nThe lawsuit, ammended Aug. 27 by Steve Borden, James' brother, charges 13 defendants in the wrongful death of James Borden.\nJames Borden died while being processed in the Monroe County jail Nov. 6, 2003 after he was arrested for violating the conditions of his probation. \nJames Borden was incoherent and disoriented when he was taken into custody against advice from EMS, which urged officers to seek medical attention for James Borden, according to police and EMS reports.\nJames Borden was then shocked three times by Officer David Shaw for being "uncombative and uncooperative," according to police reports.\nIn April, Sgt. Chuck Cohen, an Indiana State Police detective who investigated the case read testimony regarding Monroe County Sheriff's Corrections Officers Shaw and Chris Hutton. \nCohen testified that he concluded Borden was not a threat to himself or anyone else the evening of Nov. 6. Shaw shocked James Borden with an M26 taser gun that has 50,000 volts in each shock.\nSteve Borden is seeking compensation "for the wrongful death of James Borden, who died as a direct result of being deprived of emergency medical attention and the defendants' use of excessive force against him," the suit alleges.\nSteve Borden said the excessive force and the conflicting reports of how many shocks were administered to his brother don't add up.\n"They reported that the taser gun trigger was used 11 times," Steve Borden said at a hearing in April. "I guess that is from that night. Shaw pulled the trigger 11 times, but the autopsy only shows three marks ... But then it came out Thursday the trigger had been pulled 11 times."\nJohn Potter, a Lawrence County Sheriff's deputy, who witnessed James Borden's death, told police Shaw seemed to be enjoying pulling the trigger on the taser.\n"I think he was enjoying it," Potter told police during the investigation.\nThe suit claims "defendant Potter has said that when defendant Shaw tasered Mr. Borden that Shaw appeared to be smiling."\nHutton, who was also named in the suit, is recorded as having said "Defendant Shaw's use of force against Mr. Borden was excessive."\nSteve Borden hopes the lawsuit will bring restrictions to taser guns and the excessive force they are used with. Steve Borden believes by naming TASER International Inc., in the suit, other people will not be subjected to the same fate as his brother.\n"Taser international is selling lethal weapons, we think they need to be used in the right way for the right reasons," Steve Borden said. "They ought to have some set rule on tasers."\nBorden cited two other recent taser-related lawsuits -- one in Indianapolis and one in South Bend. \n"Tasers aren't good," said Troy Borden, James Borden's younger brother. "Tasers have cost our family a member. Tasers need to be put away until we look into it... we're still waiting to find out what happened."\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu and City & State editor Mallory Simon at mgsimon@indiana.edu.
(09/02/04 5:25am)
Donald F. Kuratko, or 'Dr. K' as he likes to be called, has been named executive director of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at IU. \nKuratko, a former distinguished professor at Ball State, hopes to lead the entrepreneurship program in new directions and he has plenty of experience to do so. \n"I am extremely excited and proud to have this dream opportunity at a prestigious Big Ten institution," Kuratko said in a statement. "Indiana University is considered world-class in terms of leadership, faculty, facilities and students, and I am truly honored to be joining the faculty at the Kelley School of Business."\nDr. Lynne D. Richardson; Dean of the Miller College of Business said Kuratko is a well respected professor and mentor.\n"I think from a classroom perspective he's got students on the edge of their seats," Richardson said. "I've sat in on his classes and he grips the students' attention and you follow his lectures and stories of business life and you can't believe (when the) time is up. (He is) by far one of the best teachers I've seen. He literally has contact with his student from the past 20 years and they ask him for help." \nRichardson said Kuratko's departure is a great loss for Ball State but coming to IU was a dream of Kuratko's.\n"It is a great loss," she said. "(IU is) getting a treasure, he's got very high energy, and a drive. He works harder than anyone else I know. He's getting his dream."\nKelley School of Business Interim Dean Daniel Smith said the process of choosing Kuratko was easy. The Kelley School of Business set a goal to find a director who could take the school's entrepreneurship program to No. 1 in the nation. \n"At the end of the day, because of his record, he's regarded as the No. 1 entrepreneur director in the country," Smith said. "We didn't interview anybody else, we interviewed him and talked casually to other candidates, but he was our first and foremost candidate. Kuratko brings with him an incredible sense of vision and leadership and a proven track record in the past. He also strikes me as a man with high integrity, his values fit with that of the KSOB very high standard of excellence."\nKuratko will begin his new position Jan. 1.\n-- Contact senior writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu .
(05/13/04 2:15am)
With the gubernational election only five months away, the governor's race is winding down, and Republican candidate Mitch Daniels and incumbent Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan are putting the finishing touches on their respective campaigns. \nDaniels announced yesterday that he would appoint State Senator Becky Skillman as his choice for lieutenant governor and Pat Miller as Secretary of Commerce.\nSkillman, a Republican from Indianapolis, has been a member of the State Senate since 1992. Prior to her Senate work, she was involved in Lawrence County local government where she was clerk for seven years and then recorder. Skillman also attended IU and Indiana Wesleyan University, according to her Web site.\nDaniels said in his announcement that Skillman's accomplishments made her the best person for the job. \n"Becky Skillman is the best possible choice for the constitutional post of Lieutenant Governor," Daniels said. "She brings experience in the General Assembly, whose cooperation we will need to effect real change. She brings a wealth of knowledge about local government and its pivotal role. She knows the small cities and towns that have been ignored by this administration and which must no longer be forgotten but must be included fully in Indiana's comeback."\nDaniels also went on to say that with Skillman as the next Lieutenant Governor, Indiana will be able to move forward in the right direction and help boost businesses in Indiana. \n"I intend for Lt. Governor Skillman, as President of the Senate, to be the leader of our annual program in the General Assembly, starting with the passage of the economic growth package that we will send to the legislature next January," Daniels said. "She will also spearhead key elements of the economic development agenda: tourism, agriculture, community and rural development."\nMiller was similarly chosen based on her business credentials, which Daniels feels will help get Indiana back on track. Miller is the co-president and co-founder of Vera Bradley, a line of handbags distributed out of Ft. Wayne. Daniels said that Miller's expertise and knowledge -- and the fact that she isn't a politician -- will help generate new capital in Indiana. \n"Pat Miller is one of the great business success stories in our state," Daniels said. "With $500 and a dream, she and her best friend created a company known nationwide. She understands business issues from the business side of the table. She's no staff person. She's no bureaucrat."\nDaniels said Indiana cannot be represented well by someone unfamiliar with fiscal and economic issues. \n"She can help me sell Indiana to business leaders across the country and around the world," he said. "She can help existing companies to grow and inspire the formation of more new ventures. She can run a large organization. She can help us get all of state government aligned so that growing the Indiana economy is job number one for every single person in our administration."\nEllen Whitt, press secretary for Daniels, agreed that Miller's business experience made her a good choice. \n"Pat Miller is a success story," Whitt said. "Her company started 20 years ago and she and her buddy started a bag company that is now internationally recognized. Together, Skillman and Miller are a pretty impressive team."\nDaniels said that his choices only help to make his campaign stronger and help create economic success.\n"In our administration, Indiana state government will cease being a problem and start being a partner in economic growth," Daniels said. "I speak everywhere about the need for our state to aim higher. The selection of these two outstanding Hoosiers should demonstrate how much higher I plan to aim."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
(04/28/04 6:03am)
After attempting to build a hospital in Bloomington, Dr. Kamal Tiwari is now planning to move his hospital outside city limits and into the jurisdiction of Monroe County. His change of plans comes after the Bloomington City Plan Commission failed to give a recommendation to the Bloomington City Council. \nThe petition drew criticism from the administration of the Bloomington Hospital, which felt that another hospital in the city would create unnecessary competition. A vague definition concerning outpatient and inpatient care and the hours of operation caused many physicians to speak out at the last City Council meeting when the petition was denied.\nTiwari changed his plans, redefining the term "outpatient," and resubmitted the petition for a recommendation to the City Council. The commission again failed to give a recommendation for several reasons. \nTiwari said he feels certain departments within the city did not help to advance his petition, thus prompting him to reconsider his petition and move the location.\n"City Council will not approve the zoning for my project," Tiwari said. "Bloomington Hospital has political influence over the City Council, and I didn't have enough votes. I only had four, they had five, and (the City Council) politically outmaneuvered me," Tiwari said. "So I decided to go somewhere else. The county was available and welcomed me."\nTiwari said the county approached him about moving his hospital even before the City Council had made its decision, but Tiwari waited until the final vote.\n"I wanted to give City Council the opportunity, and I did not respond to the county's invitation. So it was natural for me to look to other locations after my plan was rejected," he said.\nThe new full hospital will be located at Indiana State Road 37 and Fullerton Pike -- outside city boundaries. \nTom Micuda, director of the Bloomington Planning Department, declined to comment on Tiwari's statements but gave several reasons why the Plan Commission failed to give a recommendation on his petition.\n"First, the rezoning petition from Tiwari would have required the city to expand public money to construct a necessary frontage road in the future," Micuda said. "The second reason is there were members of the Plan Commission who felt that the definition of the proposals outpatient facility needed to be further restricted to bring it in line with the input the Plan Commission received with Bloomington Hospital."\nMicuda also said the hours of the proposed business were a concern.\n"Specifically, the representative spoke of the need to restrict the overnight hours of the hospital, the specific concern Bloomington Hospital thought the facility should have no operation hours between 12 and 5."\nNow that the the proposed hospital is out of city limits, the county only needs to review the proposal. The land is already prezoned, so the county will not need to accept or reject the plan.\nJeff Ellington, a representative of the Monroe County Plan Commission, said he had not yet seen the plans, but Tiwari's proposal will sit on a part of what had been planned to be a $3.5 million infrastructure for a Menards store, which later moved into the city. \n"I haven't seen the plans," Ellington said. "What concerns me is the $3.5 million infrastructure we had, but the city talked Menards to move into city, and we lost $3.5 million in proposed infrastructure."\nEllington said the Plan Commission will review the proposal and make sure the site is used to it's fullest capacity.\n"The planning director wants to go over it very thoroughly," Ellington said. "We, as a commission, are going to make sure we can get (as much) out of this developer's site as we can. It will never go to the Plan Commission because it's already prezoned and been pre-approved, thus the county won't have to vote to approve anything."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.
