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Independent Collegian IC The
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Serving the University of Toledo since 1919
www.IndependentCollegian.com 91st year Issue 31
Calm and comfort in turbulent times By Allison Seney For the IC The following is the second article of a three part series on religion in the recession. The third article is a feature on Pastor Chaz Boes, who is a University of Toledo student. When people are hit hard in tough economic times, some turn to places of worship for an outlet. The counseling and moral support one finds at a congregation can often serve as a buttress for their overall well-being. Ryan Corser is a graduate student of psychology at the University of Toledo and is learning the science of how people manage stress. “In tough economic times, it is a given that there will be high levels of stress,” he said. “Out of many articles — Religion, Page A2
Composite photo illustration by Nick Kneer/IC; Portrait courtesy of MCT
Potential cut to 618
UTPD community cruiser up for reevaluation By Oreanna Carthorn IC Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Mike Rowe
State Senator Edna Brown is sworn in on Monday, Jan. 3. She represents the 11th District in Ohio.
Brown serves as senator By Vincent D. Scebbi Features Editor
From her beginnings in the Toledo area to her legacy in the Ohio House of Representatives, State Senator Edna Brown could summarize her career in one word. Altruistic. Brown, who was sworn in on Jan. 3, is the first African American to represent Lucas County and the rest of the 11th district. “The time has come where people are looking not at race, not at color, but what I bring to the table and what I provide,” Brown said. In a phone interview with the Independent Collegian, Brown said her movement into the Senate felt like a natural progression
following her nine years of representing the area in the House. For Brown, her political victory and taking office is a sign that her voters trust her to take on more responsibilities and represent a larger pool of residents. “To me, it’s, shall we say, I won’t call it a promotion; I would say it is showing [voters’] confidence in my abilities to represent a larger body with more responsibilities,” she said. “I have proven myself in the past, and they have allowed me to continue.”
Employee for the city, worker for the people
Brown is a Toledo native,
raised through the Toledo Public School System, attending Whitney Vocational High School and attending both the University of Toledo and Mary Manse College pursuing a degree in business education. Although she did not graduate from college, Brown worked as an employee of the city of Toledo for 32 years, holding a variety of positions including public relations assistant, publication technician and accounting clerk. Brown also worked for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees. Upon her retirement, she was the secretary treasurer of AFSCME’s local chapter. — Brown, Page A2
Due to budgeting limitations, the University of Toledo is considering rejecting the 618 cruiser unit, which patrols the Bancroft Hills, Secor Gardens and Old Orchard neighborhoods. The unit, created in 1994, consists of one UT Police officer and one Toledo Police officer. UT Chief of Police Jeff Newton said the 618 unit has a positive impact on the communities it serves. Newton said the unit provides the areas with an extra police presence. “It is certainly nothing that we want to eliminate,” Newton said. “If the unit is lost then hopefully it would
be only temporarily.” By cutting the unit, UT would no longer be liable for the salary and benefit costs associated with the UTPD officer working on the unit. The UTPD officer involved in the 618 unit may be reassigned within the department or laid off, according to Newton. Richard Miller, the UTPD officer involved with the 618 unit, has been working in the unit since August 2010. Miller volunteered to be part of the 618 unit and said as a former UT student, he enjoys being on patrol, talking to the students and getting to know them. “I know the area and I know what goes on back there. Because I’ve been
there, I can relate to the students,” Miller said. Miller said he hopes UT keeps the unit in place despite budget issues. Miller’s TPD partner is Michael Koperski. “As much of the important stuff we try to do, just the mere presence is a detractor for anybody to try and commit more crime back there than what happens,” Koperski said. “Too many times we’ve gone to a house or a college party and they think it’s a college neighborhood and that is simply not the case.” One of their main goals is to make sure life is not disrupted for the everyday citizens that live there because they also deserve a — Cruiser, Page A7
Kevin Sohnly/ IC
The 618 police unit that patrols neighborhoods surrounding campus could be cut during the University of Toledo’s next budget formulation that will take place this semester.