Showing posts with label debates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label debates. Show all posts

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Downtown Association Debate


Debate before the San Marcos Downtown Association - Opening Statement

Downtown Association Debate


Debate before the San Marcos Downtown Association Question 1: What are two problems and solutions regarding the downtown.

Downtown Association Debate


Debate before the San Marcos Downtown Association Question 2: Imagine it is your birthday and you are at a City Council meeting. What would be your birthday wish?

Downtown Association Debate


Debate before the San Marcos Downtown Association Question 3: What can the City of San Marcos do to increase transparency in local government?

Monday, September 21, 2009

Downtown association to grill candidates at Tap Room

Downtown association to grill candidates at Tap Room

Posted on September 21, 2009 at 9:53 am • PrintShare

http://www.newstreamz.com/2009/09/21/downtown-association-to-grill-candidates-at-tap-room/

STAFF REPORT

The Downtown Association will play host to the six candidates running for the two city council positions at its monthly meeting on Wednesday. The meeting will be held at the Tap Room, 129 East Hopkins Street.

Downtown Association President Brian Montgomery said the candidates were invited to meet with the association because of its focus on issues involving the downtown area.

Issues of interest to downtown include revitalization, parking, late hour bar closing, police presence and an overall city commitment to a vital business and entertainment district.

The six candidates include Lisa Marie Coppoletta, Shaune C. Maycock and Ryan Thomason for Place 5 and incumbent John Thomaides, Anita Fuller and Monica Garcia for Place 6.

The Downtown Association of San Marcos is a volunteer organization comprised of people interested in promoting the appearance, safety, vitality and economic development of the downtown area.

For more information, contact Montgomery at The Wine Cellar Bistro and Boutique, 200 N. LBJ Drive, Suite 101, or call him at (512) 805-9463.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Incumbent’s Response to Digital Town Square Debate for Community and Candidates to Interact

I have taken the video down from 10/31/08 PM because it is so telling. It was up for 24 hours, it will be in my documentary after the election.


Thursday, October 30, 2008

Digital Town Square Online Debate - Where is the Incumbent?

Digital Town Square - Digital Town Hall - Online Chat Debate
What an awesome concept! At least that is what me and the reporters from the Statesman thought.

I cannot take credit for the coined term "Digital Town Square" or "Digital Town Hall" more than likely the latter. It was the Austin American Statesman reporter who coined the term. I posed the concept in the interview with the reporters and they really responded well to the idea. Once of the reporters even discussed doing a feature on this notion at a later date. I have lots of ideas of how this can be implemented with a variety of "rules" for the proposed format.


The incumbent's voice mail box is full - after leaving numerous messages trying to get this thing 'online'.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Still from LOWV Debate

Thursday, October 23, 2008

League of Women Voters hosts debate - Newstreamz

League of Women Voters hosts debate
Posted in: Cops & Courts, Hays County, KyleBuda, News, San Marcos, Texas State University
by Rasmi Hunt
Correspondent
"The first issue on the plate for Council Member Place 4 candidates was affordable housing. Lisa Marie Coppoletta said there needed to be open lines of communication within the community when it involved housing costs. Incumbent Place 4 City Councilmember Chris Jones asked what the definition of affordable housing was.

“$80,000 won’t buy you a house in San Marcos,” he said. “It’ll buy you a condo.”

On the issue of revitalizing the downtown area, Jones proposed the introduction of a county-wide EMS system, tax increment financing and keeping the local money downtown. Coppoletta proposed keeping the pre-existing businesses alive by making San Marcos a desirable location for the film industry."
To read the rest of the story please visit this linK:
League of Women Voters hosts debate

NOTE: For some reason our debate is the only video that has yet to be uploaded for online viewing. This debate was broadcast live on Time Warner and was a packed house. I have called Newsteamz and posted a note on their facebook fan page.  They are nice enough to agree for me to use the footage for my documentary.  But, where is our debate online?  Everyone else's is up.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

City Council hosts debate amongst local, state election candidates - University Star

City Council hosts debate amongst local, state election candidates
Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 10:35 am 
By Katie Tomasino
Published in University Star, October 21, 2008, Volume 98, No. 23
News City Council debates elections
The future of San Marcos was a key talking point for local politicians Monday night.
"The main issues discussed in the City Council Place 4 race were centered on affordable housing and the revitalization of downtown.

“We must establish what affordable housing is,” said incumbent Councilmember Chris Jones. “We have to evaluate our policies to make sure they aren’t affecting prices of homes.”

Challenger Lisa Marie Coppoletta suggested cutting city spending as a possible solution.

“We’ve got to cut waste spending,” Coppoletta said. “We need to create innovative programs for affordable housing.”

Both candidates agreed the revitalization of downtown is instrumental for city growth. Coppoletta proposed bringing the film industry to the area, which she said would be a unique way for San Marcos to capture a new tourism market.

Jones suggested using revenue generated from downtown as a way to fund its revitalization.

“All of the money spent in downtown, should stay downtown,” Jones said."
To read the rest of the article please visit this link:
City Council hosts debate amongst local, state election candidates

Monday, October 20, 2008

LOWV Debates

Clip 1 – Opening Statements




Clip 2 – Affordable Housing




Clip 3 – Plan for Downtown Businesses


Sunday, October 5, 2008

Statesman Blog - Coverage of SMABOR Debates

I just found this link to a blog entry covering the SMABOR Debates from the Austin American Statesman Blog.  The blog entry  contains a video clip from the SMABOR Debates.

Friday, October 3, 2008

CONA Debate Footage & Written Responses




















The following were my written responses:


You can submit your answers as a Word document that is attached to an email, or you can include your answers in the body of an email. Thank you for your participation.

1. The city will soon adopt the Downtown Master Plan. If elected, how would you help to implement it? How long would you take to implement it?

Measures on a State level are already in place for my economic plan to work in tandem with the Downtown Master Plan. Film abatements foster increased “tourists” in the form of production crews to our restaurants, hotels, boutiques, specialized service industries and coffee houses. They also create a face for San Marcos on an international stage showcasing our downtown, historical district and surrounding areas. Long term productions create jobs for all forms of work such as high tech, construction, tailors, set decorators, and background acting opportunities. Texas State students could intern for major motion picture productions in a variety of capacities. In addition to productions, film and music festivals would also provide immediate economic return on our investment in terms of measuring time frames for effective solutions for the Master Plan.

2. Do you support the SF-6 limitation on the number of unrelated people living in a house in a single-family neighborhood?
The Land Development Code states that an area zoned SF-6 is “restricted to occupancy by a family and up to one other person who is not related to any of the family members by blood, legal adoption, marriage, or conservatorship.” (Land Development Code Section 4.3.4.5, p. 89)

Yes No Why?

I support zoning that’s fashioned from open discussion and is implemented via consensus by all stakeholders i.e. property owners, real estate investors, primary and affordable housing candidates. The ultimate resolution to the over arching problem that gave rise to SF-6 might be better served if the code is applied on a case by neighborhood basis. Neighborhoods are the genesis for cooperation and stability and all elected to serve are entrusted to protect the quality of life of his or her community.

3. Do you think that the city should encourage and perhaps help small businesses that might be founded here or that might come here?
Yes No Why?


If your answer is yes, what suggestions do you have for encouraging and/or helping small businesses?
The small business community is the lifeblood of San Marcos. My economic plan is targeted at boosting clientele and expansion opportunities specifically for small business in San Marcos. I have publically extrapolated on this position in each debate and open forum that I have been invited. My plan will also afford our residents and area youth with opportunities to create their own small businesses. A proactive approach to attracting motion pictures to San Marcos would include: increased, scouting location booklets, initiatives working with Governors office to attack feature films, television commercials and network television episodes. If you would like to review more of my research on these topics please visit my website at http://www.myspace.com/lisamarie4sanmarcos

City Council candidates debate issues affecting San Marcos - Newstreamz

City Council candidates debate issues affecting San Marcos 
LINK TO ARTICLE
LINK  TO PODCAST

Posted in: Community Groups & Nonprofits, Events & Appearances, Hays County, News, People, San Marcos, Scene, Top Community
by ANDY SEVILLA
CORRESPONDENT

The Greater San Marcos Area Council of Neighborhood Associations hosted the candidates for City Council Place 4, incumbent Chris Jones, and challenger Lisa Coppoletta, as well as, unopposed City Council Place 3 candidate Fred Terry, to discuss issues concerning San Marcos residents and CONA. All three candidates have different perspectives of the Downtown Master Plan.

Jones views the Downtown Master Plan “as a Council policy and use the established mechanisms such as the Capital Improvement plan to track and reemphasize the importance of staff implementing this plan. He said an implementation team comprised of staff, citizens and Council members to outline an effective and efficient implementation strategy is in the best interest of the Council. “It is important that we not burden homeowners with the cost of implementing our downtown plan; therefore, we must look to the business community, which will reap the rewards of the master plan, to fund this development.”

Coppoletta said her economic plan will work in conjunction with measures at the state level. “Film abatements foster increased tourists in the form of production crews to our restaurants, hotels, boutiques, specialized service industries, and coffee houses. They also create a face for San Marcos on an international stage showcasing our downtown, historical district and surrounding areas.” She said long term productions will not only create jobs for all forms of work, but will also allow for Texas State students to intern for major motion picture productions. She said film and music festivals would “provide immediate economic return on our investment, in terms of measuring time frames, for effective solutions for the Master Plan.”

Terry said the first two concerns he will address in terms of the Downtown Master plan are signage and entryways from Interstate Highway 35 into Downtown, and parking. “The plan is good and has many areas that need addressing. Over all, I see that bringing this plan to completion will take many years, mainly because of the costs involved.”

Supporting SF-6 limitation on the number of unrelated people living in a house in a single family neighborhood allowed for more disagreement between the candidates.

“What if three 70 year old women pooled their resources and rented a house because they are on a fixed income? Could they come before the Council and get a variance?” asked Jones. He said three years ago his answer was no, “however over time I have recognized how this answer fails to address a need in San Marcos, affordable housing,” said Jones. He said this issue is of specific importance considering the foreclosure environment. Jones said he has not “moved much on this issue; however it is important to understand how we arrived at this problem.”

Coppoletta said she supports zoning that derives from “open discussion and is implemented via consensus by all stakeholders, i.e. property owners, real estate investors, primary and affordable housing candidates.” She said the answer to this problem may be found on a case by neighborhood basis. “Neighborhoods are the genesis for cooperation and stability and all elected to serve are entrusted to protect the quality of life of his or her community.”

Terry said he is completely supportive of the single family neighborhood and the restrictions the code puts forth. He said he “also understand that the need for residences be allowed for the students and for younger adults.” He said he will implement similar efforts of San Marcos, California, and district area for Multi-family residences. “What we have with Historical Districting, we could have with Multi-family Districting.”

Keeping small businesses alive in San Marcos brought the candidates together.

“The city needs to sustain a welcoming environment for not only the small businesses that are here but extend it to new prospects, including those created through our partnership with Texas State University” said Jones. He said the city should not only provide financial resources, but also volunteer professionals, public relation specialists, conservation advisers, among other necessary areas. He said constant communication with the local chambers and successful business people are also needed. “Retention is not only the business of elected officials and paid staff but dependent on a supportive community. In other words shop San Marcos.”

Coppoletta said this issue is vital. “The small business community is the lifeblood of San Marcos. My economic plan is targeted at boosting clientele and expansion opportunities specifically for small business in San Marcos.” She said her plan will provide residents with opportunities to develop their own small businesses. She said a proactive approach for attracting motion pictures “would include: increased scouting location booklets, initiatives working with Governors office to attack feature films, television commercials and network television episodes.”

Terry said ignoring small business would hurt San Marcos. “Small businesses usually grow into large businesses.”He said the San Marcos Industrial Foundation operates the “incubator” that once was the recipient of city funds, “this opportunity is a great avenue for starting or struggling business to get a foot-hold on its growth.” He said the city offers funds for professors, police officers, and firemen to purchase homes within the city limits, and he suggests the same could be done for small businesses.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Debate thought process reflections

I have pleasantly discovered how old school is cool and although the computer is awesome for synthesizing the data, for actual speaking notes handwritten works best. Debaters love the PM prior to a debate. All the cramming in, all the thinking….the big picture, the micro level, how the argumentation intertwines.

Perhaps it is mental muscle memory from years and years of debate actually blocking out the arguments "cut and tape, cut and tape" as my friend Carol K. always used to say. As if the handwriting of it all was assisting us in learning all aspects of the issue, at least for those of that wrote our own blocks when we were in round advocating the positions. And, years and years of flowing argumentation visually on a flow pad. Mental mapping.

I usually like to block out the final arguments right before the debate as the adrenaline is going and my mind is working overdrive. This seemed to work for the SMABOR, Builders Association and ASG venues.

And, in the end it is what is in your heart that ultimately comes across to the audience. An awesome clip


Maybe it is just my learning style of kinesthetic
http://www.metamath.com/multiple/multiple_choice_questions.html

I am so honored by the authentic responses that I receive on a daily basis to our campaign.
Thank you to everyone for such kind words!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Texas State ASG Presentation - Clip

Saturday, September 20, 2008

League of Women Voters Debates

Dear Candidate:

Please reply immediately by email that you have received this message.

The San Marcos Area League of Women Voters commends you for offering to serve your community by your candidacy for the City Council of San Marcos. The League is providing two opportunities for you to present your views to the public --- the Voters Guide and the Candidates Debate. The League serves the candidates and the voters with these important programs. The goal of the League is to provide the voters of this area with information useful in casting their votes. We hope you will accept our invitation to participate in both activities.

The Voters Guide
Attached is a questionnaire for you to complete. (If you have trouble opening the attachments, please contact me.) The questionnaire must be received by the League via e-mail at jeannie@centurytel.net (or via mail at P. O. Box 1034, San Marcos, Texas 78667-1034) by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26. Your answers, plus those of the other candidates, will be published as part of a Voters Guide in local newspapers and distributed in local and area public facilities prior to the election. Your response is limited to 100 words for each question. Please limit your response to the allowed length. Responses will be printed as written with the exception of editing for length (we normally omit the last sentences). Responses received after the deadline may not be published. If your response to a question contains remarks about other persons or candidates, it will result in the deletion of your entire response to the question.

The Candidates Debate
The Candidates Debate will be held on Monday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 East Hopkins. A table will be provided for your campaign literature. Plan to be there early --- by 6:30 p.m. --- to meet and greet citizens as they arrive. The Debate will also be video recorded for future local television broadcast by Time Warner Cable on Digital Channel 1400 “Central Texas On Demand – San Marcos” free anytime. We hope you will stay after the Debate to further interact with voters.

Don't forget to indicate on the Questionnaire form whether you will attend the Debate.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization dedicated to educating interested citizens on matters of concern to the community, state, nation, and world. It does not favor any candidate or party over another, but strives to fairly provide information to the voters and encourages citizens to participate at all levels of the governmental process.

League of Women Voters Debates

SAN MARCOS AREA LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR VOTERS GUIDE
CITY COUNCIL ELECTION NOVEMBER 4, 2008


Please provide your responses to the following questions in 100 words or less for each question. Return your responses by 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 26, 2008 via email to: jeannie@centurytel.net. Email responses are preferred but mailed responses will be accepted if received by the above date.

Mail to: San Marcos Area League of Women Voters
P. O. Box 1034
San Marcos, Texas 78667-1034

I will attend the Candidates Debate on Monday, October 20, 2008. Yes __X___ No _______

Candidate’s Name: __Lisa Marie Coppoletta ______________________________

1. Describe your experience, education, and training that qualify you for this position.

2. What is your opinion about the proposed extension of bar hours to 2:00 a.m.?

3. Do you favor the creation of a police liaison position to investigate citizen concerns regarding police actions? Explain your answer.