ALL OVER THE MAP: 'Cloud Atlas' intertwines multiple stories to craft a far-reaching visual masterpiece. ) PAGE 5A ~be1Mician &iI&, Ann Arbor, Michigan Monday, October 29, 2012 michigandailycom ELECTION 2012 Democrats set sights on recapturing state House Ouimet targeted as Dems support Saline Mayor 0 Driskell By ANDREW SCHULMAN Daily Staff Reporter Though State Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) claims he is friendly with his colleague State Rep. Mark Ouimet (R-Scio Township), Irwin spent much of the summer campaigning for Ouimet's opponent in the 52nd district election, Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell. To Irwin, the Republican incumbent has given up his moderate values to side with the ranking Republicans in the state legislature and Republican Gov. Rick Snyder on issues like education cuts. At a rally co-hosted by Driskell and the University's chapter of the College Demo- crats Sunday night at Circus Club in Ann Arbor, Irwin emphasized the opportunityfor Democrats to re-claim the state House of Representatives as his reason for endorsing Driskell. State Democrats need 10 seats to gaina majority in the legisla- tive chamber, and the party has been pressing the importance of winning elections across the state, such as the contest between Ouimet and Driskell, in an effort to reclaim control. At the event - which fea- tured U.S. Rep. 2 John Dingell * U~ (D-Mich.), his l wife Debbie Dingell and State Sen. Rebekah Warren (D- Ann Arbor) - discussion of the House races overshadowed the presidential election, even as poiis show a narrowing presi- dential race in the state. "This is ground zero," Debbie Dingell told the crowd of about 100 people. "We have so much at stake." According to the Democratic officials at the rally, the future of state politics is at the fore- front of the state House races. . "You're here because you already know that the future of this state hangs in the balance right now," Warren said. "This is a big election." Officials at the rally also See DEMOCRATS, Page 7A tRIN tIRtLAND/Daily Senior quarterback Denard Robinson donned a jacket and watched the second half of Michigan's 23-9 loss to Nebraska from the sideline at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Robinson injured a nerve in his right arm that affected his ability to grip the ball late in the second quarter. Redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Bellomy replaced Robinson and struggled mightily, going 3-for-t6 passing with three interceptions. For more, see SportsMonday, inside. NATUR A.L DIS AST E R Sudents brace for Sandy Massive storm heads toward the East Coast By ADAM RUBENFIRE and TAYLOR WIZNER Daily News Editor and Daily toajReporter Hurricane Sandy is expect- ed to wreak havoc on the East Coast this week with sheets of rain, high winds and heavy snow slated to impact one third of the country, including Uni- versity students partaking in programs in coastal areas. Officials have warned mil- lions of residents living in com- munities in the storm's path to evacuate, and various business- es and public transit systems have been closed, including some subway routes in New York City. Several universities have also closed their campus- es due to the storm, including Georgetown University, Boston University, New York University and Princeton University, while many others have canceled Monday classes. Of the 17 University of Michi- gan students in Washington, D.C. as part of the Michigan in Washington Program - a pro- gram that allows students to complete an internship in D.C. while receiving University cred- it - many will not be going to work Monday due to the storm. University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said the MIW par- ticipants will find solace in their housing facility, which is staffed 24-hours a day to ensure protec- tion of its residents. "All 17 students are living in a solid building in D.C. that has weathered many storms there without even losing . power," Fitzgerald said. "We are confi- dent the U-M students in Wash- See SANDY, Page 7A * * * A N N A R B O R V O T E S ** Millage would provide $65M to A2 libraries Community split to determine whether the Ann Arbor District Library should over proposal receive a $65-million bond that will finance the building of a to fund facility new facility to replace its cur- rent main branch at Fifth Ave- construction nue and William Street. Margaret Leary, the presi- By ANGELA SON dent of the AADL Trustees and DailyStaffReporter former director of the Univer- sity's Law Library, said the new When Ann Arbor voters head building would better serve the to the polls this November, they needs of the community with a will be have the opportunity 400 seat auditorium, meeting and tutoring spaces, computers and a caf6 with-extended hours. "The condition and size and quality of a public library (are) a real indication to the world of how important education, lit- eracy, reading and community gathering are," Leary said. "And by that measure Ann Arbor doesn't stand up ... Ann Arbor is really falling behind in that regard." Leary said the library build- See LIBRARIES, Page 7A Voters to determine fate of $5M proposal for city parks Funding would be In order to continue financing Department for the city of Ann the city's recreation facilities, Arbor. used for upkeep of Ann Arbor voters will decide Smith said more than $5 whether to approve Proposal million in reductions will' be 157 facilities, 2,088 A, a $5 millon per year park required from the annual park acres of land millage, which would renew a budget beginning with the fis- arSolad similar millagfepassed in 2006. cal vear 2014 budgzet. which James Acheampong a master drum carver from Ghana, carves cordia Wood into drums on Friday in Palmer Commons. U.S. HOUSE In new 12th district, Kallgren the GOP alternative to Rep. Dingell By STEPHEN YAROS For theDaily It's expensive to operate 157 parks and facilities on more than 2.088 acres of land. If approved, the millage would span another six years. Without the renewal, a num- ber of recreation facilities and parks will close, according to Colin Smith, the service manag- er for the Parks and Recreation t-t ya ' , Y U ~ CL, witl commences on July 1, 2013. This accounts for approximately 45 percent of the operations, main- tenance and 'capital improve- ments budget for the park system. See PARKS. Page 7A Republican a long shot to unseat Dean of the House By SAM GRINGLAS Daily StaffReporter Trenton resident Cynthia Kallgren spends a lot of time knocking on doors, climbing porches and ringing doorbells - she is a congressional candi- date on a mission. Though she doesn't have the seasoned . experience of her opponent, U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the Repub- lican candidate hopes her back- ground as a "Downriver girl" and small-business owner will resonate with voters on Elec- tion Day as she seeks to repre- 'sent Michigan's newly drawn 12th Congressional District. However, for many voters in the district - which stretches from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, south to Monroe County, and east to the downriver commu- nities of Dearborn, Trenton and Southgate - Kallgren is not a familiar name. Winning the race of name recognition is a tough feat in the face of a "dynasty," Kall- gren said, as Dingell has held office since 1955, after replac- ing his father who had served since 1932. See KALLGREN. Page 7A WEATHER HI:41 TOMORROW - Lo38 GOT A NEWS TIP? NEW ON MICHIGANDAILY.COM Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail #michlinks news@michigandaily.com and letus know. MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS/THE WIRE INDEX NEWS ....................... 2A ARTS ...................5A Vol. CXXIII, No. 35 AP NEWS ..... .. 3A CLASSIFIEDS ........,..6 A ©2St2TheMichiganDaily OPINION............... 4A SPORTSMONDAY.........1B michigondailycom