February 21, 2017 Kscope

UAB’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 57, ISSUE 6

LIFE & STYLE: Love in the long term

SPORTS: Hypocrisy of sports fans

UAB students delve into the tips and tricks that keep romance, friendship and happiness alive in long-term relationships. Read more on Page 5.

Sports Editor Jack Ryan analyzes the discrepancy between audience turnout for men’s and women’s basketball games. Read more on Page 7.

The

Kaleidoscope PHOTO COURTESY OF GAVIN HELMI

‘My way of giving back’ Students take to the floor to raise money for Miracle Network Sufia Alam Online Reporter On Sunday, Feb. 19th UAB student organization Blazerthon hosted

its biggest event of the year, dance marathon Blazerthon. For a $10 ticket, students could take part by dancing nonstop from 2:30- 9:30.

Blazerthon sponsored the Dance

Marathon in conjunction with the Miracle Network Dance Marathon.

This organization partners with universities and high schools across the country to hold events for the benefit

of any one of the Children’s Miracle Hospitals.

This year, Rollins Wilkerson was one of two miracle children represented through the Miracle Network Organization. Wilkerson was diagnosed

See BLAZERTHON, Page 9

MAYORAL RACE

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Woodfin vows change for city

UABPD talks campus safety

2017 candidate’s platform stands on revitalization Wallace Golding Community Reporter Randall Woodfin describes himself as “a proud son of Birmingham.” This is hardly debatable given that he has family living in neighborhoods from Kingston to Collegeville and West End to Fountain Heights. For him, giving back to the city that made him who he is seems simple enough, and as a candidate for Mayor of Birmingham, he has big plans for the city he calls home.

Woodfin is a graduate of Morehouse College and the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He has served as a city attorney for eight years and has spent three years on the Birmingham City School Board, serving most of that time as board president.

From back-room brawls

See WOODFIN, Page 9

New app, more lights, cameras are part of force’s fresh efforts Kristina Balciunaite Assistant Branding and Outreach Manager Bike thefts, B-Alerts and campus safety after dark were issues that were discussed at the Safety Town Hall meeting on Monday, Feb. 13. The Undergraduate Student Government Association hosted a Safety Town Hall meeting in the performance lounge of the

Hill Student Center. At the meeting, UAB Police led a discussion with students about increasing response to recent events and other safety issues.

Assistant Vice President and Chief of Police Anthony B. Purcell, Captain John Fields, Captain James B. Granade and Lieutenant Kenneth Spencer represented the UAB Police Department.

The purpose of the event, according to CAS senator and marine biology freshman Tia Davis, was to let the UAB Police Department address any safety concerns that students might have.

Prior to the meeting, USGA had conducted a survey in which students had the chance to express their questions and concerns regarding safety on campus.

“It was largely positive,” Davis said. “The only concern was walking on campus at night.”

According to UABPD, the university has installed more

light fixtures around campus, especially around the newest buildings. ”We want there to be plenty of visibility,” Granade said.

Representatives from UABPD encouraged students to pursue personal protection measures, such as downloading and using the Rave Guardian app, which allows users to more efficiently alert both their friends, family and campus police in the event of an emergency.

See SAFETY, Page 2

BASEBALL

Breakout the brooms, it’s a sweep Behind strong pitching, tough defense, UAB picks up 3 wins SPORTS STAFF REPORT first pitch. After catching the A family affair highlighted the final game of the UAB Baseball opening weekend.

The team opened its season with a three-game sweep of the Creighton University Bluejays that began Friday, Feb. 17.

At the start of the final game, UAB sophomore pitcher Matthew Calvert’s son and girlfriend walked to the infield to throw out the

first pitch, Calvert handed the ball to his son, pulled a ring out of his pocket and got down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend, Amanda Love.

After the excitement, the Blazers starting pitchers allowed just one run in 19 innings pitched over the three-day span. Along with this, UAB capitalized on the Blue Jays’ multiple errors to score 22 runs over the

weekend.

“The whole pitching staff was outstanding,” said UAB Baseball Head Coach Brian Shoop. “It all starts on the mound. Our whole pitching staff did a great job. I am very proud, and they are going to keep us in games this year.”

In the first game of the series, UAB sophomore starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock dazzled as he went eight innings pitched, struck out six batters and allowed just five hits. Offensively, the Blazers recorded six hits spread throughout the whole lineup as no one had more

than one hit.

Sophomore center fielder Brewer Hicken, sophomore infielder Antonio Ralat and junior infielder Price Visintainer all scored runs for UAB. At the end of the game, Creighton threatened to spoil UAB’s victory as they scored two runs in the ninth inning and had the winning run on second.

Creighton’s Thomas Luevano hit a ball sharply toward the gap between shortstop and third base. Visintainer made a diving stop as the runner lept over his

See BASEBALL, Page 9

INSIDE CAMPUS

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OPINIONS

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COMMUNITY

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SPORTS

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Campus

Page 2 February 21, 2017

SPOTLIGHT ON: MARINA TRIPLETT

Family inspires student scientist Prodigy brings love back to research

Anthony Roney II Campus Reporter Few undergraduate students in the United States have the credentials of Marina Triplett. Motivated by a fierce love for her sister, the UAB student has already led groundbreaking research in the fight against cancer as just one of her many achievements.

“I haven’t decided where I’m going yet, but I’m applying for PhD programs in interdisciplinary biomedical sciences field,” said Triplett.

“It would be something related to either biochemistry or neuroscience, because I ultimately want to do Autism research.”

Triplett said she wants to pursue Autism research, because her little sister has Autism.

“That was what inspired me in the first place to pursue a career in science,” Triplett said. “I knew I ultimately wanted to work on Autism research in relation to the biochemical or genetic basis of Autism Spectrum disorders.”

Triplett said that the current amount of research dedicated to Autism is severely lacking. The reason being that it’s a non-deadly disease, and it’s relatively mysterious. She wants to go to graduate school and do the research so she can diagnosis the causes and create cures.

“To me, there’s not a lot of people out there who are able to speak for people with Autism or mental disabilities because these people can’t really speak for themselves,” said Triplett. “And the people who are taking care of these people, they’re too busy to speak out about how there needs to be more Autism research.”

Triplett, a senior studying biochemistry at UAB, has been researching DNA topoisomerase I (Top1), an enzyme that catalyzes the relaxation of DNA supercoils during DNA replication and transcription. Top1 is the

“

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR Tripplet’s research goals stem from a love for her sister, and that motivated her to be the dedicated scientist she is today.

To me, there’s not a lot of people out there who are able to speak for people with Autism or mental disabilities because these people can’t really speak for themselves. And the people who are taking care of these people, they’re too busy to speak out about how there needs to be more Autism research.

— Marina Triplett target of the camptothecin (CPT) class of anti-cancer drugs, and the addition of CPT is toxic to a cell during S-phase of the cell cycle, according to Triplett.

Essentially, this means the enzyme could be targeted on cancer cells to develop a better system of anti-cancer

drugs. This could lead to many people being saved and Triplett has been at the center of it since the summer after her freshman year.

Triplett’s interest in science spurred in middle school, primarily stemming from her school’s science fair. Then, in

high school, Triplett fell in love with her chemistry classes and other various scientific events like the Science Olympiad. However, her desire to pursue a career in researching Autism has followed her the whole way.

Diane Tucker, Ph.D., the Director of the Science and Technology Honors Program, has taught multiple courses to Triplett since she first came to UAB. “She sets a high standard of excellence for herself in everything she does,” Tucker said. “I am excited to watch Marina’s career take shape. She will be an innovative and influential scientist and she will make a difference in her community.”

According to Tucker, she has served as a peer mentor in the Science and Technology Honors Program and is active in the UAB Student American Chemical Society chapter. As a sophomore, she was one of the organizers of the UAB Regional Science Olympiad tournament. When Triplett became the director of the Olympiad, she expanded both the competition to both high school and middle school students.

Tucker said that she is the only student to run the Science Olympiad Tournament in the country.

Triplett graduates in the Spring and is already applying to graduate schools across the country. However, UAB helped her in flourishing her natural ability with science by providing her early research opportunities.

“Because of UAB, I was able to get that undergraduate research experience, and that’s what got me into wanting to go to graduate school and pursue a Ph. D.,” said Triplett.

“I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am now if I hadn’t gone to UAB.” Once she completes graduate school, Triplett said she plans to ultimately become a scientific researcher and be a principle investigator for her own lab concerning Autism.

“I’m really hoping that in graduate school and in my future career, I can make an impact in the area of Autism research,” said Triplett.

Safety From Page 1

Another problem students have faced was bike thefts on campus. Neuroscience freshman Affan Rizwan said he attended the town hall to have his questions and concerns about bike thefts answered and addressed.

“I am considering getting a bike,” Rizwan said. “I was concerned with how safe my bike would be.”

Addressing the issue of bike theft, Granade said that UABPD is installing surveillance cameras near areas where students generally park their bikes.

“If I had the men to put an officer on every bike rack around campus I would do so,” Grenade said. “We’re doing everything possible to locate the suspects and apprehending them and, of course, recover the property.”

Grenade also encouraged students and employees to register their bikes with the Parking and Transportation Services so that they could possibly be recovered if stolen.

“Like you register your

Anthony Roney II can be reached at roney16@uab.edu.

“

We’re doing everything possible to locate the suspects and apprehending them and, of course, recover the property.

— Captain James B. Granade

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR Chief of Police at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Anthony B. Purcell speaks on the force’s efforts to continue to keep campus a safer place for faculty and students at the UAB Safety Town Hall meeting on Monday, Feb. 13.

car with the DMV, you register your bike with Parking and Transportation Services by giving them a serial number,” Granade said. “That is a huge tool.”

After the death at the parking deck Jan. 31, students were not content with the fact that there was no B-Alert sent out to warn

them. Among them was freshman in biomedical engineering Garrett Clarke.

“Seeing dozens of cop cars rush to a location can make people feel unsafe,” Clarke said. “We have the right to know what goes on around campus.”

Purcell addressed this by stressing that B-Alert is not a

form of mediating information on things that happen on campus, but its purpose is to alert students when there is reason to take precautions.

“A B-Alert is sent out when there is an ongoing continuous threat to the university,” Purcell said. “That is the definition from the Federal Government.”

The next USGA student inclusion event will in March. At that student forum all the major offices of UAB, including the UABPD, Housing and Residence life, UAB Dining, UAB president Ray L. Watts and more, will be present. There students will be granted the opportunity to have any of their questions regarding those departments answered.

Kristina Balciunaite can be reached at asst.online@insideuab.com.

opinion Spring 2017 Chandler Jones Editor-in-Chief editor@insideuab.com

Tessa Case Managing Editor managing@insideuab.com

Surabhi Rao Community Editor community @insideuab.com

Jack Ryan Sports Editor sports@insideuab.com

Jason Grover Life and Style Editor features@insideuab.com

Ian Keel Photo Editor photos@insideuab.com

Tamara Imam Branding and Outreach Manager online@insideuab.com

Page 3

February 21, 2017

EDITORIAL BOARD

Misuse of police force Connor McDonald Opinions Columnist If you have lived or traveled throughout the Birmingham metro area, you’ve probably noticed how different life can be on either side of Red Mountain. One of the more noticeable differences is police presence. In Birmingham, it’s pretty rare to see a police officer hanging out in their car waiting for speeders.

In fact, it’s usually more common to hear the police rather than see them in Birmingham since they’re usually always on the move, sirens blaring.

On the other hand, it’s very common to see police officers in communities “over the mountain” silently waiting for speeders to pass. In fact, the majority of the time that’s all you see them do. However, this issue goes beyond purely just writing tickets to enforce traffic laws.

Let’s take a look at their

general appearance. Birmingham Police cars are mostly white with a text design that feels inviting and friendly.

These contrast starkly with many OTM communities which are infamous for their large, black SUVs that barrel down roadways. In addition to their tough appearance, many engage in tactics and practices that feel downright intimidating. Often times, these police officers will form a pack and wait in the dark for a perpetrator to catch. I’ve even seen a group of Hoover Police officers on I-459 encircle a group of cars going less than 10 mph over the speed limit and successfully pull the entire group of cars over.

On the other hand, Birmingham Police are usually known for how relaxed they are toward things like speeding, jaywalking and other crimes that OTM police froth at the mouth to write citations for. In case you weren’t

aware, Birmingham is one of the most dangerous cities in America, and our police officers have issues to deal with regularly that most OTM communities only see a few times a year. I’ve even asked a handful of Birmingham Police officers what they would do in certain situations like speeding 5-10 mph over the speed limit or jaywalking, and most said that usually they don’t care, so long as the person doing it isn’t being disruptive to others or reckless in general.

A big issue here has to do with revenue generation in these communities. Relying on police officers to generate their own revenue obviously creates a huge conflict of interest. Police are supposed to be our peace keepers.

They’re supposed to let us feel safe. Often times, though, the opposite ends up being true. When police are incentived to stop treating people as ends, and instead start

treating them as means, real issues begin to surface. It’s not uncommon for people from lower income communities to feel as if they have a huge target on their back as soon as they cross municipal lines, and the fear of not being able to afford to pay a ticket tends to make this feeling worse.

In the end, these practices don’t serve any useful purpose besides giving police departments and cities more money to play around with. Profiting off people’s suffering is no way to run a peacekeeping force. It puts a divide between police and community members that sticks with them throughout their daily lives.

The police should not ever make an innocent person feel afraid, and they especially should not be going out of their way to make people’s lives harder.

Connor McDonald can be reached at conmcdon@uab.edu.

Kristina Balciunaite Assistant Branding and Outreach Manager kribal@insideuab.com

Emily Cox-Oldham Assistant Photo Editor ecoxoldham@gmail.com

Chris St. John Head Opinions Columnist cstjohn@uab.edu

Anthony Roney Campus Reporter roney16@uab.edu

Wallace Golding Community Reporter wsgoldin@uab.edu

Trinity Dix Sports Reporter tri915@uab.edu ILLUSTRATION BY LEISHA ASHLAND-NICHOLE/CONTRIBUTOR

Connor Gentry Sports Reporter gcgentry@uab.edu

Sufia Alam Online Reporter sufia@uab.edu

Connor McDonald Opinions Columnist conmcdon@uab.edu

Marie Sutton Advisor masutton@uab.edu

Patrick Johnson Production Manager plj3@uab.edu

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Birmingham, 35233 (205) 934-3354

GUN VIOLENCE

Giving guns another a shot Chris St. John Head Opinions Columnist There is no simple answer about gun violence in Alabama.

One article in USA today, which based its findings on a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, showed that in 2014 Alabama was fourth highest in the nation for gun-related crimes.

This fact really surprised me, because I feel safe in Birmingham and on UAB campus, but then I realized that I only go into neighborhoods where I feel safe. Because truth be told, there are some places of this city I would be afraid to walk through alone.

I did find it fascinating that according to a 2016 poll released by the Pew Research Center, gun ownership per household in America is up to 44 percent. Additionally, a 2015 Gallup poll found 50 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds were in favor of supporting and protecting the Second Amendment. It seems that millennials are not as afraid of gun ownership as some might believe.

I am forty now, but when I was in my teens, life was different because I can remember getting in fights. I won some

and I lost. However, no one that ever lost a fight, decided to go home get some friends with guns and seek revenge. If you lost the fight, you lost, and you showed up the next day at school.

I don’t mind some stricter gun control laws like stronger background checks and I don’t think assault weapons are necessary for private citizens.

No one uses a Bushmaster to go hunting. However, I have heard some say they need assault weapons in their homes because criminals have them, therefore a homeowner would need an assault weapon to better protect his family. In other words, if Joe Drugdealer has an AK-47, then I need an AK-47 for my protection.

Some do believe that gun ownership is protection from tyranny. Understandably, the way for a government to enslave its people would be to first disarm them. However, I promise you, the U.S. military is not concerned about you and your little nine-millimeter pistol. They have tanks, planes, drones, cruise missiles, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines. So, to think one can deter the government from taking the nation over is just naïve.

Besides, the government

does not want to take your guns away. No matter what party is in office, they can’t do it. It’s not easy to amend the constitution, which is what Congress would have to do.

Removing their right to bear arms would offend a lot of people that voted for them Some Politicians may hate guns, but they love being in office more, and they know if they want to get re-elected then they can’t touch the guns of their constituents. I would add that the stricter laws being proposed must work both ways. There needs to be serious consequences for using a gun to solve your problems.

I will admit that I am not a fan of “gun free zones” personally. I think announcing to criminals there are no guns here does not deter them from carrying out their intentions.

Some people believe that if a guy wants to come to a college and shoot people at random, that when he sees the gun-free zone signs he will stop and leave. Come on, he’s going to carry out his plans of destruction.

However, in my opinion, that UAB being filled with a lot of 2nd Amendment people acts as a deterrent for some violent crime. For example, in some

states a guy will shoot in a classroom, or just amongst the student body, and the people will run for their lives. Eventually, the police will show up to handle the situation if the shooter hasn’t already killed himself.

This would not happen here in Alabama. Once the first shots were heard, and the people began running for their lives across campus, someone would have shot him within minutes of the chaos. The moment the shots were fired and the people began to run for the lives, the killer would be shot and killed within minutes; by either a student with a concealed gun, or a teacher with one.

Gun violence is a problem.

There is no doubt. But I don’t believe guns are the problem.

They are inanimate objects without will. It is the user of the gun, and that individual’s thought process, whether he fears retribution or not. Whether he cares about people or not.

This goes to character, so perhaps people should get involved with programs in Birmingham that help fight against this dilemma of the soul.

Chris St. John can be reached at cstjohn@uab.edu and on Twitter at @cstjohn416.

community

Page 4

February 21, 2017

CIVILIAN RESPONSE

‘How much we really bring to the table’

Stores close to show support for immigrants Tamara Imam Branding and Outreach Manager Businesses across the country closed their doors on Thursday, Feb. 16 in a nationwide “Day Without Immigrants” protest.

The protest was in part a response to President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order banning immigration from seven countries.

While the ban has been lifted by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the larger issue of immigration has remained the center of the Trump administration, especially as he zeros in on his campaign promise to build a wall along the southern border with Mexico.

Businesses across Birmingham and the surrounding area also closed their doors, answering calls to not open up their businesses or to shop in stores and eat in restaurants.

Eric Peña, the manager of Gordo’s and a fourth generation Mexican American, was scrolling through Facebook last week when he saw posts about the national protest.

When he noticed a lack of information about a similar protest in Alabama, he made a post on his family business’s Facebook page, picked

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/ PHOTO EDITOR Mi Pueblo Supermarket is one of many stores that observed the “Day without Immigrants” protest.

up the phone and called other Hispanic business owners in the area.

Acapulco Bar and Grill, Mi Pueblo Supermarket and BAMA Insurances Services are among the businesses in the Birmingham area that closed for business on Thursday.

“We as a Hispanic community can come together and show how much we really bring to the table as citizens, as people who live here, who have jobs here,

work here and have businesses here,” Peña said. “I just think it’s really important to have people realize not only what our buying power is, but what we bring to our local communities.”

Gordo’s, which is owned and operated by Peña’s parents, has been in business for over 15 years.

“We’ve really helped form what Birmingham has become. As you can see there’s a lot of growth going on and we’re expanding,” Peña said.

CITY COUNCIL

Agenda: A 30 minute dash Surabhi Rao Community Editor The Council moved through 64 items within 30 minutes, with much of the meeting dedicated towards public requests and open floor.

The first discussed Item allocated $50,000 toward Desmond Wilson of The 1987 Supply Co., LLC to act as a consultant to the Office of the City Council.

In response to Item 19, Councilor Valerie Abbot of District 3 explained that she received phone calls on Monday night accusing the council of doing certain things during an election year. “…So I wanted someone to tell me exactly what we’re doing here,” Abbot said. “Are we self-promoting or are we promoting someone else? Who are we promoting?”

Council President Johnathan Austin of District 5 responded that this contract with Wilson has been ongoing for the past three years.

“If we were promoting anyone it would be the citizens and the city as a whole,” Austin responded. “This Council has tried to be as transparent and open and accessible to the public as possible, and this is just another way to do that.”

With Abbott voting no and another Councilor abstaining, this item did not pass.

Abbott nominated Henry Pennick to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and he was appointed unanimously.

Multiple Items were moved to be presented later because parties were not present and details of some were still unprepared.

For example, Item 1 presented a Resolution relative to a citizen’s application for an On and Off Premise Lounge Retail License. Detective Paterson was to come the mic to speak on the matter, but was not present. The Item was moved to the following week.

Surabhi Rao can be reached at community@insideuab.com and on Twitter @Cityrao17.

Humans of Birmingham Surabhi Rao Community Editor

“I

was in the army for roughly three years, from 1980 to 1984. I learned discipline, I learned teamwork and I learned to get along with people. I was on my way to Korea but it was the end of time of my service and I didn’t re-enlist. At that time, Ronald Reagan was President and the minimum wage was $3.35 an hour. That’s what I was paid in the army. I thought by going into the army I would make more money! During this time, there were plenty of jobs, but your pay was not enough to actually live independently...”

— Kenneth David, security guard at city hall

“And I feel like there’s this push back from people who are still kind of just stuck in their outdated ways of thinking that we don’t need immigrants and we don’t need people from other countries.”

Brianneth Alvarado Medina, a senior kinesiology student and the president of the Spanish and Latino Student Association, is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and participated in Thursday’s protest. She and other members of the organization

chose to stay home from work and class and chose not to shop or eat out.

“I hope people realized how essential we are to the American economy. Either as workers or business owners,” Medina said.

On the other hand, some students felt as though the protest missed the point in the national conversation about immigration.

“I personally feel that many of the people participating in the Day Without Immigrants protest do not totally recognize how conservatives view immigration or how conservatives want to deal with immigration issues,” said Christopher Owens, a senior political science student.

“This protest tends to make it seem as though conservatives/Republicans have an issue with immigration across the board, both legal and illegal. The truth, however, is that conservatives have a problem with illegal immigration, not legal immigration.

Generally, we on the right are absolutely fine with legal immigration, and in fact, believe immigration is important for the success of the United States. We feel that illegal immigration needs to be stopped, not because we have anything against immigrants, but because it presents a national and economic security issue.”

Tamara Imam can be reached at online@insideuab.com.

Life and Style

Page 5 February 21, 2017

LOVE AFTER VALENTINE’S DAY

Happily Ever After Students in long-term relationships discuss the secrets to their longevity

W

hen Shawn Sharp, junior in digital forensics, zipped himself into a plastic human hamster ball for bubble-ball soccer on a fateful day in November 2014, he had no idea he would soon meet the love his life.

“I like to tell everybody she knocked me off my feet, and I swept her off hers,” Sharp said.

Three years later, on Jan. 21, 2017, Sharp took his girlfriend, Lillian, to the restaurant where they had their first date planning pop the big question.

“I knew a while back that she was the one,” Sharp said. “I am head over heels for her, and she feels the same about me… It’s just incredible.”

Sharp says the secret to the success of their relationship is making time for each other. They date, go on walks and live together.

They even share a digital calendar.

Adrianna Roe, freshman in civil engineering, says it the same way for her and her

Chandler Jones boyfriend sugar Editor-In-Chief of more than coat anythree years, Adam. thing.”

“We have ‘our’ Roe said that they time. Roe said. “We set aside can speak in short, little bits ‘our’ time. We don’t hang out with because they understand each anyone else. We watch a movie, other so well. study, just be together.”

Lindsi Kreider, junior in matheRoe said their friendship is matics and UAB Teach, agrees that strongest bond. She sees other “communication is key.”

“

Once you don’t have that communication there with that person anymore, you just become people to each other. It’s not that deep conversation anymore, and that’s what keeps it alive. Being involved with each other. Communicating about how your day goes, asking about work and regular life. It’s really important to talk to each other about that those things.

—Lindsi Kreider relationships that aren’t based in friendship and recognize that they aren’t as successful.

“We’ve already been through so many life events together that we have that bonding already that a lot of people don’t have,” Roe said. “There are some things people are uncomfortable doing around each other that we are not. We aren’t afraid to tell each other stuff either, at all.

We keep it real, we don’t

“Once you don’t have that communication there with that person anymore, you just become people to each other,” Kreider said.

“It’s not that deep conversation anymore, and that’s what keeps it alive. Being involved with each other. Communicating about how your day goes, asking about work and regular life. It’s really important to talk to each other about that those things.”

Kreider and her boy-

friend, Robert, celebrated the third anniversary on Feb. 2, 2017. She said their relationship has deep roots in friendship.

They’ve known each other for nearly six years.

“At first, he was more that I looked up to, a person who could take care of me, look out for me,” Krieder said. “Then it formed into a best friendship. That was a major key for us too. We put that relationship first.”

Krieder says they love adventuring together like taking trips to the beach or new cities.

All agree their relationships are huge parts of who they are and how they live their daily lives. They all say that the best part is having someone who is there for them, lifts them up and makes them better.

“It kind of naturally flows out of respect and love for each other,” Sharp said.

Chandler Jones can be reached at editor@insideuab. com and on Twitter @chanjone7.

SPOTLIGHT ON: Hua Perry Sarah Elise Oetken Contributed Report When I was in elementary school, I loved to read the interesting cartoons and look at the beautiful colors in the pictures. I began to draw a lot of pictures from these books. My parents recognized my love for art, so they helped support me when I took a lot of art classes in high school.

Later, I was fortunate to pass the difficult art exam to attend college. After college, I became an elementary art teacher. During this time, I realized I had a passion for fine arts, so I came to America to learn additional art skills. UAB has great art programs, I have enjoyed all of the art studio classes I have taken including photography, graphic design and oil painting.

Confidence is as important as skills, so my advice to young artists is do not be afraid to stand in front of the blank canvas. You will be fine, believe yourself.

ARTWORK COURTESY OF HUA PERRY Perry has a background in elemntary art education, but came to the US to learn additional art skills.

BEHIND THE CURSOR Name: Hua Perry, 44 years old Major: Fine Art Art Medium: New Media Favorite color: Purple Advice for aspiring artists: “Do not be afraid to stand in front of the blank canvas. You will be fine, believe yourself.”

Artist Spotlight is presented by Aura Literary Arts Review. Deadline for the Spring 2017 edition is Feb. 27.

Page 6 | Life & Style

The Kaleidoscope

Style profile Name: Stone Tickle Year: Sophmore Major: Computer Science

Shop this look: I buy my clothes from thrift stores. I bought the shirt at the the Village Thrift in Hoover.

I bought the button down and pants at thrift stores, the Patagonia shirt, shoes and socks were all gifts from online stores.

Style Inspiration: My style comes from crossing comfort with colorful designs.

I don’t really prefer any brand over another. I do think Birkenstocks are pretty cool, though.

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February 21, 2017

ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Sound Edge completes cycle with ‘Four Seasons” Festival draws to a close with variations on Vivaldi Jason Grover Life & Style Editor

“To Music” contrasted greatly with “Afterlight,” with its The unruly noise relaxed pace and more tuning strings and melodic structure. woodwinds gave way However, it still feato applause as Carlos tures interesting comIzcaray took the stage positional choices, such at the Alys Stephens as having a portion of Performing Arts Center. the orchestra play a Conductor Izcaray led fanfare from offstage. the Alabama Violinist Symphony Francisco Fullana Orchestra for joined Izcaray the last perforand the ASO to mance of the end the perfor2017 Sound Edge mance with Max Festival.

Richter’s take on The festival, Vivaldi’s “Four Grover Seasons.” which began on Feb. 9 and Feb. The piece, 18, consisted of nine appropriately titled events exploring the “The Four Seasons “edgy” side of music.

Recomposed,” reworks Events took place at Vivaldi’s composition a variety of venues in a way that adds around the city. compositional elements The ASO’s Feb. 18th more common to the performance began 20th and 21st centuwith composer Carlos ries.

Sanchez-Gutierrez’s The Sound Edge “Afterlight.”

Festival began on Feb. The piece largely 9 with the ASO and eschews traditional alt-rockers NYCO joinmelodic form, instead ing forces to perform utilizing extended works by Beethoven instrumental techniques and Ives. to create a tense atmoThe subsequent sphere. nights showcased a vaThe orchestra then riety of musical genres. launched into John Seasick Records Corigliano’s “To Muhosted an event filled sic,” which is based on with performances that Franz Schubert’s An de incorporated prereMusik.” corded sound.

The following night, a large ensemble performed a series of musical pieces composed in graphic notation.

Izcaray gave a lecture at the Birmingham Museum of Art on Feb. 12, accompanied by a showing of the Philip Glass-scored film “Koyaanisqatsi.”

Indie Rockers Future Elevators gave a performance at the Syndicate Loundwith AROVA Contemporary Ballet and Opera Birmingham.

The ASO performed two events featuring works by composer-in-residence Susan Botti.

Her piece “Telaio: Desdemona” is inspired

by Shakespeare’s “Othello,” while “EchoTempo” is inspired by the sounds of the natural world.

The final performance brought the festival full-circle with a slight return to somewhat more traditional pieces that still showcased non-traditional elements.

This represented the inaugural year for the Sound Edge Festival.

Addressing the audience at the Alys Stephens Center, Izcaray said he hopes it will be the first of many.

Jason Grover can be reached at features@insideuab.com

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sports

Page 7 February 21, 2017

FROM THE DESK OF: THE SPORTS EDITOR

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR The UAB Women’s Basketball team plays against the Western Kentucky Universiity Hilltoppers in front of a small crowd in Bartow Arena.

Echoes of success

An attendance epidemic that’s sweeping across college basketball Jack Ryan Sports Editor

an average of 3,822 people per game.

I want someone to try to At the start of most UAB explain to me why, on a national Women’s Basketball game, scale, men outdraw women by Bartow Arena sits nearly empty nearly three times. as only 300 fans sit in the vast I get the argument that 8,700-seat stadium. women’s basketball is a topAttendance at Women’s Basheavy sport. The No. 1 ranked ketball games is a real epidemic Connecticut Women’s Basketball for many teams across the counteam own more 60-plus point try. At UAB alone, there existed wins in their current 100-game an unreal discrepancy between streak than they do single-digit the average number of people at wins. But other than that, where the men’s and women’s games is the other side of the argument. last year. If I gave you a chance When senior guard Dirk Wilto guess the difference in liams or senior guard Denaverage attendance, you zell Watts drains a 3-pointprobably would not come er from the corner to give close to the actual number.

UAB the lead, the crowd According to NCAA. jumps to their feat in org, the men’s team roaring excitement. Howaveraged 4,945 people ever, when sophomore per game last season. The guard Deanna Kuzmanic Ryan women, on the or freshman other hand, guard Rachael averaged just Childress hit a 387 people per 3-pointer, there game. That’s is nothing but a a whopping faint cheer from 4,558 people the 300 or so per game diffans in attenference. I know dance. this number is The Wombased on tickets en’s Basketball sold and often team tried multhere were tiple times this not that many season to draw people at either a larger crowd. team’s games, but that number They hosted community nights, should still raise eyebrows. where if you brought a group You may ask, well what about from that city, you could receive attendance at a school like the discounted tickets. That worked University of Connecticut or oth- toward the end of the season, but er Power Five conference schools. it does not address a big probThis statistic holds true across lem, student attendance. every conference in the country.

On an average day for the Connecticut Men’s Basketball Men’s Basketball team, there team averaged 10,413 people were multiple tailgates, and per game last year while the around 500 students per game.

Connecticut Women’s Basketball However, for the Women’s Basteam averaged 8,920 people per ketball team, there have been no game. This number astounds tailgates sponsored by any orgame. Most people in the sports nizations on campus. The women community know Connecticut coordinated free food from Full by their Women’s Basketball Moon BBQ in an attempt to team who have won four-straight draw some more students, but NCAA National Titles and just students simply grabbed their won their 100th game in a row. food and walked away. Instead Even if you look at Conferof an empty student section for ence USA, a mid-major conferthat game, there were no more ence that UAB is a part of, the than 20 students. numbers still hold true. Last UAB Women’s Basketball season, C-USA ranked No. 8 in team holds a record of 5-8 in average attendance for Women’s C-USA play. However, 5 of the Basketball drawing in 1,468 fans. 8 losses have been by 5 points On the men’s side, C-USA ranked or less. Of those 5 losses, 2 were No. 12 in attendance drawing in at home. One can only imagine

I want someone to try to explain to me why, on a national scale, men outdraw women by nearly three times.

how having even 1,000 fans at those two games could sway them in UAB’s favor.

The C-USA tournament happens Mar. 8-11. I urge all fans, alumni and students to come

show their support for both teams.

Jack Ryan can be reached at sports@insideuab.com and on Twitter @kscope_sports.

Bring us your: Plastic bottles Aluminum cans Paper & Flat Cardboard *No Liquids or Foods* Learn more about our mission at www.uab.edu/recycle.

Page 8 |Sports

The Kaleidoscope

February 21, 2017

BOWLING

Rolling through the season Team discusses ups, downs and hopes for spring

O

n Dec. 2, 2014, three athletic teams were discontinued at UAB. However, on Jun. 1, 2015 these three teams, Football, Bowling and Rifle, were reinstated and brought back from the dead.

Both the Bowling and Rifle teams have been competing since the announcement was made by UAB President, Dr. Ray Watts, while Football does not take the field until fall.

“It’s changed in many aspects [since the shutdown],” said UAB Bowling senior Madeline McDuff. “I would have not have asked for a better team. They are young but they have grown a lot in these past few months. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anybody else.”

There are two types of bowling formats spread over three days in NCAA Bowling.

The first format is called Baker.

This format is played for the first two days and the second is traditional bowling, which is played on the last day. “[In Baker], five people bowl at a time,” said UAB Bowling Coach Michelle Crews. “Let’s say you and I are the first two people on the team. The first bowls for frames one and six, the second person bowls for frames two and seven and so on and

PHOTO BY EMILY COX-OLDHAM/ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR LEFT TO RIGHT: UAB Bowling freshman Alexa Fernandez, red-shirt freshman Caitlin Cunningham and freshman Taylor Russell practice drills at the Vestavia Bowl.

so forth. The team keeps the total combined score for the game.”

The UAB Bowling team is comprised of eight females with only one senior. The rest of the players started the year with no experience at the collegiate level.

“We are just in an interesting position right now.”

Crews said. “...So you think that they are a very young and still inexperienced and have the success that they have had so quickly and early on is something we can build off of and grow from.”

Michelle Crews is currently in her fourth year as coach of the UAB Bowling team. She owns a 172-206 record as a coach. The current team holds a record of 35-27 with two tournaments remaining. On Feb. 22, however, the Bowling team will learn if they make a postseason tournament.

“Collegiate bowling we look at in two different aspects.” Crews said. “We have the NCAA but we also have the USBC [United States Bowling Congress] Collegiate. This is a combination of NCAA, NAIA and Club

Bowling [levels], and on the Feb. 22, they will announce the 64 women’s teams that will make the postseason.

They have four scoring sectionals with 16 teams in each one. If you finish in the top four you move on to Nationals.”

Since their return to the fast lane, the UAB Bowling team has been competing at a high level. During the 2016-2017 season the team defeated Vanderbilt, who was ranked sixth in the nation at the time. As the season progressed, the Blazers found

themselves creeping into the Top 25 National Rankings and have been ranked as high as No. 21 in the nation.

“I don’t think it was too exciting or overwhelming.”

McDuff said. “They’re just another team, and in reality we are just bowling for ourselves. We don’t let the big teams intimidate us. We just focus on ourselves, and when we focus on ourselves we can do anything.”

Connor Gentry can be reached at zcgentry@uab.edu and on Twitter @zcgentry.

BASKETBALL

Childress shooting for UAB history Freshman hits record-setting seven threes to stomp Thundering Herd Trinity Dix Sports Reporter UAB Women’s Basketball team returned to Bartow Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16, to face off against the No. 11 Conference-USA ranked Marshall University Thundering Herd.

Back in Jan. 14, the Blazers lost to Marshall 61-56, marking it their fourth lost against them.

Instead of handing Marshall their fifth win against them, the Blazers snapped Marshall’s four-game winning streak with a 16-point gap.

In the first half, the Blazers started out the gate strong with sophomore guard Deanna Kuzmamic’s 3-pointer. After a 3-pointer from Marshall tied the game for one minute and 21 seconds, freshman guard Rachael Childress moved UAB with a 3-pointer. Since then, the Blazers held their lead against Marshall throughout the game.

“The one thing about Rachael is that she acknowledges her teammates,” said Randy Norton, UAB Women’s Basketball Head Coach. “I felt like all of our kids looked for her and they try to give her the ball when she’s open.”

Throughout the game, Childress shot seven 3-pointers, moving her to 77 made triples this season. These 77 points ranked her fourth in UAB record books for 3-point field goals made in a single season, according to UABsports.com.

In the second half, the Blazers locked down on defense against Marshall, which stopped them from shooting their average 32.8 percent of 3-point field goals.Thanks to UAB’s defense, Marshall only shot eight 3-pointers: seven in the first half and one in the sec-

ond half. Overall, UAB outshot Marshall in 3-pointers by 54.2 percent versus Marshall’s 27.6 percent.

By the end of the fourth quarter, the Blazers totaled 21 assists in the game. Junior guard Whytney Singleton accounted for a game-high six assists out of those 21 assists.

“I see the floor really well,” Singleton said. “That’s one of my strong points as a point guard. Coach and I were just talking on the way down here [about] how when I get assists, I feel like those are my points and I’m always looking for the open player.”

In total, the Blazers grabbed 40 rebounds against the Thundering Herd’s 30. Of those 40, Kuzmanic led the team with her season-high seven rebounds while senior guard Janeka Williams had a season-high five rebounds.

“We don’t have a big team, as far as some of the teams in our league [goes], so it’s always got to be a team effort,” Norton said. “It’s got to be five players boxing out. It’s almost like a loose ball: we’ve got to box out and then run the ball down.”

By the end of the game, the Blazers outscored the Thundering Herd in paint 24-18 and off the bench 22-11.

UAB defeated Marshall 7155. This brought the Blazers’ C-USA record to 6-8 and their overall record to 13-11.

UAB Women’s Basketball will hit the road for their last games, starting with No. 2 C-USA ranked Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders. The game tips off at 6 p.m.

Trinity Dix can be reached at tri915@uab.edu.

No. 32 shoots into 3rd as Blazers fall to WKU Connor Gentry Sports Reporter On a bright and sunny afternoon on Saturday, Feb. 18, the UAB Women’s Basketball team faced off with the Western Kentucky University Lady Hilltoppers in their last home game of the season.

The Hilltoppers of WKU came into this matchup with an overall record of 19-6 and a record of 11-2 in conference play.

As a team, the Hilltoppers converted 22 of their 62 shot attempts for a total percentage of 35.5.

“That Noble kid just took over in the fourth quarter and that is why she was named Player of the Year,” said UAB Women’s Basketball Head Coach Randy Norton.

“She is a fifth-year senior. She’s got the experience and she stepped up and played like the Player of the Year.”

Kendall Noble led The Hilltoppers in scoring with 26 tallied points on nine of 16 shooting. Ivy Brown pulled down 13 rebounds, 10 of them being offensive, for the Lady Tops.

Western Kentucky had 18 offensive rebounds throughout the game which led to 14 second-chance points. The Hilltoppers also tallied 20 points off of 20 UAB turnovers.

The Blazers converted 17 of their 42 shots for just over 40 percent. The leading scorer for the Lady Blazers was Rachael Childress who scored 14 points on five made shots. Childress made four of her five shots from beyond the three-point line, shooting 50 percent from long distance.

UAB outscored the Hilltoppers in both fast-break points and bench points, 4-0 and 6-3, respectively. However, the Blazers committed 20 turnovers and allowed the Hilltoppers to gather 18 offensive rebounds.

“Obviously there were two things that stuck out [to me],” Norton said. “Turnovers, we had too many turnovers. We had 20, and we gave up too many offensive rebounds. Those are the two areas that really broke our back. That is what they do, turn people over.”

The Blazers trailed by eight points in the third quarter of the game, but in less than

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR Guard Rachael Childress sets new record against Marshall.

two minutes, led by one point when Childress had her own personal 9-0 scoring run.

Childress hit three three-pointers in a row to silence the Hilltopper bench and contingency of fans that traveled with the team.

“I thought our kids really fought today,” Norton said. “You can’t fault their effort.

If we can just shure some things up, we are going to be okay. I told them that I hope we get to play teams like this in the Conference Tournament because our team is so close. I really like my team and we’re going to get there. I’m proud of them.”

UAB honored the lone senior on the team, Janeka Williams, before their last home game of the regular season. Williams tallied 11 points, three rebounds and three assists in her final regular season game in Bartow Arena.

“Really proud of that young lady [Janeka Williams],” Norton said. “We’ve been with [Williams] for four years and just to watch [Williams] growth, not just as a basketball player, but as a person. [Williams] has just really grown up right in front of our eyes. I’m just proud of [Williams] and how she has persevered. She just never gives up. At one point she was on the scout team, and she improved and got better and better then broke into the line-up. Since she has been in the line-up, she has had a great conference season,” said Coach Norton.

The Blazers held the Hilltoppers to their second lowest point total of the season at 62 points.

The lowest score that the Hilltoppers scored this season was 60 points against the Blazers earlier this season.

UAB dropped its last home game of the season by a final score of 62 to 52.

Connor Gentry can be reached at zcgentry@uab.edu and on Twitter @zcgentry.

February 21, 2017

The Kaleidoscope

Page 9

Baseball From Page 1

head and fired the ball to first base to record the final out.

“Price [Visintainer] had a big weekend for us,” Shoop said. “He brings so much to the table. He had a good weekend offensively. He made two incredible plays Friday and then the game saving play. He can do a lot for us.”

In the second game, UAB utilized two Creighton errors to score. In the third inning, Hicklen knocked in Visintainer to score the first UAB run.

In the fourth inning, UAB had runners on first and second base.

Senior outfielder Riley McCown hit a slow roller back to the mound. Creighton’s Keith Rogalin fielded the ball but threw it into centerfield allowing a run to score. UAB added three more runs in the sixth inning to win the game

PHOTO BY EMILY COX-OLDHAM/ASSITANT PHOTO EDITOR The UAB Blazers stand in the outfield as the pitcher warms up for the inning during Saturday’s game at Region’s Field against Crieghton University.

5-1.

“In the end, we played a cleaner game than them,”

Shoop said.“Usually mistakes happen when you pressure them. We did a good job

Blazerthon From Page 1

with leukemia, but has been in remission for over a year.

Wilkerson attended the Dance Marathon and took part in activities such as face painting and water games.

“My favorite part was judging all the dances tonight and hanging out with my new friend, Sarah Anne,” Wilkerson said.

Since its initiation, the Miracle Network Dance Marathon has raised more than $150 million, making them the biggest donor to Children’s Hospital of Alabama.

Blazerthon set a fundraising goal of $10 thousand for the Dance Marathon, to benefit “miracle” children at

PHOTO BY EMILY COX-OLDHAM/ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Rollins Wilkinson, left, and Hannah Clay, right, customize a tie-dyed bag at Blazerthon.

Children Hospital of Alabama. Surrounding schools such as University of Alabama at Huntsville and University of Alabama have raised about

$541 thousand and $12 thousand, respectively.

“Seeing everyone support an amazing cause inspired me to be here tonight,” said

keeping pressure on a team that is usually very good defensively.”

Armando Colunga, junior in mechanical engineering. “This event has now inspired be to get more involved and give back to my community.”

UAB Blazerthon have arranged several events both this and last semester to build up to Dance Marathon itself, including a rave party and a Thanksgiving “Miracle Dinner.”

“I choose to be in Blazerthon because I was once a children’s patient myself.

When I was fourteen I was in a car accident with several of my friends and I spent three months at Children’s [Hospital],” said Hannah Clay, sophomore in communication studies. “And it’s just a hospital like no other. It’s just a wonderful thing they do for these kids. It’s my way of

Woodfin

From Page 1

to the ongoing Water Works debate, much has been said about the current administration’s two-term tenure at City Hall. The mayoral candidate has spoken to this, claiming that the city’s nearly quarter of a million residents are witnessing a “leadership crisis.”

“I see a lot of issues as a lawyer for the city [and] as a school board member,” Woodfin said. “There’s some legitimate issues going on in our community. There’s a different style of leadership that’s needed at City Hall. One that’s collaborative.

One that’s big picture.”

While he believes that his resume speaks for itself, Woodfin stressed that his candidacy is more about giving back to his hometown.

“It’s never enough for a person to say ‘here’s my education, and here’s how long I’ve been doing something,’” Woodfin said. “Qualifications should be based around answering the question of whether or not this [candidate] cares for me, if they are going to work for me.”

Woodfin’s platform is composed of four main tenets, but the magnitude of these is demonstrative of where the city stands in his eyes.

Education, neighborhood revitalization, small businesses and public safety are the foci of his candidacy, but he makes clear that these are far reaching.

“We need an administration that is intentional about improving quality of life for our residents,” Woodfin said. “That currently doesn’t exist. If it did exist, I wouldn’t be running.”

As the largest school system in the state of Alabama, the Birmingham City School District operates 43 different public schools in city limits.

Last year, only seven of these passed state standards. Woodfin believes that this is the inevitable effect of a city whose adults are either disinterested or uninvolved with the education of the city’s children.

“In our community, not all of us are doing our part towards education,” Woodfin said. “We need our parents and our community to play their part.”

To change this, he suggests that the city take a greater role in the years before children begin attending

In the third game, UAB blew out Creighton. In the third inning, UAB loaded the bases with a single and two walks with two outs. UAB sophomore infielder Carter Pharis hit another slow dribbler to the pitcher. Creighton’s Jeff Albrecht airmailed the ball over the first baseman’s head and allowed three UAB runners to cross the plate. UAB added 11 more runs in the game. The Blazers’ starting pitcher went six innings pitched while striking out nine batters.

UAB plays four home games throughout the week.

On Feb. 21, UAB hosts the Alabama State University Hornets at Regions Field at 4 p.m. This weekend, the Blazers host a three-game series against Valparaiso University on Feb. 24, 25 and 26.

The Sports staff can be reached at sports@insideuab.com or on Twitter @kscope_sports.

giving back.”

The week leading up to the Dance Marathon featured a “Kisses for Children’s” event, sales of chocolate, cookies, t-shirts, and donuts.

“I was a freshman when I first got involved in Blazethon because my passion is nonprofits,” said Grace Ward, sophomore in nonprofit management. “To say it’s been rewarding, is an understatement.”

Ward, volunteer events director, shared her experience of “miracle child” Wilkerson’s mother tearing up at a fundraising event last year in reaction to the organization’s efforts.

Sufia Alam can be reached at sufia. alam@uab.edu.

“

We have reached the point in poverty where there’s an overwhelming amount of distress, which turns into reckless disregard for your own life,” Woodfin said. “To fix this, we have to turn back to our communities.

We have to provide a way out of poverty.

—Randall Woodfin

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR Randall Woodfin is rearing up for his mayoral campaign this year. He stands on the platforms of improving Birmingham’s education, neighborhood revitalization, small businesses and public safety.

school through the use of early child learning centers.

“There’s a reason you don’t start driving a car at 30 or 40 [years old],” Woodfin said. “You’d never learn how. This is why we have to focus on fundamental education at an earlier age.”

Under his administration, the city’s high schools would also begin offering trade programs for their students, which would allow teenagers to be certified in a specific trade before graduating, thus preparing them for immediate employment if they choose not to attend college.

“No child should be embarrassed about where they’re going next,” Woodfin said. “We need to empower them with the options of what they can do next.”

Additionally, he plans to have the city break into the “summer space,” enabling students to either become employed or engage in the commu-

nity.

For Woodfin, these plans would also affect what is seen as an ever-growing issue in Birmingham: crime. In 2013, Birmingham was named the fifth most dangerous city in America and the city remains near the top of the list year after year. Through his education agenda, he believes that he can make a large dent in this issue.

“Young people need the opportunity to work,” Woodfin said. “If you’re working, you’re not out here committing crime. We have to make this a priority.”

Furthermore, Woodfin believes that poverty is much to blame for the city’s crime problem. With a rate over two times the national average, it is estimated that 32 out of every 100 people residing in city limits lives under the poverty line.

“We have reached the point in poverty where there’s an overwhelming amount of distress, which turns

into reckless disregard for your own life,” Woodfin said. “To fix this, we have to turn back to our communities. We have to provide a way out of poverty.”

All of this, for Woodfin, is in an attempt to make Birmingham what it deserves to be. It is about finding the city’s identity, engaging its history and plotting its future.

“We can be the manufacturing hub of the South again,” Woodfin said. “With UAB and the Southern Research Institute, we can be a biotech hub. We can have a conversation to become the alternative energy hub of the region.”

Woodfin believes that Birmingham can accomplish these things and should accomplish these things. But he also believes that there has to be a change in the way the city is run.

“We have to have priorities,” Woodfin said. “The city can’t afford a $1 million security team or a $10 million personal staff. That’s abusive, and it causes us to lose our priorities. Is education a priority? Is crime abatement a priority? Not for the current administration.”

Wallace Golding can be reached at wsgolding@ uab.edu and on Twitter @WGodling_4.

9 Page 10

The Kaleidoscope

February 21, 2017

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