Alleged Conspiracy Cripples SCG
By Kam Spaulding Anchor Editor
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The impeachment trial of former Student Community Governement Deputy Speaker Ericka Atwell generated more questions than it answered. By the trial’s conclusion at 2:30 a.m., a verdict had been reached but much more controversy was brewing under the surface. This may lead to many more empty desks in the SCG executive office than Atwell’s alone. The trial began with SCG Treasurer Andrew Jarbeau taking the floor to announce a possible settlement. Before the trial, Atwell met with the Executive Board and came to a compromise that could cancel the trial. The agreement stated that she could Ericka Atwell, stay on Parliament but would be barred from running for high office for defendent the rest of the school year. Before Parliament could vote to accept this motion, they needed to take a vote to decide if they could end the trial. This vote came to a tie; Speaker Michael McKenna was called upon to break the tie. After he called a brief recess to think his vote over, he voted in favor of ending the trial. This vote broke the tie and began the discussion over the punishment. After several votes, the compromise was not approved. The members of Parliament then held a vote to begin the trial as “I was upset that we had planned. This vote passed and to have a trial at all, but I opening statements began. Nicholas Lima, President was mosst upset when the of SCG, started the case by plaintiff dragged SCG presenting his evidence and calling his first witness, RIC through the mud.” - Mike junior Casey Gaul. Gaul testiMcKenna fied that she was under the impression that the petition was for Atwell and signed it. Cross examination by both Atwell and the members of Parliament followed. The second witness called by the prosecution was Ms. Atwell. She was on the stand for over 45 minutes as both sides went back and forth. The case broke for Atwell when the next witness was called. Atwell claimed that she obtained the first 38 signatures with the petitioner. Parliament member Ashley Dalton took the stand to say that when she signed the petition Ms. Atwell was alone; Dalton was signature 25. Atwell then called SCG Secretary Christopher Buonanno to the stand. She asked him if he had signed the petition in question. When he responded “yes,” the room went silent. Atwell pointed out that Buonanno was the fiftieth person to sign and that she was alone at the time. Buonanno admitted what he did was wrong, yet the damage was done. There were rousing closing statements on both sides before Parliament deliberations began. A verdict was reached after a half-hour. Atwell was found guilty on two of the three charges and was impeached. The charge she was found not guilty on was the charge of misleading the executive council. On the two guilty charges Parliament member Jocelyn Dube was the only vote of “not guilty.” Following this announcement, a private session was called by SCG; all those in attendance were forced to leave. The events of this closed-door meeting were disclosed later. Secretary Buonanno announced that he may be resigning from his position. Also, former Vice President Christopher Giroux asked President Nick Lima and Treasurer Andrew Jarbeau to resign. This request has since been recanted on, and they will not be asked to resign.
Nick Lima, prosecution
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March 4, 2008
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Vol. 80 Issue #21
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“After meeting with Mr. Giroux we have decided that it is best for the student body if the rest of the EC board does not resign,” said Lima. Buonanno will not be resigning unless asked by parliament at this Wednesday’s meeting to do so. “It is in the hand of parliament now.” Was the comment from Buonanno to his decision. He expects the issue to be discussed and resolved one way or another at the next SCG meeting.
By Joe Robillard Anchor Editor
Rhode Island College’s campus overflowed with 10,000 people Saturday to hear Senator Brack Obama speak on the same stage that Hillary Clinton had attacked him from six days earlier. Obama’s speech covered a wide range of issues including making upper education more affordable, the war in Iraq, making healthcare more affordable, and raising the minimum wage. It’s about time we made college affordable for everybody,” said Obama early in his speech. Obama promised an annual $4000 tuition credit in exchange for community service. The event opened to the public at 12 p.m, and was soon filled with 5,000 people; including many college-aged students. Speakers were set up outside of the building for the additional 5,000 people that couldn’t fit inside the Recre-
ation Center. Upon hiss arrival around 2:30 p.m., Obama gave a brief speech to the outside crowd before taking the indoor stage to a screaming crowd. Rhode Island Attorney General Steven Lynch opened the event, throwing his support behind Obama. Rhode Island Representative Patrck Kennedy followed soon after. Charlie Fogarty and Lincoln Chafee were also at the event. Dozens of national media outlets were there covering the event. Mid-speech, Obama responded to some of the attacks brought up by his Democratic Primary opponent. Last week on the same stage, Clinton mocked Obama saying things along the lines of he thought “celestial choirs” would open up. “It is true that I talk about hope a lot. I have to. The odds of me standing here are slim,” ex-
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