Eastern Illinois University The Keep November 2006 11-8-2006 Daily Eastern News: November 08, 2006 Eastern Illinois University Follow this and additional works at: http://thekeep.eiu.edu/den_2006_nov Recommended Citation Eastern Illinois University, "Daily Eastern News: November 08, 2006" (2006). November. 2. http://thekeep.eiu.edu/den_2006_nov/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the 2006 at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in November by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. “Tell THE TRUTH AND don’T BE AFRAID.” WWW.DENNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY Eastern Illinois University, Charleston Volume | 92 Issue | 56 11.8.06 COUNTY | ELECTION County Faculty Dems begins thwarted to vote Chris Essig Senior City reporter Union urges early voting to present In a disappointing night for the Coles County Democrats, County ratified contract to Clerk nominee Keith Taylor, Board of Trustees Treasurer nominee Kay Pease, and Sheriff nominee Charles “Chub” Conner all lost to their Republican By Ashley Rueff opponents. Senior University reporter Both Conner and Taylor received less than 40 percent of Eastern’s campus was home to a the vote while Pease received 46 great deal of voting Tuesday. percent, losing to her opponent In addition to midterm George Edwards by eight percent. elections, members of Eastern’s But it didn’t start out so gloomy chapter of University Professionals for the Democrats. of Illinois were also asked to vote Even as the initial 13 of the on the tentative contract agreement 44 precincts showed that the by 4 p.m. Republicans had an early lead, While UPI members were not those in attendance at the Coles required to turn in their votes County Democratic headquarters, until noon Friday, they were on Jackson Avenue, were keeping encouraged to vote early if possible the faith. to accommodate a special meeting “We’re going to pull it out in with the Board of Trustees that the clutch,” said Travis Bounds, could approve the contract. president of Eastern’s College They don’t have to vote early, Democrats. said UPI President Charles But as 42 precincts came in, the Delman. “This is just if they feel cheerfulness of the crowd turned they’ve seen enough to vote to get to disappointment as they hoped JAY GRABIEC | THE DAILY EASTERN that preliminary vote.” for better results nationally. City Employee Karen Peterson, Darrell Cox and detective Christina Bowersdek watch as the final results for A special campus mail pick- Conner explained how difficult sheriff are posted at the county courthouse building on Tuesday evening. Cox won with 64 percent of the up was done at 4 p.m. Tuesday it is to win in the heavily Republican votes in the race for sheriff against Chub Conner. in order to count the preliminary Coles County. votes to present to the Board of “With the very heavy turn- Trustees this morning at a special out in Coles County, that usually meeting at 8:15. means the Republican base is “We’re not rushing the surfaced,” he said. “It just look ratification in that people have likes the Republican Party did a Republicans earn until Friday to get their vote in,” better job getting the voters out Delman said. than we did.” However, some faculty Conner said that his opponent members were uncomfortable with Darrell Cox won a “clear victory” the amount of time they had to and one of the reasons for the loss victory in county consider their vote because they felt was “it’s difficult to get Democrats encouraged to vote in time for the out to vote.” By Nicole Nicolas Edwards became County Treasurer. I couldn’t of done it with out you. Board of Trustees meeting. He was unable to identify why Staff reporter They celebrated their victory Give yourselves a pat on the back.” Joseph Heumann, professor it is so difficult to get Democrats Tuesday night at the Panther Paw. Others shouted “Speech! of communication studies, said to vote; saying only “it is just the The Republicans swept the As they entered, Cox, Rennels Speech!” as Edwards stood up on a he would have liked more time way it is.” county ballot. and Edwards received a standing chair to say a few words. to consider complex issues in the Paul Wieck, treasurer of the Darryl Cox, the newly elected ovation complete with cheering. “I’m just at a lost. I appreciate contract. Coles County Democratic Party, Coles County Sheriff, led the pack “It’s official,” Cox said. “I want to it. It was a little close for my taste. “I was a little bit concerned of republicans. Sue Rennels took the thank everyone. I’m overwhelmed. that people weren’t getting all the » SEE DeMOCRATS, PAGE 9 office of County Clerk and George The only thing I can say is, thanks. » SEE REPubLICANS, PAGE 9 information they needed before voting so quickly,” Heumann said. He is particularly concerned with a provision about a yearly restriction of salary increase that Blagojevich re-elected despite scandal cannot exceed 6 percent. Any salary increase more than 6 percent Associated Press of corruption in the Blagojevich Blagojevich, 49, becomes the Topinka, the three-term state would be held until the next year administration. first Democrat to win back-to-back treasurer, wanted voters to focus under the contract. CHICAGO – Overcoming Blagojevich’s win was based terms as Illinois governor since Otto on a different part of Blagojevich’s “I think it is a confusing issue, the stain of scandal, Gov. Rod on a statistical analysis of the vote Kerner in 1964. record. and I think that we needed a little Blagojevich muscled past Republican from voter interviews conducted The governor asked voters U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald more time to think about that,” challenger Judy Baar Topinka to for The Associated Press by Edison to focus on a long record of has said he is investigating “very Heumann said. “When something win a second term Tuesday. Media Research and Mitofsky accomplishments from his first four serious” allegations of hiring that complicated occurs, it would The Democratic governor International. years, from raising the minimum fraud at multiple agencies under be best if we had a little more won voters over by promising a The Blagojevich campaign wage to cutting government jobs to Blagojevich. One Blagojevich time to think about the issues long list of solutions to the state’s said it was encouraged but did expanding health care programs. appointee has pleaded guilty in a and understand how they would social problems and by flooding not immediately claim victory. He had an equally long list of kickback scheme, and a top-level work.” the airwaves with ads portraying Topinka’s aides said they wanted promises for a second term: raising Blagojevich friend and fundraiser Heumann said some union Topinka as clueless and corrupt. to see actual votes rather than exit wages again, offering universal has been indicted. members even voted before the Topinka, with far less money for polling, noting that some polling health care, banning assault Blagojevich accepted a $1,500 4 p.m. ratification information ads, failed in her efforts to get voters places still were open and absentee weapons and selling the lottery to to focus on a federal investigation ballots remained to be counted. increase school funding. » SEE GOveRNOR, PAGE 9 » SEE CONTRACT, PAGE 2 2 news WWW.DENNEWS.COM | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS | MONDAY 10.2.06 newsstaff Production staff Press supervisor ......................................Tom Roberts » Contract Night chief ............................................... Amy Simpson About The Daily Eastern News Lead Designer ...........................................Liza Bishton The Daily Eastern News is produced by the students FROM PAGE 1 Copy editors.......................................... Charles Manter of Eastern Illinois University. It is published daily .................................................................Kevin Murphy Monday through Friday, in Charleston, Ill., during fall She did, however, vote by .................................................................. Chris Walden and spring semesters and twice weekly during the Tuesday afternoon to ratify the summer term except during university vacations or Online production ............................ Brandon Campbell examinations. tentative agreement. ............................................................... Kevin Kenealy “I’m not completely happy with One copy per day is free to students and faculty. Editorial board Additional copies can be obtained for 50 cents each in the contract, but I am voting for the Student Publications Office in Buzzard Hall. Editor in chief ......................................... Kyle Mayhugh it,” she said. ....................................................... [email protected] The Daily Eastern News is a member of She is happy with other Managing editor ...................................... Amy Simpson The Associated Press, which is entitled to exclusive parts of the contract concerning ............................................DENmanaging@gmail.com use of all articles appearing in this publication. News editor .............................................Sarah Whitney Subscription price | $50 per semester, $30 for compensable sick days for Unit B ............................................ [email protected] summer, $95 all year. members and salary increases. Opinions editor .............................................Jim Allocco “The percentage raises are pretty .............................................. [email protected] Comments