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Show Friday, February 23, 2001 T H E SIGNPOST Page 5 By Mark Gray news edilor 7ie Signpost The mission of Utah Transit Authority is simple, to provide mobility to the public, according to Michael AUegra, UTA director of transit development. Different forms of mobility will consist of buses, commuter rail and light rail if Allegra gets his wish. Allegra joined Weber County Commissioner Kenneth Bischoff and Ogden City Mayor Matthew Godfrey- at Weber State University's Honor's Issues Forum Thursday in the Stewart Library for a discussion on mass transit north of Salt Lake City. "We feel we have fairly good bus coverage out there." Allegra said. But it needs to be consistent, he said. Approximately 20 percent of UTA riders are college students, according to Allegra, who hopes 70 percent of college students will use public transit one day. He said 70 percent of WSU will be within walking distance of bus stops after routes get realigned.But Allegra's main focus is commuter rail. He hopes to make local communities more "transit friendly." Allegra said he envisions a hard rail track stretching from Payson to Brigham City with a commuter train that travels 80 mph. Although, he admits this kind of proposal could take as long as 30 years. Fraternities f : .'TL . -ri 0 T ""w w V-; : . -r " - .' .. .. . B , m . They hope to start this long process with light rail and commuter rail in Ogden. "We're pushing really hard," bischoff said, "because we believe commuter rail would be a really good thing for the people of Weber County." Bischoff said commuter rail could reduce traffic, pollution and the number of vehicles ' people own. He would also like to see public transit running from Ogden's hotels to Ogden'a ski resorts. There needs to be light rail in Ogden because it's going to build. Godfrey said. "When we fix downtown there's going to be congestion. "If we plan now, then we can do it cheaper than other urban centers," he said. "We want Ogden to be a university town, a college town." Godfrey's envision of the new downtown consists of office space, retail, entertainment, housing, "a mall that has actual stores in it" and public transpiration."One of the reasons I'm so excited about commuter rail," Godfrey said. "I believe this will have a great economical impact on Ogden." They hope a public transit system in Ogden will produce similar results to Salt Lake City's Trax system, which averages 17,000 passengers on weekdays and 25,000 on weekends.To do this, however, people need to come to Ogden, Godfrey said. Commuter rail from Salt Lake City to Ogden's Union Sta- have fun, friendly competition with Travis Perry (above) and Eric Neff (left) prove just how big their mouths really are when they came in first and second respectively in the marshmallow contest. Perry was able to stuff 25 marshmallows in his mouth, while Neff fit 23. Weber State University's local fraternities got together Wednesday night for some friendly competition. In addition to marshmallows, the contests included eating doughnuts, hot dogs, Twinkies, pizza, cucumber with chili popsicles, bubble gum, milk and rootheer. Several fraternity members ate rr mnrh fhov pnt oVk fry A Michael Allegra, UTA director of tion would bring them, he said. "It's really a compelling situation," he said. "I think we see kind of this regionaj tourism that will happen around Union Station." After being dropped off at the station, people would tour mu By Andrea Sarris news writer The Signpost The fraternities at Weber State University joined together Wednesday night to participate in friendly competition of devouring as much food their bodies could handle. "Events like this are a great symbol of Greek unity," Adam Diamond, a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said. "A lot of people don't realize that there is fun stuff that goes on at Weber. It's not just a commuter school." The events consisted of eating doughnuts, hot dogs, Twinkies, pizza, cucumber witli chili popsicles, bubble gum, milk and root beer in an allotted amount of time. Zach Schmail, Greek Council public relations officer said, "The events appeared to be fun, yet torturous." Each event varied in the requirements set for the contestants to earn points for their fraternity. Pi Kappa Alpha won overall. The milk chugging contestants had an hour to chug milk, and keep it down. Nathan Clay, Dave Hellewell and Dennis Erdmen competed against one another, but came up short in earning points for their team. None were able to hold their milk for the full hour. Pike Rhet Wilson was able to consume five doughnuts in three minutes. Scott Kafcr. Veteran Affairs Senator, won the Twinkie eating event. Kafer finished six Twinkies in five minutes, then grabbed a seventh from his challenger, proving him the Twinkie King. Travis Perry, anther Pike, was able to stuff 25 large marshmallows into his mouth, while the runner up. Eric Neff. stuffed 23. John Young, Sigma Chi Omega, and Chris Gilchrist. Sigma Alpha I i I I I -0 transit development, talks about the seums, walk up and down 25th Street and spend money, Godfrey said. This project will cost between $130 million and $150 million, Bischoff said. "It's not inexpensive to complete." "We're looking for a balance Epsilon, tied in the hot dog event finishing 13 dogs in five minutes. Young said, 'The hot dogs were really hot and I'm stuffed, but this is great." The bubble gun contestants had to chew as many Dubble Bubble gum pieces that would fit in their mouths. After 25 minutes of stuffing and chewing, Elgin Moore won the event chewing 85 pieces. J.C. Kidenourblew his competition away, finishing an entire pizza in five minutes. When he found out he was the winner, he stood up and did a victory dance, shaking his bare belly excitedly for all to see. Ray ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS AND PRIOR SERVICE PERSONNEL JOB SKILLS MONTGOMERY GI BILL EXCELLENT PAY$$ You can have all of these benefits with the Army National Guard! For about two days a month and two weeks a year you can make a difference. You'll be eligible for educational benefits like the Montgomery GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, and you'll get an extra paycheck. Call the Army National Gu ard tod ay! y yX H l-OOO-GO-GUARD future of rail systems in Ogden. between public transportation and the automobile," he said. Godfrey, who admits public transportation was on the city's wish list a year ago, said in order to have a solid downtown there needs to be public transportation.Food Night Kotter consumed 34 of a two-liter bottle of root beer in three minutes, winning the root beer chug. The last event was the popsicle eating contest. The popsicle's were cucumber with chili flavor. Brian Agvs easily won the event finishing five popsicles. "They tasted as good as they sound," Schmail said. Russ Rampton, coordinator for Student Organizations, said, "Bringing all the fraternities together in one room for friendly competition builds brotherhood, within the chapter themselves, and in the system as a whole." Vv |