Washburn Review - September 27 - Issue 6

Page 1

September 27, 2017

Volume 144, Issue 6 News Pages 1-3 Mayoral candidate forum

Opinion Page 4

washburnreview.org

Features Pages 5-8

Civic engagement for all

Sports Pages 9-12

Behind scenes with WUPD

Peterson steps up

Mayoral candidates discuss local issues at Washburn forum Julia Eilert

Washburn Review julia.eilert@washburn.edu

At 4 p.m. Sept. 26, Washburn University hosted a mayoral forum in the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center. Candidates Michelle De La Isla and Spencer Duncan spoke for students to get to know their policies and personalities. “I think it did a lot,” said Conner Ertel, freshman history major. “It gave me a lot of insight on getting to know both candidates, as I am new to Topeka, and I really just have not been able to follow this campaign because of that.” Each candidate talked for 30 minutes, starting out with a little bit of background information. Duncan had the opportunity to speak first. “I have never run for office before, so I’m a newbie in that respect,” said Duncan, “My first foray into politics has taught me that the world is a fun place. The question is, why am I here before you? I love this city, I really do.” Duncan was able to briefly touch on his beliefs and what he would like to do in Topeka to improve the community and draw people back in. “As a Topekan, I looked

around and said I can help,” said Duncan, “I legitimately believe I can help. I’m not looking for a career in politics, what I’m looking for is a way to help my community, and this is the opportunity that was in front of me.” After Duncan’s speech, De La Isla was able to address the audience, giving her backstory and her plans for the future. “It was in Topeka that I was able to find out who I really was, and it was awesome to come over here,” said De La Isla, “I love the energy we have in the community. When you want to do something cool, people they actually get in touch with you, they get you plugged in.” De La Isla talked about some of her main concerns, such as public safety and mental health, infrastructure, economic development, and community pride. “We have a community pride issue, so as mayor, part of my platform is that I want to make sure that you guys are as pumped up about this community as I am,” said De La Isla, “It’s about everyone collaborating together.” There was an hour set aside for audience members to ask questions after the candidates spoke. Once the

questions were finished, De La Isla and Duncan had two minutes to wrap up their messages and thank the audience. “What I think that’s important at the end of the day is this: if you’re gonna go place a vote, you want to know who the heck you’re voting for,” said Duncan, “I hope that’s what this has done.” Michelle De La Isla De La Isla was the last one to speak at the end of Key issues: the even before the crowd dispersed to the outside Workforce developbooths. ment “I think it’s wonderful that you guys are all enBusiness attraction gaged,” said De La Isla, “So and retention whether you are supporting me or supporting Spencer, please go out and vote. Do Establishing, updating, me a favor and encourage and maintaining infrapeople to do the same.” structure WSGA provided snacks and beverages for the event. Creating a feeling of WU Vote and the Shawnee community pride and League of Women Voters connectedness in our were present outside of the neighborhoods room to help students register to vote before and after the event. “This was really a good avenue in which I was able Twitter: to learn about the candi@dasharyl dates, get all the facts and really form my opinion on who I’m gonna vote for this coming November,” said Ertel. “I think having younger people vote is very that I should always vote, important, my parents and it’s something that’s raised me in such a way very important to me. It’s

Photos by Julia Eilert

Spencer Duncan Key issues: Transparency and openness of government Attracting/ Retaining Young Professionals Affordable Housing Improving Topeka’s Roads Public Safety Mental Health Care Twitter: @spencerlduncan

a right that I am going to exercise.”

Documentarian talks of experiences as undocumented worker Natalie Croze

the unknown that creates this type of situation.” Nebot went on to say that The Washburn Universipeople tend to look at imty chapter of the Hispanic migration from the position American Leadership Orga- of legality, instead of seeing nization (HALO) hosted the issue from the human filmmaker Jesus Nebot as perspective. he presented his film, No “Ultimately, we look at Turning Back, to the public. the root cause of this issue,” Nebot presented Sept. 20 Nebot said. “We are all at the Washburn A and B co-creators of the circumRooms in Memorial Union. stances that force so many The film touched on the people out of their homesubject of illegal immigralands.” tion. Jesus Nebot explained Nebot also spoke about some of the ideas behind why this subject is importthe film at a presentation ant to him. Sept. 21. Nebot believes the “I wouldn’t say I’m from subject of illegal immigraSpain or from the U.S.” Netion is emotionally charged bot said. “I look at myself as in America for many differ- a citizen of the world. And ent reasons. to that end, I am a humani“I feel that there are a lot tarian, and I see that immiof myths that people believe gration is a humanitarian that basically get a hold of crisis.” our fears,” Nebot said. “I Nebot was himself an think that it is our fear of Washburn Review natalie.croze@washburn.edu

Unauthorized immigrant population estimates 13 12

12.2 11.1

11

number of immigrants (millions)

11.3

11.5

11.2

11.1

11.0

10.1

10

9.4

9

8.6

8 7 6

5.7

5 4 3

3.5

1990 1995 2000 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2014 2015 Years *according to Pew Research Center

undocumented worker in France during his teenage years. For a year he worked, without any documentation, in order to pursue his education. “I have been able to have that experience and also, have had the opportunity to now, being a U.S citizen, the experience of privilege if you will, and I feel… the voice of the undocumented immigrants is just not por-

Infographic by Maggie Gile

trayed, it’s not in the media, it’s not in the movies,” Nebot said. Nebot believes that, as a filmmaker, he can use his skills to bring about conversation and change for better foreign policies that will aid both native U.S. citizens and immigrants alike. Ciera Guthery, criminal justice major and the Campus Activities Board director for the event, chose

this event because it is important for events to be educational. “The fun events are definitely more favorable, but I also value education and learning more about topics that I don’t really know more about, so I thought this would be really important to be a part of and help bring the campus,” Guthery said. Guthery hoped that those who attended were more knowledgeable about the topic afterward. “I definitely hope that they’re more educated about illegal immigration and they kind of get rid of all the ... myths about illegal immigration,” Guthery said. “Because these aren’t bad people, they are just trying to find a way to ... create a life for themselves.”

Please visit washburnreview.org for more news, stories and everything else that matters to WU. Contact us at review@washburn.edu


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