Vivian
vetoes newly elected senator
By Todd Leland
On-line Forty-Niner
In
a stunning move Wednesday, Associated Students
Inc. President Danny Vivian informed the
A.S.I. Senate that he will veto the minutes
of last week’s meeting and the appointment
of Brian Roberts as senator-at-large.
In a prepared statement, Vivian said he
will veto the results of the election that
placed Roberts in office.
“I have received a petition of over 200
signatures,” Vivian said, explaining his
reasons for the veto. “You now have a second
chance to view and discuss the wishes of
your constituents.”
About 25 members of various Cal State Long
Beach cultural clubs and committees were
on hand to support the petition they started
last week to have a recall election.
Ben Mendez was the first to speak on behalf
of the protesting coalition.
“I feel this senator is not qualified to
represent the cultural community on our
campus,” Mendez said. “I ask the Senate
for a motion to reconsider.”
Mendez
and his fellow petitioners did not receive
the motion, but were answered with a barrage
of questions from the senators.
Sen. Adam Goldman wanted to know the exact
number of signatures tallied by the petitioners.
In defense of the appointment of Sam Murarka,
senator-at-large of sports or arts, questioned
the petitioners’ absence before the election
was held.
“Where were all of you to support a better
candidate when we placed ads in the newspaper?”
Murarka asked. “Where was your support before
the election was held?”
Many of the petitioners in attendance questioned
Roberts’ experience while stressing the
qualifications of the other candidate Alejandro
Negrete.
The senators agreed that experience is a
major factor in politics, but also said
their decision vote for Roberts was based
on more than just experience.
“Professionalism and enthusiasm play a major
role,” Sen. Lauren Haverlock argued. “Many
of the senators on this board had little
experience in the area they represent. The
senator for sports and athletics is not
an athlete.”
Sen. Adam Anderson reiterated Haverlock’s
comments when he stressed the same point
and said what a great job those senators
are now doing in their position.
In comment to the petitioners, Sen. Jorge
Reyes said he would step down if he were
in Roberts’ positions.
“I, for one, would not want to be in a fight
with my constituents,” Reyes said. “Me personally,
I would step down.”
In his own defense, Roberts responded to
the petitioners and their comments towards
him with vigor.
“You can’t do things retroactively. I am
the elected official,” Roberts argued. “You
talk of experience, I don’t have experience,
but I’ve been a senator for a week so I
have a week and next week I will have another.”
Roberts said he has been doing his best
to contact all the cultural clubs and committees
in the past week and apologized to those
he has failed to yet get in touch with.
He also gave reason for his right to be
a senator and was determined to remain one.
“If it is your wish to uproot me, then do
so,” Roberts said to the petitioners. “It
is your responsibility as constituents and
if that is your wish, I hope you do.”
In other news, a CSULB recycling competition
is starting. Prizes will be awarded for
those groups and individuals that recycle
the most. Contact A.S.I. at the University
Student Union for more information.
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