Ryan Chartrand
Students and staff had an opportunity to fill both their bellies and minds on Tuesday at the San Luis Obispo mayoral and city council debate, Associated Student Inc.’s first “Soup and Substance” event of the year.
With the election approaching, Student Life and Leadership and ASI teamed up to host this debate as part of Democracy Week.
“I thought this would be the perfect collaborative opportunity,” said ASI President and political science senior Angela Kramer. “Not only did we kick off the program with a great opening act. but we were also able to publicize Democracy Week, and get students excited about voting and registering in the county.”
About 50 people showed up to hear the debate.
Landscape architecture junior Elisa Daus came for both soup and substance.
“I came for the free soup and the debate,” she said. “I want to learn more about each candidate.”
Landscape architecture junior Christopher Mecham was more interested in what the candidates had to say then how the soup tasted.
“I like to stay politically involved,” he said.
Each candidate was given two minutes to explain his or her platform at the start of the hour.
Next, candidates were given one minute to answer each question and 30 seconds to make any rebuttal statements. Two minutes were allowed at the end of the debate for closing remarks.
“I think that the candidates really respected the forum, they respected the format,” Kramer said.
Kramer mediated the debate but the questions asked were proposed by students, candidates and audience members.
“I was really pleased with that type of thinking that they came up with,” Kramer said. “I think it’s a clear example of what students are concerned about what happens in this community.”
The soup choices may have been limited to cream of broccoli and white bean chicken, but a variety of issues were addressed.
The candidates each discussed their platforms on issues that are of interest to Cal Poly students, including the economy, sustainability, and the relationship between permanent residents and the student population.
“I think once the (students) recognize the kind of impact that local officials have on ones day-to-day life it almost seems silly not to register. and not to vote on local issues,” Kramer said. “We have to recognize that the legislation passed gets sent down. and it’s up to our city officials to exercise those pieces of legislation appropriately.”
All six of the candidates running for city council were present at the debate; current mayor Dave Romero was the only mayoral candidate in attendance.
City council candidate John Ashbaugh describes himself as “a leader who listens.” He stressed his willingness to listen to student concerns, if elected.
“I would like to see more conversation between students and community leaders,” he said.
“What’s great is they all recognize how important students are and how important student support is,” Kramer said.
Two city council spots are open along with the mayoral spot.
City council candidate Paul Brown, who is running for re-election, stressed the importance of voting locally.
“It’s the local candidates that make decisions that affect our actual quality of life,” Brown said.
“I think that the event went famously,” Kramer said. “We had a very strong turnout and more importantly, a strong student attendance.”
Students that still want to register to vote can do so this week in the University Union Plaza. The last day to register to vote is Oct 20.