Posted on 04/14/2005 1:20:25 PM PDT by Rebelbase
The Senate Chambers in Witherspoon Student Center were overrun Wednesday night with the ever-expanding ranks of scurvy dogs and scalawags as Elections Commission Chair Bonnie Pierson revealed the results of the remaining offices of the 2005 Spring General Election.
Although candidate Will Quick almost doubled his votes from last week's election, Whil "The Pirate Captain" Piavis clinched victory in the runoff for the position of student body president.
Student Senate President candidate Forrest Hinton was also elected, along with Senior Class President candidate Carla Babb, who triumphed over Hisham Salama by a mere 32 votes.
Quick's small show of supporters, consisting largely of Student Government members, were confined to the corners of the chambers by the large crowd of pirate enthusiasts, who chanted and cheered to Pierson's announcement.
During a short speech to dissenters and supporters alike, Piavis revealed his real name and declared that during "The Year of the Pirate," his main focus would be getting the students involved with Student Government.
"We're quickly goin' to bae getting our plank started, get the simple things out of the way," Piavis said. "Then we'll bae working on getting the Senate out to the students and out to the college councils."
Although many of his opponents claim that he is making a mockery of the Student Government's highest position, Piavis asserts he is serious about his role, gimmicks aside.
"This simply bae a way to get people to pay attention and get involved," Piavis said. "We're not a group that bae full of ourselves. We bae out here for the students."
Piavis faces staunch opposition from members of Student Government, who according to Quick, "weren't looking forward to working with The Pirate Captain." Quick said this has the potential to harm Piavis' work throughout his term.
"[Student Government's] overall goal is to get as much accomplished as we can," Quick said. "I hope that the perception I got from the beginning is somewhat changed [soon]."
Piavis said however, that he wasn't worried about winning their favor, pointing out that many new Senators will be entering Student Government over the course of next semester.
"We're liking the fact that most of the Senate are new scrogs," the Captain said. "Me hopes the rest bae coming around. [Our crew] not bae a bad lot."
Despite Piavis' popularity on campus as the Captain, Quick did mention concern for the perception of the University on a larger scale.
"Outside of campus, I don't know what this will do to our reputation and our effectiveness as Student Government," Quick said. "I'll be tuned in as closely as anyone else."
According to Hinton, who defeated candidate Tommy Ozbolt 59 to 41 percent, Piavis has already achieved one of his goals. An astounding 25.7 percent of the student body visited the polls during the runoffs, a number which exceeded even Pierson's expectations.
"We owe it to The Pirate Captain for getting students involved," Hinton said. "What I really want is that same 25 percent to stay involved with Student Government all year."
Ozbolt said he was thrilled that Piavis won, citing him as "the last chance Student Government had for change."
"If they would have elected the 'Tony Ticket,' it would have been the same old crap with a bunch of elitists walking around in suits," Ozbolt said. "He's the radical reform we've been pushing for."
Hinton said he would be willing to work with Piavis the same as any other candidate and said he looked forward to doing extensive work with the Senate.
"We have to fix the structure of Senate," Hinton said.
As for the dissenting view of Piavis in the eyes of many Senators, Hinton said he would have none of it. According to Hinton, "The Pirate Captain won fair and square."
"I support the decision of the students," Hinton said. "They watched and made an educated decision."
Aye, I be thinkin' that would be the appropriate course o' action.
'Tis ne'er too early for a splash o' the grog. Wi' a twist o' lime ta be preventin' the scurvy.
We be wantin' our hardies ta be healthy an' strong when we be boardin' yon Spanish treasure ships ta loot the booty an' send yon Dagoes down ta Davey Jones' locker!
Unfurl the main'sl, raise the Jolly Roger, load the cannons and pistols, grab ye cutlasses, an' do 'em the dirty, lads!
Things have certainly changed at my Alma Mater in the 35 years since I left her!
AARRRRRRGGGGH! Forgot to mail me taxes, I did!
Please FRmail Constitution Day, TaxRelief OR Alia if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.
Ahoy, me hearty!
I bae late for the ping.
I were carousin' and gallivantin' about yon mainland yestereen.
Arrrr! Tis a Pirates Ping now is it? Aye be much obliged to ye matey!
Identity problems? The Wufpack are emulating me mateys in Greenville and you're worried about ECU identity problems? Dang! That's sure a silly way of turning things around.
There'll be extra rum in ye tankard tonight. Arrrgghhh, thanks for the ping, matey.
;^)
Uh-oh. MN elected Jesse Ventura because they wanted something "different".
"Yeah, see, I think people want to look like pirates. You know, it's the right time for it.. to be all puffy, and devil-may-care.."
Looks like they made yer image walk the plank, matey!
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