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%\iz ©amecock University Saturday, Feb. 17 ■ Suspicious fire, Bull Street garage. Reporting officer W. Bonds responded to a report of a fire on the second level of Bull Street garage. Upon arriving, he found someone had burned a pile of confetti near the northwest comer of the garage. ■ Noncriminal mischief, Preston room 124. University Housing reported that someone dischaiged two fiije extin guishers through the window of room 124, causing smoke and powder residue. Co lumbia Fire Department and USC Health and Safety were informed and responded. Reporting officer: 0. Taylor. Friday, Feb. 16 ■ Larceny of balance, School of Medicine. USC employee Marlene Wil son said someone removed two portable standard electronic balances, estimated at $240, from a secure room. She also told police other people had keys to the room. Reporting officer: L. Morales. Columbia Sunday, Feb. 18 ■ Assault with intent to kill, 2100 block of Two Notch Road. Fernando Lee said a Cadillac pulled up next to him while he was driving and a man reached out the window and shot sever al bullets at his car. Lee was unhurt, but there were several bullet holes in the side of his car. Reporting officer: A. Richard son. Saturday, Feb. 17 ■ Public drunkenness, 275 Harbi son Blvd. Reporting officer observed Michael Rizzuto unsteady oi his feet with slurred speech and a strong odor of alee hoi about him. Rizzuto wis arrested ?d transported to Richland bounty Demo tion Center. ■ Aggravated battery with ntent to kill, 2559 Millwoid Ave., Sids Su per Laundromat. Dona Paison siid some one ran back into tie laundromat after she’d asked him tdeave and stabbed a man named Aaron^ith a knife. The vic tim was stabbed nmerous times and was unconscious wbn police and EMS ar rived. He was Iter transported to Pal metto RichlanrMemorial Hospital. Po lice are still loking for the suspect. ■ Drunkemess, aggressive beg ging, 700 larden St, Comer Pantry. Re porting o flier P. Currie saw Jerimia Moul trie appr aching several people and harassing-hem for change. ■ DisCderty conduct 3900 N. Main St. Reprting officer N. Jones said he saw Barbar Cutner, 28, shed her clothing and urinae in the roadway. Cutner was ar restel and transported to Richland Coun ty retention Center. ■Found property, 2549 Cherry St. Jickie Chambers, 44, said children had bund a pistol behind an apartment build ng and had been playing with it. The gun never went off, and police determined it was an ISP Lorcin .38-caliber handgun. Reporting officer: J. Burham. ' Mayor announces new city manager ■ First woman takes over position after predecessor resigns by Brandon Larrabee The Gamecock Columbia’s city manager resigned Friday, and the first woman to hold the post will take over Monday in a surprise change announced Friday by City Council. Assistant City Manager Leona Plaugh has taken over Michael Bierman’s post. ' ' Bierman, city manager since 1997, will be given more than $ 135,000 when a year’s pay and other benefits are counted, Mayor Bob Coble said Friday. Coble said Plaugh was the first female city manager of Columbia, and it’s believed she’s the first female city manager of any city of comparable size in South Carolina. “We’re very proud of that fact,” Coble said. Plaugh, an Eau Claire native who has worked for the city for 25 years, was choked up as she accepted the job. “This is really the day that dreams are made of for a native Columbian,” she said. Plaugh has been assistant city manager for 10 years, she said. She has also worked on two regional planning councils. Coble said Plaugh’s former position won’t be filled. Between the position’s $ 116,000 salary and the overhead expenses associated with it, the city will save the $ 135,000 Bierman is being paid, Coble said. The decision for Bierman to step aside had been made in the past few days, Coble said. Plaugh was asked to take the position Wednesday. “Mike has worked hard for the city of Columbia, and we appreciate his service,” Coble said in announcing the switch. He described the move as a “mutual decision,” despite various issues swirling around City Hall lately. Those include: ■ A Thursday meeting of City Council dealing with gang activity in Columbia might have been illegal. City officials closed the meeting, saying specifics would be discussed. But Coble and Police Chief Charles Austin gave The State conflicting statements as to whether specifics were discussed. ■ The construction of a golf course on a graveyard. ■ The possibility that city fees were waived for Councilman E. W. Cromartie. ■ A review of morale among city employees. These issues had no connection to the resignation, Coble said. “There are no factors other than there comes a time in every business relationship where, perhaps, a change is needed,” Coble said. He said City Council’s decision to go along with the arrangement was unanimous. Bierman described his mood as “bittersweet.” “In some ways, a burden is lifting,” he said. “In other ways, I feel bad.” Like Coble, he indicated there was nothing unusual about his resignation. “Sometimes, it’s just time to go,” Bierman said. Bierman, who plans on staying in Columbia, but said he didn’t know what he would do next. The city/state desk can be reached at gamecockcitydesk@holmail.com Gangs from page 1 going to school,” Austin said. Gang members, according to Austin, typically don’t take their wrath out on civilians. “They don’t have anything against anybody else, except people who claim it and aren’t really in,” he said. Though surroundings have a lot to do with gang membership, Austin, who said he never joined the gang because it didn’t interest him, said sometimes even strong, cohesive families can’t keep their children from the lure of gangs. “We grew up with a strong Christian background. We were in church four days a week. I don’t know why my brothers joined the gang,” Elections from page 1 for posting signs incorrectly, most of which were ruled invalid. Alpert said the commission usually defers to academic buildings on rules about sign posting. Other problems crop up when, as happened this year, regulations become Campus Calendar Monday, Feb. 19 ■ Debate: The Gamecock will hold a debate among Student Government’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The presidential debate begins at 5 p.m., the vice-presidential debate at 6 p.m., in RH 304. ■ Activity: T-shirt painting session for the Clothesline Project, 7-8:30 p.m., East Quad classroom. For more information, call 544-4576. Tuesday, Feb. 20 ■ Activity: T-shirt painting session for the Clothesline Project, 7-8:30 p.m., Columbia Hall and Sims classrooms. he said. The vagueness of it all is what has police in Columbia most concerned. They have little solid evidence, including how widespread membership has become. But, McColman feels tW it is an increasing problem across tW state. Miller said he isn’t convinced gang activity is growing, but that at least it’s becoming more publicized. This may be a good thing in the eyes of the police. “The main thing we’ve got to do is get out and educate the children,” McColman said. “If college students see gang activity or grafitti, they need to contact the USCPD or the city.” The city desk can be reached at gamecockcitydesk@hotinail.com garbled in the process of passing thr^ on to the candidates. “There are going to be glitches in the system,” she said. But Alpert said she thinks the elections are going well. “I think everything’s running smoothly,” she said The university desk can be reached at gamecockudesk@hotmail.com Wednesday, Feb. 21 ■ Activity: T-shirt painting session for the Clothesline Project, 7-8:30 p.m., Russell House 322/326. ■ Elections: Student Government elections at vip.sc.edu. Thursday, Feb. 22 0 ■ Elections: Student Government Elections at vip.sc.edu. Results announced after 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 ■ Activity: Dance Marathon To submit an event, send an e-mail to gamecockudesk@hotmaiLcom -II The lucky students who got a T-shirt on the first two Winning Wednesdays should do what with it on February 21? » Make a Flag Display it as pop art ||k Mail it to England Z' • if you were one of the lucky students to get a T-shirt during the first two \ Winning Wednesdays, wear your T-shirt on February 21 for your chance to win a ticket to the USC/UT game on February 27. • There, at half-time, six students will win their FIRST CHOICE OF HOUSING. However, everyone who competes is guaranteed a prize just for taking part in the CVCIlt. • Remember, everyone is a winner with University Housing. (IwjlWfyfUftlnl But feel free to ask the audience, they’ll tell you that living on campus is the total college experience and Winning Wednesdays are the only way to guarantee your first choice of housing. x ~ W 4 University Housing ^ Designing immunities for Living and Learning < t t