www.sbstatesman.org
Volume 53, Issue 29 • Thursday, February 4, 2010
Memorial For Haiti Brings Campus Together By Lauren Cioffi Staff Writer
When Stony Brook University President Dr. Samuel L. Stanley, Jr. began his speech at a memorial service for victims of the earthquake in Haiti, he clenched the sides of the podium and released an abundant exhale into the microphone. “We can list the numbers. We can recite the numbers,” Stanley said. “We can see the disasters on the screen, but it is difficult for our minds to grasp the magnitude of those lives lost.” Still, Stanley recounted the death toll: 170,000 The number, according to Haitian officials, is still growing with the search for those displaced on Jan. 12, in the magnitude-7 earthquake. Students reflected in a series of prayers and songs during the memorial service, which took place in the Student Activity Center auditorium. Patrice Toussaint, a member of the gospel choir and a junior at Stony Brook University, recited Psalm 23 in French, from memory. “I have known
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See HAITI on 3
FRANK POSILLICO / THE STATESMAN
Steve Levy was greeted by President Stanley before he gave the annual State of the County address to a full house.
County Executive Delivers State of the County Address S TAT E S M A N ON POLITICS
By April Warren Editor-In-Chief
During Wednesday night’s State of the County address, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy discussed some of the highlights and pitfalls of the last year but did little to calm some of the immediate concerns plaguing students. The hour-long speech highlighted how the county has managed and will continue to develop new initiatives in areas such as affordable housing, jobs, technology and infrastructure – all areas that have the potential
to affect the campus community – while still pinching pennies. “Here in Suffolk the future is now,” Levy said to a crowd of more than 200 journalists, politicians, residents and county employees in Stony Brook University’s Wang Center auditorium. The address brought the politician, who has expressed an interest in running for governor back to his alma mater where he graduated in 1981 with a degree in political science. The county executive cited hardships in Georgia and California to point out that Suffolk County’s concerns are being felt nationwide. “The challenges are indeed daunting,”
said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko. In 2009 the county lost $100 million in sales tax revenue, witnessed layoffs and suffered mid-year cuts to health care and education. But through careful budget oversight the county also saved move than $100 million in the last six years, according to Levy. “We prepared for the oncoming storm,” Levy said. Levy also addressed the issue of taxes, which are among the highest in the nation. “We will not raise taxes if we don’t have to,” Levy said. “We’re going to continue to hold down the line to the best of our abilities.” Stony Brook University
is a major contributor to the local economy. The campus, which Levy referred to as “the jewel of the state system,” pumps $4.6 billion yearly into the local economy. However, with all the topics discussed, Levy did not mention the budget troubles and hopes of increasing faculty, although these are not issues usually addressed by the county. The university president was not discouraged. “I think because so much has to be covered,” said President Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr. after the speech. “I felt a lot of promise.” The county executive did commend the partnership of the university with Brookhaven National
Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Levy’s goal to build more affordable housing in the county could help increase the campus community population, according to Stanley. For over a year, graduate assistants on campus have been campaigning for higher wages and more affordable housing. According to Levy, the next year will continue to bring much needed revitalization and jobs to main streets county-wide, jumpstart the lagging fishing industry as water pollution is stymied and create approximately 700 jobs with the redevelopment of an airport in the Hamptons.
Motion City's newest is lacking
Morals vs. safety, the debate rages on
INDEX
American pop-rockers Motion City Soundtrack released their fourth studio album, "My Dinosaur Life" on Jan 19. The major label debut became highly anticipated
Legal rights: At what point does an individual lose them, and at what point are we allowed to keep someone locked up for good? This is exactly the question that Americans have been
News....................3 Opinion...............4 Arts.....................5 Sports...............7
after it was announced last summer and has since been well received by fans. Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, who also released... See MOTION on 4
asking themselves since the beginning of the War On Terror. For the first time in a long time, America was imprisoning enemy... See MORALS on 5