Issue Date: 5/11/09
ASG controversy sparks rumors
By Kelley Foyt
From allegations of voter tampering to police escorts for candidates, Palomar's Associated Student Government has witnessed a considerable amount of drama in recent weeks.
The election came to a close as students chose Andrew Bissell as their new president and Ji-Hye Ann Hong as the next vice president, information that was initially withheld due to the possibility of voter tampering.
The most recent issue concerned the possible disqualification of Bissell, which was brought to the ASG board's attention in a meeting on May 12. Flyers supporting Bissell were posted near the veteran service's office, which is within 25 feet of computers that hypothetically could be used to vote, thereby breaking an election rule.
"I complied with the rules as they were presented," Bissell said at the meeting. "New rules have been being introduced throughout the campaign, and I've complied with all of them. It was never my intention to violate any rules."
Bissell had previously OK'd the flyers through committee chairperson Stephanie Loscher.
"I was going off of what was written in the bylaws. It was later brought to my attention that I was probably wrong," Loscher said.
In the end, the charges were dropped, an act that raised another possible conflict of interest in the decision-making process.
Loscher is supposedly good friends with Bissell-supporters and has been described as being opposed to Bissell's political opponent Claudia Duran. So another election committee member, Clyde Campbell, said he felt Loscher was not objective enough to make decisions about election procedures.
"It was a blatant disregard of the bylaws," Campbell said. "Having her on the committee was wrong."
"I pride myself on my integrity," Loscher said. "I honestly did not feel like any of the candidates were doing anything wrong. If Claudia were in the opposite position, I would have done the same."
Campbell disagreed.
"I have nothing against Bissell," Campbell said. "He's a good guy. But I don't think this was a fair election. I think the students got ripped off."
The election came to a close as students chose Andrew Bissell as their new president and Ji-Hye Ann Hong as the next vice president, information that was initially withheld due to the possibility of voter tampering.
The most recent issue concerned the possible disqualification of Bissell, which was brought to the ASG board's attention in a meeting on May 12. Flyers supporting Bissell were posted near the veteran service's office, which is within 25 feet of computers that hypothetically could be used to vote, thereby breaking an election rule.
"I complied with the rules as they were presented," Bissell said at the meeting. "New rules have been being introduced throughout the campaign, and I've complied with all of them. It was never my intention to violate any rules."
Bissell had previously OK'd the flyers through committee chairperson Stephanie Loscher.
"I was going off of what was written in the bylaws. It was later brought to my attention that I was probably wrong," Loscher said.
In the end, the charges were dropped, an act that raised another possible conflict of interest in the decision-making process.
Loscher is supposedly good friends with Bissell-supporters and has been described as being opposed to Bissell's political opponent Claudia Duran. So another election committee member, Clyde Campbell, said he felt Loscher was not objective enough to make decisions about election procedures.
"It was a blatant disregard of the bylaws," Campbell said. "Having her on the committee was wrong."
"I pride myself on my integrity," Loscher said. "I honestly did not feel like any of the candidates were doing anything wrong. If Claudia were in the opposite position, I would have done the same."
Campbell disagreed.
"I have nothing against Bissell," Campbell said. "He's a good guy. But I don't think this was a fair election. I think the students got ripped off."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Crystal Sudano
posted 5/27/09 @ 12:00 AM PST
Wow! I am amazed! I'm from another college but I know one of the candidates and I can't say I'm surprised by the unbelievable behavior but I am amazed, and pleased that it all wound up in the student newspaper. (Continued…)
Post a Comment