is a senior at Reliance College. His father is president of the college. Voltaire has a major in computer science, one the the strongest programs at the institution, and he is involved in various technology research projects. He also is active with various student organizations. He lives on campus.Nipsy More, a local businessman and property owner, lives out of town but owns the Eagle Sports World store on Station Street and has operated this marginally profitable business for a number of years. He also owns the Discount Shoes building, vacant since a fire. He also owns an unimproved residential property on the south side of the Eagle River, where he hopes to build a house.
Ima Peeples lives with her 25 year-old daughter, Erma, in a Second Empire style house behind the Eagle Sports World store. She leads the Concerned Citizens of Rivertown, a loosely structured advocacy group that is irregularly active. Issues she is concerned about include parking on the street in front of the Peeples' house; trucks servicing nearby downtown businesses, especially the Sports World store; and expansion of downtown businesses. The group lobbied for the construction of a small park at the corner of Biltmore Avenue and Elm Street, which was built across the street from the Peeples' house.
Clara Story is descended from one of the early families in Rivertown, the Biltmores. She lives in a Gothic Revival house next door to the Biltmore Mansion. Ms. Story has long been involved with the Rivertown Historical Society, a non-profit educational organization that collects artifacts for a planned local museum. Its primary goal is to encourage historic districts in selected areas of the city, especially in the older downtown area.
Al Feldt is owner of the Feldt Toys and Games store in the downtown. He and his wife built the contemporary style building in 1970 and he has operated the business since then. He knows the downtown well as a local business person and is well-liked by most residents.
Norman Tyler, manager of the First National Bank of Rivertown, the oldest and largest bank in the area, has lived in town all his life and is knowledgeable about the city's history and its current events. He lives in the River Heights area of the city. (In his non-fictional role, Mr. Tyler is author of this book and coordinates the online Rivertown simulation.)
