page 2 - The Behrend College Collegian. Thursdav, October 30, 1997 CANDIDATES continued from page 1 Merski feels the education of our youth is an extremely important job, and that their education is instrumental in combating many of the problems that face society. A county-wide crime prevention program could also be beneficial, he feels, by having officers hired to speak to senior citizens on how to protect themselves from crime. Community outreach is not his only concern, however. "The Sheriff's department is the same as it was seventeen years ago. We need to reorganize to make it more cost efficent." Additional computers are also a needed item, according to Merski. Training of the deputies is a concern as well. Up-to-date training, refresher courses, and more in depth study, such as police training, would be greatly beneficial and are sorely needed. "The situations that [the Deputies] are involved in are not as volatile as the regular police, nor do they happen on a regular basis, but it does happen and not being prepared could be costly." Finally, Merski would like to have the area colleges become involved with the administration, by possibly having internship positions offered in the Sheriff's office. Donna Mindek is running for reelection against Rick Becker for Harborcreek Township Supervisor. Mindek has been a Supervisor for twelve years now, with that time being spent as the roadmaster. One thing she would like to see happen is a diversification of the duties of the Supervisors. Too often, she feels, the same job is done by the same person and variety might bring to light new solutions and ideas. One of the plans that Mindek has been helping to develop is the Comprehensive Plan for Harborcreek. This plan is a low density development plan, meaning that development is curtailed so as not to over-run the majority of rural, agricultural areas that Harborcreek wishes to maintain. This is a ten-year comprehensive plan which will also include transportation needs, as well as the addition of bike and walk ways connecting local parks. Also, in a few years, the Eastside access highway will begin to traverse through the Behrend campus, which Mindek feels will give the students more accessibilty, not to mention the surrounding community, bringing them closer to Behrend's many cultural offerings. When asked about the interaction between Penn State Behrend and the Harborcreek community in which it resides, Mindek had lots of comments and ideas--for starters, possibly having the local Harborcreek newspaper keeping in contact with the Collegian, having reporters share what is going on locally to keep the campus informed. Mindek would also like to see more student involvement in the community. For a number of years she has tried to involve fraternity students in the summer Harborfest, though she realizes that many students do not live in the area during that season. In addition, internships in the township building are another area where students could become involved in the community while gaining the valuable skills and knowledge that the township has to offer. Mindek would also like to foster the relationship between the Student Government Association and the township, possibly by having representatives from each attend the other's meetings. Becker could not be reached for comment. Avoiding STD's by Ray Morelli staff' writer Sure, it was fun while it lasted, but when you wake up the next morning, one has to ask: with all the risks in volved in being sexually active today, was one night really worth jeopardiz ing the entire future? AIDS, preg nancy, and a whole spectrum of sexu ally transmitted diseases (STD's) are out there, just waiting for the careless and irresponsible. The most menacing, of course, is the HIV/AIDS virus. The U.S. Depart ment Of Health and Human Services states approximately one million Americans have HIV, which translates into one out of every 250 people. Sandra M. Decker, a case manager for Northwest PA Rural AIDS Alliance, reveals some surprising information about HIV. "I'd say about fifty per cent of people with AIDS contracted it through high-risk behavior like gay sex, IV drug use, or extreme promis cuity." This means half contacted the virus through more common ways tra ditionally less associated with AIDS sufferers. "The biggest increase in infection is among twenty to thirty year-olds," Decker says. This age bracket in cludes college students and people who formed their life habits in school. "No longer affecting just junkies or homosexuals, AIDS affects every one," according to Decker. The AIDS Alliance can refer individuals for free testing and counseling. Case manag ers like Decker seek out help for AIDS victims. Testing and assisstance are strictly confidential. The Health and Wellness Center also offers free, confidential testing. "We would encourage anyone who's been sexually active to be tested," says Patty McMahon, director of the Health and Wellness Center. "AIDS is no longer a death sentence. With treatment, people can live normal, healthy lives for years," McMahon said. The Wellness Center can offer free or cheap treatment. • •• Besides just AIDS, there's p wide array of other STD's one risks con tracting by engaging in unprotected Are you voting in next week's local elections, why or why not? "I am not a registered voter up here, but I'm getting an absentee ballot back home." "I'm getting an absentee ballot." -Michael McCracken, 03, PLET "No, I didn't apply for an absentee ballot." "I think I am because I have some interest in how the votes come out." -Mark Delano, 05, History "No, I just don't get into politics." -Tiffani Kinkosh, 03, PLET "No, I'm not registered to vote in Erie County." "What elections?" -Fletcher Hochstetler, 05, PLET "Yes, I am because I believe as a Behrend student that Harborcreek officials should take notice to the needs of the ever-growing Behrend community." sex. The most common is condyloma, better known as venereal warts. Very prevalent in young people ages 16-24, condyloma is incurable. While active, these warts can be treated with acidic topical medicine, as well as with cryosurgery, which freezes the warts to kill them. Another common STD is chlamydia. Many chlamydia sufferers have no visible symptoms even though the scarring it causes in the reproductive tract makes it the number one cause of infertility in both males and fe males. Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. Herpes, unlike chlamydia, is incurable. Herpes works in cycles and even while dormant may still be transmitted from one person to an other. Another major concern pertaining to unprotected sex is pregnancy. Most college students are just learning to take care of themselves and certainly are not ready to be responsible for someone else. A relatively new option is the "morning-after" pill, called post-coital contraception. Up to seventy-two hours after unprotected sex, the pill can prevent conception. A wide variety of birth control is readily available, some at the Health and Wellness Center. The female con dom is now available in the United States, giving women another option. Used properly, it has a three percent failure rate. "College students are going to be sexually active, we want them to be safer," says McMahon. In today's world, one careless slip could have long-lasting, life-altering effects. Every step should be taken to avoid these problems, but if a problem does arise, it's important to seek treatment immediately. McMahon advises people not to be embarassed," Anyone can make a mistake. Things happen. No one should have to pay for the rest of their life for one incident. The door's always open." The next time you find yourself in a risky situation, think about the facts and ask yourself, "Is it really worth it?" The AIDS Alli ance may be reached at (814) 456- 8849. -Michael Albert, 03, PLET -Jeremy Smith, 03, PLET -Shawn Morelli, 07, History -Mike Zampetti, 05, History NEWS WALKING DOWN THE LINE: Students wear special glasses that make them feel legally drunk during alcohol awareness week at Bruno's. Judge Joyce criticizes the justice system On October 23, 1997, Judge Michael Joyce, candidate for Penn sylvania Superior Court spoke at Behrend on "Legal Education and Topics of the Judiciary." In his speech he criticized the American jus tice system as overly litigious and called on the penal system to stop mollycoddling prisoners. Judge Joyce has been on the Erie County Court of Common Pleas for thirteen years and for those thirteen years ninety-five percent of his opin ions have been affirmed in Appellate Court. Pennsylvania is one of seven states that still elects judges to its appellate courts. Of the twenty-seven judges in the Appellate circuit, none are Penn State graduates, a fact that Judge Joyce is determined change this November. America is the most litigious coun t try says Joyce. Many cases that are brought to trial are about principles rather than money; these are cases where the courts shouldn't be in- volved. This practice leads to an in- by Ayodele Jones staff writer LOCATION: MERCYHURST COLLEGE CONTACT BEHREND CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND LISTINGS creased volume of cases which are pending in the judiciary system. If people would stop looking to the courts to resolve issues of unimportance, the amount of law suits would undoubtedly decrease. Joyce says that there are too many people in jail. Programs should be implemented to rehabilitate the prisoners because eighty-five per cent of crime is committed by re peat offenders. Prison should be a place where people never wish to return. Many prisoners who re ceive three meals a day, cable tele vision and the right to sue if their cookies are too soggy see prison as a step up. Joyce has been given the nick name "Maximum Mike" because he is tough on repeat offenders. His philosophy is to give first time offenders a break as long as their ret . l?l6lVfie id atte,or dealtwith heavy drug implications. - He Wiglieg t6"plintarilY flibils 'on rehabilitation for first time offend ers: repeat offenders should know the difference between right and wrong, because they have been • • I I SPONSORED BY THE ERIE COLLEGE CAREER COOPERATIVE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6,1997 1:00 - 3:00 PM ALL STUDENTS 3:00 - 4:00 PM SENIORS ONLY OVER 100 COMPANIES REGISTERED through the penal system before. There are a lot of lawyers in the legal system but there is always room for a good one because lawyering is the art of persuasion says Judge Joyce. It is very difficult to get candidates to run for county judges because it requires lawyers who are often making $20,000 more than the sitting judges to take pay cuts. Judges should serve the interest of justice, not their own. Judges are not a special people, they only have a spe cial job. It becomes a problem when a judge thinks he is a special person be cause he wears a robe. Judges are ser vants of the people says Joyce. Joyce says it is not critical to him to be a Republican or Democrat but the system is based on a two party system. Judge Michael Joyce has a history of being a conservative, hardworking judge, who serves the public. Joyce is aware of the fact that people have a mis- t4PY are not involved, but he promises ifclected one of his primary initiatives is to get closer to the people. i • 6. I. photo by John Hoderny ■ ► i • . no A •& i qiiii• 14 , ... • . •
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers