thecollegian
Issue 11 • Friday, March 18, 2016 • deltacollegian.net
VERTICALLY CHALLENGED
BY MIDORI MORITA midori.morita@yahoo.com
With repairs continuing, elevator issues inconvenience campus
STOCKTON PROUD Mayor Anthony Silva strives for tourism in Stockton.
BY MIDORI MORITA
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midori.morita@yahoo.com
‘RIMERS OF ELDRITCH’ Delta’s drama production brings audiences, big claps.
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OUT OF ORDER: The Holt elevator is currently out of service. The four-floor building’s only elevator access is now a freight elevator that requires a key and isn’t for student use.
DELTA SOFTBALL Softball team splits double header the weekend of March 11.
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IN THE KNOW
March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month MARCH 25 National Medal of Honor Day MARCH 30 “Women’s Voices Being Heard” at 12:30 p.m. on campus APRIL 4 National Hug a Newsperson Day
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PHOTOS BY MEGAN MAXEY
Forensics team qualifies for national tournament
BY FRANCINA SANCHEZ deltacollegian@gmail.com
Two Delta college students on the Speech and Debate team are making history. Erika Jauregui and Jordan Rosales have been invited to the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence. NPTE is a tournament that only accepts 64 speech and debate teams in the nation. The two will be representing one of two community colleges in the competition. There’s no separation on how four-year universities
and community colleges are ranked. The Delta students will be competing with the best in the nation. “I recruited both of them because what I look for is confidence and for someone that can think logically, said Kathleen Bruce, Delta Forensics coach. This is Jauregui’s fifth semester on the team and Rosales’ third. Initially both students didn’t have an interest in joining the speech and debate team but after being recruited, they gave it
See FORENSICS, Page 8
Delta College students, faculty and staff aren’t going up. With the Holt elevator down for long-term maintenance, and the Shima elevator regularly breaking, disabled students are finding it hard to get to class. In addition, programs that utilize the elevators are at a disadvantage, including classes in culinary arts and fashion. The culinary class is located in Shima 301. “We have probably five huge sheet racks that we take downstairs probably Tuesday through Thursday so with the elevators out it’s really hard,” said Caitlin Baird, a culinary arts student. Robert Halabicky, the baking and pastry instructor, said elevator outages have forced students to carry down tubs of dough, carts and other heavy equipment weighing more than 50 pounds.
The elevators also become a safety concern when the doors close on students or doesn’t open the door at all. “There’s been a couple times when the elevator stops a couple inches short either above the floor or below the floor,” said Halabicky. With the fashion program located right next-door, students in the class face similar situations. The class can’t be moved because of sewing machines and other equipment can’t be easily transported. “We have a lot of things that we need to bring to the class like bags and boxes and every time we go [to the elevator] it has the sign that says out of order,” said Arlene Vieira, a fashion student. Jill Oyoung, one of the fashion professors, says she has cart that she takes to class everyday that is full of fabrics, student assignments and other paperwork.
See ELEVATOR, Page 8
Animal shelter helps community BY MEGAN MAXEY mkmaxey96@gmail.com
Even after a blossoming three years at Stockton’s animal shelter, Mayor Anthony Silva is still calling for reform. Silva said he wants to “place a resolution on the next agenda supporting a new ‘Bill of Rights’ protecting local animals. Provides a minimum standard of care for dogs and cats sustaining injuries after our shelter closes on weekends or holidays,” in a public Facebook post in late Feb. The animal shelter takes in about 11,600 animals per year. Daily it takes in around 200 dogs and up to 100 cats. “We’re all concerned about animals. There’s not anybody who works here that’s not concerned,” said Phillip Zimmerman, the animal services manager at the Stockton animal shelter. “But
See SHELTER, Page 8
NEXT ISSUE: April 8 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY
2 opinion
ZACH MERCES-SPINDLER, OPINION EDITOR deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 ISSUE 11 • MARCH 18, 2016 • deltacollegian.net
SO YOU THINK YOU’RE A GENIUS? THINK AGAIN
B
arack Obama isn’t a grandpa thinks he’s comparable genius. to the greatest reimagining of He’s not stupid or a our universe since evolution. bad politician, but he certainly What do the common people doesn’t compare to other people think genius means? who have been graced with this “A genius is somebody that title such as Albert Einstein. really excels in a certain field Between March 7-13, MS… somebody that is far above NBC held an online poll to the common man,” said Delta decide who viewers thought was student Carol Avenino. the “ultimate genius” during a 7 I’ll give Obama some slack, Days of to be president Genius he definitely event. would have CHRIS The to excel in poll leadership and DONALDSON was persuasion preto convince sented the people of in a split-bracket format much America to elect him into office like the upcoming NCAA Men’s twice. Basketball Tournament. We’d also have to give credit The bracket was split into to that great genius of the 1960s the four categories of politics, Richard Nixon and let’s not forinnovation, science and moralget about more recent geniuses ity. Normally it would be easy like George W. Bush and Dick to just ignore anything MSNBC Cheney. does, but probably 10 viewers If you’re going to throw have decided the top two are around a word as meaningful as Einstein’s Theory of Relativity genius then that “genius” should and Barack Obama. be able to put forward someThe entirety of Obama is thing that can prove it. just so brilliant that your drunk Einstein’s Theory of Relativity was recently proven when two black holes collided a billion light-years away revealing the existence of gravitational waves in the fabric of space-time. This realization has shown scientists that time and space are interwoven; they work as one in the universe. Compare that to Obamacare.
One will outlast human life and the other will be immediately destroyed by President Donald Trump. A more shameful comparison would be to compare George Washington Carver’s to the creators of Facebook (Mark Zuckerberg) and Uber (Travis Kalanick). “In a sense kind of… the way that [Facebook] is used now I kinda don’t think that it’s genius,” said Delta College student Jennifer Goodman. They’re both certainly great ideas. Uber can take you anywhere you need to be when you’re lost or your car broke down or you’re just drunk. Facebook allows you to keep in touch with the world and remain up to date with friends and family. But, before Carver came along farmers had to pay for real cotton, which was expensive in the late 1800s. Peanuts were cheap and grew in surplus. Before Uber there were taxis. Before Facebook there was the outside world. It’s easy to look at who people call geniuses and criticize what the term has become. What if we start to look at genius as “something revolutionary, something that could help the world,” in the words of Dejion Capers, Delta student. Not to discredit anyone who would think otherwise but it seems as if, more than anything, genius has become a term that we attach to the person and not the action. A person isn’t born, thinks brilliance and dies. A person gets up and creates something beautiful when the moment strikes them and that’s how genius is born. That’s how genius should be.
Are you a genius?
Albert Einstein
Peace Nobel quals e priZe s? geniu
IMAGES FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, FREEPIK.COM
THE COLLEGIAN — SPRING 2016 PRODUCTION STAFF EDITORS IN CHIEF Robert Juarez Midori Morita
SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Angel Guerrero Orlando Jose
NEWS Megan Maxey
STAFF WRITERS Killian Barnhart Antonio Cervantes Christopher Donaldson Gloria Gibbs Ramiz Haddad Bianca Laboca Mark Larks Shellcia Longsworth Dylan Loura Chanelle Muerong Francina Sanchez Aliyah Stoeckl Jose Velaquez Estrada Oshchane Walker
FEATURE Midori Morita ENTERTAINMENT Mikael Honzell OPINION Zachariah Merces-Spindler SPORTS Richard Reyes
Wanda Whiten ADVISER Tara Cuslidge-Staiano ADVERTISING The Collegian offers display advertising. Contact us at (209) 954-5156 or deltacollegian@gmail.com. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters raising issues and opinions are encouraged, but shouldn’t be taken as a reflection of the opinions of the staff.
EDITORIAL Unsigned editorials reflect the position of the entire Collegian staff. Comments, letters and editorials with a byline represent the opinion of the writer. This paper doesn’t endorse or represent the opinions of the adviser, the Mass Communication department, the Fine Arts Division, the printer or Delta College administration.
MISSION STATEMENT The Collegian is a student run First Amendment newspaper that prides itself on a commitment to the students of San Joaquin Delta College while maintaining its independence. We reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.
End of Republican party looming Diaz embodies
T
he Republican Party also known as the Grand old Party (GOP) may be reaching its end. The entire country is witness to the change in face of the GOP with the two front-runners being Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. One considered the radical extreme tea party candidate, Cruz, and the non-politician, unapologetic reality star, Trump. But the end isn’t purely because of the changing face, but rather at the failing roots. Republicans have had a tough time defending their politicians for many years, the democrats are no exception, with their radical beliefs and ideas on economics and foreign policy. The goal for the GOP has been to form a smaller government and reduce taxes, allowing states to govern themselves with oversight only in social matters. That is the true heart of the Republican Party, a republic America. However, the party has begun to divide itself with what can be confused for extremist Christian beliefs heavily influencing the way they govern. Various public incidents like Florida Governor and ex-presidential candidate Jeb Bush intervening with a husbands right to end life support for his comatose wife back in the early 2000s. Even as recently as in the state of Indiana with the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” signed by governor Mike Pence, which in sense gave companies the right to discriminate based on their religious beliefs. Granted polls and voting shows the populous of the Republican supporters are in line with these beliefs, so that is in itself a caveat. There is too the media’s major role serving as educators and conduits to the political world. This problem is two fold, by those who are doing their job well and those that are creating hysteria. Rush Limbaugh and countless other “right wing” media push a wild agenda lacking fact checking.
Stubborn supporters who serve That appointed person has unitheir beliefs rather than respect their lateral control of all authority in the position, and reporting important town, this killed democracy in the information necessary for the voting state of Michigan. public and continuing racist opinion. This law created the issues seThe “good” media also has its faults verely harming the city of Flint and due to the excess of advertisement in its water. media. The other media maintains The actions of these governors consistent a critical bombardment reflect the GOP party, as do the curand shaming of other news outlets. rent presidential nominees. You would Donald think pointing Trump is out the wild dominating ZACHARIAH inaccuracy and the primaries MERCES lies of mystiand is in line cism would to represent persuade the the Republican nation to avoid such sources. Party in the general election. This has not been the case, they The GOP is not supporting continuously grow stronger, especially Trump due to him inciting crowd in rural and southern America. Their violence and his crude comments messages of hate and fear echo to the towards minorities. voters who in turn select bad candiIn 1964, the Party dealt with the dates who express these same fears. same situation when Barry GoldwaRepublicans currently control the ter was their nominee. majority of seats in Senate and have inGoldwater extreme ideals terrified fluence on government decisions, with them. There was an infamous add that people by the names of Bobby Jindal, features a lifelong legacy republican Sam Brownback and Rick Snyder. who spoke candidly about his fear of Starting with former Louisiana Goldwater becoming president. Governor Bobby Jindal, who took a GOP’s fears of Trump are identistate in the midst of a budget surplus cal to that of Goldwater’s. and dug the state into a $940 milAllegations of KKK support, his lion dollar deficit. racist rhetoric and comparisons to The state is currently left with Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler the decision to cut medical care and pay detriment to Trump’s image. education. State colleges are potenHis supporters are turning away tially of being defunded. from the establishment and voting From the conservative ideas of in line with the radical. cutting taxes for businesses and This isn’t to say that Trump shortening funding for major social becoming the nominee will in fact programs. split and finally divide the radical to Kansas Governor Sam Brownback conservatism in the GOP, because cut taxes for business and individuals that was what was believed when that caused less funding for education. Goldwater was the candidate. This left the state in an economic crisis. Time will tell, but things aren’t Michigan Governor Rick Snyder looking great for the party and it enacted the emergency manager law, knows it needs to reevaluate everya bill that gives him autonomy over thing inside the lines. Especially with the state and the states elected offianother likely doomed general election cials. It means that he could veto the against probable candidate Hilary elections and appointed officials. Clinton beginning in June.
Minority mistreatment remains prevalent
C
hoosing a hairstyle shouldn’t mean choosing The hijab is worn to protect a woman’s dignity and a new school, but students of color across the honor. country are making the difficult decision. Marwa Wahba an Egyptian student at Los Positas colThere have been situations across the country where lege shares she would feel judged while wearing a hijab. students of color have been forced to switch schools for “I would feel judged because I see it everyday when their hair choices. I’m out with my mom how people look at her. Like she’s Seventh-grade student Isaiah Freeman has had dreadlocks really just a person whose covering herself I don’t get since he was a young child. Freeman what the big deal is,” said Wahba, who was forced to change schools after is Egyptian and has made the decision refusing to cut off his dreadlocks to wear the headdress yet. OSHCHANE notMorals because his hair didn’t comply with created by a culture to remain the school’s dress code. humble are seen as abnormal to some. WALKER “A person shouldn’t be judged Kim Kardashian debuts her “boxer because of their hair everyone is braids” which are actually corn rows, different,” said Davion Williams, a and she gets a “how to get this look” fifth-grade student who sports an afro. feature in Cosmopolitan. When asked what he would do if he had to cut his Yet Zendaya Coleman rocks dreadlocks on a red hair for school Williams says: “I wouldn’t! I’d switch carpet and is told the look brings reminiscences of “weed schools or go on strike.” and patchouli oil” by TV host Guilianna Rancic. Hairstyles such as dreadlocks, cornrows and braids are Cultural appropriation is being preferred over the real being discriminated against. thing and cultural acceptance is being downgraded by people In addition, the Islamic head covers such as dastaar who simply can’t understand it. and hijabs are seen as a threat among people. Minorities are becoming a majority in more ways Dastaars are worn by the men to represent honor, self- than just hairstyles and its important to embrace the respect, courage, spirituality and piety. change.
Stockton strength MARK LARKS
S
tockton is a proud city with a bad reputation. It’s been named “America’s Most Miserable City” twice by Forbes magazine, yet most of its natives will unapologetically defend it from its critics’ attacks. Likewise, Stockton’s Nate Diaz is a proud fighter with a bad reputation. A black belt in Jujitsu with a notoriously dedicated work ethic, he’s been criticized for his outspokenness and bad behavior. However, on March 5 Nate Diaz showed the world why Stockton should not be underestimated. With a mere 11 days to prepare, Diaz was chosen to face UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor when McGregor’s opponent, Rafael dos Anjos, broke his foot while training. Diaz epitomized the term “underdog”, as evidenced by some oddsmakers placing his chances of winning as low as 500-1. Despite getting bloodied by McGregor in the first round, Diaz rebounded to force McGregor’s first UFC loss with a submission in the second round. Like Diaz, Stockton has had the odds against it. The city declared bankruptcy four years ago. Around the same time, its unemployment rate was over 18 percent and its crime rate was the fifth highest in the nation. But as Diaz proved at UFC 196, sometimes the odds don’t matter. It would have taken a miracle for Nate Diaz to headline a pay-per-view match. UFC President Dana White hasn’t been shy about his negative opinions of Diaz, who is known for frequent use of the “f-word” and obscene gestures in and out of the ring. When Diaz was selected as a “last-minute” replacement to fight McGregor, some saw it as White serving Diaz up as a “sacrificial lamb”. But based on Diaz’s post-victory comments, he obviously didn’t see it that way. When told by the interviewer that he just “shook up the world,” Diaz responded. “I’m not surprised, (expletive).” Like Diaz, most people would’ve expected it to take a miracle for Stockton to rebound from its troubles. Forbes readers, however, might be surprised to learn that Stockton has emerged from its bankruptcy and is outlining plans to restore its financial stability. Furthermore, the city’s crime rate is currently at a 15-year low and its unemployment rate is currently at 9.5 percent, nearly half of what it was three years ago. While Diaz may be rough around the edges, he is genuine. The same can be said about Stockton. Diaz might give the middle finger to his opponents and drop the “f-bomb” with impunity, but it’s largely a result of a scrappy and defiant mentality forged by his Stockton upbringing. This attitude descends from Stockton’s pride as a working-class town and a community that faces adversity with resilience. Having less than two weeks to prepare for a major fight might not be the same as the turmoil caused by a major housing bubble burst, but Nate Diaz’s unlikely victory embodies the spirit of Stockton.
4 feature
MIDORI MORITA, FEATURE EDITOR deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 ISSUE 11 • MARCH 18, 2016 • deltacollegian.net
Giving a helping hand to America’s most miserable city
Master Bicycle Plan hopes to make bike trails safe
BY RAMIZ HADDAD
BY ALIYAH STOECKL
STRAIGHT OUT OF
STOCKTON
PHOTO BY RAMIZ HADDAD
deltacollegian@gmail.com
Locals are smashing Stockton’s stereotype while focusing on the city’s present, future
Mayor hopes to make city a destination BY GLORIA GIBBS deltacollegian@gmail.com
deltacollegian@gmail.com
Over the years, Stockton has continuously grown wider. Now it’s been prompted to rewrite a vision of a city that includes sustainable mobility and transportation. On Saturday, March 12 the Citywide Bicycle Master Plan Update had its second community workshop. The plan is to ensure improvements are attainable and fundable. The workshop includes different options for new routes around the city to make traveling safer for cyclists. “A place where you don’t need a car and ages 8-80 feel comfortable riding in,” said Meghan Mitman, who hosted the workshop. Meanwhile, members try to consider prioritizing project ideas, specifically whether they should put a majority of time into cheaper, faster ideas or ideas that will take more time. During the workshop, a PowerPoint showed 45 percent of Millennials don’t want to be driving but feel uncomfortable with bikes. “I’m a fan of safer routes, to ease congestion and to fill bike racks at schools, I don’t see that anymore throughout the city,” said Stockton City Councilmember Dan Wright. People seemed to be interested but not concerned with riding bikes. However, cyclists also were rais-
ing concerns on existing route problems. “It’s like a cage on El Dorado route, you better not sneeze or you going to get hit,” said Daniel Swanner, a local cyclist. The city’s plan hopes to resolve maintenance on routes and crossings to keep it stress free. “It’s wonderful because Stockton is so flat it has accessible topography with open areas, you could use the whole city without cars. Its really a marvelous trail if you fully ride throughout the city,” said Steve Bentley, a local cyclist. The plan is also identifying new directions and places that don’t need many lanes. The member’s goal is to receive feedback and data. Even sending out text surveys to the community to get them involved. “The Federal governments mentality is different from back then more multi mobile with transit and being more active. We have transportation programs now that take advantage of that. That comes with more walking and being outdoors. You wouldn’t see it from your car but there’s a bike culture now,” said Eric Alvarez, Director/City Engineer. The Master Bicycle Plan wants the environment to be overly safe, stress free for everyone and to get people to feel comfortable bicycling in Stockton. IMAGE FROM FREEPIK.COM
BRIGHT FUTURE: Ten Space approved for downtown revitalization project BY ZACHARIAH MERCES deltacollegian@gmail.com
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Ave. Miner fabric we already have today,” said Garcia. A major issue is the current look of downl St. Channe town that is rampant with homelessness. During the city council meeting Mayor r Ave. Anthony Silva addressed this by saying, Webe “we can make downtown beautiful, which I believe you guys are going to do, and I strongly believe it. But there has to be a commitment from city council, downtown t. Stockton and Stockton residents that we are Main S truly going to address that issue. We’ve got to address it, we can’t just punt it anymore.” Garcia said that’s one of the most difficult aspects of the project – working with lifelong Stocktonians who “have a negative view of downtown and think Stockton is unsafe.” The plan is underway, and scheduling begins full development at the end of this year. “Changing people’s perspectives, that’s MAP FROM GOOGLE MAPS, EDITED BY MIDORI MORITA been our biggest challenge, convincing people it’s worth your time and it’s worth DOWNTOWN DEMOLITION: Ten Space plans to renew Stockton’s downtown scene with 10 different investing,” said Garcia. blocks filled with residential units and retail space. The project is planned to take seven to 10 years. St.
Ten Space is a development group investing in renovation of downtown Stockton with its Open Window Project, which was recently approved by Stockton City Council on Feb. 23 with a 6-0 vote. “The goal is create 1000 residential units as well as 400,000 square feet of retail space,” said Ten Space Director of Community Development David Garcia. The project is to span 12 un-continuous acres of downtown Stockton from Miner Avenue in the north, Sutter Street to the west, Main Street to the south and Aurora Street to the east. Ten Space is working with private investors with a grass-roots movement to bring in new business and housing. The project has no public funding. Channel Brewing and Papa Urbs are already invested in the project. Non profits are signing up. Huddle, a community coworking location, is also buying in.
The goal is to provide housing and business space for the community while creating a walkable and vibrant downtown area, to change the pessimistic view of Stockton. The changes create an urban feel with housing and nightlife. The approval moves forward seeking to achieve something not yet done in the city of Stockton: Merging a new look with the old historic feel and presence while creating a better environment and new job opportunities. The project “could last anywhere from 7-10 years” said Garcia when asked about the time span with “site preparation and designing over the next 30-60 days with architects and engineers.” The plan draws inspiration from revitalized downtown areas from other cities such as Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento and Portland. Stockton’s original downtown look will mix with new designs by re-using historic buildings that can’t be architecturally replicated. “It’s about blending in to what we already have in downtown and mixing to the urban
Sutter
Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva recently proposed a game plan for the future of Stockton. This plan is called Stockton Proud. Stockton Proud is a vision Silva wants and a plan that residents can feel proud to call home. The goal of this plan is to have not only a safer Stockton but that is also business and family-friendly environment. Silva lays out the ideas in a video posted on Facebook.The video includes information on estimated costs for each area Silva seeks to improve. One of the topics Silva talks about in the video is a safer Stockton. Silva wants a safer city and plans to start the use of police annexes in hot spots around town. “Rather than people just call 911 and then we show up fifteen minutes later- Boom the police are already there ready to respond,” he said in a sit down interview. Silva also wants to build Stockton as a tourist attraction. “Stockton is geographically located in the perfect spot right between 99 and I-5,” he said. Because Stockton is a city people pass through to get to areas like Lake Tahoe, Silva said he hopes to build downtown’s waterfront into something close to a boardwalk that may include a city walk, fun rides possibly a
carousel and even games and food. Stockton’s price of land recently went down and Silva hopes that investors will capitalize on the cheap land. “To an investor it looks like opportunity,” said Silva. Silva has big plans for Stockton but the question on everyone’s mind is where is this money going to come from? “It’s a lot of debt to put in at one time,” said Robert Linson, a Delta student. Silva plans to use state and Federal grants as well as private funds to build this improved Stockton. People are interested in the ideas Silva’s Stockton Proud will possibly bring however, people including Linson said “promote things less flashy.” Linson is interested in “better police” too. Stockton has seen a decrease in police officers and Silva says “the issue is something called retention.” Student Yasmin Shehadeh agrees with Linson. “I think we should focus on safety. There’s been a lot of crime,” said Shehadeh. Silva also highlights there is a higher probability of criminals shooting back at officers. “Stockton has to be known for something besides crime and bankruptcy,” said Silva. Stockton has had it’s moments. “I always say that Stockton is a city of second chance and dreams cause things can happen.”
Our city of Stockton hasn’t had the happiest of pasts or the brightest of futures. Within our lifetime, Stockton has fallen to sequential crime, bankruptcy, a housing crisis and a bad reputation. Stockton has been the poster child for one of California’s biggest detriments, including being called “the most miserable city in America” twice by Forbes magazine. So, it’s clear to see that our city definitely has an issue that must be remedied. Stockton’s parks and recreation commissioner, Aaron Edwards believes Stockton’s worst issues “stem from low incomes, lack of jobs and opportunity, negative view of law enforcement, as well as politicians taking from the poor to give to the rich.” “Criminals come from outside of Stockton and think of this city as a playground rather than a home,” said Edwards. Crime and safety has been a concern. “I don’t feel safe, a lot. Like when riding the bus, I feel like someone is going to steal my bag because I’ve seen it happen,” said delta student, Angelina McPeak. Stockton has become the center of attention recently. With Ten Space getting ready for their huge downtown remodel and Anthony Silva proposing to make Stockton a tourist attraction, citizens are asking what else needs improving. “I thinking downtown needs to be better, it should be modeled after L.A. life. I think Stockton has a younger generation and younger people like to go out and have fun,” said Dustin Brakebill, Delta’s KWDC sports director. The finger can be pointed to many contributors who are negatively affecting the city
of Stockton from greedy developers, politicians and apathetic citizens to overbearing police. With all of that on our shoulders, we may wonder how long it will take to redevelop our city. Edwards believes it will take another two decades before Stockton will change for the better. “The reason being, you have politicians that get in as elected officers and they want to move on very quickly so they look at a county board of supervisor’s seat or a state assembly seat so they don’t do their full term and fulfill the work that they should do. You have city managers that stay 3-5 years so you have a constant rollover of city managers. To add, Stockton has high inflation, the highest tax rate of any city in California which is at 9% for sales tax, mixed in with high poverty rates and incoming investors outside of Stockton who don’t truly invest into Stockton,” said Edwards. If this is the case, the fate of Stockton may lie within the reach of the people. So what can a citizen do to improve the city? “They can hold their elected officials accountable and they can recall their officials at any time,” said Edward. Edward thinks that citizens are content with their lives and aren’t interested in really helping their city. “Most people are lazy. They won’t invest the money to create change, they aren’t involved, they go to their 9-5 jobs or their small businesses back to their home not making a change to the community. You have to change a mindset which most people won’t because they’re comfortable in their own little bubble,” said Edwards.
6 entertainment
MIKAEL HONZELL, ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 ISSUE 11 • MARCH 16, 2016 • deltacollegian.net
NEW INSTALLMENT IN HARRY POTTER SERIES BY JOSE ESTRADA VELAZQUEZ deltacollegian@gmail.com
It’s been announced recently J.K. Rowling has written a new installment to the Harry Potter series that will also be a play. The book release is July 31. Many Potter fans have been begging for a new book and J.K. Rowling responded back with a new book called “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” The only clue the author gave readers is the “Cursed Child” picks up 19 years after Lord Voldemort was vanquished, which is where Rowling left off
in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Harry Potter has been one of the most successful franchises ever created bringing in around $25 billion for films, toys and books. That’s not all that’s new from Rowling. Warner Brothers Pictures is also releasing the Rowling-written “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” in November. This film is based on a textbook in the Harry Potter movies that the lead character and his
friends Ron and Hermione had to read. This film is the beginning of a new trilogy of the wizarding world and said to be a spin-off/ prequel to the Harry Potter Series. Many fans thought “Deathly Hallows” was the end of Harry Potter and were sad it ended so quickly but looking at the dates the books were published the first Book came out in 1997 and the last came out in 2007. The films came out later, the first one being released in 2001 and the last one in 2011. Fans of Harry Potter couldn’t let go of the series, seeing how
much they loved it and how it was more than just a story to them. Why do many people like these types of books and films? “The way J.K. Rowling writes is very like she takes you in and allows you like to be part of the story and I think that’s really exciting and its also just a really fun series” said Julie Roberts. Many fans have said it has a “rich imagination” and that the characters are “very complicated, heroic, and change drastically in the series.” A majority of the fans said that’s what they read during their childhood and couldn’t
stop reading because it was a new experience and a new world that’s never before seen. “It’s just like something I grew up with so I guess I kind of started watching them and reading them” said Robert Acoba. Fans don’t know what to expect for her new book in the Harry Potter series but are excited and hope that it will be as good as the others. Seeing all the new things that Rowling is giving to her fans has given hope for them to explore more of the wizarding world and to see whether her imagination has something new for us.
REVIEW
Well-thought ‘Eldritch’ a storytelling showcase BY RAMIZ HADDAD deltacollegian@gmail.com
“Rimers of Eldritch” is a play revolving around the religiously driven and morally deterred town of Eldritch, Missouri. The plot mainly fixates on a mysterious case of murder while the direction non linearly shifts through various plot points throughout the play. Eldritch’s dual presentation tells one part of the story until the lighting switches to the other half of the stage and tells an entirely different aspect to the plot. Initially this scheme is hard to focus on but it grew with time when the story bounced between key plot points. The story itself slowly reveals a sickening trait within most citizens of Eldritch. It plays out as a mystery that expresses elements of drama, ambiguity, brief moments of dark comedy and more. The performance and work done to construct the play was well done in terms of the tight and emotional acting (though, a tad stiff at first), wardrobe, dark tone, technical control, stage coordination and sound design.
A particular performance that captivated audiences was an extended monologue by Alex Ojeda playing the town bum under the name “Skelly Mannor” where he drunkenly begins to reveal key elements of the dramatic tale. The actors eased into their roles, porPHOTO BY RAMIZ HADDAD traying their characters with poignancy CAST FULL OF TALENT AND HEART: The cast during a performance of “Rimers of and intensity while Eldritch” on March 11. the atmosphere was Lena Truit. set through a synthOverall, the play was well-thought with the actors based sound track and fog machines. accurately representing the play’s shuffled emotions “This is my first time being on Delta’s drama with little dissonance in the process of presentation. stage. The experience has been amazing and truly What should be mentioned to those who are used a lot of fun. The cast is full of talent and heart. We to a normal play structure is Eldritch’s unorthodox put a lot of work and hours to make the play as story telling device that may have you scratching best it can be. I remember the first thing we did as a your head until the story melds near the climax. cast was sitting down and reading the play together, analyzing every scene,” said Miranda Perez who plays
LOCAL TALENT
Rapper hopes to share his perspective BY MIKAEL HONZELL deltacollegian@gmail.com
Editor’s Note: Local Talent, which showcases emerging artists from the area, debuts this issue. Local rapper Abasi Hunt is from Stockton and attends Delta College. Hunt’s rapping alias is also his first name, “Abasi.” Q: How long have you been rapping? A: I’ve been rapping since I was a little kid. Growing up, there was a lot of James Brown type stuff that our parents played in the house. And all that was cool, but one day my brother came
home with a Snoop Dog album and played it. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked on listening to rap music and making my own. Q: What do you plan on accomplishing with your music? A: Honestly, I just want to be free. I want to get to a place where I don’t have to sweat the small stuff anymore. I don’t want to have to look over my shoulder. I want to live comfortably and just to be somebody. Q: Are you rapping solo, or are you in a group? A: I’m in a group; we’re called the “80s Babies,” because we grew up in the 80s.
Q: Can people see the “80s Babies” perform anywhere local? A: No, not at the moment. It’s hard to find a place in Stockton to perform. I mean, there was this one place we were looking at, it was called Nicka Bockers, but it got shot up a few weeks ago. Who wants to go and rap at a place that gets shot up? Ha-Ha. Q: How do you feel about Stockton? A: It sucks. There’s nothing to do here. There aren’t any activities for people to do to keep them out of trouble. I think that’s why kids are getting mixed up with the wrong stuff, there’s nothing to distract them from getting into trouble.
RICHARD REYES, SPORTS EDITOR deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 ISSUE 11 • MARCH 18, 2016 • deltacollegian.net
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ALL THE RIGHT MOVES: Far left, Mustang Freshman Chase Bailey attempts to lay down a bunt. Left, Vanessa Contreras prepares to put the tag on a wolverine base-runner. PHOTOS BY ZACHARIAH MERCES
Mustangs split weekend Conference doubleheader BY ROBERT JUAREZ
rjuarez282@students.deltacollege.edu
On Mar. 12, The Mustangs’ Softball team began Big 8 Conference play with a doubleheader against the Sierra College Wolverines at Bucky Layland Softball Field. Entering Saturday’s contests, Sierra stood at 3rd place with a 14-3 record with Delta three slots beneath them in sixth place but not far behind with an 11-5 record. Sophomore pitching sensation Kristin Borst took the mound for Delta in the first game and struggled early by giving up five solo home runs with four of them coming in the first three innings. Instead of taking Borst out, head coach Jim Fisher decided to let his ace fight through the struggle. “Up to this point in time, she’s been getting stronger every time she goes out there, you’ve earned the chance to get yourself out of the mess,” said Fisher. The decision paid off in Fisher’s favor as Borst was able to settle down and give her offense a chance to make a comeback. Trailing 4-2 going into the sixth inning, Delta’s offense erupts for six runs to take the lead for good and won the game 8-5. Sophomore second baseman Victoria Mata and freshman shortstop Hayley Nunez
made big impacts on offense combining for six hits and four RBI (Runs Batted In). “We made quality AB’s (At-Bats) in the first inning they just weren’t falling, in the fifth and sixth inning they started to fall,” said Fisher. In game two, Coach Fisher went with sophomore pitcher Baylea Meredith versus Sierra freshman Megan Lockhart. Delta made quick work of Lockhart and ended her day early when Delta’s Victoria Mata hit a two-run double to break a oneone tie in the third. Sophomore catcher Katelynn Mogelerg extended the lead with a fielder’s choice that drove in Mata from second base to make the score 4-1. Meredith breezed through Sierra’s lineup, with her only hiccup coming in the first inning giving up a one-run single off the bat of Sierra freshman Rylie Carlier that drove in sophomore Lexi Wagoner. Just when Delta seemed ready to get their brooms ready for a weekend sweep, the Wolverines made a game changing double play. The Mustangs got runners on first and second with one out in the bottom half of the fourth, however the runners proceeded to get caught in rundowns at the same time resulting in outs to kill the rally. Sierra freshman Mikea Lewis began the
top of the fifth inning with a leadoff single. Wagoner then launched a two-run home run narrowing Delta’s lead. “Just comes down to little things like base running, we could’ve been had more runs but it just came down to base running,mental part of it,” said Mogelerg. After Wagoner cleared the bases, Fisher handed the ball to the person who’s earned his trust and that was Borst coming in relief to stop the bleeding. Fast-forward an inning to the top of the sixth, the aforementioned Carlier steps up to the plate for Sierra and with one swing of the bat, ties the game with a home run that jolted the Wolverines bench. In the bottom half of the sixth, Delta freshman Briana Lopez added to the base running mistakes by getting caught in another rundown between second and third, spoiling the Mustangs’ chances to take the lead. In the top of the seventh, Wolverines Lexi Wagoner drove in the eventual winning run. The lady Mustangs left the field with split emotions, as they take one win but let the other slip from under their feet. “Squandered opportunities, we had multiple times where we had chances to score some runs, we ran ourselves out of innings,” said coach Fisher.
Staff writer’s picks top five all time NFL free agents BY DYLAN LOURA deltacollegian@gmail.com
Jerry Rice to Oakland In the early 2000s the Raiders were Super Bowl contenders and with the addition of Rice the Raiders would go on to play in the 2002 Super Bowl. However, not even Rice could help the Silver and Black as they were defeated by former head coach Jon Gruden and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kurt Warner to Arizona The Arizona Cardinals had never made it to the Super Bowl until Kurt Warner became the starting quarterback. The Cardinals signed free agent Warner from the New York Giants in 2005.
In 2008 he replaced 2006 first round bust, Matt Lienhart. The Cardinals were one minute away from capturing the team’s first title, but were not able to stop the Pittsburgh Steelers final drive falling in the final seconds. Deion Sanders to Dallas Deion Sanders is considered to be one of the best Cornerbacks to have ever played the game. He left the San Francisco 49ers following the team’s 1994 Super Bowl victory to join the Dallas Cowboys. Expectations were high and the Cowboys would go on to win the franchise third Super Bowl in four years, clinching the name, the “Team Of The De-
cade.” Reggie White to Green Bay When the Green Bay Packers signed Reggie White it was considered the biggest free agent signing of the time. After the emergence of Brett Favre the duo would help the team return to the big stage back to back years, winning one in 1997. Peyton Manning to Denver Peyton Manning had just come off three neck surgeries and sat out the entire 2011 season. Manning would make the gamble pay off for the Orange Crush, winning the National Football League MVP in 2013
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by throwing for the most yards in a season (5,477) and the most touchdowns (55). The future Hall Of Famer would end his football resume by taking the Bronco’s to two Super Bowls, winning the second time, and final game of his career.
Tennis star suspended BY CHANELLE MUERONG
deltacollegian@gmail.com
On March 7, tennis star Maria Sharapova tested positive for a drug named “Meldonium” at the Australian Open. Meldonium is a blood flow drug used to treat ischemia and has been found to help capacity in patients. “One can feel a toning effect, one’s memory improves, thinking becomes faster, your movements become more dexterous, and your body becomes more able to defend itself against adverse conditions,” according to the Latvian-language description of the drug from the manufacturer’s website. Sharapova has stated that she took the drug because her family doctor recommended it to help with recurring illnesses, low magnesium, irregular electrocardiogram results and a history of diabetes. However, it came with dire results. Meldonium was on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s watch list on Jan. 1, 2016. Sharapova claimed that she did not know it was banned as she continued taking it. In an article by The Wall Street Journal Sharapova is quoted saying, “I made a huge mistake,” Sharapova said. “I have to take full responsibility for it because it’s my body.” After she failed the drug test, sponsors like Nike, Porsche and Tag Heuer have cut ties with Sharapova. While many tennis fans will use this as ammo so they can debate who was better Sharapova or Serena Williams. Sharapova also has been suspended from competing in future tennis events by the International Tennis Federation. Despite all this, however, Russia’s tennis chief Shamil Tarpischev called the drug test “a load of nonsense” and said that he expected her to play at the Olympics in Brazil this summer. The question that must be answered is will the Olympic committee allow her to?
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MEGAN MAXEY, NEWS EDITOR deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 ISSUE 11 • MARCH 18, 2016 • deltacollegian.net
Sexual assaults problem on college campuses BY SHELLCIA LONGSWORTH deltacollegian@gmail.com
Sexual assault is a major problem faced at colleges across the nation according to the September 2015 study by the Association of American Universities. In the poll of 27 universities, 11.7 percent of victims reported “experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force, threats of physical force, or incapacitation” since enrollment. Men and women are impacted by sexual assaults. An estimated 80 percent of campus sexual assaults go unreported, according to the California Attorney General. The Delta College campus has had zero reports of major sexual assault reported in 2014-15, according to the most recent Clery Report release. In 2013, however, Delta had four separate incidents involving students being fondled while walking in empty stairwell hallways. A recent case involving a University of the Pacific student is bringing assault back into the spotlight. Pacific student Rodolfo Buenrostro-Corral is ac-
cused of sexually assaulting another student off campus, according to local media reports. Joe Silva, the spokesperson for the Stockton Police Department, told The Record the alleged attack occurred Dec. 8 or Dec. 9. San Joaquin County court records show Buenrostro has a hearing set for March 18. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s office website shows he’s still in custody. “I didn’t even know about this, that’s scary, I feel bad because I am just finding out about this. An email would have been great but we are college kids who checks their email on a regular basis?” said Pacific student Erin Boongaling early March, when a Collegian reporter visited the campus. The investigation against Buenrostro-Corral is pending. “I wasn’t informed about this, I didn’t even know. I usually feel safe on campus. I feel as if they should have informed us this is serious. We usually receive emails about situations like this,” said Pacific student Michelle Wong.
FORENSICS: Duo challenges four-year teams continued from PAGE 1
a chance and have surpassed expectations. Jauregui and Rosales qualified as a parliamentary debate team by accumulating a certain amount of points in previous competitions. To be invited to the NPTE they had to have a minimum of 12 points and they qualified with a total of 13.15 points. The team spoke of two competitions they are proud of: the Golden Gate Opener and the Mile High competitions. “This is long overdue for Erika. She’s been doing this for a long time and Jordan always had a fire and what separates them is work ethic and that’s what you got to have to be competing at this level. They gel together very well and always push each other,” said Jeff Toney, Delta Forensics coach. Both students put in hours on and off campus to prepare and better themselves. The two no longer see this as a class but a passion. “It’s like a craft, and we look at it as wanting to perfect that craft,” said Jauregui. The speech and debate team and competitions have opened up many new opportunities for Jauregui and Rosales. They plan to transfer to four-year institu-
tions with scholarships that are now being offered to them because of their success with speech and debate. “ Without competing for speech and debate here at Delta I could not afford to go to a four-year next year without the scholarships that I am earning ... and if I’m given the opportunity to go to grad school for free by teaching other people, that’s definitely something I will do,” said Rosales. Toney and Bruce are always looking for students to get involved in the speech and debate team and would like students to see it as a way to grow in their communication and life skills. The speech and debate team is open to all students. Delta Forensics practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays in Holt 410.
Many victims don’t get justice because they don’t speak out. According to AAU study rates of reporting the assaults are low. 25 percent of victims typically speak out about physically forced penetration. “It’s hard for the victims because there is a reluctance caused by shame,” said Officer Brian Doty with the campus police department. Reporting the crimes can stop future crimes. In 2008, the University of the Pacific took action against three men who allegedly raped a female off campus. One was expelled. Two others were suspended. Sexual assaults on our campuses are and always will be a concern. Providing students with information can be very helpful. Delta College’s campus police station can help students with safety information. The district police have pamphlets about safety on Delta’s campus as well as a pamphlet from the Attorney General’s office on the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008 (Marsy’s Law).
ELEVATOR: Programs impacted continued from PAGE 1 Last week she was stuck on the first floor of Shima until one of her students helped her carry her cart up to the third floor. “It’s upsetting because we are trying to build our program, instead the students can even make it to class,” said Oyoung. Delta’s elevators have had refurbishments and maintenance issues for years. “I’m pretty disappointed with the administration. I feel the administration is hiding behind Kathy Roach. I mean somebody has to take responsibility,” said Halabicky. Roach is the Measure L Bond Program Manager for the college. She responded to a campus email addressing the issues in early March. Measure L is the $250 million bond measure passed in 2003. Money from the bond is funding the repair of the elevators.
Gerardo Calderon, vice president of operations for the college, regularly updates the campus on issues involving the elevators. “We are all concerned about the direct impact of the elevator failures,” he wrote in March 8 email to campus. Work is expected to continue until June. “This has been ongoing with several buildings. I have been here for, I think, eight years. And the whole eight years that I’ve been here there have been elevator problems,” said Oyoung. The Holt elevator is currently down. The Shima elevator had another maintenance check on March 11. The Locke elevator was down Wednesday as well for a short time. “After one time you think that they could fix it, so I don’t understand. I feel like we have an inferior elevator company whose just making money off us,” said Oyoung.
SHELTER: Live release rate jumps from 32 percent to 82 percent since 2012 continued from PAGE 1
there’s that number I gave you … 11,600. We’re already full everyday. Now, we are thinking about possibly opening an intake 24 hours a day. That could create some unintended negative consequences that we may not want. So, while this has been suggested I think that it needs to definitely be taken a closer look at. The animal shelter needs to be involved and the SPCA needs to be involved in that because they are really what’s holding this place up here. And neither one of us have been involved in that conversation yet.” Zimmerman has been at the shelter for about a year now and has seen it grow. He said the San Francisco SPCA began aiding the shelter in 2012, and the shelter has been able to provide
more quality care to Stockton’s animals since. The shelter went from a 32 percent live release rate in 2012 to a current 82 percent rate. “One of the things that’s been talked about is stray animals at night. I’m concerned about stray animals during the day and they’re all over this community. So we’re focusing on just at night, but what about during the day? What about those animals?” asked Zimmerman, “It’s a very divisive issue and we’re focusing on one aspect, where my responsibility is to focus on the entire population of animals in our community and we’re not. We’re focusing on nighttime, and I’m focusing on the daytime. We’re not even able to service all of those animals.” Stockton is a large community that sees stray animals roaming on any given day. An animal shelter is
vital to the animal’s survival. “We do our best to rehome them. We spay and neuter them. So it’s more responsible. We microchip them. So I think that this place … has so many opportunity for animals. I know we get a lot of negativity but there’s so much positive stuff that happens here that people don’t hear about,” said Shaquoya Jones, a live-release assistant at the shelter. The problem regarding service for animals while the shelter is closed has been voiced, but a solution has not. “We need to work together as a community and involve all of the stakeholders from the city to the San Francisco SPCA to taxpayers to everybody. Not just a few key individuals,” said Zimmerman.