Vol. XLIV, No. 5 Monday, November 1, 2010
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO FOR 44 YEARS
Coyote Chronicle
www.coyotechronicle.com
Freeway junction finally reopens
Ken Perry | Chronicle Photo
Construction may have taken months longer than expected, but now staff and students who are coming to and from areas East of CSUSB like Redlands can shave time off their commute now that the 210/215 freeway junction has been reopened.
By JOEY MONZON Staff Writer The 215-210 junction has been reopened, which is a relief for commuters, including many CSUSB students. The junction was closed for some repairs and renovations, which took longer than planned and forced many motorists who use the junction to make a detour a part of their route.
Center of controversy: Nov. ballot Measure C By MELISA BUIGUES Staff Writer
Melisa Buigues | Chronicle Photo
Signs indicate Measure C is at the center of controversy and San Bernardino residents will make a decision Nov. 2. Measure C proponents and opponents litter the streets with signs surrounding the CSUSB campus in an attempt to motivate students to go out and vote. The measure would amend San Bernardino’s charter allowing the city council and mayor to elect the city attorney, clerk and treasurer. San Bernardino has been a charter city since 1905 and as such has had the unique
“They were doing some drainage work [on the junction] and they repaved it,” said Jason Goldman the spokesman for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Goldman said that the junction that was recently reopened earlier this month was a project that was only supposed to go on for a month or two. Barbara Miller, who also works for Caltrans, said she thought the project that had started at the end of April
sovereign ability to determine their own qualifications for holding public office, forms of government and election rules. This unique proceeding has led to a measure, which in essence begs a fundamental question to the San Bernardino voter of whether they wish for cabinet level positions of the mayor to be his personal appointments, or if its residents should elect those who influence policy. Measure C’s proponents say appointing officials will reduce political showboating and lead to new professionalism at City Hall. “I support Measure C,” stated Dr. Ted Coleman, department chair for health sciences. “I think the city attorney, clerk, and treasurer should be selected specifically from a list of qualified, vetted, non-partisan individuals with the educational background and experience necessary to function effectively in those positions.” Coleman in addition states, “I also consider it essential that they be held to clearly defined standards, with accountability for their performance on a regular and ongoing basis.” “Political chaos dominates San Bernardino City Hall while our economy declines and jobs and businesses disappear. Despite changing elected leaders over the past 50 years, the nasty infighting has continued and is getting worse,” reads the sample ballot argument in favor of Measure C. Measure C’s opponents say appointed officials will lack the independence needed to protect San Bernardino residents from Continued on Pg. 3
would have been done a lot sooner. The closure, which was due in large part to a much bigger project- the widening of the 215 freeway, lasted six months. Any freeway closure or construction project could add a significant amount of time to the trip faculty or students make to and from school, especially for commuter schools like CSUSB. Continued on Pg. 3
Obama and fellow Democrats descend upon USC campus By ELVIA J. RODRIGUEZ Staff Writer
President Barack Obama spoke to students and community members about the importance of voting and supporting Democratic candidates at a rally. The Moving Forward Rally was held at the University of Southern California, Friday, Oct. 22 in front of the Doheny Memorial Library with about 5,000 people present. “And so you need to remember that this election is a choice between the policies that got us into this mess and the policies that are leading out of this mess,” said Obama. Obama encouraged students to vote and reminded them that within the next few days the California state election would take place. He said that the election would be difficult to win. People have endured economic hardships, loss of jobs, and even the inability for parents to pay for their children to attend college, he said. “We lost 8 million jobs before any of my economic policies had a chance to be put into place,” said Obama. Obama said that although the nation has encounters these struggles that the economy has improved, a depression was
avoided, and there has been a small growth of job opportunities. Armando Perez, 21 years-old community member attending the rally. “Obama is right. It’s going to take more than two years to fix the economy,” said Perez. We will get out of the recession, but it’s going to be a slow process.” Obama said that students have the power to make changes. During the presidential election students were the ones visiting people to vote, making phone calls, and finally voting. Shela Lewis, 53, voted for the first time in the 2008 presidential elections. “I voted in 2008 for Obama and this year is the first year I vote in California,” said Lewis. The president said that the efforts of students and Californians have impacted the nation. People will no longer have to worry about the cost of health care, small businesses have stayed open during the recession, and there are parents who were able to pay for college, he said. Obama said it’s important for everyone to go out and vote. “If everybody who fought for change Continued on Pg. 2