WESTERN HERALD S ERVING W ESTERN M ICHIGAN U NIVERSITY
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YOU Student enjoys her wm
travels in Spain
Sommer stood on what she can only describe as the i-JPO ,JOH rock� overlooking a sea of mountains in Sommer Cain Spain. “I went out and looked over and I was just like, ‘I’m in heaven right now,’� she said. “That’s why Spain is so beautiful. It has beaches, mountains, lakes, rivers, seas and forests.� Sommer Cain, a junior studying Spanish education, spent last fall and spring semester in Burgos, Spain through the WMU Study Abroad program. “It pushes your limits and it pushes who you think you are. I love it,� she said. She quickly found friends in Spain who showed her love with no limits. “I don’t always feel like I can find that here,� she said. “Family and friends, socializing and caring for one another---they hold those so high in their life.� -Erin Gignac News Editor
CRIME BLOTTER
Via the WMU Department of Public Safety t " NBO XBT BSSFTUFE XIJMF attempting to rob a vehicle at 1BSLJOH -PU PO /PW BU 12:59 p.m. t "O 9CPY J1PE 5PVDI and other possessions were reported stolen from Harvey residence hall on Nov. 6 at 2 a.m. t " Ä•HIU CSPLF PVU JO GSPOU PG the Ackley/Shilling residence halls on Nov. 9 at 10:53 p.m. A minor involved in the fight was found in possession of and under the influence of alcohol. t " MBQUPQ XBT TUPMFO GSPN B study lounge at Bigelow Hall on Nov. 10 at 3:26 p.m. t $BTI BOE B QSJOUFS XFSF stolen from a room at Shilling Hall on Nov. 10 at 3:52 p.m. Anyone with information on these or other crimes should contact the Department of Public Safety. -Joe Stando
Poll
LAST
WEEK’S
What is the best liquor store in Kzoo? a) Tiffany’s (50%) b) The Den (25%) c) Drakes (13%) d) Munchie Mart (6%) THIS WEEK’S
What is your favorite Mexican restaurant in Kalamazoo? a) Mi Pueblo b) La PiĂąata c) Casa Bolero d) Los Amigos To submit an answer go to www.westernherald.com
Cain argues for reform
Eileen Meslar / Western Herald
Eileen Meslar / Western Herald
“We’re checking out Herman Cain to see whether we can support him as a Patriot group or not. We hear both sides and we’re looking at each candidate. There’s a chance to see one live and up close.�
“It starts with, make sure we’re working on the right problems, make sure we assign the right priorities, and I will surround myself with good people and none of them are in the administration right now.�
-Herman Cain, presidential candiadate
By Eileen Meslar & Paul VanHevel Herman Cain, republican presidential candidate, visited Kalamazoo on Thursday at the Pine West Banquet facility.
Cain discussed the plans and responsibilities that he would enact if elected, including the importance of his 9-9-9 plan. In this plan, Cain will cut the majority of the current federal tax plan
and replace it with his own initiative. First, Cain would reduce the existing individual and corporate taxes from 35 percent to 25 percent. Second, Cain would implement his 9-9-9 plan
#PC .PPSF &MLIBSU $PVOUZ 1BUSJPUT (PTIFO *OE
Eileen Meslar / Western Herald
“We’re very impressed with what Cain had to say... His 9-9-9 plan sounds good from what I know. I like that a lot.�
-Kevin Barr, Allegan, MI
which would consist of a 9 percent income tax, a 9 percent business transaction tax and a 9 percent federal tax. Cain’s tax policy is intended to reform the current tax code in a way that would balance socio-
economic classes. Cain says he eventually plans to eliminate these taxes and replace them with a single nationwide tax called the “Fair Tax,� which will tax the nation’s spending.
Loss of trees fosters future growth By Kassie Charnley PV arrays started becoming popular on Staff Reporter campuses 3-4 years ago. WMU has what The construction for installing solar panels near the Miller Auditorium parking structure is under way. This is a construction project that has been added to the several projects that are going on around campus, and it continues to add concern for those interested in the environmental state of Western Michigan University, specifically the state of the trees on and around campus.
is now an early research solar array for the state of Michigan.�
-Harold Glasser, executive director of sustainability
While the displacement of trees is of main concern, the solar panels will also be beneficial to WMU. “Solar panels produce electricity from the sun using the photoelectric effect. They don’t necessarily reduce carbon dioxide, they reduce our dependence on fossil fuel electricity by displacing the need for the same amount of electricity that they
produce,� Harold Glasser, the executive director of sustainability said. “There’s roughly 50 years of research on solar panels. PV (solar) arrays started becoming poplar on campuses 3-4 years ago,� Glasser said. “WMU has what is now an early research solar array for the state of Michigan.� Glasser received a grant about 7 years ago to fund the 12
kilowatt research array that is on Wood Hall. Glasser discussed the benefits for the solar panels – green electricity, support of the renewable energy industry and the local economy. “We are using Michigan contractors and a racking system made in Michigan,� he said. Glasser also said that the solar panels would allow a vast array of research opportunities for students and faculty. However, he felt that it was most important that the solar panels are a physical demonstration of WMU’s sustainable efforts. “Presi-
dent Dunn signed on to the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, which commits WMU to becoming zero-net carbon in the future,� Glasser said. WMU has a plan that replaces the trees lost to the project. The director of engineering and maintenance services, Anand Sankey, was quoted by Paul VanHevel from the Western Herald saying for every one tree removed due to construction, loss or other related incident, two trees will be planted.
t'PPE &NFSHFODZ GPPE resources, and DHS application t)FBMUI #MPPE QSFTTVSF testing, blood sugar testing, Diabetes education, hearing screenings, HIV testing, abuse screenings, recovery skills t)PVTJOH )PNF CVZFS education, housing information t4QFDJBM 1PQVMBUJPOT Domestic violence and child abuse prevention, persons with disabilities, veteran services “With all these pods, anything that can be donated is highly appreciated,� Johnson said. “We’re hoping to be able to do a Thanksgiving dinner, so those food items would be great as well.� Their wish list for donated goods includes items such as: diapers, baby wipes, dish soap, sponges, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, toothbrushes, cat and dog food, winter coats, gloves,
hats, scarves and socks. To donate an item, one can drop it off to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and tell them it’s for Project Connect. For the 37,990 Kalamazoo residents living under the poverty line, this event is a day where they can get GSFF IFMQ &WFSZUIJOH UIBU we take for granted, such as shampoo, can be the difference between food on the table and hygiene for these families. If one can’t donate an item, one can donate time, and Project Connect is still looking for volunteers. To volunteer, one can take 5 minutes and fill out an application on Project Connect’s website. i&WFO JG ZPV WF WPMVOteered before, volunteer again.� Johnson said, “We have Project Connect twice a year, once in May and once in November.
See Trees Page 6
Project Connect helps those in need By Kassie Charnley “Even if you’ve volunteered before, volunteer Staff Reporter again.� Johnson said, “We have Project When the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2010 data for Michigan and its cities, people weren’t shocked by the number of those living below the poverty level. For the years 2005-2009, Michigan had 14.5 percent of its residents living below the poverty line. Kalamazoo County, as released by the U.S. Census Bureau, ranks fourth in the state for the number of families living in poverty. For the years 2005-2009, 34.9 percent of people in Kalamazoo alone were living in poverty. The rate for the county was 19.6 percent in 2009, which is still 3 percent higher than the state average. In 2010, an estimated 37,990 Kalamazoo County Residents live below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as stated in
Connect twice a year, once in May and once in November.�
-Ashley Johnson, coordinator of Kalamazoo Gospel Mission
the Poverty In Kalamazoo County prepared by the Kalamazoo County Community Action Agency. Many programs are growing in Kalamazoo to help residents below the poverty level. One of these programs is an outreach program called Project Connect. It is a program giving free help to anyone who needs it. It is Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Fairgrounds. Project Connect brings different agencies in the community together in one general location. There are over 57 business and healthcare professionals coming together to help low income and homeless residents. “The services will be
grouped together in a podstyle,� coordinator Ashley Johnson of the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, said. “Five or six tables under one pod, all with the same goal.� Pods will include: t#BTJD /FFET #JSUI DFStificates, mending center, and voter registration t$IJMESFO BOE 1BSFOUT Children’s medical screenings, infant and toddler growth and development, shoe distribution sign-up, vaccines, youth services t&EVDBUJPO $PMMFHF BQQMJDBUJPOT (&% QSFQBSBtion t&NQMPZNFOU .PDL interviews, resume reviews t'JOBODJBM BOE -FHBM credit repair, health insurance, legal advice and information
See Connect Page 6
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