thebattalion ● wednesday,
october 14, 2009
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2009 student media
Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids A&M graduate finalist in CNN Heroes program Joaquin Villegas | The Battalion
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How to vote ■ Vote for Brad Blauser at: http://www.cnn.com/ SPECIALS/cnn.heroes ■ Voting closes Nov. 19 ■ CNN Heroes winner to be chosen at 8 p.m. Nov. 26
Texas A&M is being represented in the CNN Heroes program by Brad Blauser, Class of 1992. Blauser is the founder of Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides free wheelchairs to disabled Iraqi children. Blauser, a Dallas native, now lives in Baghdad in order to dedicate himself to his philanthropy, while receiving no compensation. Blauser moved to Iraq in 2004 as a civilian contractor, but quit to give his time to help disabled children. “Disabled children [are] really the forgotten ones in this war,” Blauser said.
Allies and Advocates Students, faculty and staff provide equality support Melissa Appel The Battalion With the goal of uniting the Aggie family, Aggie Allies provide an open door and a listening ear to students who wish to speak about gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender issues. “Allies is a safe-zone program,” said Brad Dressler, chairman of Aggie Allies Executive Committee. “We’re dedicated to providing visible support for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of Texas A&M and beyond.” Allies can be recognized by the “Aggie Ally” placard outside of an office or dorm room. Students can also search for an Ally by visiting the Aggie Allies Web site at allies.tamu.edu. “The majority of feedback we get from the GLBT community is that seeing the Aggie Allies placards all over campus and knowing that a support network exists helps to put their minds at
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GLBT buttons are handed out for Ally Appreciation Day to raise community awareness. ease,” Dressler said. “Students often tell us that they feel comforted knowing that when they see an Aggie Ally placard, they can let their guard down and not have to worry about prejudice or being judged by that individual. The placard signifies that person is an Aggie Ally and will be supportive.” “I wanted to know how I could be a better advisor and a better resource for my students,” said Rebecca Taylor, an adviser in Student Activities and member of the Aggie Allies Executive
Allies meeting Allies will gather for the Allies Across Campus Meet and Greet from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Everyone is invited to attend the event, where Allies will provide a presentation, recognize a few specific Allies, and discuss future plans and events. Light refreshments will be provided.
He realized the gravity of the situation when talking with Maj. David Brown, a friend serving as a battalion surgeon. Brown told stories of children dragging themselves along the roads or lying motionless in a room because they had grown too large for their parents to carry them everywhere. “There are no pediatric wheelchairs available for purchase or offered by the government,” Blauser said. “Iraqi children desperately need long term solutions to their healthcare needs, and it starts with getting them See Wheelchairs on page 4
Bush addresses A&M community To my Fellow Members of the Texas A&M Family: Howdy! As you have probably heard, I have invited the 44th president of the United States of America to come visit the George Bush Presidential Library and Texas A&M, and President Obama has graciously accepted. Along with the administration, faculty, and so many of you, I am honored that the president, our president, is taking the time and making the effort to come to College Station on Oct. 16 to talk about an issue that unites all Americans — namely, community service and its vast importance to our continued well-being as a nation. Our country still faces many tough challenges, and the message that will come out of our Presidential Forum on Service, I hope, is that every American regardless of age has an important part to play in helping us overcome the obstacles to our common progress. This is not about politics. This is about the importance of service to our communities and our country. It would be hard to imagine a more deserving college campus to host a Presidential Forum on volunteerism and community service than Texas A&M — which is, after all, a school steeped in a rich tradition of service. That’s why I am so proud to have our Bush Library and Museum and Bush School of Government and Public Service here, and I cannot wait for Obama to experience the open, decent and welcoming Aggie Spirit for himself. This will be an important national moment, and a moment for Texas A&M to shine in the global spotlight as it always does. I sincerely hope and believe it will serve as a point of Aggie pride for many years to come.
Gig‘em! George Bush #41
See Aggie Allies on page 4 File Photo — THE BATTALION
Restaurants reopen after roaches were found Last week two restaurants, Applebee’s on Texas Avenue and El Coco Loco in Bryan, were closed for 24 hours by the Brazos Health Department due to an infestation of roaches. “In Applebee’s there was a lot of evidence of roach droppings in the bar area so we went through the kitchen and we found live roaches on the walls and equipment,” said Anthony Zuniga, environmental health specialist. The day after health inspectors found roaches in Applebee’s, they also found roaches in El Coco Loco. “We found roaches by the dishwasher and on clean equipment, and [El Coco Loco] was also closed down for 24 hours,” Zuniga said. Both restaurants have successfully reopened after taking care of the roach problem. Vicky Flores, staff writer
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Brazos County officials offer amnesty period Katy Ralston The Battalion Brazos County is offering warrant amnesty from Monday to Oct. 23. Citizens with outstanding warrants can avoid paying the $50 warrant fee if the warrant is paid in full. No partial payment schedules will be allowed for citizens avoiding the fee. The amnesty period has been offered in an attempt to clear thousands of collectively outstanding warrants totaling millions of dollars from the City of College Station, the City of Bryan and the
offices of the Brazos County justices of the peace. During the amnesty citizens can pay their warrants no questions asked and with no additional fees. The type of the warrant can vary including tickets for speeding, absence of driver’s license or insurance, failure to appear in court and disobeying red lights. Payment methods include cash, cashier’s check, credit cards, money orders and personal checks. Outstanding warrants cannot be paid via College Station’s online citation payment system.
The county’s previous warrant amnesty period in February cleared 324 warrants bringing in a total of $110,479. “[The warrant amnesties are] an attempt to clear active warrants and get people to come in and comply with their cases. It’s a nice incentive, I would say,” Arnold said. From Oct. 26 to Nov. 6 law enforcement officials will launch a “warrant roundup,” arresting those who failed to pay their ticket during the amnesty period.
Warrants A list of all outstanding warrants can be found at www.cstx.gov/ warrants. Citizens who are uncertain whether outstanding warrants exist in their name may contact: City of College Station Municipal Court at 979.764.3683.
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