Election 2014
ay r r u M State D E T O V
The News
Election
2
October 17, 2014
MAYOR BILL WELLS
The
Commitment Murray Deserves
Re-Elect Mayor Wells
The News
Election
October 17, 2014
From the Editor
•Demokratia (Greek): The people hold power• During the Mitt Romney and Barack Obama presidential election, I sat crosslegged for hours on my twin bed in Franklin Residential Hall, eyes glued to the glowing television. It was the first chance I had to vote Mary Bradley after turning 18 that Editor-in-Chief May. Naturally, an absentee ballot had been calling my name across the 340 miles between Murray and my hometown, Indianapolis. I followed along as each precinct across the nation reported numeral by numeral as anchors waited just as impatiently as the rest of the country for our commander in chief to be determined. Before Sen. Mitch McConnell spoke at the spring 2013 Murray State graduation, I stood wide-eyed and curious at the Curris Center Thoroughbrewed Cafe as a student slid me a small slip of paper, calling for my action to protest against the senator. I saw the text messages leading up to the first gay marriage in Indiana be
Rebecca Walter News Editor • 809-4468 Carly Besser Opinion Editor • 809-5873 Hunter Harrell Features Editor • 809-5871 Mallory Tucker Sports Editor • 809-4481 Kayla MacAllister Chief Copy Editor • 809-6877
All ads have been paid for by the candidate.
released by the company of my summer internship, “Indianapolis Monthly.” Now, 30 states have been granted the power to allow gay couples the right to marry. At that point in time, I was declared a journalism major, minor still undetermined until early in my sophomore year. Now, it’s probably not surprising my minor is political science. Politics surrounds so much of what happens in our world, whether we see it in each moment of our lives or not. Amidst all the mud-slinging and campaigning and demanding of birth certificates of elections, there is only one November day that matters most. It is day citizens of the U.S. exercise their right to vote. The world is full of people who want change. People who want to see their countries and our country make change for the better, whether right- or left-winged or moderate. People who have chanted in a declaration of democracy among millions of others through the soft scratch of No. 2 pencils. But no matter if the election is presidential, congressional or mayoral, one
&
thing remains the same: the power lies with the people. As our writers and editors spoke to city council and mayoral candidates, each interview had a consistent theme of bettering the city of Murray and the entire community of Murray State. We have heard the promises of a prosperous future followed by a dull groan of political apathy. We have seen students implore their classmates to care about our surrounding city and to register to vote or switch their registration to the city of Murray. We have watched clip after clip of the congressional race between Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell and his democrat opponent, Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. So, students, faculty, staff and community members of Murray, there are few things some see more important than the way our entire city and nation is controlled. The political arena is one of high stakes and extreme competition. It is one we, as constituents, have the ability to determine. Be heard. Take a stance. Go vote.
The Murray State News The News.org
2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Ky. 42071-3301 Email: thenews@murraystate.edu Fax: 809-3175
Mary Bradley
Editor-in-Chief • 809-6877
Elizabeth Legett Online Editor • 809-5877 Allison Borthwick Advertising Manager • 809-4478 Sarah Starks-Beitel Production Manager • 809-5878 Fumi Nakamura Photography Editor • 809-5878 Joe Hedges Adviser • 809-2998
Any city council candidates not listed in the questionnaire did not respond to attempts at contact by The Murray State News. They are encouraged to write a letter to the editor at letters@ thenews.org if desired.
3
Election
4
Are we apathetic?
The News
October 17, 2014
Harvard study shows students are less likely to vote
Rebecca Walter || News Editor rwalter@murraystate.edu
The claim that younger generations are politically apathetic is not new. But is it true? A national poll of 18-to 29 year-old Americans predicted a low turnout for the upcoming midterm elections, with only 23 percent of millennials expected to vote, according to an April study by Harvard University Institute of Politics. The survey found the most likely voters are traditional Republican constituencies, who have shown more enthusiasm this year than young Democratic voters. Desiree Isaac, student president of the Murray State College of Republicans, said she believes young voters appear to be politically apathetic. “One possible reason for this is that the younger generation doesn’t think as much about certain areas impacted by politics and government such as healthcare, taxation and programs like Social Security,” she said. “Another factor is the polarity of the two major parties and the tendency of younger voters to affiliate as independent. “Studies show that independent voters are less likely to be politically involved than those affiliated with either the Democrat or Republican party.” Issues such as debt and student loans seem to captivate younger voters, but those issues alone do not seem to increase youth voter turnout, Isaac said. Roughly half of those in the millennial generation voted in the 2012 presidential election, according to the Research and Information on Civic Learning and Engagement. Younger generations tend to favor Democrats
Kylie Townsend/The News
A student registers to vote at a booth inside the Curris Center. According to a poll conducted by Harvard University Institute of Politics, 23 percent of 18 to 29 year olds are expected to vote this year. more than other generabelief that their actions canunderstand what is happentions. According to another not lead to meaningful politing in politics, they may feel analysis by the Center for ical change or a perceived more apprehensive about Research and Information lack of knowledge about becoming involved.” on Civic Learning and politics and government,” he Shelby Finley, graduate Engagement, 67 percent of said. “College-age students student from Paducah, Ky., millennial voters voted for are also very busy with their said she finds politics conPresident Barack Obama in classes, et cetera, and simfusing and sometimes pointthe 2012 election and 30 perply may not be able to find less. cent voted for Mitt Romney. the time to become aware of “All of the back and forth The prior generation, issues.” between politicians is pointknown as “Generation X,” He said younger people, on less,” she said. “During had lower turnout in the 90s average, have a lower voter election season, it almost when they were in the 18-29 turnout than older generabecomes like a game of age group. They had a voting tions. advertising and selling than turnout of only 40 percent, “It is generally harder for trying to bring about actual according to the analysis. college-age students to regchange; it’s discouraging.” Austin Trantham, lecturer ister to vote, due to having She said she understands of humanities and fine arts, residences in their college the importance of political said he believes the youngtown and at home where activism and encourages er generation is more polittheir family lives,” Trantham those with a better underically apathetic because they said. “Political participation standing to participate to might feel their voices or through voting is also tied to make a difference. opinions don’t matter in pola lack of information about Political activism made its itics. issues, et cetera. If younger way to campus this semes “This is likely due to a people feel that they don’t ter.
The “Students for Alison” group worked throughout this semester getting students registered to vote. They registered more than 800 students to vote in the Calloway County area. Shyann Royalty, member of the College of Democrats, said she does not feel the younger generation is overall politically apathetic, but there is more polarization. “People are more polarized because of political scandals and social situations like Ferguson,” she said. Royalty said she believes politicians can get the younger generation more involved by visiting college campuses. Over the summer, Senate candidates Mitch McConnell and Allison Grimes were invited by the Student Government Association to participate in a debate on campus. Neither candidate accepted the invitation, although both have visited campus before. Zachary Wright, member of the College of Democrats, said he believes the younger generation is politically apathetic. “(It is a) lack of education toward how important the role of individual government is,” he said. He believes the generation can get more involved with politics by researching our political systems, Wright said. Isaac said the younger generation could get more involved with politics by starting at local levels and trying to personally connect with politicians. “Politicians can help motivate our generation to be more politically involved by directing messages at the youth and taking the time to speak personally with young constituents in locations such as college campuses,” she said.
The News
October 17, 2014
Election
5
Voters divided in ongoing senate race Polls show even support for Grimes, McConnell Amanda Grau || Staff writer agrau@murraystate.edu This November’s nail-biting Senate race is putting national attention on Kentucky’s voters as Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Alison Grimes jockey for a seat and put McConnell’s position as minority leader on the line. Grimes, Kentucky’s Democratic secretary of state, is trying to unseat 30-year incumbent McConnell. A media poll revealed the race is close. The Bluegrass Poll, conducted by four Kentucky media organizations from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, showed Grimes at 46 percent and McConnell at 44 percent. Libertarian David Patterson held 3 percent, and 7 percent of those polled remain undecided. McConnell’s campaign has emphasized his seniority in the U.S. Senate and the influence he has in Congress as Senate Republican leader. He said his position has allowed him to pass legislation and bring money into Kentucky during his tenure as a senator. Grimes, meanwhile, has argued that McConnell has lost touch with Kentuckians in his 29 years in Washington D.C. She favors increasing the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10. She also supports legislation to encourage equal pay for women, who currently make 77 cents for every $1 men earn in similar jobs. McConnell opposes those measures because he views it as government interfering with private businesses. His top priority is to repeal the Affordable Care Act. With a tight race, the number of people who vote Nov. 4 will decide the race. Both parties pushed students to
Associated Press
(Left) Kentucky democratic senatorial candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes speaks to a group of supporters during a rally on the University of Louisville campus in Louisville, Ky. (right) Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, addresses the media Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, at Donamire Farm in Lexington, Ky. secretary for Grimes, also Kelsey Daniel, junior from register and show up at votresponded to The News with Murray, said she is not sure ing booths. Movements like a statement about the supwho was running in the elecRock the Vote, which garners port of the grassroots comtion, but McConnell had her celebrity advocates, urge stumunity for the Grimes camvote. dents to be politically aware paign. Daniel, a registered and to participate. In a tight “We are utilizing our Republican who plans to cast race, students become an campaign’s strong grassher vote Nov. 4, said her “x-factor” – a volatile quesroots infrastructure to political stance comes from tion mark that campaigns reach out to young people her family life. struggle to pin down. across Kentucky to engage “It’s just what I’ve grown McConnell’s press secrewith them about the importup around,” Daniel said. “It’s tary, Allison Moore, respondant choice in this election,” what I’m used to.” ed to The Murray State News Norton wrote. Ashley Dumas, senior from with a statement underlining Whether these grassroots Owensboro, Ky., was unsure a confident outlook from the movements and millions of of who the candidates were campaign. dollars in TV ads are reaching as well, but said McConnell’s “Every day there are scores students effectively remains name rang a bell. Registered of young people across the to be seen. McConnell has as an independent, Dumas Commonwealth volunteerspent $13.7 million of his said she planned on gathering to knock on doors, call fundraised $23.7 million, and ing information on the canditheir friends and neighbors, Grimes has spent $5.2 million dates before voting. and communicate their supof her $11.4 million raised. “I’m an independent port for McConnell,” Moore Students still tend to be because I don’t think it’s wrote. “They are the catalyst uninformed on not just the about certain views but what and energy behind the grasscandidates’ platforms, but (the candidates) are repreroots movement to re-elect who is running in the first senting at the time,” Dumas McConnell.” place. said. “I choose based on their Charly Norton, the press
morals and values.” Dumas’ said her parents taught her to vote based on candidates’ principles, not for a party. Winfield Rose, politicl science professor, said an inform-yourself attitude is the best one to have. Rose is an ardent McConnell supporter and an unwavering Republican. As a professor, he does not hide his political views but encourages his students to never take information at face-value, he said. “I tell students don’t take opinion of anyone as law and gospel. Rose said not of professors, or parents or anyone. Students think to themselves well granddaddy would turn over in his grave if I voted that way. But he was living the politics of the 40s and 50s, not the politics of today. Can’t we make those decisions today?” Rose called political parties a “mental shortcut” – a way to circumvent the need to be informed on issues. “It’s a pretty shoddy way to vote,” Rose said. Rose said he sees his students shying away from voting because of a negative perception in politics. “Students think politicians are corrupt and in it for themselves,” Rose said. “I wash my hands of it and look the other way. That’s a mistake. A very big mistake.” It takes a willingness to invest time, money and energy to be informed and stay informed, Rose said. Technology makes staying informed easier than ever. But for Rose, the paper – he reads three each day – is the go-to means of keeping up with political issues. While reading three papers each day may be much, Rose said students need to find other means of keeping up with the politics world, citing online news sources and their various outlets.
6
The News
Election
October 17, 2014
ROSE VS. WELLS
Mayor Bill Wells faces off against former Regent Jack Rose in the upcoming mayoral race
Mary Bradley || Editor-in-Chief mbradley9@murraystate.edu
Former Murray State Dean of the College of Education Jack Rose is the second name listed for mayor on the November election ballot. For Rose, his non-partisan campaign includes door-to-door visiting and talking to Murray community members about his mayoral plans and what he would like to see the city become in the future. While Rose will face incumbent Mayor Bill Wells, he said he has covered all of Murray and has heard the worries expressed by people across town, students included. “I think there has been an impression that the city has been less than frugal on how it’s done business in past,” Rose said. “I think folks know that’s something I can change.” Rose said fiscal responsibility in the city is something he intends to focus on if elected and he has been
JACK ROSE
approached by people with the same concerns during his campaigning. His decision to run for mayor was due to that very issue. Rose said he was approached by a local business man who expressed his worries for local government spending, and wanted to see a change. He said this concern was echoed by others as well. “I talked to some other business people,” Rose said. “I talked to three bankers from different banks. I talked to one industry person who has been around the area for a very long time, and the message was the same.” While he intends to focus on fiscal responsibility if elected, Rose’s message also includes maintaining an effective and efficient administration, an open door policy and positive relationships with local, state and federal officials. While his message impacts the city, he said Murray State is not excluded from his plans. Rose said politics is important for
students to get involved in and get out and vote, because it is imperative for them to see and understand why things happen in the community. “To me it is critical that the young people get in (the political landscape),” Rose said. “Just get in there and use your head and use your mind. And stand for something. Take a position and know what you’re taking.” Rose said Murray State is incredibly important and so is student involvement because they could face tougher political times down the road. If elected, Rose said he plans to make a few changes if elected that students would like. The most debated topic would include no longer requiring students to purchase annual city stickers, which are $50 for passenger vehicles and $25 for motorcycles. He also said Murray State is the single biggest economic insulator for the city, and he intends for the city and the University to work closely
File Photo
together if he is elected. “I will try to work with the Chamber of Commerce, Murray State University officials, with the MurrayCalloway economic development group and the county judge executive,” Rose said. “Murray State is a major player in my book. If all we’re interested in is making this a better community and making this a better University … we’ll come up with a good plan.”
The News
October 17, 2014
Election
ROSE VS. WELLS
Mayor Bill Wells faces off against former Regent Jack Rose in the upcoming mayoral race
Incumbent Mayor Bill Wells is in the race for the mayoral position for a second time after his election to office in November 2010. Wells said many initiatives for his non-partisan future term would be beneficial to the Murray State community, and said he believes students should pay attention to politics. He said he advocated for early student involvement during his time as principal of Murray High School, too, and said he would have a person from the county clerk’s office register students to vote. “The earlier they start, the better,” Wells said. “It affects not only the citizens that are here year-round, but also for nine months of the year. So, we want them to have their input into it.” Wells said there will be some major city changes that could be in the works that can affect students and he said Murray is the eighth fastest growing city in the state of Kentucky. Such changes include making part
BILL WELLS
of state Route 121 into a six-lane highway and a $32 million dollar waste water treatment plant, which he said will benefit everyone for nearly 25 years. Additionally, the city has been commissioned by Kentucky to assess 16th Street and develop artists’ renderings of a possible over and under pedestrian bridge. “Once those things are done, we hope to have walkways and more of a safe path for the students in those walkways and for the people driving below them,” Wells said. “We know the signs we have up now are more of a stop-gap measure until we find out that if the state is going to fund that or not.” He said at this point in time, it appears the state has planned to fund the project. However, he said the ground work needs to be started before any official plans were made. The assessments will begin within the coming year.
Another possible transportation change the state has planned includes making Five Points into a roundabout. “You have to look into the future for what some of the needs could be,” Wells said of the upcoming changes. He said with the good working relationship established now between the city and the University, students can expect the best. He said he sees many positive changes coming, and said that is why he would like to be the mayor for the next four years. “Whatever strengthens the city, I think, strengthens Murray State, and vice versa,” Wells said.
File Photo
7
8
Election
The News October 17, 2014
The News October 17, 2014
Election
9
City of Murray Precinct List Murray #1 Murray #2 Murray #4 Murray #5 Murray #7 Murray #8 Murray #9 Murray #10 Murray #11 Murray #12 Murray #13 Murray #14
Courthouse First Baptist Church Fellowship Glendale Road Church of Christ CFSB Center Murray Elementary School Murray Calloway Area Tech Center University Church of Christ Seventh Day Adventist Church Christian Community Church Hickory Woods Retirement Center Westside Baptist Church Martin’s Chapel Methodist Church
101 S. 5th St. 203 S. 4th St. 1101 Glendale Road 1401 State Route 121 N. 111 S. Broach St. 1800 Sycamore St. 801 N. 12th St. 1408 Sycamore St. 1201 S. 16th St. 84 Utterback Road 207 S. Robertson Road 1619 Martin Chapel Road
A map of the city of Murray precincts can be found at TheNews.org
The News
Election
10
October 17, 2014
City Council candidates Note: Some answers have been edited for brevity.
Why should students vote for you?
Why are you running for office?
What is the role the University in the city of Murray?
Burton Young
I’m a graduate from Murray State. I’m presently a dentist and have worked around the University for the past 37 years. One of my main concerns is the safety of the students. I’m not sure if I’m in favor of redoing the street on Sycamore and 16th streets because there’s things like crosswalks, which won’t be included in that. I don’t understand how that’s going to solve the problem, especially at a cost of more than $1 million.
I believe I have an ability to communicate with people and coordinate efforts to solve problems. Again I have many friends and contacts and I feel that I could promote the city of Murray and Murray State and using those abilities, make things better.
I think students are a big part of Murray and they should participate in elections and have input on policies, have good communication with city administrators and city council and I think any issues that are issues of the students and Murray State University are issues for the city of Murray. There’s no separation between Murray State and the students at Murray State and the populace of Murray.
Joe Crawford
My focus is more toward changing a few things Murray has always been about. I was born and raised in Murray; we have lost a lot of our better jobs and I think we should focus a little bit more on trying to put some industry back into Murray and look at revitalization of some of the local businesses. I just think we need to try to look at what we can do to help Murray grow economically.
I was born and raised in Murray so I’m kind of passionate about Murray and I have young children and I would like to see Murray be a growing and thriving community for years to come so the people growing up here have a place to work and a place to call and be proud to call home.
I went to Murray State myself, got a couple of degrees from Murray State. The role of Murray State has changed a lot over the past 30 years, the way Murray perceives Murray State and some of the things Murray State students have been allowed to do. And students should have a say in some of the things that take place, more so than they have in the past.
Jane Brandon
I listen to the people. They come to me with their problems and I try to do what I can. For instance, a man had a pothole at the end of his driveway that had been there for ages and he couldn’t get the city to do anything so I brought it up one night to City Council and they fixed it in a few days. A lady called me one time around 11 p.m. and it was just pouring down rain. She told me her backyard had been flooding so I went to her house. I try to help people if I can.
Murray is my hometown and I love Murray and I want it to prosper and I want the people to prosper, I want Murray State to prosper of course. And just anyway I can help and represent the people, that’s why I’m running.
(The University is) almost half the population of the city of Murray. I think just about everything that the city government does, Murray State is included in it. We think about Murray State for zoning, when we’re paving streets and putting sidewalks, for anything Murray State is one of the first places we think of. Like the sidewalks off of 16th Street that we finally got over there. Those were needed for years and years and years and this overpass that’s going to be there and that’s very important to the people.
Ernie Bailey
Regardless of what many of the students think, Murray City Council has a lot of influence on their lives. It isn’t just the city stickers, that’s one issue that always comes up when students are talking about the city and city council. If, in the future, we decide to do away with the city sticker or replace it with a payroll tax, and I’m not saying this is going to be done, that would impact every student who has a job in Murray and on campus as well.
I’m almost 70 years old, but I’ve lived here all my life. And I’m retired, incidentally from Murray State. So I decided that it was time to give back to the community in terms of service and time. There’s no money in serving on city council but I’m interested in the town and I have stepchildren and step grandchildren who live who are going to live here a long time after I’m gone.
Murray has always generally had a good Town and Gown relationship. That’s not true in some college communities, but it has pretty much been that way here. I think the long-term citizens of Murray-Calloway County appreciate the University and understand the economic impact that it has here. It has the greatest impact by far of any industry or entity here in Murray. Most people in Murray appreciate the University and what it does here and therefore the students.
Matthew Pool
When Murray State classes begin, there is ... an increase of more than 50 percent of the total population. Students should want to vote and have their voices heard. Being 26 years old and a graduate of Murray State myself, I am the candidate that more aligns with concerns of students and would be an advocate for the students. I would be available to talk with student leaders, such as the SGA President as well as other University leaders when issues may arise.
Born and raised in Murray I have gained a strong love for this community. Over the years, I have become very interested in local government and decided to run for city council as a way to serve my community. I feel that the City needs a fresh face and a voice from my generation who sees things from a different perspective.
Murray State and its students are a tremendous asset to Murray. Not only is Murray State a large employer, but it also brings in millions of economic dollars through its students and activities. As long as Murray State and its students continue to invest in the community by eating at its restaurants and shopping at its stores the city will continue to thrive and grow. Because the students and employees are investing so much into this community, they should not only expect, but demand fair representation in local government.
Mike Faihst
I’m dedicated at what I do. I try and take everybody’s opinion into account and I don’t have a predestined agenda going into the election. I’m there to serve the people because they’re my bosses.
Since I was appointed, I have tried to take into account the crosswalk improvements we did over on 16th, I know the signs, everybody hates them, but that was the least expensive of our choices at the time.
I think the University will continue to grow, or I hope it does and the students are a very big part of the local community and an asset because we hope to keep some of them here in the area to keep working, relocate here if they’re from out of state. But I just think having the diversity of the students is a great asset to the city itself.
The News October 17, 2014
Election
11
City Council candidates, cont. Note: Some answers have Why should students vote for you? been edited for brevity.
What have you done in your previous term to serve students?
What is the role of students and the University in the city of Murray?
I’ve been on the council for about 18 years. I was a student at Murray State and I live close to campus. And I have tried to address some of the issues that affect neighborhoods around Murray State in terms of sidewalks, and turn lanes to make getting around campus much easier, whether you’re in a car or a pedestrian.
We’ve put new sidewalks in on 14th street, between Main and Olive and a few years ago we straightened out that intersection at 15th and Main to make getting in and out of campus much easier. So those are a few things I’ve done.
The students are a big part of our economic growth in Murray. Murray State and the city of Murray have always been very close such as with the Town & Gown project. The city helps with the transit authority for those students who don’t have cars and who use the buses to get back and forth from class. The students are also a huge economic engine for our community.
I’m a Murray State graduate and I’ve in Murray my whole life. Just know Robert lived the importance of Murray State and what means to the city. The Town and Gown Billington, itpartnership the city and Murray State has is phenomenal. I just feel that we got to take care of our students and our faculty Jr. and knowing how important the students
A committee I serve on is the public safety committee. I’m an ex official member of the transit authority. We have a lot of traffic on 16th Street and what we’ve put safety features in and we’re looking to enhance that just a little bit. Safety is vital for our students and we were able to put sidewalks in. We had a $1.2 million livabililty grant, that’s the largest grant we’ve ever received in Murray.
It’s a partnership. We just have to work together to make sure students are taken care of and that the city provides services for students. It’s got to be a partnership. The students and the city of Murray, we have to be one. The city wouldn’t be what it was today if we didn’t have Murray State. And if we didn’t have students we wouldn’t have Murray State. It all kind of correlates.
Dan Miller
are. They bring revenue into the community. You can’t have a University if you can’t have students.
Jeremy Bell
I’ve tried to be efficient with what the taxpayers have given. I also voted no, I did not want Murray State students to pay for a city sticker. I did not feel it was right for students who only stay here for a very brief period of time to pay for that. I try to be very efficient with what we’re given. I try not to overspend. I believe in being available for the people and I believe in making sure that the people who work for the city are in a good environment.
I also want to make sure (students are) safe on campus and are not in the roads. 16th Street is an important issue as well as far as people walking across that, but the biggest thing is just the fact that I do not believe in Murray State students buying city stickers and I will continue to fight to appeal.
I feel the University as a whole is very important. It brings in thousands of people every year. Those people spend money here. Some want to stay here; some want to live here. I feel that it is a vital part of the community not only from the jobs, the education. Just the fact that people are coming to this community, which they might not be if the University was not here. I think we have a good relationship, I think it needs to be better. And I want to work to make sure that relationship is always very strong.
Greg Taylor
Students probably would want someone who has been in their position and I’m a Murray State graduate. I’m one of the youngest members on the council. I graduated 14 years ago, but I still remember what it was like to be a student at Murray State. If they have issues that are affecting them I think I would have a good perspective on where they’re coming from. It would be easier for me to see their point of view I think having been there myself.
The last year and a half I have been chair of a committee. One of the things we’ve done is laid the groundwork to build the North fire station, a new public safety building on 16th Street which is going to make a larger fire station than the one that is already there to serve campus. There’s going to be another fire department on the southwest side of town as well. Keeping students safe is a priority.
We have to have a symbiotic relationship between the University and the city. You have to have cooperation and collaboration across the levels of government and administration at Murray State for everyone to come out ahead and we’ve seen that and that’s been a really good thing over the past few years on City Council is that Murray State and the city do really work well together and that’s been a blessing for the citizens and the students as well.
on the Murray State liaison commitJane teeI’mfrom the City Council. I am a Murray State graduate. I am a strong supporter of State Athletics. I’ve been on for Shoemaker Murray two years and I think that I am doing a
One way is by informing students of city laws and ordinances for auto registration, and the tax for renting, codes and ordinances: anything they do inside the city limits I can help them with that.
The city supports Murray State and Murray State supports the city. Murray State athletics brings in numerous, probably millions into our city economy. The influx of professors and students, the interchange of knowledge with our citizens and the city – it’s just something you don’t find in any other town that’s not a University town.
This is my fifth term on the city council, and one of the biggest things the council has done is Town and Gown, which is focused on students. Also an important safety measure we’ve done is the pedestrian walkway on 16th. No one wants to have their child walking to class and be injured, and we want to prevent that.
It’s important for students to attend city council meetings and to get on the agenda to speak. Right now, they have to wait two to three weeks to ask questions, and I think that should change. They should be able to address the council. I am strongly in favor for allowing students and all citizens to come up and ask questions right after the meeting if they want to.
fairly good job. I listen to students and I’m over there all the time. I am also a member of the Murray State Fairness Alliance.
Linda Cherry
I’m a responsible steward of the city’s tax dollars and I feel strongly about the safety of citizens. I just finished a course with the fire department called NEAT, which is to help be prepared and proactive about natural and manmade disasters. I am focused on the safety and welfare of students and citizens and I believe all students should take the course for safety, too.
Election
12
The News October 17, 2014
City Council candidates, cont. Note: Some answers have been edited for brevity.
Why should students vote for you?
What have you done in your previous term to serve students?
What is the role of students and the University in the city of Murray?
Our role is to do everything we can to the positive images that this city Pete promote projects. And I would say a vast majoriof the reason that we are selected for Lancaster tymajor awards for friendliness and things
It’s all about promoting the qualities of this community and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to do that if I serve on City Council. I am on Mark Welsch’s Town & Gown committee; the mayor appointed me to represent the city on Town & Gown. I’m a graduate of Murray State and I do everything I can to promote Murray State.
We absolutely could not do without them and be the community we are. The students add so much in all respects. I am a great believer in the Greek system here at Murray State. I am a Sigma Chi. I think that the philanthropic and community work that the sororities and fraternities do is immeasurable to the success of this community.
like that is because of the University, the people who come here to live and work in our University. If they want someone that’s a public who has a history of service, has Pat Scott servant someone who has always worked closely
Butch Seargent
with Murray State, that’s what I’ve done. I’ve served with the fire department for over 31 years and turned out as chief. I’ve managed to stay within budget every year. I don’t like taxes. They are a necessary evil. But I have to pay them to so I will not raise taxes any more than what we absolutely need.
In my past term as far as helping students, we’ve worked on the 16th Street project which is in the works. We have to work to make sure that the public can have an avenue of transportation and to get students safely across the street at the same time. As far as just off the cuff, that’s the most important thing going on to help Murray State students that we’ve done in this past term.
I have worked for the city government for about 15, and I have been on the city council for eight years. I ran for mayor in 2010, but I know city government very well and I know it needs changing, especially in the direction of Murray State.
I’ve been doing it so long so I understand city government and I understand students. The city government as been working with the school for many years, but I could see us working even closer together.
Murray State is very, very important to the entire city economy. And what Murray State brings to the table – it just cannot be measured. We have always worked together through committees. Murray State brings their needs as far as street work and any year that Murray State seeks the city’s help we need to cooperate. I’ve said this before and I can’t say this enough, what’s good for Murray State is good for Murray.
It means everything to the city of Murray. Murray is everything that it is because of Murray State University and the students that go there.
The News
Election
October 17, 2014
13
City Council candidates, cont. Note: Some answers have been edited for brevity.
Why should students vote for you?
What have you done in your previous term to serve students?
What is the role of students and the University in the city of Murray?
I’ve been on city council a while and I student life. I’m an alumni of Danny understand Murray State, my wife’s an alumni and a at Murray State. I understand Hudspeth professor what they’re doing, what they’re looking forward to and the things that are important to them. As a councilman that’s one of the things we try to do and I think the main thing for students is to make sure they’re safe and that they enjoy their time here at Murray and can afford getting an education and to find good jobs here.
One of the things we do on city council, and I’m the finance committee and the public safety committee, is make our streets safe for students. As a parent of a kid who’s going off to college that’s one of the main things I look for. So that’s a big assignment to try and make sure students are safe and that’s one of the things we try and promote and finance public safety and the fire department the best we can to make sure that happens.
Just to be good citizens while you’re here and to take care of your business, which is to get an education. And hopefully we can take care of all the other things so students don’t have to worry about them. So that’s the biggest role I think, just to fit in and be a good citizen and at the same time be a good student while you’re at Murray State and get a good education and job either here or somewhere else. That’s the main thing, be a good citizen.
I’m one of the youngest council members, I’m not too far removed from student life and from the age of the students. I am 34 now. Murray State offered me a lot of opportunities to get out there and grow professionally. They taught me a lot about politics. One of the things I think that most of my fellow councilmembers understand, and certainly something I do, is that Murray State makes Murray so much better. The students play such a terrific role in what we are.
One of our roles, or at least in my private life, is I’ve served as our Alumni Association President at Murray State and one of the things we tried to address was to back the University strongly and work with your university leaders to try find adequate policies and things that are going to help out the students. Always looking to find job opportunities and ways to increase students’ connections within the professional areas of the city.
The students are here for a short period of time, but one of the things I would like to see more of is see students stay here. I want to see our city council a terrific and trendy place. I think we’ve done some good of the things like with the alcohol referendum passing. I think that some of our businesses are changing, I think we’re starting to see more boutique shops I think you’re starting to see more economic development form the ma and pop side of thing. And I think that’s a really cool thing to be on the forefront with and I still think there is more work to be done there.
Jason Pittman
14
Election
The News October 17, 2014
Calloway County election ballot
Ballot courtesy of kentucky.gov
The News October 17, 2014
Election
15
The News
Election
16
October 17, 2014
ELECT
ROSE for MAYOR Positions at Murray State University
Involvement with Murray State University
&ŽƌŵĞƌ ĞĂŶ Ͳ D^h ŽůůĞŐĞ ŽĨ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ ZĞƟƌĞĚ WƌŽĨĞƐƐŽƌ Ͳ D^h ŽůůĞŐĞ ŽĨ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ &ŽƌŵĞƌ &ĂĐƵůƚLJ ZĞŐĞŶƚ Ͳ D^h ŽĂƌĚ ŽĨ ZĞŐĞŶƚƐ &ŽƌŵĞƌ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ Ͳ D^h &ĂĐƵůƚLJ ^ĞŶĂƚĞ
ŽŶŽƌ Ͳ D^h &ŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ >ŝĨĞƟŵĞ ŵĞŵďĞƌ Ͳ D^h ůƵŵŶŝ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚ Ͳ :ĂĐŬ ĂŶĚ :ĂŶŝĐĞ ZŽƐĞ ,ŽŶŽƌĂƌLJ ^ĐŚŽůĂƌƐŚŝƉ DĞŵďĞƌ Ͳ ZĂĐĞƌ ůƵď
Honors
MSU Graduate (BS & MATS)
ϮϬϭϰ D^h &ĂĐƵůƚLJ ŝƐƟŶŐƵŝƐŚĞĚ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ ǁĂƌĚ ϮϬϭϰ D^h ŽůůĞŐĞ ŽĨ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ,ƵŵĂŶ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ KƵƚƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ ǁĂƌĚ D^h ŝƐƟŶŐƵŝƐŚĞĚ ůƵŵŶƵƐ ǁĂƌĚ &ŝƌƐƚ ƌĞĐŝƉŝĞŶƚ Ͳ ƌ͘ ŚĂƌůĞƐ ĂŶĚ DĂƌůĞŶĞ :ŽŚŶƐŽŶ KƵƚƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ &ĂĐƵůƚLJ ǁĂƌĚ ŝƟnjĞŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ zĞĂƌ Ͳ DƵƌƌĂLJͲ ĂůůŽǁĂLJ ŽƵŶƚLJ ŚĂŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ŽŵŵĞƌĐĞ
As a Professor, Dean, Faculty Regent and Faculty Senate President ROSE always ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ͕ ĨĂĐƵůƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƐƚĂī͘ Ɛ DĂLJŽƌ͕ / ǁŝůů ĂůǁĂLJƐ ďĞ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ƚŽ ĞǀĞƌLJŽŶĞ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ^dh Ed^͘
Commitment
Common Sense Paid for by Jack Rose
Leadership