July 22 2015

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CITY

Amazon headed to San Marcos, expected to create 350 new jobs

By Alexa Tavarez NEWS EDITOR @lexicanaa

City council unanimously approved a deal with Amazon Tuesday that will create 350-1,000 jobs.

The project was in the works for acouple of years, said Councilman Jude Prather, Place 2.

Amazon, the largest Internetbased retailer in the country, will build a new fulfillment center off of McCarty Lane.

The center is planned to be 855,000 square feet and an estimated investment of $60 million.

The retailer is expected to bring at least 2,400 parking spots and opportunities for future jobs. Under the proposed agreement, construction for the new building is expected to begin in December of this year.

-Jon Wilcox contributed to this story.

COUNTY

School safety program launched to limit speeding

By Kasandra Garza NEWS REPORTER @KasGarza

Hays County of f icials launched a new safety program July 15 to limit speeding in school zones.

Schools in the Wimberley area will be piloting a new safety program using radar technology to photograph license plates of vehicles caught speeding in school zones during drop-off and pick-up hours. The new program is intended to better enforce school zone speed limits and reduce complaints.

“It’s pretty common that we are issuing citations in those school zones,” said Commissioner Ray Whisenant, Precinct 4.

The program is scheduled to kick off during the summer school sessions in Wimberley, Ayres said. During this time, only warnings will be issued, said Constable Darrel Ayres, Precinct 3.

A vehicle with an onboard computer and radar technology will be able to photograph the license plates of speeding vehicles in place of the physical presence of a police officer, Ayres said. When school zone lights are flashing at the time of drop off and pick up, the radar will “lock in” on the speed of a car, he said.

The safety program is a coordinated effort to reduce speed and bring people into

See SPEED ZONES, Page 2

Reconstruction is still in process July 18 after Memorial Day weekend flooding of apartments at Aspen.

MARTHA FIERRO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Wimberley flood survivors ask presidential candidate to reconsider stance on climate change

By Jon Wilcox SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox

In the wake of the 2016 primaries, a group of Hays County flood survivors are asking Senator Ted Cruz to reconsider his stance on global climate change.

The group, mostly comprised of Wimberley residents, presented a petition with more than 15,000 signatures to Cruz, asking him to acknowledge rising temperatures may have contributed to an unprecedented level of flood damage.

The historic Memorial Day Weekend floods this year shocked the community, destroying over 300 homes and killing at least nine people in Wimberley.

On July 2, the group of Wimberley residents and

homeowners gathered outside of Cruz’s offices in Austin after the senator refused to meet them, said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, an environmental advocacy group. Armed with signs and speeches, Metzger and the f lood survivors held their own “press conference,” arguing against Cruz’s environmental policies.

Cruz considers global climate change “a hoax,” Metzger said.

Renee Boschert, Wimberley resident of 23 years and Montessori schoolteacher, said she travelled with the group to Cruz’s Austin office with the hope the senator would reconsider his stance on climate change.

“We just want him to

CITY

open his mind,” Boschert said.

Cruz did not meet with the group and denied their entry to his office, Boschert said. “(I felt) totally disappointed but not surprised,” Boschert said.

Earlier on the morning of July 2, the Austin American-Statesman published a full-page advertisement paid for by Forecast the Facts, “a grassroots human rights organization dedicated to ensuring that Americans hear the truth about climate change,” according to the group’s website.

The advertisement takes particular offense to a comment Cruz made immediately after the Memorial Day Weekend floods. The U.S. senator announced his

2016 presidential bid back in March.

“It’s wrong to try to politicize a natural disaster,” Cruz said in a May 27 press conference at the San Marcos Police Department after the Memorial Day weekend floods.

“It has nothing to do with politics,” Boschert said. “I don’t care what party he’s from. He’s a human from the planet and should take care of it.”

Boschert’s Wimberley home of 23 years was severely damaged in the floods, receiving five feet of water inside the first floor, she said. Boschert said the flood destroyed not only her belongings, but her irreplaceable natural treasures as well.

It brought “tears to (her) eyes” to see the 100-year-old

cypress trees on the riverbank knocked down and killed, she said.

Boshcert said the flood was an atypical disaster, an “enhanced event” with unprecedented levels of damage.

The Wimberley community has come to expect regular flooding and even appreciates the cleaner, clearer river waters the floods leave behind, Boschert said.

“This was not a normal flood,” Boschert said.

Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said he is a nonpartisan researcher who thinks there is plenty of data linking human activity to climate change. Nielsen-Gammon was appointed in 2000 by then-Governor George W.

See TED CRUZ, Page 2

TRANSPORTATION

City Council denies future Uber, other ride-hailing programs Hooters permit to sell liquor officially arrive in town

By Darcy Sprague SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @darcy_days

The San Marcos City Council voted 7-1 July 7 to reverse the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision to grant Hooters a conditional permit to sell mixed beverages at their future location in San Marcos.

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted May 6 to grant Hooters a conditional permit to sell mixed beverages. In the July 7 city council meeting, San Marcos resident, Robert Jett, petitioned to reverse the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision.

Jett lives in the Sunset Valley neighborhood, located behind where the Hooters property will be located.

“We envision San Marcos to have a strong, more comprehensive foundation of safe, stable neighborhoods while preserving and protecting the historical,

cultural and natural identities of those neighborhoods,” Jett said in the July 7 City Council meeting.

Jett said Hooters is a danger to his neighborhood because of noise and traffic, which would be a contradiction to the comprehensive plan. Four of the current council members, including the mayor, helped to create the city’s comprehensive plan for rezoning and development.

“What does (the Planning and Zoning decision) show people looking to make San Marcos their home?” Jett asked in his comment. “That money means more than stable neighborhoods.”

Geoffrey Bracken, an attorney representing Hooters, said the restaurant is committed to working with the community to come up with a solution.

Design-wise, Hooters has moved the patio to the

See HOOTERS, Page 2

By Alexa Tavarez NEWS EDITOR @lexicanaa

Uber and other ride-hailing companies can officially conduct business in San Marcos after city council passed a new ordinance in early July.

Council members voted on the ordinance July 7 allowing for ride-hailing programs to operate in the Hays County area after a public hearing. City officials have been developing an ordinance to allow for ridehailing programs to come to San Marcos since the beginning of this year, said Chase Stapp, San Marcos Police Chief Chase Stapp.

Stapp said officials worked on comparing ordinances and legal language from other cities with Uber and similar ride-hailing programs to tailor a contract just for San Marcos.

In drafting the new ordinance, Stapp said officials

overcame hurdles in dealing with the insurance measures that protect riders while meeting state guidelines.

Stapp said all drivers undergo background checks.

“Our taxi service here has grown over the years and has been a valuable service and it will continue to be a valuable service,” Stapp said. “This is a just different way of getting across town.”

Stapp thinks the taxi companies will remain economically relevant in the San Marcos market, especially in the downtown area.

“There are times when you don’t necessarily plan ahead that you’re going to need a ride,” Stapp said.

“You can always flag a cab down.”

Stapp said downtown patrols try very hard to give inebriated people a safe ride home without incrimination, but there are only so many officers.

“It gives people one more option to get home safely,”

Stapp said.

Stapp said he hopes to see a decline in DUI arrests with the arrival of Uber and other ride-hailing programs.

“Time will tell if it has that impact,” Stapp said.

Stapp does not anticipate a dramatic effect on traffic patterns in the San Marcos area.

Mayor Daniel Guerrero said in an Uber press release he is excited to offer the citizens of San Marcos more transportation options.

No members of the public spoke in favor or against the resolution in the public hearing at the July 7 city council meeting. The council voted 5-2 on Uber’s operating permit.

“If it makes it easier for people who don’t have cars to get around, I think that opens up a segment of our community that hasn’t previously been tapped,” Stapp said.

CRIME

Police searching for man that exposed himself at local restaurant

By Alexa Tavarez NEWS EDITOR @lexicanaa

San Marcos police are search-

ing for a white male after he exposed himself to a child July 4 at the Whataburger on IH-35 south.

A witness reported the

man to store management after she noticed he was filming the child and had exposed himself in the restaurant. The man was described as ap-

proximately 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds with gray hair and blue eyes.

Police said he was last seen leaving the restaurant wear-

ing an orange Longhorn hat, gray T-shirt and black jogging shorts. Witnesses reported the suspect leaving the area in a 1990s Dodge Caravan

minivan, according to police.

Investigators are encouraging people to call 512753-2132 with information regarding the incident.

2 | The University Star | News | Wednesday, July 22, 2015

TED CRUZ, from front Bush “to provide the state of Texas with accurate climate information and critical expertise in the field of climatology,� according to his office’s website. “We stick to the science,�

Nielsen-Gammon said.

Nielsen-Gammon said the unprecedented severity of the Memorial Day weekend floods was almost certainly connected in part to human

contributions to the environment.

The atmosphere’s capacity to hold moisture is determined by temperature, and global temperature trends have most likely risen because of human activity, Nielsen-Gammon said. Hotter temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture, he said. “Heavy rainfall is increas-

ing through the central United States (for) the last century,� Nielsen-Gammon said. “It’s basic thermodynamics.�

In his decision to downplay the role of humanity in global climate change, Cruz has ignored facts and “cherry-picked data,�

Metzger said. “I don’t know if he’s taken the time to read the moun-

tain of scientific research,�

Metzger said.

Metzger said Cruz has cut funding from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) climatology research programs and blocked Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) climate controls.

The EPA proposal opposed

by Cruz would require powergenerating facilities to reduce

their carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030, according to Cruz’s website.

Metzger said although Cruz refused to meet with him and the flood survivors in person on July 2, they are still trying. “We’re going to keep following up, urging Ted Cruz to meet with the survivors,�

Metzger said.

Boschert said she wishes Cruz would take a lesson from

her students and treat the environment with a stewardly attitude instead of “digging in his heels� and ignoring science.

Boschert said her Montessori students exhibit a natural stewardship for the environment, asking what they can do to help. “ They’re proactive,�

Boschert said. “They get that their actions have an impact.�

SAFETY

ALERRT forms new partnership with ESPADA

By Clayton Kelley NEWS REPORTER @Claytonkelley

The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) center is pairing up with ESPADA to expand the active shooter training program to the civilian sector.

ESPADA is an organization that works to bring active shooter training to the public, said Jim Jorrie, CEO of ESPADA. “When we started doing research on active shooter events, we found that most of these events were over before the police arrived because the civilians at the attack site took effective action to defend themselves and others around them,� said Pete

Blair, executive director of ALERRT. Blair said the research “played a huge role� in the foundation of Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE). Partnering with ESPADA will help bring about the expansion of CRASE to civilians, he said. “(ESPADA brings) techniques and procedures to the public that will help civilians mitigate the potential adverse effects of workplace violence, including extreme workplace violence situations such as an active shooter,� Jorrie said.

Blair said ALERRT’s grant funding must be used to teach CRASE programs to the University Police Department (UPD) and not civilians. He said that initially, CRASE was taught by UPD officials

to guide other communities. With ESPADA, active shooter training can now be expanded to civilians. “(The) University Police Department has been teaching CRASE for several years now,� said Christopher Cross, a Texas State Crime Prevention Unit member. “Through the Offices of Professional Development at Texas State, we teach the program to both the staff and to the Department of Housing and Residential Life at Texas State.�

CRASE is specifically designed to prepare civilians for an active shooter incident in the easiest way possible, Blair said. “A main component of CRASE is our civilian response model known as

SPEED ZONES, from front compliance with zone restrictions during school hours, Ayres said.

Whisenant, said his office routinely receives complaints from parents about speeding during school hours.

Officials said schools utilizing the program will be Dripping Springs Elementary, Rooster Springs Elementary and Dripping Springs Middle School.

Whisenant said there are currently two vehicles and there may eventually be a third. The vehicles will, on some occasions, be moved to other school districts.

When fall classes begin and regular school is in session, the “grace period� will end and the county will begin to give citations for people who are going more than six miles above the speed limit, Ayres said.

Ayres said once a photo is taken, the citation still has to be verified by either himself or his deputies.

Constable Ron Hood, Precinct 4, said the pilot program will only be present in Precincts 3 and 4 of Hays

‘avoid, deny, and defend,’�

Blair said. “This model is very simple.�

Halah Helt, elementary education junior and resident assistant (RA) for North Campus Housing, said going through different training programs such as CRASE is part of RA training. “Oddly, this training that I went through as an RA was based on an active shooter disaster happening in a classroom rather than a residence hall,� Helt said. “It was both intense and also a little frustrating being that it was limited to only this experience happening in a classroom.�

Helt said the information given was “very informative,� and believes it is important to take into account what a course of action needs for

every unique environment.

Blair said there was a high civilian demand for CRASE to be taught to a “wider spectrum� of people. “Partnering with ESPADA gives us the capability to bring CRASE to the corporate world,� Blair said.

Jorrie stressed the importance of safety training and emphasized the program’s nature as a learning experience. “Rather than leaving the program worried, we want our participants to gain a better and proactive understanding on ways they can protect themselves from violent acts should they occur,� Jorrie said.

Daniel Benitez, UPD Captain, said CRASE is an “outstanding� program and

features crucial knowledge for all individuals to learn.

Benitez said in the past, there have been warnings of people bringing a gun to campus and CRASE is a good way to raise awareness to these kinds of issues.

Helt said she would love to see the program expanded to include every student at the university. “Especially in the wake of the concealed carry law that is currently in effect to permit licensed gun use, it would be very important for every student to know what to do in such a disaster as an active shooter,� she said. “Just like fire drills are performed on occasion, active shooter drills should be put at the same level of concern.�

HOOTERS, from front County. Hood said if the program has no effect on speeding or does not identify those who are speeding, the rest of Hays County will not adopt the school safety program. “I suspect it’s going to serve its purpose,� Hood said. “I think it’s going to slow the speeding traffic through those school zones.�

Although the vehicle will be left to sit alone, Hood said he “highly doubts� any vandalism will be done to the vehicle.

Hood said because police officers cannot be at school zones on a daily basis and, in his opinion, there are more schools than officers available, the vehicle and its concept serves as a “force multiplier.�

The vehicle will be parked only during the day in a very apparent, obvious location, Hood said. It will not be concealed and if there’s any vandalism, it will be out in the open. “The test run is going to be on us,� Ayres said. “Eventually it may work its way throughout the county.�

opposite side of building away from the neighborhood. They have agreed to set the building 40 feet away from the nearest single-family home, 30 feet further than the 10-foot requirement. Hooters also offered to build an eight-foot fence to help block the noise. “Hooters will do quite well in San Marcos,� Jett said. “But they shouldn’t do so at the cost of our neighborhoods.�

At least five citizens spoke in favor of the appeal. “I feel like we are going to be run out of our neighborhood,� said Lupa Lopez, Sunset Valley resident. “We have a right to our neighborhoods.�

Hooters’ legal representatives as well as the landowner and his council were present at the meeting.

R.W. McDonald owns the

“

land Hooters will be build on. He purchased the land already zoned for general commercial use. “I don’t feel like I should be punished as a property owner for buying general commercial property,� McDonald said.

Mike Burkey, director of operations for Hooters, said the business is 32 years old, is mostly food sales with 70 percent-72 percent dedicated to serving and has a long history of helping the community. Burkey said Hooters has been involved with Wounded Warriors, food banks, breast cancer research and other community organizations. “We give back,� Burkey said.

Seven out of eight members voted to prevent Hooters from obtaining a conditional permit for the sale of

mixed beverages.

Councilwoman Jane Hughson, Place 4, started the motion to approve the appeal to deny Hooters the conditional permit to serve mixed beverages. “I find this even shameful to ask to do this next to a single-family neighborhood,�

Hughson said. “People are leaving San Marcos to go to places where they protect their neighborhoods.�

Councilwoman Lisa Prewitt, Place 1 and councilman Shane Scott, Place 6, agreed that the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision should be overturned. “People get home, they’re tired, they want to rest,�

Scott said. “They don’t want to hear a bunch of people having a good time and yelling and screaming.�

Councilman Jude Prath-

er, Place 2, was the only council member to vote against the appeal. He warned that in similar situations in the past Hooters has given out free beer when denied their license. “Voting on this isn’t voting away the noise, voting away the traffic, or voting away the investment (that Hooters has already made on the property),� Mayor Daniel Guerrero said.

Guerrero did, however, vote to grant the appeal.

Hooters will have to wait six months before they can apply for the conditional permit again. The conditional permit would allow them to sell mixed beverages for year, at which time they would have to reapply for another permit if they had met all of the conditions the first year, said Michael Cosentino, the city attorney.

Hooters will do quite well in San Marcos, but they shouldn’t do so at the cost of our neighborhoods.� ­—ROBERT JETT, SAN MARCOS RESIDENT

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Wednesday, July 22, 2015 | The University Star | 3

SPORTS

UniversityStar.com

FOOTBALL

SECONDARY PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS FALL

By Matt Gurevitz SPORTS REPORTER @Matt_Gurevitz

[Editor's note: For the last summer issue, The University Star sports staff will provide you with breakdowns of the 2015 Texas State football team—from the skill players to the front seven to the secondary to everything in between.]

Mims has proven he can cover and make big plays for the team as he led Texas State in interceptions last season.

Mims was able to take one his five interceptions in for a touchdown against Georgia State in the season finale. Expectations are high for Mims and he is fully capable of being one of the best players on the field this season.

starting three games down the stretch. His first start came against South Alabama and he recorded nine tackles and a fumble recovery.

Rosemond is locked in his spot as the rover after his success in his first start and he will look to keep improving this year.

AARON SHAW, SENIOR FREE DAVID MIMS II, SENIOR DILA ROSEMOND, SOPHO- SAFETY CORNERBACK MORE DEFENSIVE BACK Texas State has plenty of seIf there is one player on the Texas State football team who will be asked to lead the Bobcat defense, it is David Mims II. The senior will be asked to cover every team’s No. 1 receiver all season, and the Sun Belt Conference is confident he can fulfill his duties. The conference awarded Mims with a spot on the preseason All-Sun Belt first team. Mims is the only defensive player on the Bobcats to accomplish this.

Dila Rosemond will have a unique role on defense this season. The sophomore will be playing in a rover position, which means he will play strong safety and outside linebacker in certain formations.

Rosemond is a good tackler but has the size of a safety, so the team will utilize his skills by putting him close to the line of scrimmage to come in and make tackles. The sophomore did not play much to begin the 2014 season but found himself

niors in the secondary and Aaron Shaw is one of them.

Shaw will be the last line of defense for the Bobcats this season as he mans free safety just like he did last year.

The senior is a previous transfer from Navarro College and found playing time right away for the Bobcats. Shaw played in every game last year and started in seven while recording 44 tackles and one forced fumble.

Shaw will be asked to do a lot in the blitz-heavy Bobcat

defense in 2015. If Shaw can bail out corners and cover the middle of the field, the team will have no problem getting to the quarterback this season.

of the season.

BRANDON MCDOWELL, SOPHOMORE CORNERBACK

McDowell will be DEMETRIUS WOODARD, Brandon asked to start this season on SENIOR SAFETY the opposite side of Mims as Any team would love to have two seniors playing safety for their defense, which is a luxury the Bobcats have this year.

Demetrius Woodard will play strong safety this season for Texas State, a position different from what he’s played in years past. Last season he made four starts at free safety and played in the rover position as well.

Woodard has good size at 6-foot-2, which will come in handy when he is asked to cover big tight ends and make tackles behind the linebackers. This season will be Woodard’s best chance to make a name for himself, as well as the first time he will be starting in the first game

the second cornerback.

The sophomore has an opportunity to solidify his spot in the Texas State secondary this year, with the potential of moving to the top cornerback position as soon as next season.

He will also see some opportunities returning kicks for the special teams. How McDowell plays this season could be an indication of what the Bobcats secondary will look like for the next two years.

DAMANI ALEXCEE, JUNIOR SAFETY

will provide depth for the team in the secondary. Alexcee should join other upperclassmen as leaders this season even though he is coming off of the bench. The safety started one game a year ago and recorded 25 tackles including a season-high seven against New Mexico State.

CLARENCE GUIDRY III, SOPHOMORE CORNERBACK Clarence Guidry is another piece for the future of the Texas State secondary. He will start this season as the third cornerback, but he needs to get ready for a bigger role in his junior and senior season.

Guidry played in 11 games as a freshman last season and made one tackle while playing cornerback and appearing with the special teams unit.

His role will continue to grow as the season goes on.

Damani Alexcee will start the season as a backup safety, but

SOFTBALL

–PHOTO COURTESY OF READING HEROES

TEAM LENDS A HAND TO HELP READING HEROES

By Donavan Jackson SPORTS REPORTER @djack_02

Texas State athletics made an impact on the San Marcos community when two softball players gave back their time to local fans.

Kortney Koroll, former Texas State softball player, and Kelli Baker, senior second baseman, volunteered at the Reading Heroes summer camp for young children with reading disabilities.

“It’s pretty much a summer program that helps the kids improve their reading skills and develop confidence for the school year,” Koroll said.

“Kelli and I read them a story or two and talked a lot about our softball careers and what type of work ethic is required to achieve their goals.”

Kelli said the atmosphere was “awesome” as soon as they arrived at the camp. After getting to know everyone, they finished the day by going outside and throwing the

softball around.

“It meant a lot that they were very excited to introduce themselves to us,” Baker said.

“Seeing them wear Texas State gear was awesome. They all had jerseys on, they all had their hats and some had brought their gloves.”

It came as a surprise to Koroll to learn how many of the kids had parents that were alumni of the university.

She felt it was a great confidence boost for her and the team during the season

to know the community was supporting them through everything.

“Honestly, when the fans come out to the game it means so much to us,” Koroll said. “Even at the end of the game when we’re signing autographs and just seeing their faces light up means everything.”

Baker understands the type of role models the athletes become—not only for the school, but also for the girls who are chasing the same dream the

BASEBALL

WHATACATCH: BURGER CHAIN HOLDING FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT SAN MARCOS BOMBERS

By Jose Campos SPORTS REPORTER @josewithaj

The players on the San Marcos Bombers 12U youth baseball team will be traveling to New York to compete in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame tournament.

Whataburger will be holding a fundraiser Thursday for the San Marcos Bombers to help cover the trip costs.

Whataburger is donating 20 percent of their sales that occur between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to the Bombers. The first 100 people in attendance will receive a free Whataburger prize.

Along with donation of sales, Whataburger is offering multiple prizes, including their most popular giveaway where one customer may win a free Whataburger each week for a year.

“Playing in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame tournament is an impressive achievement for the San Marcos Bombers baseball team,” said David Bladel Jr., Whataburger director of operations. “Whataburger is honored to host an ‘Oh Whata Night’ fundraiser to do what we can to help send them to the tournament, and we can’t wait to celebrate again when the

team brings home the W!” Ethan Schleder, shortstop for the San Marcos Bombers, said playing in New York is a "once-in-alifetime deal" for him. He is excited to have this chance.

"I think it's awesome, I'm so happy for people to come and watch us play," Schleder said. "Hopefully we can win and say thank you to all the people who watched us."

players had growing up.

“There’s a lot more to life than just softball,” Baker said.

“I think us being individual athletes puts us on a pedestal to where these kids look up to us. I feel like it’s our responsibility to be positive role models and give back to them.”

While it is important to be successful on the field, Baker, Koroll and many of the athletes understand the significance of having support off the field.

As Texas State continues to grow in size and popularity, the success of the athletic programs can be attributed to the fans as well.

“I think it’s big for all of our athletic programs to go out and give back to our community,” Koroll said. “Everything’s not just about softball.

It’s about giving back to this community that has always been here to support us. We just want to set the standard and show what being an athlete is all about.”

4 | The University Star | Wednesday, July 22, 2015

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

THE MAIN POINT

ENTERTAINMENT

More than one person can be courageous

Rivers Wright OPINIONS COLUMNIST @MonsieurRivers

C

AZALIE MILLER STAR ILLUSTRATOR

San Marcos should adopt “Don’t Block the Box” initiative T he “Don’t Block the Box” initiative gaining traction in Austin should be implemented in San Marcos.

It is easy to do and would make a difference regarding San Marcos’ ever increasing population.

On March 27 city officials in Austin unveiled their plan to reduce traffic congestion and jams with their “Don’t Block the Box” initiative. A car ‘blocks the box’ by obstructing an intersection and preventing people from crossing.

While it is illegal in Texas, enforcement has been lax at best until now.

The problem with blocking the box, especially at critical intersections, is that it causes congestion and stunts cross traffic movement by blocking bike lanes as well as walkways.

As a considerable portion of the San Marcos student population rides their bikes or skateboards to and from the university and walk

from their residence halls to the Square, a “Don’t Block the Box” initiative would quickly garner attention and support.

However, there is more to the issue as well. While blocking the box does obstruct the flow of traffic, it also hinders emergency vehicles like fire trucks, ambulances or police cars from easily making their way through traffic. In dire situations this can cause an obvious problem, and instead of waiting for the tragedy to arise it is better to nip the problem in the bud now.

One of the primary reasons Austin city officials felt the need to start a collaborative effort within the traffic management team, police officials, and the Austin Transportation Department was the continued population increase.

As would be expected, the increase in population has caused traffic concerns to be more tangible and

burdensome.

With that in mind, consider that San Marcos has been named the fastestgrowing city in America for the third year in a row. It would be logical and proactive to address the problem of traffic now, while it is still relatively easy to manage. The best way to go about the rollout would be to put it in the hands of the student body and Student Government. San Marcos does not have the resources like Austin does, so it would have to go about implementation in a different manner.

A successful social media campaign would be an easy and fast way to reach those who are guiltiest of blocking the box: young college students. If the conversation is started on social media, it will inevitably make its way to real-world actions— from posters to forums and everything in between.

If Austin’s “Don’t Block the Box” statistics are any indication of potential

effects on San Marcos, the initiative would not only decrease traffic congestion, but could also bring a bit of revenue to the city. According to KVUE News, Austin police officials issued over 1,100 tickets and approximately 143 warnings in just the first three weeks of the rollout. After a while, people will start paying more attention to the effects of their actions and react accordingly.

Several other cities have benefited from the “Don’t Block the Box” campaign: New York City, Virginia Beach and Boston. Now, it is time to add San Marcos to that list. It is a relatively inexpensive anti-gridlock campaign that would benefit everyone in the long run. Taking everything into consideration, there is nothing to lose and a lessjammed city to gain. San Marcos should always strive to be progressive, so don’t block the box, Bobcats, and spread the word.

The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University or the advertisers.

ourage comes in many forms. It can be seen on the front lines of our armed forces or in the face of Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce), on the cover of Vanity Fair.

This year, ESPN honored Jenner’s form of courage by awarding her with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award after her courageous decision to come out as a transgender woman. Even though the world is becoming more open-minded daily—notably in the recent landmark decision allowing same-sex marriage—transgenderism is something people are having a hard time grasping.

Social media lit up with posts of mixed responses after ESPN formally announced Jenner would be the recipient of the award. Some people found solace in the decision and realization of the hardships transgender people face, as well as the courage it inevitably takes to come out as one. Meanwhile, others were intolerant with tunnel vision who claimed there was nothing courageous about Jenner’s decision and ESPN made a mistake in choosing her and suggested U.S. military members were the courageous ones.

Here is the thing: ESPN made a brave choice in understanding the world is a changing place. ESPN acknowledged that change by awarding someone who is a face for this transformation in societal thinking. The decision should be championed, not lampooned.

Don’t get me wrong,

soldiers are courageous for all they do and the sacrifice they make for this country. A big thank you goes out to them, but do not be narrowminded in thinking they are the only ones who are allowed to have courage or show any signs of strength.

The main reason people were angry about Jenner’s award is because she does not fit the norm. They are uncomfortable with a person who does not fit into their black-andwhite, cookie-cutter way of thinking. They are angry that a sports network known to abide by societal rules would dare make the decision to pick someone who is now playing by her own rules.

Bravery and courage come in many different forms. Courage could be the simple task of standing up for what you believe in, or fighting for freedom. Courage is not sitting behind a computer screen in the safety of one’s home, bashing on those who dare to be themselves.

People do not realize admitting something like Jenner did and allowing the world to see the immense struggle of trying to match their outside to their inside, is one of the most courageous things someone can do.

Thankfully, there is an outpouring of support and resources for soldiers and people fighting diseases such as cancer.

Transgender people seeking help and support are left with the short end of the stick because their resources are limited and, in some cases, nonexistent.

ESPN proved to the masses that courage is in the faces of everyone, regardless of whether that face fits societal norms or expectations. It is about damn time America jumps on board into a future where diversity and progress are accepted instead of mocked.

—Rivers Wright is a journalism senior

FINANCE

New $10 bill design good step for equality, needs improvement

Haley Smutzer OPINIONS COLUMNIST @AwkwardAdverbs

U

.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has made the exciting announcement that the newly redesigned $10 bill, featuring a woman, will be revealed in 2020—the 100th anniversa-

ry of the 19th amendment, granting women the right to vote.

While the future currency change is certainly a necessary step for equality, the U.S. bill has a long way to go before truly exemplifying an all-inclusive identity. Victoria Smith, associate English professor, suggests an entire overhaul.

“The bills we have today reflect a certain time period in which we held specific values and when we wanted to standardize the bills, about 1929,” Smith said. “While we may still hold some or all of those beliefs, we have also changed as a society to become more inclusive in all

The University Star Editor-in-Chief...........................................Kelsey Bradshaw, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor.......................Imani McGarrell, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters................................................................................universitystar@txstate.edu News Editor....................................................Alexa Tavarez, starnews@txstate.edu Sports Editor.............................................Quixem Ramirez, starsports@txstate.edu Lifestyle Editor.........................................Mariah Simank, starlifestyle@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..........................................Brandon Sams, staropinion@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor......................................Preslie Cox, starmultimedia@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief....................................Abby Marshall, starcopychief@txstate.edu

sorts of ways—not merely in terms of gender, but in terms of race.”

Speaking of race, Lew invited the public to submit who they believed would be the best candidate by initiating an online conversation using the hashtag #TheNew10. The top online contender for the position was Harriet Tubman. To have not just a woman, but an AfricanAmerican woman on the $10 bill would be wonderfully inspiring for the country and would reflect more of our diversity.

However, nothing is ever perfect. There has been speculation that whomever is chosen will

have to share the spotlight with Hamilton on the new design. This would serve as a reminder that women live in a world where they are often told, in no uncertain terms, to accept their small victories as good enough progress.

Instead, Smith proposes a reexamination of all the bill designs as a complete entity, sparing no one from the chopping block.

“We should think about who is on all of our bills and why,” Smith said. “Do we want the bills to reflect our diverse population? Do we want the bills to have people on them that reflect a range of important accomplishments—not simply

political?”

It is vital to recognize all perspectives and talents when evaluating a nation.

Although this quandary may seem trivial to some, currency remains a crucial part of our society—economically and culturally.

This decision should not be taken lightly.

“The majority of men on our bills are people who had to do with our government during the founding of our nation—with the exception of Lincoln, Jackson and Grant,” Smith said. “Because women did not have the vote, much less the power to sign or produce, say, the Declaration of Independence, we

don’t have exactly an equal group to choose from if we wanted to replace these men with women from that time.”

With great change comes great controversy.

No matter the choice, one woman is not enough and will never be enough.

Although this is a truly wonderful step for women, the government needs to revaluate the message they are sending to the public by upholding their strange obsession with selectively honoring an exclusive group of white males.

601 University Drive Trinity Building, Room 101 San Marcos, TX 78666

Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

Design Editor...........................................Lauren Huston, stardesign@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor............................Anna Herod, starasstnews@txstate.edu Account Executive............................................Hanna Katz, starad2@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Morgan Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive....................................Jamie Beckham, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist.......................................... Chris Salazar, c.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...............................Kelsey Nuckolls, kjn16@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator........................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu

—Haley Smutzer is an English senior

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the spring and fall and every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright Wednesday, July 22, 2015. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

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Wednesday, July 22, 2015 | The University Star | 5

LIFESTYLE

UniversityStar.com

CITY

Candy shop to bring sweet treats to San Marcos

By Louis Zylka LIFESTYLE REPORTER @OrinZylka

Downtown San Marcos is about to get a whole lot sweeter.

Candy, Sweets and Treats, a new shop opening, complete with a ribbon cutting, will be held on North LBJ Drive at the store’s downtown location August 1 at 11 a.m. The store will provide San Martians with a variety of unique confections.

Leanne Latham, owner of the store, said visiting candy shops was her favorite thing to do as a child.

“It was always something I thought I could expand on,” Latham said.

Latham said she could not think of a better town to start her own business in.

“I really love San Marcos,” Latham said. “Anything that I want to do as far as going into business for myself would be here.”

Andrew Caldwell, San Marcos resident, said most members of the community want to see businesses like Latham’s thrive.

“I personally think the more businesses that pop up down here, the better,” Caldwell said.

“And I think it’ll end up becoming a popular place because of the candy.”

Latham said having a shop in close proximity to Texas State was something she always hoped to do. She said much of the merchandise in the store will be catered towards adults.

“I love the college and the college kids being in San Marcos,” Latham said. “It keeps the town young and evolving.”

Alta Jafari, friend of the owner, said Latham has wanted make her dream of opening a candy shop a reality for quite some time. She said Latham decided to open the store in San Marcos after noticing a lack of candy shops around town.

“I am very excited for her to open up the store,” Latham said. “She is 100 percent committed to this and has had a blast with it.”

Latham said bringing the store to life was a big undertaking.

“I actually had been working on this since February,” Latham said. “I found my lease in March and I have been renovating since then.”

Caldwell said the shop will be valuable to members of the San Marcos community who have limited options when it comes to satisfying their sweet tooth.

“I don’t want candy, I need candy,” Caldwell said. “I am a gummy fan and if I want to see anything in the shop it is gummy sharks.”

Latham said her inventory will be made up of more than just candy. She plans to sell pies from Texas Pie Company in Kyle, novelty ice creams and bottled soda.

The store will also carry old-school lunchboxes and toys such as bouncy balls,

MARTHA FIERRO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Leanne Latham, owner of Candy, Sweets and Treats, stands outside of her shop July 18. The grand opening will be August 1st at 11:00AM. silly straws and funny gags, Latham said.

“The majority of candy that I want to have is retro or nostalgic types,” Latham said.

“I want to have the odd kind of candies that you wouldn’t normally see anywhere else.”

Jafair said the shop’s yearround appeal will help other local businesses prosper.

“Every single month there is something going on that revolves around some sort of party or event,” Jafair said.

“Having something special to go with it that you can get from a store like this will really benefit the community.”

Latham said she hopes the store’s ability to provide great service and candy shoppers

wouldn’t normally see will quickly create a solid customer base.

“I want the store to be a place where people can come in and feel like a kid again and kind of let go of the stress from the day,” Latham said. “Everyone should feel like a kid at a candy store.”

Latham said she hopes to

create a website for the shop in the future.

“Something I am definitely going to look into is selling online,” Latham said. “Hopefully I can expand to where I do party favors and gift baskets and more of those type of things.”

UNIVERSITY

Professor solves photo mystery, again

By Denise Cervantes LIFESTYLE REPORTER @cervantesdenise

A recent discovery made by a group of physics professors has many people talking about Alfred Eisenstaedt’s iconic photograph, “V-J Day in Times Square.”

Steven Kawaler, Iowa State University astrophysicist, and Donald Olson and Russell Doescher, Texas State physics professors, conducted extensive research to determine the photo was taken at exactly 5:51 p.m.

Eisenstaedt, photographer for Life magazine, captured the famous photo of a couple celebrating after Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II. Since the photo was taken, Olson said many people have stepped forward and claimed to be the kissing pair.

By uncovering the exact time the photo was taken, Kawaler said the researchers were able to disprove many of the accounts.

Kawaler said the research began after he witnessed the online debate surrounding a New York Times article in which Gloria Bullard, who claimed to have witnessed Edith Shain kissing an unknown male, said it took her two hours to get home after seeing the couple.

Based on her statements, Kawaler said it was determined the kiss must have happened before 7:03 p.m.

“We set out at the time not to argue or dispute that, but to figure out what time it was taken,” Kawaler said. “By finding out the same exact time we proved it couldn’t be those people, and therefore we don’t know who they were.”

In the 2012 book The Kissing Sailor, authors Lawrence Verria and George Galdorisi. analyzed the photo and claimed the time was closer to 2 p.m.

Kawaler said more questions were raised after someone who had read the book pointed out a shadow hitting the nearby Loew’s Building in the photo.

“The sun isn’t in the picture,” Kawaler said. “But there was a shadow on the Loew Theatre building. The trick was to find out what was casting that shadow.”

Kawaler said researchers

utilized maps and architectural drawings of the area during 1945 to determine the shadow was caused by Hotel Astor.

Olson said they used hundreds of photographs to familiarize themselves with the area.

Olson said the Bond Clothes clock, which is located on the right side of the photograph, indicated the time had to be 4:50, 5:50 or 6:50 p.m.

“I did the calculation using astronomy and the position of the sun, but trigonometry to figure out how the sun, the

sign, and how the shadow aligned,” Olson said.

After five years of research, Olsen concluded the exact time was 5:51 p.m.

To be sure his math was correct, Olson said he asked Doescher to make a model of Times Square to test his verdict.

“I was worried that I made a mistake,” Olson said. “Here I was disagreeing with the widely accepted theories, and my colleague Russell Doescher made a scale model that was

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After the model was created, Olson said his next step was to recreate the shadow using a large mirror simulating the sun.

“When we arranged the sun, mirror and model, the sunlight was coming in just as it did at 5:51 p.m. and that’s when I said, ‘Russell, I can sleep better at night,’” Olson said.

Eisenstaedt’s photograph isn’t the first iconic piece Olson has decided to analyze.

He said he has made multiple historic discoveries using astronomy, including when and where Vincent van Gogh

painted “Moonrise” in 1889.

Olson said there are three criteria he considers before starting a project.

“We want it be easy enough to be solvable, and we want it to be interesting if we are able to do it successfully,” Olson said.

“We study paintings by artists that people are interested in, such as Van Gogh, and when we do historical events we try to do events that people know about.”

Fabiola Tamez, communication and painting senior, said Olson uses his research as an example for students taking his class.

“He would show us how he would overlay the shadows and how he would simulate it,” Tamez said. “I think the class really liked that.”

The identity of the kissers still remains a mystery, but Kawaler said knowing the exact time will help to narrow down the possibilities.

“It would be nice to know, but in another sense it is kind of a good thing because this photograph is more than just a picture of two people,” Kawaler said. “It is really a work of art that captures how jubilant people felt at the end of the second World War.”

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6 | The University Star | Lifestyle | Wednesday, July 22, 2015

FASHION

#Pineapples dominate summer clothing

By Sarah Bradley SENIOR LIFESTYLE REPORTER @sarah_bradskies

Summer styles this year have been filled with bright color blocking, Birkenstock obsessions and body jewelry fads, but one of the biggest hits can be found at the local grocery store.

Pineapple prints are appearing everywhere this season.

Whether you are wearing the fruit on dresses, crop tops, swimwear or jewelry, you are guaranteed to be right on trend this summer.

Mandy Mayekawa, fashion retail enthusiast and account executive for POM Public Relations, said the pineapple phenomenon was easy to spot.

“I’ve seen how it is slowly taking over all of the boutiques and retail stores,” Mayekawa said.

Mayekawa said the style appears to be increasingly trendy as the summer goes on.

“I believe it was right at the cusp of summer when I first noticed pineapples in fashion,” Mayekawa said. “From there it grew more and more popular until it was just about everywhere.”

Mayekawa said the trend has also taken the Internet by storm.

“Even online I see pineapples everywhere,” Mayekawa

said. “I see it on Pinterest a lot right now, along with Instagram and other social media websites.”

Aunna Gates, manager of Shi by Journeys, said social media plays a major role in the creation of trends. She said it most likely had something to do with the sudden popularity of pineapple print.

“I think social media was, and is, a key ingredient to styles starting up and spreading into popularity as much as they do,” Gates said. “Honestly, however, there’s no telling what spiked the fruit hype. It all happened so rapidly and out of the blue.”

Linda Reyes, lead service worker at Forever 21, said the use of pineapples was easy to recognize without shopping around.

“I rarely get to venture out to other stores besides ours or stores surrounding ours, but I most definitely still see the pineapple trend taking over,” Reyes said. “There are other identifiable trends right now, but the pineapple is the most obvious.”

Reyes said she wholeheartedly agrees with the print’s popularity.

“I truly love how pineapples are on everything right now,” Reyes said. “I think they’re so effortlessly cute and give off a fun, happy, summer vibe. It is

Journeys displays their pineapple merchandise July 20 at the Tanger Outlet Mall. such a simple symbol and yet so impactful.”

Gates said those who aren’t eager to try on the trend could see it start to fade as fall approaches.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a fan, but I wouldn’t say I’m not

a fan either,” Gates said.

“Trends come and go, so I very seldom hop on those bandwagons.”

Mayekawa said she is fond of the style’s uniqueness.

“I think it is a really cute print and a really cool and

DARYL ONTIVEROS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

unique symbol of the season,” Mayekawa said. “I don’t remember a time when pineapples—or fruit in general, for that matter—was such a popular print in fashion.”

Mayekawa said she currently doesn’t own any pine-

apple attire, but is always on the hunt.

“There’s been no luck so far, but every time I go into a store I always tend to try on the pineapple merchandise,” Mayekawa said.

UNIVERSITY

Professor uses geographic profiling to fight crime, disease

By Denise Cervantes LIFESTYLE REPORTER @cervantesdenise

A partnership between two professors led to the recently uncovered new tool to combat infectious disease and terrorism.

Kim Rossmo, Texas State criminology professor, and Steven Le Comber, Queen Mary University of London mathematical biologist, recently discovered geographic profiling can be used to catch more than just criminals.

Geographic profiling is a method originally developed

by Rossmo to help locate suspects in serial crimes such as rape and murder.

The model uses statistics

to piece together the locations of crime scenes to help identify a criminal’s home or workplace. The system is now being applied to disease control and terrorist attacks, and is being used by law enforcement nationwide.

“You are trying to identify a source of the home base of a criminal offender or the origin of a disease based on a number of connected locations,” Rossmo said.

Rossmo said a portion of his research relates to Hans Fallada’s novel Alone in Berlin, which is based on a true story and describes how one couple distributed hundreds of postcards promoting an anti-Nazi Berlin in 1940. The pair were eventually caught in

1943 and sentenced to death.

Rossmo said his research, which was recently published in Geospatial Intelligence Review, revealed that the couple could have been located within a few months using his geographic profiling techniques.

“When we heard of the book, we saw an opportunity to maybe explore the geographic profiling and the problem the Gestapo faced back in the 1940s,” Rossmo said. “It sparked the idea of the models.”

Although geographic profiling was originally designed to fight crime, Rossmo said it can now be used for infectious disease control thanks to the ap-

plication of biological data

by Le Comber.

“The crimes of the offender or the incidents in the cases of disease—even though they’re very different subject areas, the problem is very similar,” Rossmo said. “Any time you have a situation where you’re trying to figure out where something is, and you don’t know where that is, but you have some manifestation of it, then it’s applicable.”

Le Comber said he reached out to Rossmo as a doctoral student upon discovering his geographic profiling research.

Since then, Le Comber said the two have worked together for 14 years to con-

nect geographic profiling to disease control.

“It already has a big effect in law enforcement,” Le Comber said. “That was all Kim. But when Kim and I started to work together, we applied it to biological data.”

The idea of geographic profiling first originated when Rossmo was a student working with his doctoral supervisor, Paul Brantingham.

At the time, Rossmo said Brantingham and his wife were working on a model that studied crime activity space.

“I was interested in maybe converting that model,” Rossmo said. “Say, we may

not know where they live, but we do (know) the location of the crime, so we turn things around and try to figure out where they’re most likely based if we know where those crimes occurred.”

When Rossmo first approached Brantingham with the idea, he said he wasn’t sure if there would be a sufficient amount of data for the model to work reversed.

“I thought it was a great idea, but I didn’t know if he would be able to get enough data,” Brantingham said. “It was a wonderful experience to have a graduate student be so successful. He was very hardworking, diligent and insightful as a student.”

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