WSA Pres. debate: final round
By Megan Higdon
Western Herald
The second presidential debate for the Western Student Association took place yesterday in the Chemistry building, where Presidential candidates Andrew Ladd and Aaron Booth faced off for the final time before next week’s election.
The debate was held in a “town hall” format where students were able to submit their questions on notecards to moderators Casey Barrons or Andrew Van Wasshnova who would read them to the candidates.
Question topics ranged from the allocations committee to the increase in campus connection to downtown Kalamazoo. Although both candidates have different views and platforms, both agreed on many issues, such as the hope to increase WMU students’ connection to Kalamazoo as a city and to make the WSA allocations committee more student friendly.
“It really shouldn’t be overwhelming and overbearing,” Ladd said of the allocations process.
Second WSA Presidential Debate: March 10 from Fritz Klug on Vimeo.
Booth had similar ideas.
“We definitely need to reform our bylaws and guidelines,” he said. “We want to make it more accessible.”
“We want to make sure our committee members are well-educated on the budget process,” Booth’s Vice President Joey Blaszczyk added.
To further the focus on the allocations committee itself, Ladd explained that he would like to see all academic colleges being represented on the committee.
When asked what qualities he looked for in the allocations chair he added, “They need to be good with money, nonjudgmental, and unbiased.”
As one of the last questions, each candidate was asked to address the other’s strengths and weaknesses. Ladd described Booth as being a great leader, and his weakness, his lack of involvement in WSA. Booth and Blaszcyk praised Ladd’s experience with the WSA, but pointed out his inexperience elsewhere.
After the debate, Ladd responded to his opponents’ comments.
“I don’t think [my experience] was accurately portrayed,” he said. “I’m really an all around guy.”
Booth also commented on Ladd’s statement about his weakness.
“What really matters is your experience on campus,” Booth said.
As to the questions asked, both Ladd and Booth had their qualms.
“I would have liked to see more timely issues on the table like the [Sustainability Fund Initiative],” stated Booth.
Ladd felt the same, “I would have liked to see different questions,” he said.
Both candidates have had strong campaigns and have met with numerous Registered Student Organizations and fraternities and sororities. Their campaign Web sites are rockthewmuvote.com (Booth/Blaszcyk) and ladd4wmu.com for (Ladd/Rettich).
Voting will take place online, Monday, March 15 through Friday, March 19.
Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=15496
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on Mar 11 2010. Filed under News.
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Again, a poll taken completely by people who DID NOT attend the debate.
From hearing the ideas of Booth’s slate, he is repeating ideas that Andrew Ladd first presented at their first debate. They are re-hatching their opponents ideas and passing them as their original work. Aaron and Joey are communication and marketing majors, they know how to make an effective message, but when that message is not their own or they skirt around specifics that is ethically wrong. Booth does not provide the leadership that this university needs right now. Aaron and Joey have popularity in their favor but they do nothing to appeal to people outside of their groups.
As a leader on campus, I was never approached by Aaron Booth to speak at my RSO, but Andrew Ladd contacted me within a few days of announcing. Booth is relying on his DSK friends and allies to secure his election without reaching out to outside groups. How is their campaign ‘diverse’ when they are not going to group outside of MODA and DSK?
I hope that the students here at WMU can see that their student government, who is responsible for almost a million dollars of students SAF funds is not decided by a popularity vote. Andrew Ladd is a person who has experience working with WSA and has a proven leadership record. He has been able to view and experience WMU both as a student and as a resident of Kalamazoo. He can lead the WSA and doesn’t need time for any learning curve and we know what to expect if he was elected.
Once again I hope that students do not choose their WSA President by a popularity contest. They need to choose based on who they know will do the best job and that is not Aaron Booth but the most promising voice belongs to ANDREW LADD.
STUDENTS HAVE A VOICE, LISTEN TO IT!
Dude, Ladd, couldn’t make it to the debate, but I watched the video. Excellent job man! Good luck in the election, I think you’re definiately the best choice!
I was there, and I thought it was really arrogant to say that the other guy was “uhhh just an eagle scout or something.” How rude.
A yall Ladd and Rettich are big BALLERS!!!
Does Ladd even know anything about the Equal Rights Ordinance (actually called Ordinance 1856) that was passed? He doesn’t sound like he understands what it does..
Aaron, it’s not the “One Kalamazoo” ordinance. It’s “Ordinance 1856.”
I’ll be surprised to see if either candidate picks a Diversity Chair that actually deals with anything related to LGBT issues. Hasn’t happened in the past 2 years, doubt it will happen next year.
On the subjects of endorsements…
According to Aaron Booths website they have six endorsements. All of which a member of their “slate” is a part of.
Their “slate” is endorsed by AOPi, MODA, American Humanics, Public Relations Organization, Hillel and the Sales & Business Marketing Association.
Aaron Booth is a member of American Humanics and Public Relations Organizations
Joey Blaszczyk is a member of the Sales & Business Marketing Association
Erin Kaplan, their potential nominee for “student affairs chair” is a member of the sorority AOPi, MODA, and Hillel. Interesting how half of their ’slates’ endorsements came from her. She is even on the board of two of those groups. Students are NOT voting for her, HER NAME WILL NOT BE ON THE BALLOT.
They want to show the students of WMU what they should expect if their are elected. I expect their ‘diverse’ slate to be the opposite, an inclusive group that is not open to those who aren’t in their ‘diverse’ group of friends.
If you check both Andrew Ladd’s website, ladd4wmu . com and Aaron Booth’s website you can find stark differences between their campaigns. Ladd’s site offers detailed, thought-out and well articulated essays on what he will do when elected and how he will do it. These take time, thought and an extensive knowledge behind the discussed issues.
Aaron’s site offers SINGLE SENTENCES on the topics that effect EVERY WMU STUDENT. How can you put your support behind a candidate who doesn’t present their ideas with more than a sentence? The ‘Booth-Blaszczyk Slate’ offers a nice image with their ‘past, present and future’ campaign, but with the future of WMU and STUDENT’s MONEY at stake why should marketing and advertising take precedence over ideas.
ANDREW LADD offers the students of WMU the experience and guidance that a Presidential Candidate needs. We are students at Western Michigan University, a place of higher learning and the promoter of ideas and research. RESEARCH the candidates and vote for their IDEAS and not their marketing campaign.
Ladd and Rettich should win this election, I can’t imagine anyone falling for the tired and repetitive ice water-to-eskimos sales pitch that Booth and Blaszczyk are shoving down peoples’ throats. It’s not a popularity contest, and this isn’t high school sing-a-long, we deal with REAL issues here. Aaron Booth is not the man for the job.
Also, Booth’s campaign manager is the PRESIDENT of Public Relations Organization. Go figure.