Maroon

              THE LOYOLA MAROON Vol. 72 No. 5 • • Loyola University New Orleans, LA 70118 • Oct 1,1993 • Mayoral candidates debate at Law School By Una Bergeron Managing Editor The five men campaigning to be New Orleans' next mayor jumpstarted the election season with a debate at Loyola Law School on Monday. Approximately 150 people attended the debate, sponsored by the Black Law Student Association and Alpha Theta Phi academic law fraternity.Candidates participating included state Rep. Mitch Landrieu, attorney and civic leader Donald Mintz, Assessor Ken Carter, private attorney Roy Raspanti and city Councilmember Lambert Boissiere. Four panelists took turns posing questions to the candidates. A question from WVUE-TV reporter Robin Cohen gave the candidates the most difficulty, and sparked a heated exchange between Mintz and Landrieu. Cohen, citing Raspanti's vow not to award city contracts to any business that donates over $1,000 to his campaign, asked if the other four candidates were willing to make the same promise. "Absolutely not," Boissiere said, adding that he owes no one favors and would choose the best qualified candidate for contract jobs. Mintz avoided directly answering the question, citing the need for rules and regulations regarding campaign contributions. Landrieu pressed Mintz for an answer. "I wasn't sure of the answer," Landrieu told Mintz. "The answer was yes you will, or no you won't?" "It's pretty clear, but Mitch, since you weren't listening, let me try to explain it to you," Mintz replied. Landrieu later said Mintz avoided answering thequestion because he benefited from contributing to former Mayor Dutch Mortal's 1986 campaign.Carter said that voters trust elected officials to fairly award contracts."Don't presume that one of us will do illegal things," he told Cohen. Panelist Darryl Derbigny, supervising attorney with the Loyola Law Clinic, questioned candidates on the land-based casino deal. "We have basically become a prostitute for the state of Louisiana," Landrieu said. The state has no responsibility to give the city money to aid police or other services connected with the casino under the current plan, he said. Raspanti, whose humor made him an audience favorite throughout the debate, said the public did not have enough say in the matter. "We did get to vote on one aspect of the casino: how many do we want? One or more? Great choice. I thought we were the bosses; I thought we told the people who held office what to do," he said. Boissiere praised the City Council's efforts in squeezing the casino deal to gel more benefits for the city. Questions regarding mayoral influence of the police department dominated much of the discussion. Candidates addressed the police chief appointment process and low morale among officers. Carter expressed disapproval over the current system of allowing the mayor to choose deputies for the police chief. Boissiere said getting officers onto the street by hiring civilians to do paperwork would aid the force. Raspanti said that hiring a trustworthy police chief may be the most important task the next mayor faces. Candidates also answered questions on economic development, education and public housing. Joining Cohen and Derbingy in questioning the candidates were Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge "This mayor's race Is about grabbing the city by the throat, turning It In the right direction and making sure that this Is a city of peace, a city that Is safe and a city that works.' Mitch Landrieu —Mayoral Candidate Heated Debate—Louis Westerfleld, dean of Law, welcomes candidates In the upcoming mayoral election. Behind Westerfleld, (from left to right) Donald Mlntz, Ken Carter, Roy Raspantl, and Lambert Boissiere prepare for the debate /Photo By Timothy A. Deal Community unites for walk to combat AIDS By Emily Drew Assistant News Editor Wearing running shoes and pink stickers reading "Count on me in the fight against AIDS", over 40 Loyola students joined the community in raising money to help combat the AIDS virus. An estimated 15,000 people participated in the NO / AIDS WALK on Sunday, bringing in pledges of over $390,000. After registration and aerobic warmups, participants lined up and began the 10 kilometer stretch. Various checkpoints offered refreshments and information about the AIDS virus itself. The walk concluded in Audubon Park with a concert featuring Charmaine Neville. Jenna Frances ki, English sophomore, volunteered at the NO / AIDS WALK. "This walk promotes awareness for those living with AIDS and raises funds," she said. "It also makes us more sympathetic and helps increase tolerance for people with the virus." Funds raised go to support the programs and services of the NO/ AIDS Task Force, educational outreach to prevent the spread of HI V, mental health counseling, early intervention programs and many other programs. "We (Loyola Law Students) joined with AIDS Law and Tulane Law School and [participated] to let people know that lawyers aren't frightened of the AIDS vims," Diane Lundeen, third-year law student, said. "We wanted to show that the legal community supports and gives legal assistance to AIDS victims." Mark Dean, sociology senior and member of LUSSO, decided to walk to show his support of his three friends who have died from the virus and another friend who is HIV positive. "This walk shows AIDS is not geared toward any one part of the community," Dean said. As a service project. Alpha Chi Omega sorority also participated. "We thought this was a good cause and a good way to get involved in the community," Claire Crain, communications sophomore, said. Many individuals walked to show support '1 wanted to do all I can to help because we really do need to fight this dreadful plague," Sonya Mathes, international business sophomore, said. "I wanted to make some of my residents more aware and [help them] to participate in a good cause," Emily Cavanaugh, psychology/pre-med junior and resident assistant, said. One community member and organizer was hesitant to comment on Loyola's participation in the project because of what he called "the school's stance on AIDS and homosexuality." "The school does not approve of the homosexual lifestyle if it involves homosexual activity," the Rev. James C. Carter, S.J., university president, said "A person with AIDS has all the rights of other human beings. Therefore, our commitment to social justice applies to them as anyone else," Carter added. AIDS FACTS • 1 in every 250 Americans is now HIV positive. • In the last two years the number of teens and young adults with AIDS increased by 77 percent. • AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death for American women between the ages of 15-44. • By 2000, up to 40 million people will be HIV positive. • By 2000, up to 10 million children will be orphaned by AIDS. •Up to 14 million people worldwide are HIV positive. Source: The NO/ AIDS Task Force See Debate, pg. 3 ininmiiii The Maroon will not be published next week due to mid-terms. Publication will resume on Oct. 15 TNSIDE **" THIS WEEK M^J HELP FOR THE HOMELESS Law students work clinic to help the homeless of the community. Pg. 5 RUGBY: RUGGED BUT READY Despite the team's inexperience, players have potential. Pg. 4 RIMERS OF ELDRITCH The drama season opens with an intellectual, small-town whoduniLPg. 9