Saturday, December 3, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Rexburg City Council elections approaching
Rexburg City council elections will be held Nov. 3.
However, there are a large number of people living in Rexburg that are not getting involved in the elections: BYU–Idaho students.
BYU–I students are often impacted by what the council decides. The new parking restrictions around campus were passed by the city council and are affecting students every day.
Students are eligible to vote in city elections after living in Rexburg for 30 days.
To register as a citizen, go to the county clerk’s office. A driver’s license or a bill with your Rexburg address is needed to prove you have been living at the address for 30 days.
If you are already a Rexburg resident, it is possible to register to vote at the polls according to http://www.rexburg.org/electioninfo.aspx.
Donna Benfield, a city council candidate, hopes to get students involved in Rexburg.
“I feel strongly that Rexburg needs BYU–Idaho and BYU–Idaho needs Rexburg. I want to bridge the gap between both. Rexburg is ‘America's Family Community’ and that includes BYU–Idaho,” Benfield said.
There are three city council positions open. City Council President Christopher Mann, and council members Bart Stevens and Randall Schwendiman’s four year terms are coming to an end. Mann is the only council member to run again for office.
Other candidates for city council include: Christopher West, Bruce Sutherland, Donna L. Benfield, Lynn M. Betts and Kelly H. McKamey.
Other candidates were cotacted but did not return a call.
Members of the city council that are not up for re-election are Rex Erickson, Richard Woodland and Adam Stout.
LDS Church Member seeks seat in Congress
Rob Cornilles (R), a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has begun his campaign for congress in 2010.
Cornilles, a small business owner and life-long member of the Church, launched his campaign for Congress in August. Cornilles is running in Oregon’s first congressional district.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks in his devotional address last Tuesday, called for people like Cornilles to get involved in the “public square.”
“I have relied on an old military maxim that when there is a battle underway, persons who desire to join the fray should, ‘March to the sound of the guns.’ So it is that I invite you to march,” Elder Oaks said.
Elder Oaks also discussed religious affiliation in obtaining a political office. The constitution states, “No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public trust under the United states (article VI).”
Cornilles does not see any issues with his religion hurting his political campaign.
“Why would religious affiliation hurt a republican candidate who shares the same religion as the democratic Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid? It hasn’t hurt him, so why should it hurt me? If someone who opposes me because of my religious faith doesn’t at the same time oppose him, they are demonstrating it’s not about religion, it’s about politics,” Cornilles said.
Cornilles hopes to help individuals and communities within his district to “achieve their full potential” according to his website,cornillesforcongress.com.
“We need representatives in Congress who are of the people,” Cornilles said .
Murderer identified at mystery dinner
“Who-done-its” like Clue have been around for years. BYU-Idaho has its own version, a ’50s themed Murder Mystery Dinner. On Oct. 29, students gathered together to solve the murder of Vincent Royal. Approximately 60 people were involved in the Murder Mystery Dinner including participants, volunteers and managers. The story includes eight characters who work in a theater. The characters need to prove their innocence and try to win an actor of the year award from the theater owner.
“The mystery dinner was [started by] a group of students two semesters ago. They were in a class where they had to do an activity on campus, so they decided to do the mystery dinner and it was a big success. We’ve done it every semester since,” said Brittany Campbell a senior studying social work and manager of the Murder Mystery Dinner.
Every semester since the Murder Mystery Dinner began, the plot has been the same. However, next semester they are planning to change the story.
“I had already done this murder mystery once. It was a lot of fun, and I liked it a lot. The second time around I decided to do it because I wanted to see if I could be the murderer and get away with it.
When you already know the story it’s hard not to reveal things before they are supposed to be revealed, and the other one is that you want to get the best character award. It’s hard,” said Andrea Stevens, a senior studying social studies education composite.
Students showed up donning ‘50s attire. Men wore suspenders, suits and fedoras. Women wore A-line dresses and pin-ups which helped influence the atmosphere of the event.
“My favorite parts were getting dressed up, everybody getting in character, and going back to the ‘50s,” said Colton Hyer, a junior studying military science.
Students had plenty of reasons for attending the Murder Mystery Dinner. Some used it as a date night while others showed up to the event stag.
The dinner was set up so that it worked either way. Dates were able to sit at the same tables, but still got to meet other people.
“We were looking for something unique and different to do, other than watching a movie,” said Courtney Smith, a senior studying history education.
Dinner was provided, and guests were given more clues during each course. The clues helped participants understand motives and move closer to winning the award at the end of the game.
“It’s more than just a dinner. It’s a game, it’s entertainment and it’s a fun date night,” Campbell said.
Once the murderer was revealed, the players took time to tell more about their characters and to learn more about the real lives of the people they had spent the evening with.
“Figuring it out was so cool, but actually getting to know everyone, I feel like I’ve met everyone before and we’re really close,” said Rachael Olsen, a sophomore studying exercise physiology.
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