A.S.I.
advocates for re-election
By Todd Leland
On-line Forty-Niner
The
Associated Student Inc. Senate has chosen
to hold a re-election next week to determine
who will hold the senator-at-large position
for the cultural community.
A motion to send A.S.I. President Danny
Vivian’s veto to the judiciary branch was
defeated 6-13-1.
In statements made before the vote, proponents
of both candidates, Brian Roberts and Alejandro
Negrete, backed the qualifications of each
individual.
Oron Meyer, present on behalf of the Associated
Business Students Organization Council,
spoke in favor of Roberts.
“I’ve watched Brian in his bid for a senate
seat last spring and I believe he is an
excellent person for the job,” Meyer said.
Eileen Curtis, treasurer of the American
Indian Students Coalition, told the Senate
why the coalition is backing Alejandro Negrete.
“Mr. Roberts can come to us and hear our
opinions on certain topics and can come
to the Senate and vote in our best interests,”
Curtis said. “However, deeper issues require
experience and Alejandro has that. There
is more to the job than getting our opinions
and voting.”
In comments to the Senate board, Vivian
clarified the meaning of his veto.
“The veto is for the results of the election,”
Vivian said. “You can now go back and hold
a reelection with the same four candidates.”
In response to Vivian’s comments, Senate
Chairman Shahrokh Sheik notified the senate
that two of the four candidates did not
wish to be involved in the re-election,
meaning the vote will once again come down
to a run-off between Roberts and Negrete.
Senate Faculty Adviser Stuart Farber said
he believes that the vote next week will
resolve the situation.
“Chances of another tie are slim,” Farber
said. “Even if it goes to a tiebreak vote
and the outcome is the same, I can’t see
Danny vetoing again.”
Farber said he feels Vivian will not veto
the outcome of the new election because
the senators will be voting with insight
into the wishes of their constituents and
thereby voting with the best interests of
the students in mind.
In a failed effort to send the veto to the
judiciary branch for a legal review, Sen.
Adam Anderson questioned the timeline of
the veto process.
“I’m not saying the veto is wrong or right,”
Anderson said. “It is not my job as a legislator
to do so, but we need to send this to the
third branch of government because it is
the right thing to do.”
Sen. Lauren Haverlock said she would be
unable to vote without an explanation of
the timeline.
Vivian, Farber and A.S.I. Executive Director
Richard Haller then proceeded to ensure
the senate that the timeline for the veto
had been followed according to the A.S.I.
by-laws.
With the motion to send the veto to the
judiciary branch soundly defeated, the Senate
set the groundwork for another election
to be held at the Nov. 13 meeting. The election
will either confirm the appointment of Roberts
or replace him with Negrete.
In other news, public relations major Emily
Provensal was appointed A.S.I. press secretary
by a vote of 18-0-2. Provensal said her
primary goal while occupying the position
is to bridge the gap between the A.S.I.
and the student body.
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