
All three debates posted at website.
Posted on September 21, 2009 at 9:53 am • Print • Share
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.
"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.To read the rest of the story please visit this linK:
“$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."
"The main issues discussed in the City Council Place 4 race were centered on affordable housing and the revitalization of downtown.To read the rest of the article please visit this link:
“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."
The following were my written responses:
“Lisa Coppoletta of San Marcos, Texas is exactly my kinda lady . . . . an activist … a freedom lover … absolutely one of these ladies we should all be applauding as an American heroine.”---- Dr. Katherine Albrecht, of Harvard University, author of Spy Chips, nationally syndicated radio show host. February 10, 2009 show
“This will change the way we implement policy in San Marcos.”---- Mayor of San Marcos during coffee regarding the mandatory microchipping public outcry, March 03, 2009