Opinions
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4 – The University Star
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Endorsements for candidates are declared the main
T
point.
he University Star editorial board is endorsing Ryan Thomason and John Thomaides for City Council Places 5 and 6, respectively. After much deliberation, the editorial board feels these candidates would best serve the San Marcos community. Thomaides has a proven track record that speaks for itself. He has been good to Texas State and the community. His stances on bringing higher-paying jobs to San Marcos, making the city more pedestrian-friendly, reducing drunk-driving by extending bar hours and his support of the commuter light rail connect not only with the community, but students specifically. His opponents certainly are not against these endeavors, but Thomaides has acted on them. He has spent his time and effort working on the problems facing our city. Monica Garcia is a good candidate but what she would do is not greater than what Thomaides has done and will continue to do at this point. Her passion for serving her community is evident, but her lack of experience is a concern. The most perplexing candidate is Anita Fuller, who has not seemed to take the campaign seriously. She has not given interviews to local media outlets and her only presence has been at the debates. If she is not going to diligently campaign, why should we believe she would work hard for the citizens of San Marcos? Ryan Thomason over Shaune Maycock in Place 5 was a harder decision. Both candidates have qualities that would make for a productive council member. Thomason’s work with the Planning and Zoning Commission and his long-time commitment to the community gives him the edge. It is obvious Maycock cares about San Marcos and is knowledgeable in local politics. The same can be said for his opponent. Also, Maycock’s work with the river is commendable. However, Thomason’s practical experience makes him the best choice for the seat. Lastly, Lisa Marie Coppoletta has run an organized campaign for Place 5, but until recently, has declined interviews with The Star. Coppoletta is knowledgable about the issues, but the editorial board does not feel it can endorse a candidate who has so rarely accessed the main channel reaching university students. No matter how students vote, they should participate in the democratic process. This means not only making an appearance at the polls but researching the candidates to make sure the right choice is made. Interviews with City Council candidates, which factored heavily into the editorial board’s decision, can be found at UniversityStar.com. The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.
Russell Weiss/Star Illustration
Apparent lack of progress discourages youth vote By Tristan Watson Opinions Columnist Getting students to register for elections has always been a problem, and getting them to vote has been an even bigger hurdle. Society cannot ascribe lethargic behavior as a reason for young adults not registering or voting. There are other causes for why students don’t vote. Maybe students feel it’s not worth the time and their vote doesn’t matter. Some probably
feel the issues don’t affect them. Last week was the end of early voting for those who took an interest in choosing City Council members and the proposed amendments. The voter turnout was low, but this should have been expected. Non-presidential elections usually don’t generate an abundance of voters. ASG President Chris Covo can provide excuses for why students didn’t register or vote. The fact remains people feel city issues or electing city representatives are not vital enough to vote on. “The student government did not arrange an early voter registration drive like in years past because of midterms and other obligations,” Covo said. “Voter fatigue is often the reason for the low outcome.” People may not feel strongly about city issues, but candidates need to carry out their plans for San Marcos. They don’t need to give
residents political nonsense for a vote. If sufficient changes were noticeable in the City of San Marcos maybe people would be more willing to take time and vote during elections. Students and residents listen to these candidates talk about implementing changes, which are sometimes hard to find. John Thomaides is the only incumbent running for City Council. He expressed his concern about making San Marcos more bicycle and pedestrian friendly in a recently filmed interview. He is working on getting higher paying jobs, and focusing on the downtown redevelopment. These issues are nothing new and may be one possible reason people didn’t register, vote early, or chose not to vote. If people are looking for an answer for why young adults don’t take an interest in voting, one possible answer is it can be hard to see the progress our elected officials are making. Individuals would be willing to vote in city
elections if they saw changes and improvements. Mandy Domaschk, College Democrats president, said she “wishes ASG and the College Republicans were more proactive in influencing students to register.” I disagree with this statement. Why should ASG and the College Republicans have to be influential in getting students to register? If students really wanted to vote, they would. Last year’s presidential election produced record-breaking numbers of young voters. Students at Texas State and residents of San Marcos will take an active interest in issues that matter to or affect them. Some people are indifferent when it comes to city elections. It’s the candidates’ responsibility to attract youth voters by producing changes.
build better facilities. Prop 9 ensures all Texans have access to beaches. Prop. 11 restricts the use of eminent domain claims by the government. Prop 8 is important for the current veterans living in Texas and those the state will need to provide health care for in the immediate future. State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. (Brownsville), wrote in an Oct. 13 article for the Statesman that “in South Texas alone, we have roughly 100,000 veterans, many needing the specialized care only a facility such as the Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital in San Antonio can offer.” The amount of travel veterans have to go for the proper care only exacerbates their condition. They may not have the resources to make those trips. The Obama administra-
tion is questioning troop increases in Afghanistan. Texas needs to create the proper facilities to care for its future veterans. The language of Prop 11 does not rule out eminent domain entirely, but it clearly defines the term and circumstances of how it can be used. This will make it more difficult to claim. The text reads, “taking private property for economic development or to enhance tax revenues would be prohibited by the Texas Constitution, not simply by Texas law.” The government is required to keep seized property and not sell it to an entity that would pay higher taxes. Current law also means eminent domain can claim entire neighborhoods, but Prop 11 forces claims to be fought on an individual basis. Prop 9 would ensure “the public’s unrestricted right to access public beaches (is) a
permanent easement.” Gulf of Mexico beaches stretch for hundreds of miles, and the amendment would prevent them from falling into private ownership. If hurricanes cause beach lines to retreat, Prop 8 would still require them to be public property. The issue speaks to something more important though. Most of Texas land is “owned” somehow, excluding public parks. Beaches are the only land individuals should not have the right to own, regardless of the circumstances. Not everything belongs to everyone, but beaches should be an exception. Amending the Texas Constitution would mean the state has to change. Propositions 8, 9 and 11 would only be beneficial.
—Tristan Watson is a political science junior
Amendments create benefits for beaches, veteran care By Luis Baez Opinions Columnist
The State of Texas has seen plenty of change in recent years. According to an article in the Oct. 16 issue of The Austin American Statesman, the number of veterans who apply for specialized care has increased. Hurricanes on the coast have blurred lines between private and public beach property. Governor Perry’s plans for the Trans Texas Corridor were canceled in the name of private property. These three issues have taken the form of Texas Constitutional Amendments, and Texans have one more day to make sure the “yes” votes are cast. Prop 8 calls for Texas’ ability to contribute to federal veterans’ hospitals, and possibly
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—Luis Baez is a political science junior
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The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State UniversitySan Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright Tuesday, November 3. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.