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Tuesday, November 5,2002
Since 1900
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Volume 104, Issue 48
Last-minute voters may decide election
As the 2002 elections draw
to a close, voters still have time
to cast their ballots before
the 8 p.m. deadline today
Oregon votes 2002
Ken Paulman
City/State Politics Reporter
Time is running out on the Nov. 5
general election, and with several
races in close contention this year, all
eyes are on the voters.
Recent polls from KGW-TV in Port
land showed that the governor’s race
between Kevin Mannix and Ted Kulon
goski is too close to call, and Measure
25, which would raise the minimum
wage to S6.90 per hour, is projected to
pass by a razor-thin margin.
According to the secretary of state’s of
fice, about 660,000 ballots had been re
ceived statewide as of Friday, represent
ing about 35 percent of registered voters.
In Lane County, 69,171 ballots were
received as of Monday morning, placing
countywide turnout at 38.1 percent,
Lane County Elections official Annette
Newingham said.
Newingham said about half of the bal
lots are usually turned in between Sun
day and Election Day, which would push
turnout to the anticipated 60 to 65 per
cent range.
“This is pretty much where we nor
mally are for a non-presidential elec
tion,” she said.
University junior Amanda Lorts said
she hadn't turned in her ballot yet but
planned to do so.
“I was out of town all weekend, and I’m
lazy,” she said.
Sophomore Jacob Voss expressed his
displeasure with voters who don’t take
the election process seriously. Voss, who
has turned in his ballot already, said peo
ple should take the time to learn about
the issues before voting.
“If they’re not too eager about voting,
1 don’t think they should,” he said.
“We don’t need votes from people who
Turn to Vote, page 12
Cast your vote
Nearby ballot drop sites:
University of Oregon
EMU — white receptacle
drop box outside ASUO
office
Lane County Elections
135 East 6th Ave. — white
receptacle drop box in
front of Elections Office
Orive-by drop box
2727 Centennial Blvd.—
in front of Eugene Juvenile
Justice Center’s entrance
All locations will
remain open until 8
p.m. Tuesday. A
complete list of drop
sites is included with
ballots, is published in
the Voter’s Guide and is
available at
www.co.lane.or.us/elect
ions/.
People with questions or
problems should call
Lane County Elections at
682-4234.
SOURCE: Lane County Elections
On the road to fame?
Mark McCambridge Emerald
Mason West, an Oregon Daily Emerald columnist, performs Rufus Wainwright's "California"at his "American Idol" audition.
West-em idolatry
Columnist Mason West braves
the strange world of media
powerhouse “American Idol”
Reporter’s notebook
Mason West
Movies/Music/TV Columnist
When my editor called to ask if 1
wanted to write a story about the
“American Idol” auditions in town,
I thought, “I am so trying out.”
When KDUK called to tell me I
actually could try out, I thought, “I
am so running away.”
I am no American Idol. I didn’t
even watch the show, which, for the
record, America ripped off from
Britain’s “Pop Idol.” The gist, as I
understand it, is crooning hopefuls
compete for a record contract and
the subsequent hordes of adoring
12-vear-olds. Apparently, Paula Ab
dul had something to do with it.
Was she a contestant? Ooooo. Bum.
To earn the privilege of perform
ing, I had to submit a “talent re
sume” and a head-shot (which I
hastily had a newsroom photogra
pher take), and sign a contract
which basically signed away all my
rights and possibly my firstborn.
Notice that none of this includes
actually hearing me sing before se
lecting me from the more than 75
applications received. Since I spent
the better part of a minute writing
my resume, my assumption was
that I have some look that appeals
to them. Certainly not “The Look,”
but a look nonetheless. But, as I was
one of four guys among the 25 con
testants Wednesday night, I was
likely selected because I have a pe
nis.
Back in “The Day” (aka high
school), I fancied myself a per
former and took part in the school
plays and musicals. I even fronted a
band freshman year. But I haven’t
sang publicly in more than three
years, and these people wanted me
to sing a cappella, which is Italian
for “asking to be embarrassed.”
Turn to West, page 12
Photo Illustration by Mark McCambridge
The Emerald
Almost famous
What: Eugene Jdol finals
Where: Wild Duck Music Hall,
169 W. Sixth Ave.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
(doors at 6 p.m.)
Cost: $ 5
The skinny: 10 finalists from
two previous weeks of
auditions compete for a trip to
the Los Angeles tryouts of
"American Idol 2.”
Week of events
targets married,
older students
University celebrates ‘National Nontraditional Student Week’
by highlighting resources available to help students succeed
Jennifer Bear
Campus/City Culture Reporter
It’s 7 a.in. on a Monday morning and student Patti I Inch ten is hustling
around on campus, preparing for another hectic week of classes at the
University. But Ilaehten has more than homework on her mind — the
3<S-year-old business administration ma jor is also a mother and wife.
This week, people such as Ilaehten can connect with other non
traditional students, as well as the community, as a part of National
Nontraditional Student Week.
As of spring term, more than 4,200 students at the University were
older than 25, one criterion for being considered a nontraditional
student. National figures show the percentage of older students to
Turn to Week, page 12
City upholds UO
child care permit
The Eugene Planning Commission has tentatively granted the
University a permit to build the East Campus Childrens Center.
At a meeting Monday morning, the commission upheld the ini
tial decision by hearings official Virginia Gustafson to grant the Uni
versity its conditional use permit.
City Planner Kent Kullby said the commission will meet Nov. 12
to officially decide the fate of the permit and discuss possible modi
fications that include adding additional parking spaces to construc
tion plans.
The University needs the permit in order to break ground on the
site, located on the southeast of campus at the corner of East 17th
Avenue and Moss Street.
Toby Grant and Jeff Osanka filed the original appeal against the
University’s conditional-use permit Sept. 30. The two appealed be
cause they said the structure would not mesh with the medium-den
sity residential-style housing in the area and that building the center
would generate too much traffic.
The commission will hold its Nov. 12 meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the
Sloat Room of the Atrium Building, 99 W. 10th Ave.
— Jillian Daley
Weather
Today: High 58, Low 45, cloudy, chance of rain late
Wednesday: High 57, Low 48, rain likely
Looking ahead
Wednesday
New OUS chancellor
holds town hall meeting
Thursday
Pulse features 'Better
than beer-bonging'