Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 | Volume 210 | Number 56 | 40 cents | iowastatedaily.com | An independent student newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890.
“For me, the transition back into civilian life was the hardest.”
Katy Klopfenstein/Iowa State Daily
Mayor Ann Campbell speaks at the Ames City Council meeting Monday. Topics discussed included the rezoning of land on State Avenue. The rezoning allows lowdensity residential houses to be built.
Council rezones land on State Ave. By Molly.Willson @iowastatedaily.com
Through his eyes Veteran student reflects on life as U.S. Air Force member By Stephen.Koenigsfeld @iowastatedaily.com This is the first of a three-part series featuring Shawn Ennis, a non-traditional, veteran student at Iowa State.
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hawn Ennis is sitting at his computer with a Photoshop file open, doing his best to master the pen tool. His professor walks by him, and she gives him a glance, asking, “Did you get everything figured out alright?” Without hesitation, he says, “Yes, ma’am.” The response, however, isn’t in a typical cadence. It’s softer than a normal yell found in the military. But it’s not a nonchalant reply either. It’s midway between the two — a rehabilitated but
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Student advocates encourage others to sign up for cancer awareness relay By Morgan.Kelly @iowastatedaily.com The Colleges Against Cancer student organization is hosting a “blitz week” this week to encourage people to sign up for the Relay for Life free of charge. The usual sign-up fee is $10, so Hannah Eckerman, junior in elementary education and executive chairwoman of the organization at Iowa State, said she encourages students to sign up online now. “The goal is to get as many people as possible signed up this week as we can,” Eckerman said. The theme for this year’s Relay for Life is Superheroes. “We are trying to get a big push for people to sign up before Winter Break because once we get back, Relay is pretty soon,”
said Erin Richardson, senior in child, adult and family services and communication studies. Richardson is the co-entertainment chairman for Colleges Against Cancer. The team has been spreading the information through emails, display cases, booths, chalking the sidewalks and sign boards in preparation for this week and for Relay for Life, which will take place in March. Although this is Eckerman’s second year with the organization, it’s her first year being an executive chairwoman. She has experience planning Relay for Life before because she did it for many years in her hometown. She said events like this are important for Iowa State because “it makes students aware that cancer does affect everyone whether you know one person or
10. I don’t think a lot of people understand that one person can make a difference.” This is the first year there will be a talent show at Relay for Life. To help spread the word about recruiting talents, the group has used word of mouth, and members have encouraged their friends, family and other committee members to tell their friends and family about it, Richardson said. Additional entertainment will be showcased along with the talent show. “We will have a hypnotist, we bring in Cy and the cheerleaders, hopefully the basketball or football team will come show support and do something, organizations like Dub H perform, and little activities to get the relayers involved go on all night,” Richardson said.
Kyle Miller, junior in materials engineering, is the non-greek recruitment chairman for the Colleges Against Cancer. He said that he goes to residence halls and student organizations to spread the word about blitz week and Relay for Life. He said Relay for Life is like one big 12-hour party, so show up and have a good time. “It doesn’t cost to go, and you don’t have to commit. So, if you’re just leaning on the edge, then come. You can leave early, we won’t judge you,” Miller said. Blitz week ends Saturday. To sign up for Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.org/iowastate. The group is also holding a Pizza Hut fundraiser event Nov. 13 at the Ames Pizza Hut locations at 620 Lincoln Way and 436 South Duff Ave. for dine-in, delivery and carry out.
The Ames City Council unanimously voted to change 601 State Ave. from village-suburban residential to low-density residential. This parcel of land was split between being village-suburban residential and the other half being low-density residential. This vote makes the entire parcel lowdensity residential. The Breckenridge Group LLC currently owns the land and had originally requested that the area be zoned for village-suburban residential in order to build more units on the 29 acres. This change in zoning is a specific change to the city’s Land Use Policy Plan. This change in the plan satisfies the concerns of neighborhood residents who have spoken up in past meetings. The Land Use Policy Plan describes low-density residential zoning as being used for singlefamily residential dwellings and is compatible with the existing neighborhood. The RL designation means that the maximum density of the land could be 7.26 dwelling units per acre. FS-RL zoning is meant for new development. This zoning is to be used as the village concept or the suburban residential concept. This means that zoning in this area can be higher than the 7.26 dwellings in RL zoning. Some concerns that arose in the past included traffic concerns and a congested neighborhood. Ames resident Joanne Pfeiffer thanked the Council for their action in favor of the neighborhood residents and for ensuring the safety of the neighborhood. The Council also voted to adopt the Iowa State Research Park Urban Renewal Plan and create a Tax Increment Financing District. The plan would be to use future gains in taxes to support current improvements in order to make the research park an economic powerhouse. This adoption of the plan comes after the council moved to approve phase three of the research park at the Oct. 15 meeting. The portion of land within the research park includes the area around the Hub, which will move many offices on campus to one central location. Matthew Goodman, at-large representative for the Council, stated concerns over the length of the district. “It’s not the worst TIF I’ve ever seen,” Goodman said. In order to continue with planning, the Council approved the plan on its second and third reading at the meeting as well. Due to bus traffic, certain roads in Ames are in need of repair to allow smooth traffic on city roads. The Council also passed a motion to move ahead with CyRide route improvements on Garden Road, Garnet Drive and Viola Mae Avenue. The Main Street Cultural District also asked for approval of a sign for Snow Magic to be placed on public property. Snow Magic is an event held by the Main Street Cultural District every year. The event will kickoff on Friday with a tree-lighting ceremony, open houses and horse and carriage rides. The event continues through Jan. 3 with shops open for holiday shoppers. The Council decided to deny the sign due to concerns of adver-
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