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THURSDAY July 6, 2006 Vol. 113, No. 157 | Athens, Georgia T-showers. High 84 | Low 65 | Friday 87 ONLINE: www.redandblack.com An independent student newspaper serving the University of Georgia community ESTABLISHED 1893, INDEPENDENT 1980 MMM...SPICY!!! >• Cuban flavor heats up Athens’ food scene VARIETY, PAGE 7 Athens' safely questioned Mayoral candidate considers new facility ‘biological threat’ By AUBREY SMITH basmith@randb.com Richard DeRose said he. thinks it’s “too late” for Athens. The mayoral candidate so opposes what he considers the biological threat of dis eases being studied in facili ties like the University’s Animal Health Research Center and the possible National Bio- and Agro- Defense facility that he’s using it as a foundation for his campaign — a strategy that he said makes him a “light ning rod” for these issues. “Sooner or later something- bad is going to happen here,” Derose, a contractor, said, referring to potential environ mental contamination fears from the research facilities. “Most people don’t even know the risk.” However, University pro fessor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar, Ralph Tripp, who will head the team of investigators operating in the AHRC labs, assures the Athens communi ty it shouldn’t worry. “There is no need for con cern. All these facilities are state of the art and modeled after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other government institu tions,” Tripp said. “There is no more danger in these facilities than in a hospital.” “These diseases are already out in the environ ment. We are not bringing in any exotic pathogens.” In fact, the opening of the University’s $63 million Animal Health Research Center as well as the area being named as a candidate for the $450 million National Bio- and Agro- Defense facili ty and a $1 billion vaccine manufacturing facility code- named “Project Aardvark” have many members of the >- See AHRC, Page 5 OnvnUii § / Animal Health Research Center Veterinary Medicine Vet Med Locomotive anostic Lab Y V .Lo.( Di j^m i Vet Med ncomotive iagnostic Center BioResources Wildlife Health GRAPHIC BY CUBBY WEST | The Red & Black Beatmakers bring battle to the ATH By TRAVIS WILLIAMS twillia@randb.com Music is competitive, and hip-hop — being founded on a tradition of men and women battling for the top position in rap as emcees, scratchers and now as pro ducers — is perhaps more so than other musical genres. Embracing this tradition, John Vereen, a local musician and producer, is attempting to give local producers a lime- lit arena in which to show their stuff. “This is a one-of-a-kind, first-ever event for Athens, and frankly it’s quite over due,” said Vereen, who has been making a name for him self locally. Having competed in sever al producer battles in Atlanta, Vereen promises that his event won’t be like any other battle anyone has seen. “We’re going to have local acts perform and real net working going on. These chances for like-minded indi viduals to get together and make great music and lasting relationships is what the Athens hip-hop movement is all about,” said Vereen. The event will take place Thursday, July 6 at 10 p.m. at Tasty World, and although this event is local in presenta tion, it is attracting attention from Atlanta and beyond. “This is a great opportuni ty for us producers,” said Mark Foster — a.k.a. Pops — a producer from Miami, Fla. “Events like this are just what real producers and musicians need.” Keli, a producer from Tallahassee, Fla., who is spending his summer intern ing in Atlanta, plans on com peting in the event. When asked whether the competi tive spirit of the battle could work against the undertone of unity that Vereen is trying to promote in the hip-hop community, Keli said, “No way. Win or lose, I’m just happy there is something for us. I haven’t been producing that long and things like this are still new to me, but I’m excited to give it a shot.” For the Athens hip-hop community, it seems Vereen’s competition comes at a very opportune time. “We are hitting them hard, and we don’t plan on stop ping,” said Vereen, referring to the recent AthFest focus on local hip-hop and other major happening events in the area. “This is going to be an epic story.” BORN TO RIDE PHOTOS BY LEIGH AUERBACH | The Red * Black A The American Motorcyclist Association and the International Motorcycling Federation’s International Women & Motorcycling Conference took place in Athens from Saturday, July 1 to Monday, July 3. They’re not just motorcycle mamas — they’re also sisters, wives, nieces and aunts — and from July 1-3 they set their sights on Athens for the American Motorcycle Association/Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme International Women and Motorcycling Conference. More than 1,000 attendees rolled into town for a weekend of speeches, seminars and a chance to share their hobby with others. They also got the down low on motorcycle repair and riding tours, as well as the chance to buy new gear made specifically for women riders. (Above right) Elizabeth Nevil, a University alumni, poses on her bike after rid ing in a parade through downtown. Nevil, 67, says that she is proof that you are never too old to enjoy riding motorcycles. (Left) Motorcycles fill the parking lot of the Classic Center, which was the head quarters for the AM A/FI M International Women & Motorcycling Conference Sunday. Diabetic drug may be linked to cure for HIV University scientist tests drug in last stages of FDA approval By PHILLIP BLUME pblume@randb.com A potential cure for HIV may have been discovered by a research team that includes University scien tists. Neither the University nor the drug company that pro duces the potentially HIV-curing drug have officially announced the new treatment, which is still in its last phases of clinical studies. Already used to treat a chronic condition associated with diabetics, the drug is designed for long-term use and would be less harmful than other HIV drugs. Thomas Hodge, a senior research scientist at the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, is hopeful about its prospects. “The existence of this useable drug put us ahead by ten years,” Hodge said. “Now we can cut to the chase.” The “chase” is getting the drug to the tens of mil lions of people diagnosed with HIV worldwide, if it passes clinical studies. Hodge is now waiting for drug samples to test on cell cultures, which he feels cer tain will be a success. “We know what the drug does, and it’s exactly what we need it to do,” Hodge said. “It works so well, researchers are saying they’ve never seen anything like it.” It’s just a matter of doing the cell cultures and getting the FDA to approve the drug’s use for HIV, he added. The FDA process for approving the drug is in progress, according to Hodge. He expects to see human trials of the drug as early as January 2007. The 25 drugs used to treat HIV work by shutting off genes or proteins of the ► See VIRUS. Page 5 “It works so well, researchers are saying they’ve never seen any thing like it. ” DRUG FACTS What: Potential cure for HIV Who: A team of scientists including Thomas Hodge, James L. Murray, William A. O’Brien and Don Ruben Why: The 25 drugs used to treat HIV work by shutting off genes or proteins of the virus, but this approach is not a per manent solution since the virus can mutate. When: Human trials of the drug are expected to begin January 2007. Ex-dean lawsuit reaches final stage of appeal By DAVID PITTMAN dpittman@randb.com The lawsuit filed June 27 by the former dean of the Grady College of Journal ism and Mass Comm unication in Fulton County superior court is the last effort in a line of appeals, his attorney said Wednesday, July 5. John Soloski, a current professor and former dean of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Comm unication, already has lost his appeal to the University, Board of Regents and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after resigning his deanship amid claims of sexual harassment last summer. “Dr. Soloski looked at everything he could do before filing suit in this case,” said his Atlanta- based attorney, Brandon Hornsby. Hornsby said Soloski is not after money, even though the former dean seeks damages in excess of $1 million in his claim. “This law suit is about Dr. Soloski’s right to a fair hearing,” Hornsby said. “That has been what he’s been looking for since day one.” In his resignation letter on June 27, 2005, Soloski stated his salary for this year be no less than that of the highest-paid full professor in Grady College. In the academic year starting July 1, Soloski will go from making $130,015 to $190,000, accord ing to a letter from Stephen Shew- maker, University director of legal affairs. The latter amount equals the salary of the high est-paid full pro fessor in Grady College. With that salary, Soloski is scheduled to teach two classes this fall: a 280-seat undergraduate course, In troduction to Print Media, and a graduate-level semi nar. Regents spokesman John Millsaps said it is “not uncommon” for an employ ee of the University System of Georgia to sue the school where they are currently employed. However, it’s unclear how often or who sues the school for which they’re working as that information is not explicitly stated on any legal documents filed. SOLOSKI INSIDE TODAY | News: 2 | Opinions: 4 | Variety: 6 | Sports: 9 | Crossword: 5 | Sudoku: 9