THE BG NEWS
ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Volume 91, Issue 32
CAMPUS BRIEF
City Police investigate assault
A University student was assaulted on East Court Street early Saturday morning. A passerby reported the victim to be lying near the Wood County Courthouse,
BLOTTER TRENDS
Visit BGNEWS.COM to view an interactive blotter map showing this weekend’s crime trends in the city.
Wednesday, November 2 & Thursday, November 3, 2011
www.bgnews.com
bleeding from the face, near 12:42 a.m., according to the University’s email crime alert and reports from the Bowling Green Police Division. The student was transported to Wood County Hospital by the Bowling Green Fire Department and later to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo by air ambulance. City Police are currently investigating the assault.
Policies may include new gender language By Danae King Assistant Pulse Editor
Gender identity and gender expression — these are terms that aren’t heard every day, but still have importance, according to a group at the University. The Inclusion Network is composed of faculty, staff and students. The group is working to get the terms “gender identity” and “gender expression” added to the University’s anti-harassment and equal opportunity policies. The Inclusion Network defines gender identity as “the way in which an individual identifies with a gender category ... which can be distinct
Bill Albertini Inclusion Network Member
from the person’s sex as assigned at birth.” Gender expression is defined as “the external manifestation of one’s gender identity.” The group isn’t the first to attempt to get the terms included in University policy, but they are the most recent to pursue the cause.
See GENDER | Page 2
campus
candidate
Student government won’t take sides on Issue 2 Members say neutral stance will best serve students’ needs By Alissa Widman Managing Editor
Issue 2 has sparked debate between its supporters and critics, but members of the University’s Undergraduate Student Government prefer to consider both sides of the conflict. USG will maintain a neutral stance on Issue 2 during this year’s election, said Emily Ancinec, USG president. The position will stay consistent with a resolution USG passed in
spring 2010 declaring a neutral stance on faculty unionization, according to USG’s website. “Serving students with shared governance is our main focus, and by remaining neutral, we can keep that intact,” Ancinec said. “We’re remaining neutral regardless of what happens. We want everyone at the table to have the same voice.” Issue 2 is a referendum of Ohio Senate Bill 5, a new law limiting the
See ISSUE | Page 2
TYLER STABILE | THE BG NEWS
Student seeks 1st Ward seat for first time in nearly 20 years By Alex Alusheff Reporter
When senior Daniel Gordon sees suffering, he seeks to change it. His solution is to run for city council, making this year the first time in nearly 20 years a student will be challenging for a seat. Gordon, a political science and philosophy major and a native of the city, is currently campaigning to represent the 1st Ward. “My view is that things don’t have to be the way they are,” he said. Gordon said one reason he is running is because relations between students and residents are not always peaceful.
“I’ve heard a lot of residents complaining about student behavior, and I’ve heard students say that the environment here is not very welcoming,” Gordon said. “There are misconceptions on both sides.” For example, many residents may think students vandalize city property, but often people visiting from other places commit crimes, he said. “Being a student and a resident, I feel I am in the best position to connect with both sets of constituents and bridge the gap between both communities,” Gordon said. “If you’re a student with no roots in the community, the residents aren’t going to feel like you’re one of
University will see work of ELECTIONS 101 ‘No Impact Student’ this spring FIRST WARD FACE OFF By Kendra Clark Reporter
Abbey Tobe is attempting to be the next “No Impact Man” for a whole semester. Tobe is a senior at the University, double majoring in environmental science and geology. She is trying to go a whole semester without creating waste, by means of anything that can be thrown away. Tobey is completing the No Impact Project as her honors project at the University. “I am currently still recycling and have not fully transitioned away from everything that is waste, like toilet paper,” Tobe said. “I no longer have toothpaste; I use baking soda. I also no longer use napkins, straws or buy anything that has wasted packaging.” Tobe will be presenting her project to the University in April, but people can track her progress and
CAMPUS Tubists showcase talent
The Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble performed Tuesday night at the Bryan Recital Hall in the Moore Musical Arts Center. See photos | Page 3
Abbey Tobe
University Senior experiences on her blog. The blog can be found at tobe-no-waste. tumblr.com. Her blog tells many things from her struggles in the project to her successes. It also tells about how she got inspired to start the No Impact Project. “I read ‘No Impact Man’ in the summer of 2010 and then during the 2010-2011 school year got to thinking about trying to incorporate some of the aspects of the book into my honors project,” Tobe said. “No Impact Man” is a book written by Colin Beavan. It was
See IMPACT | Page 2
PART 2 OF A 4-PART SERIES
This week The BG News will explain the three issues and one levy on this year’s Ohio ballot, so you’re informed when you head to the polls Nov. 8.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE 1ST WARD? Daniel Mark Gordon Hollenbaugh
The most important job of the 1st Ward representative is to represent both students and residents — to act as their liaison. I’m the best candidate for the 1st Ward because I’m the most qualified to be that liaison. I’m a native of Bowling Green, born and raised, and a student at BGSU. Because I’m a member of both communities, I can connect with both groups. I can get students and residents talking to each other and working together for a better Bowling Green. To truly understand residents’ concerns, you have to know what it’s like to be a resident. I do; I spend every day in the neighborhoods. And to truly understand students’ concerns, you have to know what it’s like to be a student. I do; I spend nearly every day on campus ... I’m in the best position to jump-start the dialogue between students and residents.
FORUM Opinions need credibility
Guest columnist Dylan Corp stresses the importance of credibility in columns and defines an advocate as a debater who understands all sides of an argument | Page 4
Incumbent
Nine games into the football season, the Falcons have improved numerically across the board; currently the Falcons have doubled their wins from their entire 2010 season | Page 6
ISSUE 2 — BASIC FACTS
Issue 2 is a referendum of Ohio Senate Bill 5, a new law concerning public employee unions, contracts and policies. If approved, it would: ■■ Limit the ability of public employees to
I am BGSU alumnus and have both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University. As a local high school teacher, I am required to take classes every five years to renew my license; because of that I will be a student for life ... I have the advantage of a prospective that comes from life experiences and an ability to consider issues from multiple viewpoints. In my first term I have worked with students, non-students, landlords and others on a number of contentious issues and have made sure that everyone’s needs and views were represented. The person who can best represent the 1st Ward is the person who can bring a diversity of people together to work for common goals, and I am that person.
SPORTS Falcon stats continue to improve
See WARD | Page 2
KNOW YOUR ISSUES
In preparation for the Nov. 8 election, The BG News questioned the candidates running for the 1st Ward, which is where most students live.
Challenger
them [and] if you’re a resident and you’ve never been on campus, then the students aren’t going to feel like they can confide in you.” One of Gordon’s plans is to start a website called 1st Ward Falcon Care, a website for residents to post chores or errands they need completed. Students can check the site and accept the request and perform the community service. The plan will help strengthen community ties between the two groups, Gordon said. Gordon also wants to promote student involvement in local gov-
collectively bargain with their employers; public employees include firefighters, teachers and police ■■ Prohibit public employees from striking ■■ Eliminate binding arbitration, which is when an impartial third party helps resolve contract disputes ■■ Save Ohio an estimated $1 billion or more
A detailed analysis of Issue 2 is available at the Ohio Legislative Service Commission’s website, www.lsc.state.oh.us/analyses129/11-sb5-129. pdf.
YES OR NO?
A “yes” vote means approval of Senate Bill 5. A “no” vote means rejection of Senate Bill 5. Information compiled from the Wood County Board of Elections website: www.co.wood.oh.us/ BOE/index.html
PEOPLE ON THE STREET What contributes to the majority of your carbon footprint? MICHELLE HICKS Sophomore, Spanish
“Take-out boxes.” | Page 4
VISIT BGNEWS.COM: NEWS, SPORTS, UPDATES, MULTIMEDIA AND FORUMS FOR YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
2 Wednesday, November 2 & Thursday, November 3, 2011
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BLOTTER MON., OCT. 31 11:15 A.M.
reported within the 400 block of S. Summit Street. No entry was gained.
Holly A. Foster, 42, of Bowling Green, was charged with shoplifting about $80 worth of items at Meijer.
3:00 P.M.
11:27 A.M.
3:47 P.M.
An assault by a juvenile was reported within the 300 block of Colony Lane.
A sexual assault was reported within the 200 block of S. Summit Street.
2:07 P.M.
4:22 P.M.
2:36 P.M.
Becci L. Moindi, 31, of Bowling Green, was cited for theft at Walmart. She allegedly concealed 27 items valued at about $160 in her purse without paying for them.
An attempted break-in was
ISSUE From Page 1 ability of public employees to collectively bargain and strike. It would affect more than 350,000 employees. The law is currently on hold until it is voted upon next week. Proponents of Issue 2 have praised it as a budget-balancing measure that will save the state more than $1 billion. Opponents of the bill, however, call it an intentional attack on unions. This back-and-forth battle is what prompted USG’s neutral stance, Ancinec said. “At the time, [faculty unionization] was very much a faculty versus administration issue, and we didn’t want to be pulled into it, unnecessarily, as pawns,” she said. “We’re the liaison for the students, between faculty and administrators, and we didn’t want to pit one party against
GENDER From Page 1 “The idea has been kicked around in a lot of different venues of the University over the years,” said Bill Albertini, an associate professor and a member of the Inclusion Network. “Other bodies have made similar proposals.” One such similar proposal was made approximately four and a half years ago in 2007. Undergraduate Student Government, Graduate Student Senate and Faculty Senate heard of the proposal and approved it, but it didn’t make it to the Board of Trustees, where the final decision would have been made. Albertini said he wasn’t sure why the proposal never
Tamara Marie Budd, 21, of Bowling Green, was arrested for trespassing within the 1000 block of N. Prospect St. and transported to the Wood County Justice Center. 10:32 P.M.
Complainant reported a laptop stolen within the 400 block of Clough Street.
Complainant reported a bicycle stolen within the 100 block of W. Gypsy Lane Road. It was found in the bike rack at Walmart.
9:35 P.M.
“We’re remaining neutral regardless of what happens.”
Marc D. Fiore, 21, of Bowling Green, was cited for starting and stopping his vehicle within the 400 block of E. Wooster Street, causing an injury-inducing accident. 11:03 P.M.
Steven A. Campbell II, 20, of Swanton, Ohio, was cited for refusing to take the operating a vehicle impaired test and marked lanes near E. Poe and N. College streets. He was also cited for possession of mari-
juana and drug paraphernalia. ONLINE: Go to bgnews.com for the complete blotter list.
CORRECTION POLICY We want to correct all factual errors. If you think an error has been made, call The BG News at 419-372-6966. Correction: In the article “City council listens for student concerns,” printed Oct. 31, Daniel Gordon was incorrectly named as running for election in the 2nd Ward. Gordon is actually running for the 1st Ward. Also, the pulled quote was incorrectly attributed to John Zanfardino, when Mark Hollenbaugh actually said the statement as written in the article.
the other.” Danni McConnell, USG diversity affairs senator, served as College of Arts and Sciences senator when USG approved the spring 2010 resolution. “It actually came out of an initial resolution that desired to support faculty unionization,” she said. “It was definitely a tense meeting, but it was decided during the discussion that not supporting one side or the other was best. That was before Issue 2 even came up.” USG’s neutrality now allows senators to have their own opinion concerning Issue 2, while still serving students’ needs, McConnell said. For example, although
McConnell is president of College Democrats and is against Issue 2, she supports USG’s objectivity toward faculty unionization, she said. “The way I see it, we’re neutral about a specific part of Issue 2, but we can still have our own views,” McConnell said. “But when we’re representing the students, being neutral will prevent us from making biased decisions.” Jon Zachrich, USG atlarge senator, expressed similar feelings. He likened the University’s faculty and administration to “two parents fighting,” and said it wouldn’t have been wise for USG to pick sides. “As a collective unit, we don’t speak for ourselves; we speak for the whole student body,” said Zachrich, who served as Auxiliary Affairs Committee chair when the resolution was approved. “Even though we didn’t put our stamp of disapproval or approval on it, faculty
unionization is important because it affects students, and that’s why we took a neutral stance. But each individual student can make their opinion heard about it by voting on Tuesday.” Despite the upcoming election, USG has not passed a recent resolution regarding faculty unionization or Issue 2, Ancinec said. “We’re elected to represent [the students] and make sure their voice is maintained,” she said. “Currently USG having an objective view is the best thing for students. But depending on the election, it is possible we may pass new resolutions in the future.”
made it to the board four years ago, but he and the Inclusion Network are trying to gain support again. Albertini presented at the USG meeting Oct. 24 and the Faculty Senate meeting Nov. 1. He is set to present at the GSS meeting Friday. Albertini hopes the language becomes a part of University policy. “[The language addition] tells students they are protected and is an opportunity to educate ourselves about what these terms mean,” Albertini said. “By understanding what these terms mean it helps us build a more inclusive University and tell all students that they’re welcome here and belong here no matter their gender identity or gender expression.”
USG members approved a resolution accepting the changes in 2007, but they drafted a second resolution regarding the language and passed it at their Monday meeting. “The fact that the resolution passed is a great testament to student voice,” USG President Emily Ancinec said at the meeting. Faculty Senate members also reaffirmed their support of their previous resolution regarding the language at their meeting Tuesday. GSS members will decide whether to draft a new resolution or reaffirm support in their 2007 resolution at their Friday meeting. GSS President David Sleasman said he is in support of the language.
“I don’t anticipate there being any voice of opposition [in GSS],” Sleasman said. “I think it’s the right time and place and I think this is a good thing to look into.” The University will be one of 413 other colleges and universities to add the language if they decide to adopt it, according to documents the Inclusion Network presented to University President Mary Ellen Mazey. “In 2007, the resolution was relatively new in Ohio,” Albertini said. “Now we’ve fallen behind our peer institutions.” The language is a matter of justice, Albertini said. “I think what it does, in part, is it’s a clear statement of the University’s values,” Albertini said.
Emily Ancinec | USG President
FRIDAY NIGHTS
WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information about Issue 2, read “Elections 101” on Page 1.
First Ward Face Off
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WARD From Page 1 ernment and to work with townspeople to ensure everyone’s interests are represented. “Students compose about 47 percent of the community, and if you want to promote business in Bowling Green, you can’t exclude half of Bowling Green,” he said. Gordon decided to run for city council in 2010. Since then, he’s visited more than 250 homes and apartments during his campaign and registered hundreds of students to vote. Gordon said he has received overwhelmingly positive reactions from both groups. “Residents are happy because I’m young, have new ideas and am a native, while students are happy to get their voice heard on council,” he said. Gordon said he has always been interested in politics, and he has wanted to become a politician since he was 17 years old. Politics also run in his family. Gordon’s father, Jeff, was a 2nd Ward council member in the late ‘80s, where, according to Gordon, he worked to make the city function better for the residents. “[My father] really showed me the importance of getting involved in the community by fighting for issues that people really care about,” Gordon said. While it is uncommon for a student to run for local government, it isn’t odd. In 2009, then undergraduate student Jacob Redfern was appointed to 1st Ward for a few months after a resignation. Redfern lost his reelection by a small margin of votes.
IMPACT From Page 1 assigned as the University’s common reading experience this summer. The book documents Beavan’s life as he tries to go a whole year without making an impact on the environment. Nick Hennessy, a sustainability coordinator at the University, has gotten to know Tobe over the years because she volunteered in sustainability initiatives on campus like Orange Bikes and Friday Night Lights. Hennessy is a mentor and role model for Tobe. “She is going above and beyond what most students would do in order to reduce her impact, and she does not simply say that it can’t be done because of her surroundings,” Hennessy said. “She actually looks at the whole experience from a very positive standpoint and finds a way to make it happen, rather than admit-
“My view is that things don’t have to be the way they are.” Daniel Gordon | Senior The last time a student ran for a city council seat and won was in the 90s, Gordon said. Some students voiced their views on a student running for city council. Rob Oria ns, Undergraduate Student Government vice president, said having a student on city council would make communication easier between the two groups because students are more accessible. “It’s a good idea for a student to run,” junior Ian Miller said. “I think Daniel Gordon would be a trusty delegate to represent the demographic.” Politicians also presented their opinions. “There’s a lot of issues that come before city council that impact the life of students,” said Mike Zickar, chair of the Wood County Democratic Party. “Students are a big part of the community and it’s important to have an advocate and liaison for them.” Mark Hollenbaugh, 1st Ward incumbent and Gordon’s opponent, said it’s good a student is running for city council, and he wishes more people would get involved. Hollenbaugh sa id that’s what’s great about local government — unlike those divided in Washington, D.C., people here can actually work together in the best interest of the community. Gordon will be challenging 1st Ward incumbent Mark Hollenbaugh in the upcoming election next Tuesday.
ting impossibility or defeat.” Another person on campus who knows much about Tobe and her project is Brooke Mason. She is a Kreischer residence adviser and a close friend of Tobe. Mason is majoring in environmental policy and analysis. Tobe and Mason have many classes together and were involved in some of the same sustainable volunteering opportunities. “I never dared to try here at BGSU; it is pretty difficult because everything is offered in some sort of package or on some sort of disposable plate,” Mason said. “I want to live my life after college very much in line with what [Tobe] is doing and with what Colin Beavan did.” Mason and Tobe both believe that Tobe can make a difference and set an example for other students in the University. “[Colin Beavan] did it in a city — I’m trying it on a college campus,” Tobe said.
Visit BGNews.com
Wednesday to view web exclusive responses from 1st Ward candidates Daniel Gordon and Mark Hollenbaugh to the question “What issues are important and why?”
Did you know anyone can submit a cartoon to www.bgnews.com?
CAMPUS
Wednesday, November 2 & Thursday, November 3, 2011
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ub a unes
Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble showcases its talents Tuesday night PHOTOS BY ALYSSA GANNON | THE BG NEWS TOP LEFT: Sophomore Brendan Ige plays the tuba at Bryan Recital Hall. Tuesday’s concert was free and open to the public. TOP MIDDLE: Graduate student Josh Davis prepares for the Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble’s next musical piece. TOP RIGHT: David Saltzman directs the Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. MIDDLE: Sophomore Larry Mulligan, left, and senior Rocco Duranti, right, perform Tuesday evening. BOTTOM: Senior Frank Slife concentrates on the final piece of the night.
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FORUM
“We’re elected to represent [the students] and make sure their voice is maintained ... USG having an objective view is the best thing for students.” — USG President Emily Ancinec on USG’s neutral stance on Issue 2 [see story, pg. 1]. Wednesday, November 2 & Thursday, November 3, 2011
PEOPLE ON THE STREET “Nothing; I reuse everything.”
When walking around campus you have probably noticed the black and red signs that urge you to stop discrimination and hate, and tell you whom to contact if you witness any such crimes. I believe these signs are wellintentioned and that it is good for students to know where to go for help. At the same time, I also believe it is important to take a step back and think about “discrimination.” Discrimination can be good. As you are preparing for next semester or graduation, you may be job searching or looking for an internship. With this in mind, would you like to know that your potential employer is judging applicants based on their ability to perform the job? If you are preparing to study abroad, would you like to know that your pilot is qualified to fly the plane? If you said “yes” to either of these questions, then you are recognizing how discrimination can be good. Obviously, these forms of discrimination are not the reason the word has such a negative connotation. We know that, historically, discrimination is associated with images of “black” and “white” segregation, the subjugation of women and hate crimes of all kinds. Discrimination has been linked with hate, inequality and using inappropriate criteria for judgment. It is this history of unjust discrimination that has led to the tension of political correctness associated with recognizing difference. Barriers are put up that tell us that we cannot recognize skin pigmentation, gender, physical or mental ability or disability, or any weaknesses or talents that others have. To be politically correct we
must believe that we are all the same. We have exactly the same talents and weaknesses and exactly the same potential in every possible career path or goal. It is only by recognizing this artificial sameness that we can say, “See — we are entirely equal.” However, we secretly recognize that we are not all the same, and that this is out of our control. For example, on a biological level, we know that women can become pregnant and men cannot. We can work to ignore this reality through the use of contraception and even sterilization, but, secretly, we know that we are still not the same. Similarly, we know that men cannot bear children even if women can effectively not utilize this ability in themselves. On an aesthetic level, we can also consider the kindergarten teacher who assures all the children their work is equally beautiful, though an observer may see that some students have drawn with more care and skill than others. Discrimination on its own does not have to be coupled with hate. In fact, it is very easily coupled with love. Discrimination means that we can notice and appreciate difference. It means that everyone can find their own “niche” in the world so that we can help each other by sharing our varied talents and resources. It also means a healthy dose of humility. Discrimination entails noticing not only our strengths, but also our weaknesses. We may hold each other accountable and help each other grow without a mask of invincibility. We are all equal because we all share the same humanity, but we are not the same. It is through our complementary differences that we live.
Respond to Alicia at thenews@bgnews.com
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“Gas and plastic water bottles.”
NOEL PHILLIPS, Freshman, Undecided
‘Discrimination’ has a bad reputation ALICIA RIEDEL COLUMNIST
What contributes to the majority of your carbon footprint?
“Cardboard boxes.”
BRANDON SCHNEIDER, Senior, Film Productions
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Be sure to read the submission guidelines at the bottom of this page.
THE BG NEWS ASIA RAPAI, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 210 West Hall Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 | Phone: (419) 372-6966 Email: thenews@bgnews.com Website: http://www.bgnews.com Advertising: 204 West Hall | Phone: (419) 372-2606
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“Plastic silverware.”
JOSHUA HANFT, Sophomore, Supply Chain Mgmt.
SHANNON HURLEY, Sophomore, Undecided
VISIT US AT BGNEWS.COM Have your own take on today’s People On The Street? Or a suggestion for a question? Give us your feedback at bgnews.com.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR No Impact Man confused the crowd What’s your point? I left Colin Beavan’s speech Wednesday night in the Union Ballroom
with this thought. Beavan asked open-ended question after open-ended question — providing no real answers (similarly to his book No Impact Man, the 2011 common read).
He told long-winded anecdote after anecdote — relevance to his topic? Scarce at best. The crowd’s reaction: confused look after confused look. When it was all
said and done, I didn’t leave empowered to do environmental good, I left puzzled.
Amber Gombash agombas@falcon.bgsu.edu
OFF CAMPUS IN 3-D
MAX CHARNEY | THE BG NEWS
Student debt Suicide need not is harder to pay be an answer MATTHEW THACKER COLUMNIST
For the first time in America, there is more student loan debt than there is credit card debt. This is just one of the issues being raised by the “Occupy” movement over the last couple of months as one of the things which makes 99 percent of Americans vulnerable to the massive income inequality in this country. Michael Moore, who has been one of the many celebrities to champion the grievances of the Occupy movement, has been on various television shows equating the amount of
student loan debt — debt that a student must take on to achieve higher education — to a new form of indentured servitude. Moore has made the point that if a student finishes their undergraduate degree at 22 years old, many times they are in their 40s or 50s before their student loans are paid off (if they are lucky enough to find a job in their chosen field relatively soon after graduation). President Obama has seemingly heard these complaints and has taken a step (though it may be small) to try to help with America’s student loan debt. Obama announced this
See THACKER | Page 8
MIKE BADYNA GUEST COLUMNIST
This is in response to the article by Alicia Riedel on suicide prevention and provides additional information about suicide. I agree that suicide is preventable through means of therapy, and as a psychology major, I definitely promote seeing a therapist upon thoughts of suicide. The problem that seems to arise with suicides is when people do get the urge to kill themselves in the heat of the moment, there is a very small window of time to react in order to save their lives. Recently in my philosophy of death and dying class, we read an article by Scott
Anderson entitled “The Urge to End It All” from the New York Times in 2008. In this article, Anderson argues that suicide is extremely impulsive. Anderson cited a 2001 University of Houston study of suicide attempt survivors in which 70 percent of those who attempted to kill themselves thought about committing suicide within an hour before their attempt. Twenty-four percent of the group thought about committing suicide a mere five minutes before their attempt. That is scary. But there are ways of deterring these attempts. Those who impulsively decide to attempt suicide are so focused in their attempt that
See BADYNA | Page 5
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FORUM
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Wednesday, November 2 & Thursday, November 3, 2011 5
Effective arguments Creepers don’t know they’re creeping show both sides CHRISTINA GREEN AND SARA HARDEN COLUMNISTS
DYLAN CORP GUEST COLUMNIST
Phil Schurrer has been getting a lot of flak in The BG News as of late. As a faculty columnist he has been speaking about hot-button issues like women’s contraceptives and Senate Bill 5. However, in his latest “Editorials are opinions, not reports,” he talks not about issues, but about opinion columns themselves. How very meta of him. Schurrer states his role as a column writer is “less of a fact-balancer and more of an advocate.” While I whole-heartedly agree with his statement, I believe there is more to being an advocate than just stating your side of an issue. An advocate that truly changes minds and gets people thinking must supply the reader with a solid argument. What is the secret to a solid argument? One must be aware of and present all sides of an argument. An individual can then not only declare why their side is right, but why the other side is wrong. In other words, Schurrer forgot the best defense is a good offense. The public knows what people are saying for and against Senate Bill 5, more or less. If they do not, it gives him even more of a reason to present both sides. But a good debater does not simply present both sides, as his “fact balancer” comment would suggest, but presents his opponent’s view so he can systematically deconstruct why it is wrong. It is here that Schurrer did indeed have a missed opportunity. If he also mentioned what
BADYNA From Page 4 if the one way they planned on killing themselves is somehow taken away, it will somehow discourage the person from attempting all together. My point is that sometimes just removing an easily accessible means to a suicide will prevent it altogether. For example, the Anderson article mentions the infamous British coal-gas phenomenon. A frequent method of suicide in 1960s Britain was to turn on the gas in the oven without lighting it. The person then literally “stuck their head in the oven”
his opponents are saying is wrong about pro-Senate Bill 5 ads and stated why the ads are in fact correct, he would not just be taking apart his opponent’s argument but also their criticism of his argument. With those two missing, what else does one have? Certainly nothing that will persuade people to support them. Schurrer made the same mistake in his contraceptives article. By primarily referring to a statement by the pope, hardly an unbiased source, he failed to justify the validity of his own claims, something many guest columnists have taken him to task for in the past two weeks. To be honest, Phil Schurrer is my favorite columnist for The BG News. You can tell by reading any one of his articles that he knows the importance of an opinion page in any newspaper. Besides giving feelings to facts that cover the other sections of a newspaper, an opinion section is a place for healthy debate. There is no truth in remaining unbiased with your feelings, because our feelings are anything but unbiased. However, a true debater will always mention the other side, if only to tear it down after. This applies not only to Schurrer, but to all those that state their beliefs in any forum. In this way one informs the audience that he or she is informed about his or her topic, making that opinion all the more credible. Without credibility, an opinion will only reach the ears of those already listening.
Respond to Dylan at dacorp@falcon.bgsu.edu
and got a fatal dose of carbon monoxide. When technology advanced in the ‘70s, and coal gas became less mainstream, the suicide rate dropped sharply and remained constant afterwards. This shows that impulsive suicides can be prevented; but we usually can’t be there for the person in the heat of the moment. So how do we go about stopping the impulse from happening? One of the best possible ways of preventing suicide is to openly talk about it, rather than treat it as some sort of taboo. If during the discussion someone starts discussing details about an attempt or
Creepers; we know what they are, and we joke about them all the time. You may know the song “The Creep” by The Lonely Island, and you may know who Hector the stalker is from “Blades of Glory.” We make fun of the stereotype, and most of us even admit to being “Facebook creepers.” Of course, there is a difference between the occasionally long Facebook investigation and someone making you truly uncomfortable — which, unfortunately, isn’t as funny as Andy Samberg in a pencilmustache and flood-pants. We asked a room of students what comes to mind when they hear the word “creeper.” While the initial reaction was one of amusement, it quickly became a very morose conversation — one that involved a few girls shuddering and stating that they “try not to think about creepers too much.” There were disagreements
about what a creeper is. Some people consider a creeper to be anyone who bothers you and won’t leave you alone. Others see a creeper as a person who gives you unwanted attention or has an odd obsession or infatuation with another person. But everyone agreed that people who fit the category lack social skills and are generally awkward when it comes to interactions with others — males who don’t pick up on social cues or know how to begin, much less keep, what most people consider normal relationships. Encounters with creepers (from the experience of the students questioned) range from awkward interactions in class, to persistent texts, to threats, to actual stalking, to being locked in a dorm room. On one occasion, a girl even vomited because she was so sick with fear after a late-night encounter with someone she aptly labeled “a creeper.” Every individual circumstance is different, and the severity can range from harmless to life-threatening. But after many thorough, philosophical discussions, we have concluded that “nobody’s ambition in life is
to be a creep-ass.” It follows then that these people who make us uneasy don’t realize (in most nonthreatening cases) that they are causing us such distress. It is important to understand that the vast majority of “creepers” are harmless. They are just socially inept people that don’t pick up on the social cues or hints that we drop to tell them we aren’t interested. And yet, we never seem to try anything other than these small social cues to get rid of these people. Why is it so difficult to be upfront about someone making you uneasy? Are we afraid to hurt their feelings? Maybe it’s pity or guilt that keeps us from speaking up. Or perhaps we don’t want to inflict embarrassment on them or on ourselves. It is impossible to offer a step-by-step plan to deal with a “creeper,” and that isn’t our goal. We simply want to acknowledge a situation that’s difficult to deal with in an effort to lesson its frequency. We suggest that if anyone makes you uncomfortable, uneasy, queasy or nervous for any reason that you talk to someone about it. Talk to your friends, your
resident adviser or someone at the counseling center. All of these people can offer practical advice for your specific situation and support you. Don’t be worried about seeming stupid or egotistical. The best thing to do is to tell people, especially if you feel unsafe. And if you are genuinely threatened or harassed in any way, you should contact the proper authorities. The worst thing to do is to allow a situation to persist because you don’t know how to deal with it. Confronting an uncomfortable predicament can be beneficial for everyone involved — even the creeper. As we said before, if someone is creeping it is likely because he or she is unaware that those actions are inappropriate. Telling them might guide them to be more attentive to what is socially acceptable in the future, which would be helpful for everyone. Whatever the case, there is no reason to ever allow yourself to feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Respond to Christina and Sara at thenews@bgnews.com
‘Occupy’ movement should mobilize MARK HUNTRE HUNTRESS COLUMNIST
As Occupy Wall Street approaches its 50th day, having spread to hundreds of cities worldwide, it has already made significant achievements. First, the “Occupy” movement has won a base of support. Polls show the majority of Americans agree with the occupiers. Second, as Al Sharpton
a future attempt, treat them seriously and get them into counseling. There is a counseling center on campus; don’t be afraid to use it. There is a misconception that if you attempt or commit suicide, you must be crazy. Perhaps this is why people are afraid to discuss the topic. There are plenty of people in therapy who are not crazy. They just need an outlet for their problems. Talk with your friends; be the outlet that they need. You could be saving their life.
Respond to Matt at mbadyna@bgsu.edu
DID YOU KNOW? Founders Residence Hall, completed in 1957, has four halls named for men who played ed a major role in creating the University. The hall names are Lowry, Mooney, Treadway andd Harmon.
has said, it has succeeded in changing the national conversation. There are many more news stories now on wealth disparity and banking practices, and the occupiers have received quite a bit of media spotlight for several weeks now. Third, the movement has popularized a democratic form of participatory decision-making, called the General Assembly, where all present can contribute to discussion on an issue, and where there must be 90 percent agreement for passage
of a resolution. The foundations for change are in place, and now the movement is ready for a paradigm shift. The Occupy movement owes some of its success to its mold-breaking design. It has been a normal protest juiced up on a cocktail of steroids and performance enhancers. It has been an exponentially expanding protest, squared. If it had been a standard one-day protest, no one would have heard about it. Now it needs to be con-
tinually reborn, to break the new molds it makes for itself. It needs to remain dynamic to be effective, or people will become accustomed to it, and business as usual will go on around it. The revolution must continue to be revolutionary. It is time for the focus to shift from the few thousand people occupying parks to the millions on their side, whom they have awoken. The movement must
See MARK | Page 8
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SPORTS
charts
Wednesday, November 2 & Thursday, November 3, 2011
the
Climbing
6
397.5
2011
427.2
(4-5)
384.1
294.2
23.7
2010 (2-7)
26
Points per game
33.9
27.1
Points allowed per game
Yards per game
Yards allowed per game
By The BG News Sports Staff
While the BG football team sits at 4-5 on the season, it has made noticeable strides in 2011. Statistically, the Falcons have been much improved off a disastrous 2010 campaign. Through nine games, BG already has more wins than it did in all of 2010. While the Falcons clearly aren’t where they want to be as a team yet, they have showed improvements throughout their overall game.
Offensively, the Falcons are averaging only just two more points per game than they did last year. However, they have not been as inept at moving the ball, as they have put up more than 100 yards more per game in 2011 as they did last season. On the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons have been inconsistent, but have still shown improvements. On average, they are giving up one touchdown fewer per game, and 43 yards per game fewer than they did in 2010.
BG may have lost Tennis runs in Chiricosta family chance at MAC title By Vince Meloni Reporter
RYAN SATKOWIAK SPORTS EDITOR
It was a game BG probably should have won, and because they didn’t, the Falcons may no longer be able to achieve their goal of winning a Mid-American Conference title this season. Prior to their loss to Kent State, the Falcons controlled their own destiny in the MAC East. Simply put, if they won out, they’d be playing in Detroit. When you look at it now, the Falcons’ road ahead for the next three weeks is difficult — not counting the fact that they will need some help from other teams’ losses to win the division. The Falcons entered the Kent game tied with Ohio for second in the East, trailing Temple by half a game. However, the Falcons, by virtue of their 13-10 win over the Owls, hold that tiebreaker. Now after losing to the Golden Flashes, the Falcons are fourth in the division at 2-3, trailing Temple, Ohio and Miami. The good news: the Falcons hold the tie breaker over two of those teams and still have a chance to beat the Bobcats. Also, all three of those teams still have to play each other, meaning conference losses will happen, allowing BG to pick up ground … if they can right the ship. The bad news: BG has a tough
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game coming up against Northern Illinois. Even though the Falcons get Ohio at home and play a 2-7 Buffalo team to close the season, no game is going to be automatic, given the events of last weekend. Sure, it is still possible for the Falcons to win the division. Given the way they started the season at 4-1, they are clearly capable of ripping off a couple of wins to finish the season 7-5, which would be a fantastic improvement from last season. However, they are in the precarious position of needing help from other teams. It goes without saying that the Falcons need to win out if they want any chance of representing the MAC East in the conference title game. BG also needs Temple, Ohio and Miami to each lose once. BG winning out would give a third conference loss to Ohio, and give the Falcons the tiebreaker of their instate rivals. Temple and Ohio will face off tonight, so a Bobcats win would take care of that for BG. For Miami, after taking on conference doormat Akron on Thursday night, it faces Temple, Western Michigan and Ohio to close out its season. All of this “rooting for other teams” stuff becomes moot if BG can’t handle its own business and win out. Perhaps the Falcons’ off weekend came at the right time, allowing them time to regroup from a disappointing loss and prepare for a dangerous opponent.
The bond between two sisters is almost always a very strong one, and it often involves a little sibling rivalry — this is no different for the Chiricosta sisters. Younger sister and current Falcon Nikki Chiricosta has always worked well with her older sister Christine Chiricosta, who is a former tennis player at the University. All the members of Chiricosta family have had a tennis racket in their hands from a young age. Parents Rick and Sheila both played tennis in Toledo, and their older brother Matt played tennis at Allegheny. “Both Christine and I began playing tennis since we could walk and joined organized tennis as soon as we could,” Nikki said. Nikki played her first tournament as a 7-year-old, where she won the back draw. Christine won the main draw. “Ever since I was little people keep trying to compare us, but I try not to think about,” Nikki said. “I just go out and play my game.” Growing up, Nikki never played another sport. Christine played basketball in grade school, but it was clear they both wanted to move on the tennis court, as they both only played tennis in high school. While attending Avon Lake High School, Christine came close but never won a state title playing singles. She had one more opportunity her senior year, but that was Nikki’s freshman year, and Christine chose to play with her
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sister for a doubles title and give up her shot at the singles title. “When we would play together the little sibling fights would happen, but when we needed to pull each other up, we did,” Nikki said. In the state tournament, Nikki needed her older sister to pick her up in a big way. In 2006, the Chiricostas made it to the state finals for Ohio. After having their ritual pre-match Happy Meal, they were ready to face Christie and Katie Pleiman, sisters from Chaminade Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio — one of only a few times a final between two sets of sisters hap-
“Both Christine and I began playing tennis since we could walk and joined organized tennis as soon as we could.” Nikki Chiricosta | BG Tennis Player pened in Ohio. The match got off to a rough start for the Chiricosta pair, because they fell behind 4-0 to start the match. “I was very nervous from the start, and I just could not handle it all,” Nikki said. “I was playing bad, and Christine could not pick up the slack.” At that point, Christine did something better than pick up the slack of her partner — she played the role of older sister.
NIKKI CHIRICOSTA
Played in her first tournament at age 7
“On the switch after being down, Christine sat me down and really calmed me down and had me refocus,” Nikki said. “It was really helpful; she is a great leader.” That motivational speech helped. Nikki was able to step her game up to the level that got them to the final, and they never dropped another game. While up 6-4, 5-0 and serving for match point, Christine served up an ace for the title, surprising both sisters. “If you know anything about the Chiricostas, we do not hit aces, so to see her get one to clinch the state title was very special,” Nikki said. Christine attended BG to begin her career, the next year, and after three successful years at Avon Lake, Nikki did the same. “There were a lot of factors in me coming to Bowling Green,” Nikki said. “Christine being here helped, plus our mom coached here before [current head coach] Penny [Dean] began, so I already had a relationship with the coach. It felt right.” Here is where the true nature of sisters shows — it is not always the oldest who helps. That year Christine was student teaching, so she almost never made it to practice. When Christine finished in the afternoon, Nikki would practice
See TENNIS | Page 7
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The Falcons are set to take on Tiffin in their first appearance at the Stroh on Saturday at 2 p.m. After their only warm-up, BG will start their season play against Howard on Nov. 11.
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Wednesday, November 2 & Thursday, November 3, 2011
Future is bright for BG hockey
TYLER STABILE | THE BG NEWS
CHAD SUMSION, BG forward, attempts to slap the puck past the opposing teams’ goalie. The Falcons were most recently swept by Notre Dame. By Matt Nye Reporter
The BG hockey team is going through a transition. The culture is changing on the ice and in the locker room. With such a young team this year, the future of the hockey program is certainly bright. BG has gotten off to a decent start in the second year for coach Chris Bergeron at the helm for the Falcons. BG (4-3-1, 1-3-0 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) is trying to change the expectations and the overall feeling of the team in the past couple of years.
What Adjustment Period? The freshman class for BG this year has been leading the way. With a new batch of recruits comes a new style and a change of belief.
Bergeron said he thinks his team has made improvements so far in his time at BG. “I think we are a better team than last year at this time in the season,” he said. “We have added speed, size and talent. We still work as hard as we did last year, but we just need to go out and execute.” Fresh ma n Rya n Carpenter started his career as a Falcon with a huge impact. At the past weekend series against Notre Dame, he added two assists to make him leader in points on the team at eight. He has also tied Camden Wojtala with assists at five. Sophomore Br yce Williamson himself had a strong series against Notre Dame. He recorded two goals, which boosted him to the team lead at number four. He said that he has adjust-
ed to the college game and is coming into his own on the ice. “I’m trying to be more consistent,” Williamson said. “I needed to be more intense, and I’m trying to just round out my game this year.”
Rebuilding the Program Bergeron talks about a team brand and how important it is and how teams need the confidence that they know they are going to win when they go out on the ice. Bergeron said that he knows what to expect from Ferris State this weekend. “Ferris State’s brand is so established and this season’s team is no different,” he said. “They do a great job recruiting goalies, and it will be very difficult to score against them.” After the competitive losses at home against
Notre Dame last weekend, Bergeron said he didn’t really have to say anything, which was in a way, a good sign for this year’s team. “The players were the ones that stood up and said what needed to be said and were upset,” Bergeron said. With such a young team it is somewhat surprising when the coaches don’t even need to step in and give a message to their team after a pair of tough losses. Williamson said that the postgame discussion in the locker room was well overdue because the way the season has been going with three straight losses after a 4-0-1 start. “We came away with nothing last weekend after all the hard work in practice,” he said. “We just need to put that behind us and focus more on ourselves. We need to try with a better effort this weekend.”
7
THE BG NEWS SUDOKU
SUDOKO To play: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved. Just use logic to solve
BG golf halfway through season By Ethan Easterwood Reporter
The women’s golf team concluded a successful fall season. This marks the halfway point to the Falcons’ entire season, and coach Stephanie Young has kept that in sight. “The key is to remember that we are only halfway through the season,” Young said. “There is still much work to be done.” The team this fall has had lower player averages than in years past as well as lower team scores. The team will look to continue this trend into the spring season as the team’s stroke average is on pace to
TENNIS From Page 6 with her, essentially having Nikki practice twice in one day because she went to the team practice in the morn-
set a school record, according to team captain Amy Ruthenberg. Looking toward the spring the team will focus on consistency. “We want to continue the consistency of more players in the ‘70s,” Young said. While in North Carolina, the team had four players in the ‘70s, “which is something I’m not sure has happened in a while,” Ruthenberg said. Many players improved this fall, including the team’s lone senior, Paula DiFrancesco. She came with a career average of 85 and now has a fall season average of 79. Sophomore Bailey Arnold
continued to dominate the courses. Arnold won the Redbird Invitational and consistently led the team to great finishes, while adding two of the first three Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honors. Young was very impressed with freshman Shelby Wilson. Wilson was just one stroke shy of Arnold’s average and has made an immediate impact for the team. As the fall concludes, the team will focus entirely on their spring goals. “We were runner up at Cleveland State,” Ruthenberg said. “But I think that we can win a tournament this spring.”
ing, then with Christine at night. The biggest struggle Nikki goes through is still being compared to her sister. Christine left BG as arguably the best women’s tennis player in school history.
“It is something I have come to accept, and my parents have helped with that,” Nikki said. “Just like Serena and Venus Williams are always compared, we will be compared.” Nikki does want to leave
“We want to continue the consistency of more players in the ‘70s.” Stephanie Young | Coach Ultimately the team’s goal will be to finish in the top half of the MAC, as well as keeping their stroke average below 314. The spring schedule will start on March 25 and 26 in Hilton Head, S.C., including the Falcons’ home tournament in April and conclude MAC Championship.
one clear message as she continues her career as a Falcon. “I want to be Nikki Chiricosta, not Christine Chiricosta’s little sister.” There is always a little room for some sibling rivalry.
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NATHAN ELEKONICH | THE BG NEWS
BAILEY ARNOLD, BG women’s golfer, uses her driver to tee-off at the next hole.
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THACKER From Page 4 past Tuesday he plans to use regulatory authority to allow a change in repayment rates in the federal government’s student loan program’s Income-Based Repayment plan. Congress approved this plan last year, but it was not scheduled to take effect until 2014. Obama has expedited the change, mandating it take effect in 2012. Under the IBR plan as it has been structured, a former student with student loan debt can choose to pay 15 percent of their income and any debt that is not paid off in 25 years is then forgiven. Under the new plan the 15 percent will drop to 10 percent, and the 25 years will be cut to 20 years. Also under this new restructuring, students will be able to consolidate government-backed student loans with student loans from private lending institutions, reducing interest rates by up to 0.5 percent.
MARK From Page 5 morph into something that each one of its supporters can actively participate in. There are 300,000 followers of the Occupy Wall Street cause on Facebook. It is time to mobilize them. For every one person braving the wet and cold elements in a park, there are hundreds who would like to work toward similar goals and who would be willing to contribute in simpler ways. If spurred to collective action, the global network of Occupy supporters could be a powerful force. The difficult question is how to leverage popular support into real change. Allow me to give a few preliminary, unrefined suggestions on how to
FORUM
This means many former students will be able to lower monthly payments and hopefully avoid defaulting on their student loan debt. Although this is a step in the right direction, it is still a small step that will not affect the majority of student loan borrowers, and Obama acknowledges that more needs to be done. “Steps like these won’t take the place of the bold action we need from Congress to boost our economy and create jobs, but they will make a difference,” Obama said recently of his regulatory order. “Until Congress does act, I will continue to do everything in my power to act on behalf of the American people.” When I attended the University of Toledo College of Law’s Labor Law Symposium recently, I heard one speaker (a professor of law at Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law) say she had gone through her undergraduate and law school career and only incurred $8,000 in student loan debt.
This was not an old woman, and it made me wonder what has changed so much in the (I would guess) 30 years since she finished her education. Shouldn’t we — those of us presently seeking higher education — have the same opportunity to become educated without making a commitment to be in debt for the majority of our lives? I think we should. I think higher education should be affordable to anyone who is willing to work hard to achieve it. And many more people these days seem to be willing to work hard to achieve it. In fact, recent data shows that of all of the student loan debt ever incurred in America, 82 percent of it has come in the last 10 years. But tuition at private and state universities alike continue to rise (including here at BGSU) and more and more people are becoming the new generation of indentured servants.
occupy from home. Close your bank account and open an account at a credit union. Only buy things from establishments that are small enough that you know the owner. Use Craigslist and farmers markets as much as possible. In order to not let huge corporate campaign contributions sway the outcomes of elections, do not pay any attention to campaign advertisements. Do your own research into each candidate. Any number of other actions — including boycotts, or even strikes — could be conceived of, agreed upon and planned in online General Assemblies, if the General Assembly model is able to transition into forums or maybe even Second Life or
a similar website. I support the efforts of occupiers to stay camped out as long as they can, but it should not be seen as a defeat if Zuccotti Park empties out. Camping for only a couple of weeks in snow is a very powerful statement. Besides, Occupy, now that it has everyone’s attention, no longer has to be in Zuccotti Park to continue to organize, inform and motivate their adherents. It would be a huge victory for Occupy if, when the last occupier leaves Zuccotti Park, they have motivated half of the world to occupy from home, and provided the infrastructure for them to do so.
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Serving BG since 1980!
Help Wanted Bartending, up to $300/day. No exp. needed, training crse. avail, call 800-965-6520 x174.
For Rent *RENTING HOUSES 2012-13SY. Wooster, S Coll & APTS +MORE! also rms $225 and Jan 2012 apts 419-353-0325 / cartyrentals.com Houses & Apartments 12 month leases only S. Smith Contracting LLC. 419-352-8917 - 532 Manville Ave Office open 11-3, M-F. www.BGApartments.com HOUSES close to campus! 2012-2013 May/August Leases now availble! Call 419-352-6064 or www.froboserentals.com Subleaser for apt, female pref, avail NOW!,$425/mo. Email: kgallow@bgsu.edu
THINKING ABOUT MOVING OFF-CAMPUS? GOT QUESTIONS? NEED ADVICE? THEN YOU SHOULD ATTEND!
OFF CAMPUS
101 TODAY
Quality Service Quality Housing Successfully Serving BGSU Students Since 1978. HONEST, FRIENDLY & TRUSTWORTHY
Jerome Library Learning Commons 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Sponsored By: Off-Campus Student Services 372-2843 offcampus@bgsu.edu www.bgsu.edu/offcampus Attend an Off-Campus 101 session and be entered to win a prize during the Housing Fair on November 17th!
319 E. Wooster Street | Located across from Taco Bell Hours - Monday to Friday - 8:30 to 5:30 | Saturday - 8:30 to 5:00 419.354.2260 | www.johnnewloverealestate.com
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