Item 16 Consent Agenda - 12/01/09 Citizen's Comment Period @ San Marcos City Council

DEBATE VIDEOS - Uncut Advocacy - In Real Time

All three debates posted at website.

Early Voting on Campus 12/03/09 Kaela & Scout

Elections continue: Early voting on campus for City Council tie breaker - University Star

Elections continue: Early voting on campus for City Council tie breaker
Dec 2 2009 - 1:08am | DJ Nutter

Early voters began casting their ballots Monday as the people of San Marcos head to the polls for the second time to elect a candidate to City Council Place 5.

The only candidates on the ballot this time are Ryan Thomason and Lisa Marie Coppoletta — who got 49.9 percent and 26.2 percent of the votes Election Day Nov. 3, respectively, sending them to a runoff.

Candidates said economic issues are proving to be the No. 1 priority for voters who have been going door-to-door around the city.

“We have a $146 million budget for economic development,” Thomason said. “The most important thing either of us is going to work on is the budget, and well, Lisa has not been a part of that.”

Thomason said his experience as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and as a finance major make him the more experienced candidate regarding economic issues.

Coppoletta, disagrees, saying her 20-year experience working on grassroots issues in San Marcos make her the more experienced candidate. Coppoletta said she has focused much attention to issues facing veterans.

“(My proposals) are getting the ears of city officials,” Coppoletta said. “I’m also an activist in preserving the San Marcos River, and in making sure that graduating college students get good paying jobs in our community.”

Candidates said they want to set the record straight regarding any factually inaccurate information causing negative opinions among voters.

“I’ve heard people say that I want to fill the river with concrete just because I’m involved with economic development,” Thomason said. “Nothing has been too derogatory, and I’m surprised because five or six years ago we had a different kind of politics in San Marcos.”

Coppoletta said being thrown into the political realm of name-calling was expected. She said putting debate videos on her campaign Web site is an effective way to dispel the legitimacy of any mudslinging.

“People know that I’m the first person to speak up, but I’m also the first one to compliment,” Coppoletta said. “I know what’s in my heart, but I’m still sensitive.”

Coppoletta said she has been receiving donations since November, but still considers herself a grassroots organizer.

Thomason said he spent less money on the runoff election because more than $20,000 was spent on November’s election for less than 2,000 votes. He said the consistent trickle of new people donating to his campaign have helped pay for writers and signage.

“Six different people used money in six different ways last election, and only 7.09 percent of registered voters went to the polls,” Thomason said. “Signs can’t vote, money can’t vote. Only people can vote.”

Early voters can cast their ballots at Hays County Elections Office until Dec. 11 or at LBJ Student Center Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5p.m.
Election Day will be held Dec. 15, with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dr. Katherine Albrecht Interview

Archives below from today's interview with Dr. Katherine Albrecht

Hour 2 ( Download the MP3 )

Lisa Marie Coppoletta

Good friend of the show, Lisa Marie Coppoletta, is in the midst of a run off for Place 5 on the San Marcos City Council. Early voting for the run-off election will be from Monday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Dec. 11. Early voting will take place only at the Elections Administration Office on Broadway. The proposed Election date will be Tuesday, Dec. 15. Jesse Benton pops in for a brief conversation with Katherine about the proposed health care reform that is underway in Washington D.C..

Lisa Marie Coppoletta for San Marcos City Council

Lisa Marie Coppoletta on MySpace

San Marcos Protest (television coverage)

THE RULE OF LAW RADIO - Interview on Run-Off Election for Place 5

November 09, 2009 Rule of Law interview about the run-off election.
http://mp3.ruleoflawradio.com/ROL/64k/ROL_2009-11-09_64k.mp3

OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING RUN-OFF ELECTION

Thank you to the 8% of San Marcos voters who chose to get involved, and made it to the polls on Tuesday November 3rd. Since we did not have a clear majority in the race for place 5, we are asking those who came out to again cast their ballot for a CHOICE on city council, and we welcome those who were not able to cast their vote to add their voices to this historic race to shape our local city council.

I have always fought against outside special interests and my track over the past two decades on this is well documented. The issues have not changed, and I will continue to be the candidate who knows that the role of city council is looking out for the best interests of the citizens, not for the special interests.

Our supporters are dedicated to getting voters to the polls. I received nearly 5000 votes just a year ago; I am confident in my chances in winning this runoff election as I pledge to continue to fight for people of San Marcos.