The DePauw, Friday, April 26, 2013

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Indiana’s Oldest College Newspaper

Presidential candidates address sparse crowd

WORDS

YOUR NEXT CHAPTER IN FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2013

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Pages 8 & 9 VOL. 161, ISSUE 45

Dairy Queen to move into old Sonic building By KATIE GREEN news@thedepauw.com

DePauw Student Government Parliamentarian Majorie Daily, alongside Vice President Mark Fadel, introduces candidates Mike Curts, Stefani Cleaver, Walker Chance, and Olivia Flores during the Presidential Debate in Meharry Wednesday afternoon. Flores attended the debate via skype from Buenos Aires, Argentina. All candidates are rising seniors, and elections will be held on eservices from April 25-27. SUNNY STRADER / THE DEPAUW By ALEX PAUL news@thedepauw.com

Student body presidential candidates took the stage in Meharry Hall on Wednesday evening to debate issues for the next academic year before voting began Thursday. Approximately thirty people attended the debate. Olivia Flores skyped in from Buenos Aires to help her running mate Walker Chance debate Mike Curts and Stefani Cleaver. Each pair had two minutes to answer questions proctored by Majorie Daily, who stood between the two teams. The first question was the only one candidates knew before the debate began. A coin toss determined who answered the first question. “Why do you want to be student body pres-

ident and vice president?” Daily asked. Curts and Cleaver, winning the coin toss, spoke first. They said in the weeks leading to the debate they spoke to many students in various places on campus. Talking to as many students, Curts and Cleaver said, produces concrete ideas for campus. Flores’ head loomed large over Daily as Chance gave the first half of the opening statement. “What gets to the heart of me is that students like all of you can meet their potential,” Chance said. The remaining questions came from submissions by students. Daily asked the candidates how they would better improve relationships between National Pan-Hellenic Council, Interfraternity Council,

Multicultural Greek Council and Panhellenic Association. Improving communication between the different greek councils would improve attendance at events and unity on campus, Chance said. “We want to make sure organizations have a space to meet,” Chance said. “Improving communication between organizations is a key point for us.” Curts discussed a plan to highlight one organization per week to get rid of some of the flyer overload students notice on campus. By having one organization in the spotlight for the week, Curts believes attendance to events

Candidates | continued on page 2

The deserted Sonic Drive-In on Rt. 231 will open its doors early this summer as a Dairy Queen franchise. Mayor Sue Murray said the owners of the building recently had their layout design released from the state, and they hope the restaurant will open by June 1. According to City Planner Linda Dunbar, the Sonic was only open for one season of business. She said she believes part of its failure was due to the fact that central Indiana weather conditions are not fit for a mostly drive-in restaurant. “We have pretty harsh winters, short springs, short falls and hot summers,” Dunbar said. “And if it’s really hot who wants to sit and eat in their car?” Dunbar said she thinks that Dairy Queen will be a good new option for food services in the community and will not hurt any of the other local businesses. “It’s just one of those things that keeps competition going,” said Dunbar. Dairy Castle owner Rob Best is confident in his customer loyalty, and also thinks that the competition will benefit the community. “I think [the opening of Dairy Queen is] a good thing because it’s showing that the economy is coming back,” Best said. “Usually when competitive companies get together it increases business for both if they’re good companies.” General Manager of Charlie’s Chill and Grill Mark Benassi is staying optimistic about Dairy Queen’s opening and does not seem worried about it taking business away either. “Competition is good,” Benassi said. “It’s just the little guy against corporate America. That’s basically what it’s boiled down to.” Charlie’s, which opened on March 1, is owned by Putnam County Comprehensive Services. Benassi said he thinks the business’s individuality will keep it going strong. “We work mainly with the mentally and physically impaired, and what we’re doing is the first of its kind,” Benassi said. “We’re hoping that the community gets behind us.” In addition, Benassi expressed confidence in the two businesses varying food options as a factor that will help maintain customer loyalty. “My quality of ice cream is much better than [Dairy Queen’s],” Benassi said. “I know that for a fact. And of course I offer different sandwiches than they do. So it’s two different


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