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SADDLEBACK AND IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGES’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER
VOLUME 45, ISSUE 3
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012
OCTA fares to rise 25 percent Angie L. Pineda
Staff Writer
Efraim Medina, who has been purchasing the bus pass as a disabled commuter, voiced his thoughts on a potential increase. “Its too much for me,” Medina said. “I don’t have a job, I can’t do it, it’s impossible.” Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) proposed a 25 percent increase of bus fares to the Orange County community at the bus council meeting in the Santa Ana, on Sept. 20. The city council bus meeting gathered in the Southwest Senior Center mixed with the OCTA board members, community members, and Spanish
interpreters. The room was colorfully decorated with piñatas hanging around the room and a large projector that would soon introduce the next stress induced issue into the OC commuters’ lives. Although the meeting was announced publicly as only a proposal for the Orange County transit consumers, Vice Chairman of the board, Gregory Winterbottom, promises an increase during the recorded meeting. Andrew Oftelie, director of Finance and Administration, said that there’s a fare adjustment every four years. He continues to explain that in order to receive funding from the state, that they need to condition the sales tax. According to the Transpor-
tation Development Act (TDA) the consumers must pay at least 20 cents for every dollar spent on transportation service. OCTA will be forced to cut bus services if they fail these agreements. “Wouldn’t you rather pay more than have less service?” Oftelie asked. “Five percent of the bus service will be cut if we do not raise fares.” “We are trying to get people to ride the monthly pass, because it’s the cheapest way to go.” Winterbottom insists. The passengers are paying $55 for the monthly pass, but early next year they will be paying $69. Alejandra Arcos, community member of Santa Ana, said, “Let’s just say gas goes down, will you think about lowering
Joseph espiritu / Lariat
BUST: Saddleback’s bus loads could decrease with a fare increase. the fares?” to price increase. Oftellie ex“That will never happen,” plains that when they had last Winterbottom responds. increased fares, they had lost The passengers continue to 8 percent of their riders. “But battle the meeting with con- they come back,” he contincerns asking the board members ued, “but the 92 percent stay what will happen if passengers and pay the increase anyway.” discontinue using the bus due apineda7@saddleback.edu
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Angie L. PinedA / Lariat
“Listen for Life” Musicfest inspires peace IVC debate team looks to extend success
Homecoming tailgate provides food, games, and charity options prior to football game K i r a E d m o ndson
Staff Writer
Kira Edmondson / Lariat
Paint it red: Allison Williams, 5, Mission Viejo, (right) enjoys a face painting session from a member of ASG during the Gaucho Homecoming tailgate festivites last Saturday at Saddleback College.
The Saddleback Associated Student Government hosted a tailgate party for the Gaucho Homecoming football game on Saturday, Sept. 29 in front of the Saddleback stadium. ASG provided activities for the tailgate party for children including a Waffle-Licious food truck and a DJ. ASG also had many charities attend to help donate to the public. The activities that ASG provided for the children were rubber ducky races, pumpkin decorating, face painting, balloon paint dart game, a can toss and bounce houses. For each booth that had an activity, ASG provided a jar in which parents could help donate to the local charities. “People are not required to pay for the activities, but they are welcome to donate to help the charities,” said Sahar Ghassemi the Senator of Kinesiology for ASG. There were also different charities attending to inform the public of their services and to accept donations. Among the charities that attended were the Ronald McDonald House, Village of Hope, McKenna Claire Foundation and Maxlove. The Ronald McDonald House gave out a wish list for the needs of Orange County Ronald McDonald House. The wish list included kitchen goods, cleaning supplies and other miscellaneous items. To find out more about how to donate to The Ronald McDonald House please visit their webpage at www.ronaldhouseoc.com. Maxlove informed the Tail-gaters of childhood cancer and the small amount of research funds that are available to research childhood cancer. September was their national awareness month for childhood cancer. Maxlove is selling fedora hats and sending five dollars of the proceeds to the St. Balricks Foundation. And for each beanie that is sold Maxlove will donate an addition beanie to a child fighting for cancer. To find out how to get your head wear visit www.givemaxlove.org. kedmondson0@saddleback.edu
Harris appointed chancellor of state community colleges Jose ph es piritu
Staff Writer
Longtime Los R i o s C o m munity College District Chancellor Brice Harris W. Harris was appointed as the 15th Chancellor of the California Community Colleges in a unanimous decision by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, Thursday. “It is humbling to be asked to lead such a tremendous system of colleges serving the educational needs of California,”
Harris whose record includes serving as president of Fresno City College and as Vice Chancellor of the Kansas, MO. community college system will head the state’s community college system, the largest in the nation at 112 campuses. “I have had the pleasure to know and work with Dr. Harris for many years beginning with my time working in the state chancellor’s office in Sacramento,” Saddleback College President Tod Burnett said in a campus-wide e-mail. “Dr. Harris is a superb leader and advocate of our California Community Colleges and I cannot think of a better person to succeed Dr. Jack Scott as chancellor.”
Harris will overlook colleges in 72 districts beginning Nov. 6 and will also take responsibility of the more than 2 million students enrolled in the state’s community colleges “It is gratifying to see that my longtime friend, Dr. Brice Harris, has been selected to lead California’s great community college system. As we navigate our way through unprecedented economic and structural challenges, I am comforted to know that Dr. Harris will lead the community colleges back to full strength,” Irvine Valley President Glenn Roquemore said in a district-wide press release. jespiritu2@saddleback.edu
Photos: Michael Grennell / Lariat
Boys in the Hall: Former NFL quarterback Colt Brennan
(left) and Texas Ramgers pitcher Robby Ross (right) walk in the Saddleback Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday.
78 inducted into Hall of Fame
Seventy-eight former Gaucho athletes were inducted into the Saddleback Athletics Hall of Fame in a cermony during halftime of Saddleback’s homecoming football game on Saturday. Athletes are only inducted every four years. The induct-
ees selected for the ceremony competed between 2004-08. Eighteen of Saddleback’s 19 athletic teams had members selected. Inductees included NCAA record-setting quarterback Colt Brennan and Texas Rangers pitcher Robby Ross.
Cathy Lee Taylor / Lariat
STEM program offers students scholarships
IN THIS ISSUE:
Michael Grennell / Lariat
Gauchos fall to 1-3 with loss at homecoming Page 3 Crows flock to feast on litter at Saddleback Page 4 Harpsichord benefit concert resounds IVC Page 6 Index: News..............2 Sports.............3 Life.................4 Opinon...........5 A&E................6 LARIATNEWS.COM