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Show 'Westminster College -- Salt Lalce City, Utah VOLUME XU: ISSUE 2 VWW.THEWESTMINSTERFORUM.COM SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 Environmental debate held for SLC mayoral candidates Conservation and environmental policy among major topics discussed " Chelsea DiFrancesco StafFWriter The consumption of this whole society is just dis- gusting, mayoral candidate J. P. Hughes passionately said of consumerism during the recent Wasatch Front Forum mayoral candidate debate. The debate, sponsored by the Westminster Environmental Center, Save Our Canyons and KCPW radio, took place on Tuesday, Aug. 28, in the Gore Auditorium. Director of the Environmental Center Kerry Case described the Wasatch Front Forum as an opportunity for both students and members of the community to voice their opinions and effect change in environmental We wanted to create a place policy decision-makin- g. focus where we could just on the environment, said Case about organizing the debate. Each of the five candidates, J. P. Hughes, Keith Christensen, Dave Buhler, Jenny Wilson and Ralph Becker, was given eight minutes to discuss what he or she thought were the most pressing environmental issues facing Salt Lake City and how he or she would address these issues as mayor. Questions submitted from the audience before the debate were then read to the panel and the candidates were given one minute to respond. "This is not Vermont, this is a desert!" J.P. Hughes, Salt Lake City mayoral candidate One of the major issues brought up by all the candidates was improving Utahs air quality. Christensen said that the problem of air pollution transcends all issues. The candidates all stressed the importance of encouraging greater use of the mass transit system for daily commutes. Wilson suggested, to the agreement of the other panelists, that increased mass transportation to the canyons could also be part of the solution. As well as working with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to ensure efficient bus and TRAX routes, the candidates all expressed a need to promote safer lanes and paths for bicycle riders. Christensen said that it is possible to bike in Salt Lake just not safely. Becker expressed his commitment to creating segregated and dedicated lanes for bicyclists. Water conservation was another major issue that the candidates focused on during the debate. Hughes said that it is criminal that 67 percent of Salt Lakes water is used to maintain green lawns. He added with the crowds laughter and applause, This is not Vermont, this is a desert! The candidates also agreed that they would all oppose giving water rights in the canyons to developers. The protection and acquisition of green space and open space was also a focal point. The entire panel of Continued on page 9 L Photo by Jonny Bonner J.P. Hughes, Jenny V Dave Bukler, Keith Christensen and at Westminsters mayoral debate. Center welcomes new perspectives New director and counselor join the Counseling Center staff Mentorship Program, which Frost Kate Reed StafFWriter New faces are everywhere at Westminster this semester. Dr. Lisa Jones and Michelle Call, LCSW, have joined the Counseling Center staff to replace former director Kathy Couillard and counselor Jeff Bell. With them, the two counselors bring new perspectives and experience to the college, with Jones being a certified psychologist and Call a licensed clinical social worker. Call, who recently transitioned from a job at the Rape Recovery Center, is excited for a college setting. I really love working with college students. Westminster College students seem to be really functional. Im psyched! Call said that the transition has been great. People have been very welcoming. . Assistant Director of Residence Life Aimee Frost is looking forward to working with the new counselors. Im excited. Having new faces and ideas will be good for Westminster. Both Jones and Call will be assisting with the Peer part of. It is there to help students plan a safe activity, Frost explains. Tables will be set up at school dances, for example, with information like taxi cab numbers and any other information that will help in guiding the students towards planning a safe activity. The focus is to help students reduce the harm typically associated with drugs and alcohol. Students are faced with all kinds of new and challenging obstacles that may be difficult to talk about with their peers. The center allows students to talk about any number of issues that may arise in their lives, such as homesickness, stress and home-lif- e difficulty, to name few. a The aim of the counseling center is to be available for personal counseling on any range of issues, said Jones. The Counseling Center is located in the basement level of the Shaw Center. Services are available to Westminster students, faculty and staff Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.- -5 p.m. All Westminster students can receive 12 sessions per academic year. is a Campus Athletics Feature Neuroscience now Westminster. Tailgate party marks the start of another athletic season. Ski jumpers at Westminster balance life. 3 Pae O PageS 1 Issue 2 Highlights Wilson, Ralph Becker explained their environmental policies officially a major at ) j Page 6 |