Western Front - 2003 November 7

              ISSUE 14
VOLUME 127
UNDER DUNK
Basketball season
takes off with
contests, scrimmages.
Sports, Page 8
WAX DEMOCRACY
Repair cracks in the democratic
system by encouraging voter
turnout.
Opinions, Page 10
^6HAR SOUNDS
Persian and East Indian
musicians perform with
traditional instruments.
Accent, Page 5
SCORES
Vikings
Falcons
: Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington —
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FRIDAY
NOV. 7, 2003
Complaints force removal of bus stop
BY ANNA SOWA
The Western Front
On a recent stormy day, Gregory Pulver,
assistant theater professor and costume
designer, was rushing to class from his
Performing Arts Center office. As Pulver
attempted to cross the street, he said he saw
a bus barreling to a stop in front of him.
"There were at least 50 students crowded
in the hallway waiting for the bus (by the
PACs southeast door)," Pulver said. "I was
pushing and shoving my way through
them when someone pushed me across the
bus' path and the door grazed my hand."
Although Pulver was not hurt, he said he
is still upset that he came so close to injury.
"I was totally shocked," Pulver said. "I
was angry that I had to work my way
through a crowd to get to class, and then I
got hit by a bus."
Pulver recently complained to the faculty
senate about the location of the PAG bus
stop. Western's Central Health and Safety
Committee submitted a letter to George
Pierce, vice president of Business and
Financial Affairs, on Oct. 23 recommending
that Whatcom Transit Authority move the
bus stop.
Pierce said he agrees with and the commit­tee
and will recommend removal.
Committee member April Markiewicz
said Pulver's reasons for wanting the bus
stop removed included exhaust fumes
drifting into the building, noise from stu­dents
waiting outside the door. He also
said the space available to wait for the bus
is inadequate for the number of people
using it.
"(The bus stop) affects entry and exit for
the Performing Arts Center as well as JUSTIN MCCAUGHAN/THE WESTERN FRONT
A crowd of students board a southbound
SEE BUS, PAGE 3 bus in front of the Performing Arts Center.
Incumbent wins mayoral election
JUSTIN MCCAUGHAN/THE WESTERN FRONT
Bellingham Mayor Mark Asmundson enters the Whatcom County Courthouse with his family after learning he had the most votes.
BY ROB MORRELL
The Western Front
According to initial vote counts by the Whatcom County
Auditor's Office, Bellingham Mayor Mark Asmundson has pulled
ahead in his campaign against challenger Brett Bonner.
"I'm delighted to have a third term," Asmundson said. "If s an
exciting time for Bellingham; We're moving into our second cen­tury
as a city."
Asmundson received 6,829 votes compared to.Bonner's 5,834.
He said he was excited about continuing work on several projects
he started during his last term, including salmon habitat restora­tion,
watershed protection and responsible growth plans.
Asmundson said he currently is collaborating with the
Bellingham City Council on a plan to remove a dam on the
Nooksack River. The Army Corps of Engineers recently approved
the concept, which would enhance salmon habitat without sacri­ficing
chinking water, he said.
"Human water needs can be met rationally while still protecting
the environment," Asmundson said.
He also vowed to use his third term to combat sprawl and
strengthen neighborhood communities.
"I'm working to ensure transit-friendly and neighborhood-friendly
growth plans," he said. "I want to see increased strength,
vitality and involvement in the neighborhood committees. I also
want to finally make WWU and Whatcom Community College
students feel like a part of the Bellingham community."
Asmundson was the come-from-behind-winner in a race he
SEE Mayor, PAGE 3
EMS levy
fails, delay
of service
expected
BY ROB MORRELL
The Western Front
-On Nov 4, Whatcom County residents
rejected the emergency medical services
levy.
The levy required 60 percent approval,
but received only 45 percent of the votes.
More than 12,900 people voted in support
of the levy, while 15,937 voted against it.
The levy would have increased property
taxes by approximately 39 cents per $1,000
of assessed value. That money was intended
to provide six years of dedicated funding to
Medic One to meet the increasing costs of
Whatcom County's emergency response
system.
Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Boyd said he
was dismayed by the results, but he will con­tinue
to seek other ways to fund Medic One.
"We're very disappointed," he said. "We
heard what the citizens said through their
vote, and we will explore our options for
alternative funding. If s back to the drawing
board."
Levy opponent Nick Kaiser, of the
Committee of Public Safety, characterized
the levy as an unnecessary tax hike. He said
if Whatcom County simply explored other
EMS systems, emergency service would not
be delayed or interrupted.
"I think private contracting should be
explored," he said.
Mayor Mark Asmundson said the city
council is looking into several different
SEE Levy, PAGE 3
UP-pront
Bellingham residents
re-elect city council
members.
News, Page 4
Debate continues
about the future of
abortion.
Opinions, Page 11
For news tips, call (360) 650-3162 or e-mail The
New fee proposed for 'green' energy
IAN ALEXANDER/THE WESTERN FRONT
SRE gathers support for its energy initiative.
BY IAN ALEXANDER
The Western Front
Western students pay $80 per
quarter for the Wade King Student
Recreation Center whether they
use the facility or not. For $16 per
quarter, however, Western could be
entirely powered by renewable
energy.
"It's not something we spend a
lot of time thinking about,"
Western Utilities Services Manager
Tom Thorp said of renewable-energy
use on Western's campus.
Western sophomore Molly Ayre-
Svingen and Western junior
Nausheen Mohamedali, members
of Western's Students for
Renewable Energy, said they want
to make renewable energy some­thing
Western students and faculty
think about.
"Renewable energy is any energy
SEE Energy, PAGE 3