City distorts image of FAMU community

With Homecoming 2004 behind us, the reality of a grave misunderstanding between FAMU and the Tallahassee community still hovers over the University. There are fairly visible problems that plague the relationship between the two entities continually.

The Tallahassee community has a great lack of trust for FAMU and the events that it sponsors. This can be seen by the mass exodus of Tallahasseeans and the completely over the top number of police officers patrolling the city during Homecoming week.

Whenever a large gathering is expected, a city is expected to take the necessary precautions. However, there is a point where those plans become overkill. The way that the city of Tallahassee handles FAMU’s homecoming does nothing but generate fear and distrust for the University and its student body.

Residents are told through media outlets to avoid being on the streets and at the malls during FAMU’s Homecoming but encouraged to support events sponsored by FSU that draw at least the same amount of people.

From the city’s actions, it seems as if the FAMU student population lives in uneasy harmony with the city for 51 weeks out of the year but becomes completely unruly for one week. This is preposterous and must stop.

FAMU contributes greatly to the city of Tallahassee financially and emotionally and must be treated as a valuable member of the community all year long.

Tallahassee is our community as well, and it is time that FAMU receives the respect it has earned.

Know where to vote

If you are unsure about what precinct you are supposed to cast your ballot in on Nov. 2, it is time to figure that out now.

On Oct. 19, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that provisional ballots cast by voters who show up at the wrong precinct will not be counted toward the Election Day decision. The high court stated that Florida law clearly states provisional ballots must be counted only if a person is actually registered to vote at the precinct that they have arrived to cast their vote.

As Nov. 2 nears, more states are being forced to make a ruling on the same issue. As expected, those who oppose their state making a similar decision to that of Florida’s Supreme Court are raising their voices and citing discrimination.

At best, these protests are virtually baseless and ineffective.

Allowing provisional ballots cast at incorrect precincts to be counted is a sure recipe for chaos and a recurrence of the 2000 Florida recount. So keep in mind that if you are offered a provisional ballot, it won’t be tallied.

In that respect, it is imperative for those voters who are in the dark about where they should vote to call the Supervisor of Elections Office at (850) 488 1350.