Sean Oakley - Features Beat

Two hundred and eighty firefighters are fighting hard to put out a 600-acre fire that burned in the Linville Gorge Wilderness.

As of Tuesday, the fire was 35 percent contained. A drought which has plagued Western North Carolina has made containment efforts more challenging.

According to the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS), the fire originated 20 miles north of Marion between Babel Tower Trail and Sandy Flats Trail. The fire has not reached Highway 105 or the Linville River. Remote terrain and steep grades have been both problematic and helpful for the firefighters.

"The work is tough," explained Bob Miller, the Fire Information Officer for the Southern Area Incident Management Team (SAIM). "For the people on the ground it's a real steep descent, really remote and difficult area to work in. It has been pretty back-breaking work."

As of Tuesday, the containment lines were Cabin Trail in the north and Conley Cove Trail in the south. Linville Gorge Trail and the Linville River are the western and eastern containment lines. The trails have been widened and cleared away of dead leaves and brush in an attempt to stop the fire from jumping. According to the NCFS, there have been some runs across fire lines in the north and south.

Roger Rieck, a seasonal park ranger who works at the Linville Cove Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, could see the smoke and flames as he went to work Monday morning. According to Rieck, the fire has not affected the parkway. This fire has been the latest in a string of fires due to an unusually dry season. However, the weather and terrain have also been helpful.

"The weather is cooperating," said Hal Coombs, a safety inspector on sight. "There is no wind and the fire is staying on the ground. There has not been a lot of jumping, but the fire is still pretty active; no estimation as to containment."

A successful burnout operation has been completed between Sandy Flat and Wiseman's Flat. Three helicopters have been working to help extinguish and control the flames and a fourth helicopter is en route. A six-wing tanker has also been busy dumping water into the area but is only effective on the ridge-line since it cannot reach the lower regions.

The steep terrain in the area has made the fire's attempted spread uphill slow and difficult, much to the joy of the firefighters. Men from all over the country have been brought in to help fight the fire. The 280-member ground crew is comprised of North Carolina fire fighters as well as men from Oklahoma, Colorado and Wyoming.

The suspected cause of the blaze is either an improperly built campfire or a campfire that was left unattended. A fire ring has been found at the assumed point of origin. According to Miller, the fire lines have been widened and burnout operations have been successful. Now they are waiting for the fuel in the area to be used up.

No bulldozers or heavy-impact vehicles have been used to fight the blaze, as conservation of the natural content in the Linville Gorge has been a major concern.

Main attraction will feature portrayal of date-rape scene

Sarah Sparks - Police Beat

Appalachian State University students will have the opportunity next week to learn more about alcohol use among Appalachian students.

Alcohol Awareness Week activities will be held Monday through Friday.

The main focus of the week's activities is awareness of reality, according to Dr. Denise Lovin, of the campus counseling center.

Dr. Lovin, along with Dale Kirkley of the Wellness Center, Dr. Raphael Harris of the counseling center, and members of the AWARE committee, organized the activities for the week.

The main attraction for the week will be a program on Thursday night at 8 p.m. at Legends. The program, entitled "Sex and a Six Pack," will involve a portrayal of a date-rape scene, a panel of local experts discussing the subject and audience participation in a remedy to the situation, said Kirkley.

The scene will be played by members of the Risque Business troupe: Brad Evans, Shelby Jennings, Jason Whitaker, and Laura Killian, and by a guest participant, Hunter Thor, said Kirkley.

The discussion panel will be made up of local criminal attorney Scott Casey, members of the Appalachian State and Boone police departments and campus counselors, said Kirkley.

Following the presentation of the skit and the panel discussion, the audience will be asked to participate in a decision about how to avoid the portrayed rape scene.

According to Dr. Lovin, there will also be a wrecked vehicle located on Sanford Mall near Belk Library for the duration of the week.

The vehicle, which will be the remains of a drinking and driving accident, serves as a reminder to students of the risks of irresponsible behavior.

Visitors to the wrecked car memorial will be invited to wear a red ribbon in memory of lives lost or affected by drunk driving, said Kirkley.

Student volunteers will be around campus quizzing students on Appalachian State alcohol statistics.

Students that answer correctly will be rewarded, and those that answer incorrectly will be educated about the facts collected by the 1999 CORE survey, said Dr. Lovin.

An information table will also be located on the first floor of Plemmons Student Union across from Cascades.

Students can pick up information concerning alcohol awareness and prevention at the table.

According to Dr. Lovin, the AWARE committee is using the week to introduce their new method of alcohol awareness to much of the student body. This new method is often called the "social norms approach" and involves educating students about the reality of drinking issues and statistics.

"We want students to see that a significant majority of students are moderate drinkers or do not drink at all. The cool thing is not to get drunk, but rather to act responsibly," said Kirkley.

Kirkley also said, "Students should understand that this is a year-round, ongoing effort to address campus culture, social norms, awareness, and student behavior. Alcohol Awareness Week is a noticeable event, but it is only part of the big picture that we are looking at constantly."

Career Development Center provides aid

Elizabeth Frye - Multicultural Beat

The Career Development Center (CDC), located on the third floor of the John E. Thomas Academic Support Building, helps Appalachian State University students prepare for their professions.

The CDC assists students in finding employment, summer jobs, internships and information about graduate schools.

Students can make use of the center through the periodic career fairs the CDC sponsors, group seminars, e-mail, appointments and the center's website at http://careers.appstate.edu.

According to Dr. David Ball, director of the CDC, students should start planning their vocations as freshmen. Undergraduates are persuaded to take the Life/Career Planning course (HPC 2200) to help them begin setting up their careers. The center teaches students how to do research about jobs that appeal to them.

The CDC has a large range of jobs and internships available for students. Each college of Appalachian State has a center delegate working with it to help find opportunities for students within that academic area.

Ball said, "Students are sought after by government agencies, education institutions, businesses and industries."

Several important elements exist that employers consider when hiring students. Good grades, participation in campus activities, proof of leadership, and involvement in internships are important.

Ball emphasizes that these factors are as significant as the major with which a student graduates. "People hire people; they don't hire diplomas."

Students can access programs online that help them write their resumes and look at listings of available occupations and internships. There is even a database that allows companies to place job advertisements and find out information about students looking for jobs through the center.

Christy Barrick, a fall 1999 Appalachian alumna, graduated with a degree in marketing and management. Barrick obtained her current job as a consultant for Arthur Andersen in Charlotte with the help of the career center which she began using as a sophomore.

Barrick said, "I credit 100 percent of getting a job and feeling comfortable with interviews to the Career Development Center."

Robyn Dailey - Chancellor/Advancement Beat

On Oct. 12, 17 Americans were killed and 39 injured on the American Naval ship USS Cole (DDG67) in Aden, Yemen. Appalachian State University administrators are looking for ways to encourage the surviving sailors as they transport the ship back across the Atlantic Ocean.

According to the official United States Navy web site, the Cole was loaded onto the private Norwegian heavy transport ship M/V Blue Marlin for transport. The transport process involves partially submerging the Blue Marlin and maneuvering the Cole in a position above the Blue MarlinÕs deck.

The return journey should take a few weeks, according to the web site.

The Cole was refueling in Yemen when a suicidal-terrorist attack took place.

The terrorist ship smashed into the side of the Cole and the explosion tore a 40-by-40 foot waterline hole in the destroyerÕs portside hole, according to the American Forces Press Service.

Barbara Daye, the dean of students and associate vice chancellor for student development, said that administrators at Appalachian are looking for a way to reach out to sailors on the USS Cole.

During Desert Storm, the university did a similar outreach to students, staff and family of faculty members who were called into service overseas and elsewhere.

Daye said during Desert Storm they started a letter-writing campaign. Lists of soldiers were posted around campus. Students took a name and corresponded with them while they were serving.

The university sent out newsletters, T-shirts and newspapers to the soldiers. After the soldiers returned, they were already pre-registered, had refunded tuition, were able to reclaim their former rooms and were given a special dinner of thanks, according to Daye.

Daye said that the situation in Desert Storm was very different than what the USS Cole has encountered because it was much longer, but said, "What we're talking about is people who have truly experienced loss and tragedy.

"I'm looking for some way that we can get the Appalachian community together to say 'We care about you and what happened to you,'" said Daye.

The administration is not advocating for students to send money, but merely notes, cards or letters to Cole sailors to say that weÕre sorry about the situation and that we care about them.

The Navy is predicting that the soldiers will be back in the U.S. sometime in December. Daye wants students to contact them before they get home.

Administrators have been calling contacts to find out what is most needed and what Appalachian State can do to help.

No program has been set up yet, but Daye urged anyone who wanted to write to do so. You can contact the ship at:

Any Service Member
USS Cole - DDG67
SPO AE 09566-1281

"If you want to write a letter, go ahead and do it, and in the meantime we will continue to see if we can find other ways to reach out to them," said Daye.

According to Daye, the administration will alert the students when a program has been set up to rush aid to the ship. Daye said, "I think that's all we can do Ñ let them know we care about them."

Sarah Sparks - Police Beat

An official toxicology report was released last week, indicating that John Vincent White III, driver of the vehicle involved in the Oct. 1 crash, was intoxicated at the time of the accident.

White's alcohol level was found to be .20, more than twice the legal limit of .08, according to the report issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill.

White, 38, was reportedly on his way home to Banner Elk from his 20-year Watauga High School reunion when he crossed the center line of traffic and hit an Appalachian State University athletics van head on.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol reported that White was driving a 1989 Audi Station Wagon 60 miles per hour (mph) in a 35-mph zone on Highway 105.

Twelve of the 13 people in the Appalachian State van were taken to the hospital following the wreck.

According to a report issued by Jane Nicholson of the Office of Public Affairs, all twelve of the victims, including the most seriously injured, Jonathan Taylor, have been released from the hospital at this time.

Taylor was the last to be released and is now at home with his family.

Catherine Quill - Business Affairs Beat

With residents placing a great deal of importance on the race for county commissioner in the local elections, the candidate's forum held at the Boone Town Council Chambers on Monday attracted many Watauga County citizens to hear the candidates' stands on pertinent issues.

Although candidate Pat Wilkie was absent, the forum featured the five other candidates: Dennis Grady, Jimmy Hodges, Denny Norris, James Wilcox and James Coffey, who are vying for the three district positions.

Each candidate had the floor to describe how they felt about five issues affecting Watauga County.

THE OPERATION OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT

All five candidates agreed that the county government should be more open to the people.

"I like people to have an influence," said Norris. "I want to make sure I am accessible to the people."

Wilcox said, "I believe in being accessible to all the people of Watauga County." He continued to say that it is important for everyone to have a say in how the county is run, in order to have exceptional schools and medical care and to maintain a good standard of living.

CONSOLIDATION OF TOWN & COUNTY SERVICES

Most of the candidates said further research on the idea of consolidation of town and county services is needed to see if it would be economically beneficial before any final decisions are reached.

"The consolidation of county services is always something we should be looking at. I would be hesitant to state a position on consolidation at this time," said Grady. He pointed out that other counties typically examine the consolidation of fire, EMS, and human and public services.

"We haven't been able to detect if there is a financial benefit in consolidation," said incumbent Jimmy Hodges.

Norris also agreed that the issue is something to be examined further, and stated, "I'd be happy to look at it."

James Wilcox, however, said that smaller departments are the ones that could be consolidated, providing they would still run efficiently for the people.

Incumbent James Coffey stated that the consolidation of the solid waste management system has had positive results.

"It has paid off for us; it saves the taxpayers money," he said.

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Many candidates focused on attracting high tech jobs to the area to provide higher pay for workers.

"We've tried to get some larger industries in the county," said Coffey. "It doesn't seem possible to draw a large industry in." He added that high tech jobs would provide higher wages for area residents.

"I've been concerned about high tech jobs for quite a while," said Norris. He also agreed that a huge manufacturing plant would probably not be successful in the county, but that people are still seeking jobs with better earning potential.

Hodges pointed out the problem that about one-third of the workers in Watauga County are working at or below poverty level, but since the unemployment rate is about 1.1 percent, many industries feel it is not important to open up job opportunities in the area.

"There has been a lot of concern with the economic development of our county," said Hodges.

"The economy of Watauga County is changing," said Grady. He stated this change meant that the region needed to attract jobs in the high tech industries by offering them a high quality labor force, a higher quality of life and incentives.

However, Wilcox said, "I believe in supporting the industries that are already here." He said smaller industries could be supported through grants and programs.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Wilcox and Coffey both agreed that the overflow of traffic in the county has been a problem for years and a solution must be reached immediately to alleviate the congestion.

Wilcox said a four-lane road that would bypass residences would be a possible solution.

Grady said a proposed road called the Daniel Boone Parkway is a good way to commence talks on finding a solution to the traffic problem.

He added that four-lane roads and modification of the traffic signals would fix the immediate problems, but the long-term situations on US-321 and US-421 still need attention.

"We don't have as much control over what needs to be done as the state does," said Norris. He said that the situation in Watauga County is difficult because of the environment and residential area factors.

"I have a deep concern for roads in this county," said Hodges. "It is critical to make plans today for better and safer roads."

John T. Bennett - Associate Editor

Rarely do the wheels of democracy allow people to collectively arrive at a verdict that will have a tremendous impact on their state.

In merely five days, voters in North Carolina will venture to the polls with the daunting task of acting as judge, jury and perhaps executioner on a $3.1 billion higher-education bond referendum.

According to Leslie Bevacqua, campaign director for North Carolinians for Educational Opportunities (NCEO), the bond would pay huge dividends for North Carolina in terms of creating a better-educated workforce.

Bevacqua said that because the modern world is becoming more geared toward new technologies, it is vital for the stateÕs universities and community colleges to have the resources needed to properly prepare students.

"I think it is incredibly important for people to increase their knowledge and skill training to move into these jobs," Bevacqua said.

The bond package would allot $2.5 billion to the 16 member-institutions of the University of North Carolina System, and $600 million to the 59 schools that comprise the North Carolina Community College System.

The dollars spawned by the bond would primarily be used for the construction of new buildings and the renovation of existing campus structures throughout the state.

Along with bricks and mortar, the funding package would provide monies for technology infrastructure improvements, and various other projects at state-supported institutions of higher learning.

Bevacqua also added that if voters approve the bond Tuesday, it will prove to be economically beneficial at both the local and state levels. "[North Carolina's] economy is growing, we have got some great companies that have located in this state, we've got companies that are looking to North Carolina to locate here," Bevacqua said.

"As long as we can keep our [higher] education at the level it should be so that [the businesses] can continue to find the workers they need, we will continue to be a strong state from an economic perspective."

According to Bevacqua, the only way the state can continue this trend of economic competitiveness is for voters to approve the higher education bond.

Bevacqua took a leave of absence from her position with one of the state's leading business lobby groups, North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry, to head NCEO's statewide campaign designed to generate support for the bond.

One critical aspect the organization has attempted to educate citizens on is the controversial issue of a potential tax increase due to the hefty debt that would be created by the $3.1 billion bond.

The bond proposal reveals the state would borrow the $3.1 billion sum by selling bonds to investors, both individuals and businesses.

Figuring in interest, North Carolina would shell out some $5.5 billion over the next 25 years to pay back the bonds.

Outgoing North Carolina State Treasurer Harlon Boyles has repeatedly said there will be no state tax increase needed to finance the bond repayments.

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners also confirmed the higher education bond will not require counties to implement tax increases, and the association has given its full endorsement to the bond package.

With only five days remaining until the citizens of North Carolina take the fate of the state's higher education firmly in hand, Appalachian State Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Jane Helm had a stern warning for the citizens of the Old North State.

If voters do not approve the bond," we will not ... be fulfilling our role as taxpayers to educate the people of North Carolina," Helm said.