03 21 2007

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AGGIES UP NEXT

RED DIRT COUNTRY

Texas Country has influences of southern rock and old country SEE TRENDS PAGE 4

Softball hosts Texas A&M Wednesday for lone match this season SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

MARCH 21, 2007

WEDNESDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 66

Men injured, hospitalized after mudding accident

Out at second

By Scott Thomas The University Star Three members of Gary Job Corps were injured when two men drove offroading vehicles through a campsite early Saturday morning. One man, 22, suffered serious internal injuries and was transported to Brackenridge Hospital. Another camper suffered an injured foot and the third sustained minor injuries. According to a city of San Marcos news release, no charges have been filed against the two men driving the vehicles, ages 20 and 21, because “the incident occurred on private property and not on a public roadway.” “It’s considered to be private property in an area that the public generally does not have access to, so by the Department of Public Safety standards, it’s not considered a classified accident,” said Lisa Dvorak, assistant police chief of the San Marcos Police Department. “There are no criminal charges being filed because there’s no criminal offense.” Because no charges were filed, police are withholding the names of the drivers and the victims. According to the news release, “the three corpsmen were located about 40 yards north of the river bank next to a mudding trail where they had put up a blue tarp …” When the two vehicles,

Cotton Miller/Star photo Casey Guest, senior second baseman, tags out Texas’ Chance Wheeless trying to steal second base during the Bobcats’ Tuesday night 5-3 loss to the Longhorns at Disch-Falk Field in Austin. Despite holding an early lead, the Bobcats fell for the second time this season to the No. 10-ranked Longhorns. For a full game recap, see SPORTS page 10.

Bobcat Tram in process of upgrading to new buses Jennifer Williams/ Star Photo UPGRADING: With numerous features to increase ease of use, comfort and Texas State’s modern image, the university’s 23 new buses will be phased into use through May.

By Chelsea Juarez The University Star Texas State will receive 23 new buses designed with features to provide security, comfort and a smoother ride for passengers. Robert Garza, general manager of First Transit at Texas State, the company that owns tram provider Cognisa, said he is excited about the innovative features the Texas State Bobcat Trams will provide and hopes drivers and passengers will be too. A couple buses have been delivered but the rest will be periodically dropped off until May, Garza said. “They’re a lot smoother because of the airbag suspension,” said bus driver Casey Hitchcock. “Better quality seat so it doesn’t bounce as much.” The new buses contain electric destination signs designed to increase bus stop visibility. This system allows drivers to punch in destinations from their seats versus manually changing them.

Drivers will also have their own microphones in every bus so patrons can hear inside and outside through separate speakers. “It’s a way to help passengers hear better and so the driver doesn’t have to yell out stuff; he can announce it instead,” Garza said. “We may have a passenger who may have a disability, being blind for example — this way they’ll be able to hear the stops announced.” The cloth seats have high backs and are suited to provide comfort for both the driver and passengers. Up front with the bus driver is a personal cup holder. “I like them because they are just better overall,” Hitchcock, political science senior, said. The vehicles have the same length and capacity inside as the older version but now have improved security for wheelchairs. Garza said it was important to the university that students feel secure on the campus buses. Bike racks, which store up to

Today’s Weather

AM Showers/ Wind 78˚/61˚

Precipitation: 30% Humidity: 77% UV: 7 High Wind: SSE 22 mph

“W

e may have a passenger who may have a disability, being blind for example — this way they’ll be able to hear the stops announced.”

—Robert Garza general manager, First Transit

three bikes, are another feature available for passengers. Duct air is provided on the trams including separate ventilation for drivers and eliminates the need for systems inside where passengers can see them. Because careful maintenance See BUSES, page 3

Two-day Forecast Thursday AM Drizzle Temp: 77°/ 62° Precip: 20%

Friday Isolated T-Storms Temp: 76°/ 61° Precip: 30%

See MUDDING, page 3

Department of Education Building given name of U.S. President, alumnus Lyndon B. Johnson By Philip Hadley The University Star U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington D.C. will soon bear the name of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the former Democratic president of the United States and one of Texas State’s most prominent alumni. On March 6, with extraordinary bipartisan support in Congress, the House of Representatives agreed in a voice vote with no opposition to name the Education Department near the U.S. Capitol the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building. The name change will be made official Friday, when Pres-

ident George W. Bush signs the bill in the Oval office. The bill’s sponsors, who include State Reps. Gene Green, D-Houston; Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi; Joe Barton, R-Arlington and Mike McCaul, R-Austin, will be in attendance. The lack of a prominent Washington memorial to the 36th president bothered Democrats, especially Rep. Green, for years. “I am thrilled to finally see this bill on the floor and passed after my three terms,” Green said. “It has been opposed by a small group of republicans for years.” Jack Hirschfield, director of communication for McCaul, said the representative did not

belong to the group of republicans. “Representative McCaul has been working very hard to whip the vote and build support for this bill since its inception and since he has been in Congress,” Hirschfield said. Cathy Travis, spokeswoman for Ortiz, said he was honored to take part in the renaming, and was happy to see Johnson receive a prominent tribute in Washington D.C. “Johnson has never been fully appreciated for his accomplishments, specifically his accomplishments in education,” Travis said. “It has been a long battle but we are glad See LBJ BUILDING, page 3

Proposed liquor law created to ensure equal market among wholesalers, spur competition By Christina Kahlig The University Star A Texas house bill put a new spin on proposed liquor laws in Texas. In an effort to promote competition and counter a previously filed bill, this legislation requires any person who sells distilled spirits to offer sales to all wholesalers on an equal basis. Republic Beverage Company and Glazer’s Distributors, two wholesale companies who sell to 95 percent of Texas package stores, currently sell only the brands of liquor they choose. The proposed legislation, House Bill 2525, filed by State Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, will

require each wholesaler sell the same brands in order to have competing prices, giving package stores, bars and restaurants more choices. “If this (new) bill passes, every distillery would have to sell to any licensed wholesaler in Texas,” said Charles Sims, secretary and treasurer for the Texas Package Store Association. “There would be a lot more wholesalers open up.” House Bill 2266, introduced March 1 by State Rep. Pat Haggerty, R-El Paso, proposes wholesalers have the right to sell to bars, restaurants and package stores. “They’re calling (House Bill 2266) a dual system, but it’s

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Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

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not a dual system because 95 percent of the liquor we would have to buy from them,” said Elyse Yates, spokeswoman for the package stores. “What they have proposed is fake competition.” The issue is (wholesalers) have exclusive deals with distillers, Yates said. Sims agrees with Yates. He said liquor could be purchased from these two main wholesalers, giving package stores no alternative options. “The problem is that we have to buy from them,” Sims said. “We cannot compete with the people we buy from because See LIQUOR LAW, page 3

To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2007 The University Star


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