The long and short of Longboarding Page 4 Page 6 The Keeping the CMesa Stateriterion College w criterion.mesastate.edu Oct. 22, 2008 The voice of the students Vol. 78 Issue 7 This issue... Opinions: Page 3 Alaska’s “maverick” visits the home of the Mavs excited to see and hear her candidate speak. Palin brought to light the differences between the presidential candidates as well as her opponent. She stated that Democratic presi- dential candidate Barack Obama only served 300 days in the senate before deciding to run for presi- dent while McCain has “spent his entire life” preparing to become president. She addressed the eco- nomic state of the coun- try and feels that “we need John McCain.” Palin fo- Matt Kroschel/Criterion Mesa State College senior Justine Senko holds her hand- cused on the fact that he is Is our bellyaching about lack of made sign hours before Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrived ready to serve sleep just a plea for attention? at Suplizio Field Monday. Senko said she arrived early to the coun- New Crite columnist Stoney Mo- make sure she got a good seat to see the vice-presidental try and “we” lina examines... candidate. need a man Sean Johnson who is going Features: Page 4 News Reporter to lead with experi- -a- ence and courage. -bility A screaming crowd welcomed Republican vice presi- “I like that she is dential candidate Sarah Palin Monday night at Suplizio a breath of fresh air,” Field at Lincoln Park. She stepped on stage after an in- Mesa State senior troduction and performance by country music sensation Derrick Griffiths Sustain- Hank Williams Jr. said. He thinks that She thanked the crowd for waiting and stressed the im- she brings some new portance of the choice that needed to be made on Nov. stuff to the table, 4. Palin acknowledged being at the home for Mesa State referencing Palin’s College and said that she and presidential candidate John thoughts on reform. McCain are just “another team of Mavericks.” “They’re going to Week Mesa State senior Justine Senko held a sign that read clean Washington Matt Kroschel/Criterion “Mesa Mavs for the Mavs.” She arrived at 3p.m. and was out.” See PALIN p. 2 Protesters attempt to block motorcade, dragged from street sponsibility to use their First Field who were not happy to be greet- ficers on motorcycles were able to Matt Kroschel Admemdement rights, but they are ed by the protesters. clear the protesters before the mo- News Reporter just down right being mean,” Mesa “Regardless of your affiliation, I torcade arrived, however, police were State College senior and Barack think it is important to show support forced to physically drag people out The heightened political climate Obama supporter Melanie Rogers for the candidate you choose to sup- of the way of the motorcade to make in Grand Junction spilled onto the told the Criterion as crowds of people port, and even though we are getting way for it to pull into the field. sidewalks along 12th Street as Barack leaving the rally yelled obscenities to- a lot of flack, this has been worth it,” Event organizers estimated 22,000 Obama supporters clashed with John wards the protesters. Rogers added. people packed into Suplizio Field to McCain supporters Monday eve- Rogers, along with other Grand According to reports, a small group hear Palin’s speech. ning as McCain’s vice presidential Valley residents, held Obama signs of protesters attempted to block Gov. u pick Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke at at the intersection of 12 and North Sarah Palin’s motorcade from en- [email protected] Suplizio Field. Streets in the direct path of the thou- tering Suplizio Field. Mesa County Sports: Page 5 “Everyone has a right and a re- sands of people entering Suplizio Sheriff Stan Hilkey stated that of- Memorial service held at Mesa State celebrating Flo Gallagher’s life Amanda Friar ory of her to all people that attended Mesa State president Tim Foster said. News Editor the service. “It can be really negative but it can Because of her love for reading, the also be as positive as you can make it. Rather than a memorial service, English department at GJHS has es- You need to live every day as though a celebration of life service was held tablished a new scholarship award for it’s your last and treasure those things Oct. 18 in Moss Performing Arts its students in memory of Flo. Each that are closest to you. We can never Center in memory of Floyce Gallagher. year the department will choose a stu- make sense of people dying.” Flo, wife of business professor and for- dent that they feel is excelling in read- Flo Gallagher was shot and killed mer president of Mesa State College ing and doing their best to improve by 22-year-old Stefan Martin-Urban Mike Gallagher, was shot and killed and will provide them with a schol- from Lakewood. The Gallaghers were Oct. 11. arship in memory of Flo. The GJHS preparing to leave on vacation with Every seat in Moss was filled with Theater department just finished per- their friends Terry and Linda Fine. people mourning the loss of Flo, in- forming “Little Women” and part of Terry Fine was a well known dentist in cluding Linda Fine who was wound- the proceeds went to the new scholar- the Grand Valley. ed in the same incident, but also cel- ship award. The Gallaghers were at the house of ebrating her life and reminiscing on She lived her life in a way to help the Fines getting ready to leave when memories that they all shared. People people and was very good at making Martin-Urban showed up in his green in attendance were asked to write their people feel comfortable. A story was Honda CRV and shot and killed Terry favorite memory of Flo on index cards shared about Mike going to social and Flo. He also shot Linda and neigh- provided and drop them in a box which events wearing a tuxedo and Flo would bor Paco Larson when Larson tried to was placed in the lobby for the family. go wearing shorts and a t-shirt, in an aid the Gallaghers and Fines. Both Different people were able to get attempt to make everyone feel com- Linda and Larson were treated and up and share their favorite memories fortable and welcome. released from the hospital. Martin- of Flo; people ranging from fellow Megan Stewart/Criterion “For 41 years I went with the Flo,” Urban later shot himself and died in Grand Junction High School teachers Police officers investigate the crime scene where Flo Gallagher and business professor Mike Gallagher the hospital the next day. Police are to friends from Idaho. Terry Fine were homicide victims Saturday Oct. 11. said. “She made my life so full. She still unsure of the connection between “She really had friends all over,” was my partner, my lover, my confi- the Gallagher, Fines, and Martin- Idaho friend Sue Fox said. “She felt truly loved by her students, both past neighbors knew she loved to read. She dant.” Urban and are still investigating why like she was the first lady wherever she and present. was often referred to as being “the Mike and daughter Lauren released he targeted them. went” rather than just the first lady of “She was the giving tree to her stu- ‘hood’s private library” and would of- a statement prior to the service stating u Mesa State when Mike was the presi- dents,” fellow GJHS Language Arts ten get up early to finish a book so that that Flo was “a spectacular wife, moth- [email protected] dent six years ago. teacher Sutton Casey said. her friends could read it and she could er, best friend, and our never-ending Flo taught reading to students at Her love for reading showed through share that experience with her friends. source of humor and happiness.” Grand Junction High School and was her passion for teaching and even her Bookmarks were passed out in mem- “It changes all of our perspectives,” 2 The Criterion w Oct. 22 w News Amanda Friar, editor News [email protected] NEWS: national U.S. Democratic presidential Palin: Economy, energy focus of speech candidate Barack Obama has Palin brought confront the 10 trillion dollar debt and will bal- to contribute to this world if given the chance.” cancelled campaign events for up “Joe the ance the budget by the end of the first term. Speaking on helping families who have a special Thur. and Fri. in order to visit plumber” and She continued with the topic of energy effi- needs child got the audience’s attention. Palin his sick grandmother in Hawaii. “Tito the build- ciency. “We want to set this country firmly on a said that these children are not a problem but a He will be missing events in er” in her be- path to energy independence,” Palin said. Palin priority. Madison, Wis. and Des Moines, liefs that small plans on doing this by safely and responsibly She finished her speech saying that “in this Iowa. He will attend an event in business own- drilling in America for the safety of the country’s campaign there is really one man who has really ers and workers are security. fought for you, and that man is John McCain.” Indianapolis, Ind. Thur. morning the backbone of the economy. She Senior Mesa State student Caitlin Cuevas at- Amanda Friar contributed to this article.