KEEPING THE STUDENT VOICE Daniel Gordon ran unopposed for First Ward. See what issues he is looking forward to THESTABLISHED 1920E | An independent BG student press serving N the campusE and Wsurrounding communityS address on Page 2. VOLume 93, Issue 32 Wednesday, November 6, 2013 WWW.BGNEWS.COM Fracking amendment rejected Council to add 1 new member, Charter not to be changed, Bowling Green law banning hydraulic fracturing still intact 2 incumbents re-elected By Alex Alusheff Managing Editor affirms the values of charter.” ring to the city’s concern that the Republican now in 4th ward, at-large seats unchanged In September, city coun- charter’s vague language could By Eric Lagatta With a landslide vote, the Bowling cil banned fracking, a process of raise utility rates. Campus Editor seats. With all 19 precincts report- Green community rejected adding extracting oil and natural gas from This potential increase could ing, McOmber had 31.43 percent the fracking ban amendment to the the earth, but the protestors wanted have negatively affected area busi- Of the three city council seats that of the vote and Rowland had 30.91 city charter. the charter amendment because nesses, said Earlene Kilpatrick, were contested this election, only percent. The charter amendment lost the state could preempt local law. It executive director of the Bowling one newcomer will join the council Including McOmber and 3,549 votes to 1,194 votes, accord- could overturn a charter as well, but Green Chamber of Commerce. come January. Rowland, four candidates ran ing to the Wood County Board of has yet to do so. “The higher cost of utility rates Republican Theresa Charters for two open At-large seats. The Elections. As to why the charter amend- would lead to a higher cost in Gavarone was elected as the fourth top two candidates took the seats “I’m very pleased with the out- ment failed, At-Large Council doing business,” Kilpatrick said. ward council member with 54 per- regardless of party. come and I’m grateful to voters,” member Bob McOmber believes is “A negative message would have cent of the vote, defeating incum- The two open seats were chal- said Mayor Richard Edwards, who because the amendment didn’t just been sent to developers interested bent Democrat Rob Piasecki (45.96 lenged by Republican Sandy along with the city administra- ban fracking. in community.” percent). Milligan (26.69 percent) and Green tion and local industries opposed “I think people became informed Republican Bob McOmber and the amendment. “I’ve always been and they realized the drawbacks to See FRACKING | Page 2 Democrat Sandy Rowland both See COUNCIL | Page 5 cautiously optimistic, but this re- the charter,” McOmber said, refer- maintained their At-Large council a voice ofhope Kidnapping victim visits University, shares inspirational message By Danae King Editor-in-Chief As a 25-year-old, Elizabeth Smart overcame the shyness she felt when she was only 14. Now, she uses her voice to tell the story of being kidnapped and held captive for nine months. Her story, she wishes, is one of hope. Smart came to the University on Tuesday to speak about her life and overcoming the trauma she went through when she was kidnapped from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2002. More than 550 students heard her story Tuesday afternoon, and then around 350 com- munity members, alumni, faculty and staff heard her speak during her evening speech, said Sara Bushong, dean of the University Libraries, which hosted the event with the University Libraries Advocates Board. Throughout her speech, Smart talked with self-deprecating, humor and humbleness. She did accents of the voice of her Scottish husband and a character in her favorite movie, “Ever After,” and told what she learned from her situation and from being able to speak See SMART | Page 5 LOOK ON BGNEWS.COM FOR MORE COVERAGE OF SMART’S VISIT Missed the speech? Want to know what For more photos from Look for a video students thought? the visit and to see interview with Read an extended her speak to students, Elizabeth Smart story on Wednesday check out an album STEVEN W. ECHARD | THE BG NEWS ELIZABETH SMART, a kidnapping victim, spoke at the University on Tuesday, more than 10 years after her kidnapping. Smart wished to raise awareness about kidnappings. She spoke to students in the afternoon and then to anyone who paid for a ticket at a dinner event. CITY BRIEF Display returns to demonstrate oppression, diversity to students Wood Lane levy passes ‘Tunnel of Oppression’ to be in Union on Wednesday, Thursday; hosted by Office of Residence Life with 56% of vote By Jodi Abazoski at things from other perspec- posting appropriate and inap- been deeply impressed in peo- Wood County voters passed a proposed $2.95 Reporter tives,” she said. propriate words to use when ple’s beliefs are a major issue, million tax levy for Wood Lane’s operational and talking about immigration or Brown said. capital needs. Students will experience dif- The Tunnel of Oppression is ferent themed rooms as they immigrants on this part of the “That’s why we say ‘come Wood Lane, or Wood County Board of tunnel wall. unlearn with us,’” she said. “We Development Disabilities, located on East Gypsy back at the University, once walk through the “self-guided Lane, provides specialized services to children and again giving students the and self-paced” tour. The com- Fernandez also made sure to are all taught what is beautiful, adults with developmental disabilities. Services opportunity to explore various mittee that chose the focus of display immigration through- what is right, what is good and include educational, vocational and employment. issues of oppression in an inter- each room is made up of resi- out history because so many what is bad, but what we want The five-year levy, which passed with 56 percent active way. dence life staff members. people now think of it as a to help people realize is just support from voters, will generate $8,068,117 per year This year, the “Tunnel” is “It starts off with a terminol- Mexican versus American issue. because its our way of thinking for the organization. According to the language of the located at the Union in room ogy [room] because we think “Immigration is much more doesn’t mean that it’s the way of levy, an owner of a $150,000 home will pay $154.87 308 today and tomorrow from it’s important to understand than a Latino issue,” he said. “I thinking.” per year. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. what the words [concerning just want people to think about The tunnel ends with a “Wood County has a rich history of supporting Ana Brown, coordinator for diversity issues] mean,” Brown what it means to be American, debriefing room which Brown people in need,” said Melanie Stretchbery, Wood diversity and retention initia- said. “There is a big difference and are all the people who says is “the most important Lane superintendent. “We’re very excited about the between the meanings of the want to come here and live piece.” The room is about opportunity to continue our services.” tives for the Office of Residence Life, said that the purpose of the words equity and equality, for the American dream; are they reflecting on what has been Wood Lane, a public, non-profit agency, is sup- example.” American enough?” learned or discovered on the ported by six continuing levies totaling $6.7 million, tunnel, which strives to teach though collections have been reduced to $4.7 million students about issues con- There will be rooms decorat- One room that people may walk through. due to state law. cerning marginalized groups, ed appropriately showing issues be surprised to walk through There are mirrors that people Wood Lane’s annual operating budget is $29.9 is especially important for the such as immigration, masculin- is one highlighting issues with can write their feelings on and million. State funding has decreased by 48 percent University right now. ity, beauty and othering. masculinity, Brown said. laptops will be set up so people since 2000. “This year has been about Raul Fernandez, residence The words on the wall in the can add their comments to the Mayor Richard Edwards expressed his support for raising awareness and under- hall director for Kreischer, room like “sissy” or “tough guy” Tunnel of Oppression blog. At the passage of the levy. standing, and also with things wanted to address the negative illustrate how men feel like they certain times throughout the “This is an agency that has a rich history through- like the Call To Action group, stereotypes that are often put have to live up to views on what out Wood County of serving a population that needs I think people are seeing that on immigrants. He continues being a man is. See TUNNEL | Page 2 a voice,” Edwards said. it’s important to try to look the focus on terminology by Societal views that have CLASH OF THE BIRDS STEREOTYPES WHAT DIVERSITY ISSUE ON CAMPUS DO YOU THINK The Falcons take down the Miami Columnist Autumn Kunkel talks about AFFECTS STUDENTS MOST AND WHY? University RedHawks with a score of how Americans are terrified of a “Lack of recognition for different cultures 45-3 Tuesday night. They play Ohio religion not many people know about because some of them seem invisible.” University next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and how the media misrepresents Jamar Dunson Check out the full story | PAGE 3 Islam.