Rebecca Livengood v. Nick Shalek. The Alderman Race
ce...@yale.edu
FLOOR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 - LC 102
At 7:15 pm, Mr. Goran Lynch, the Speaker of the Yale Political Union,
calls the meeting to order.
The chairmen of the parties make their announcements.
Ms. Jennifer Rost, the President of the Yale Political Union, explains
that this debate will be different. There is no specific resolution.
There will be opening statements followed mostly by questions. This is
a good debate to learn about the relationship between Yale and New
Haven. Thanks the Yale College Council for co-sponsoring and the
candidates for coming.
The Speaker explains the format of the debate. The opening speeches
will be three minutes long. A coin toss determined who would go first.
Assumes that everyone knows how the debate will be conducted by
mistakenly observing that everyone in the room is straight.
Rebecca Livengood, the Democratic candidate, is the first to assume the
floor. She says that at best, elections are debates. There are only
3,000 constituents in Ward 1. She notes that all of us are joined in
the project of going to school and we seek answers. Elections can be
real opportunity. Elections are a national issue. Environmental
justice, gay rights, etc are also issues. Gay rights in New Haven have
had a long history. Have been unable to achieve comprehensive gay
rights here because there are different point of views. She has
developed relationships with opponents. Livengood speaks about urban
development. Seeks to resolve problem of poverty.
Nick Shalek, the Independent candidate, is running to give people more
options. Believes that running as an independent allows him to not be
tied down. He claims to have an objective view on New Haven issues.
Observes that other aldermen have aligned themselves to Yale. Thinks
it is a fundamental right for Yale workers to unionize. Has come to
know many officials in New Haven and Yale. Wrote his senior thesis on
New Haven economics. Not like overzealous groups like GESO and the
UOC. Shalek emphasizes that it is important that we don't fall back
on progressive rhetoric.
Mr. Kevin Alexander, the Chairman of the Conservative Party, asks how
they will understand the city as a whole when they are not from New
Haven and have only experienced the city from a "Yale" perspective.
Shalek: Says that he IS from New Haven. Made it his home. Thinks we
need to go beyond students' local politics and have Yale be more
engaged. Lack of support for the Domestic Partnership Amendment shows
that we need to get more people involved. Plans to hold office hours.
Wants to have a New Haven council meeting and bring together Yale
students with administrators and other organizations.
Livengood: Decided to make it her home as a freshman. Registered to
vote here. Feels that we need to have a relationship with the New
Haven community. Unions, Yale, and city government are the 3 bodies
that make up the city. She is proud to have ties to all of those
organizations. Sharing values brings together people. Receiving a
paycheck, like Shalek, is being tied down.
Shalek: It is true that he works at Yale. But his office has nothing
to do with New Haven. Will not accept money from organizations, like
opponent does.
Livengood: Finds it troubling that Shalek's office has no ties to New
Haven. Claims that she hasn't taken contributions from unions or
city government.
Ms. Lia Oksman, Vice President of the Yale Political Union, wants to
know what values they share with New Haven. Why, as Yale students, are
they eligible to represent New Haven?
Livengood: Shares the idea of workers rights with unions. Like the
city government, she values the fact that good policy brings out the
best out of the city. Shares the value that education should be made
more available. Believes that most Yale students agree with these
values. Needs to make decisions based on shared values.
Shalek: The value most shared is independence and that we should have a
voice. Disappointed with Ward 1 process. While opponent can make
assertions, the only people that have voted for her are only a small
group of 40 individuals. Ward 1 has been controlled by just a small
group. Will reach out to others. Students don't care for vague
answers and emotions.
Livengood: Ward 1 is only one that has elected her because they're
the only ones that have had the opportunity to do so. Now, people
will have opportunity. Has registered many people.
Shalek: Has registered many people as well. Most of the people that
have voted have already made up their mind.
Mr. Aaron Margolis, former Vice President of the Yale Political Union,
asks about the candidates' opinions on campaign finance.
Shalek: Thinks it's very important. Is very happy with Dan Weeks'
work. Always impressed with innovative proposals.
**The bright green Livengood shirts disappear as the body of the YPU
suddenly finds itself in complete darkness. Once LC 102's lighting
problems are resolved, the debate continues.**
Livengood: Believes that elections are important. Honored to be
endorsed by Dan Weeks. New Haven should be an example for the country
on elections. Speaks about her upcoming trip to Hartford.
Shalek: Finds it admirable to go work for state issues, but it's more
important to work for New Haven. And, of course, everyone in this room
knows what he thinks about Dan Weeks' endorsement.
Livengood: Cities can only act through states.
The next question concerns the replacement of the York Square Cinema
and what they plan to do with their plans.
Livengood: It was an independent cinema. We should increase student
ability to decide what should happen there. Yale Film Society will be
doing screenings there.
Shalek: Accuses opponent of a complete lack of thoughtfulness. It
seems like it's out of Mao's little red book. A student-run
theater is impractical. Would like to see a plan...doesn't think
it'll work out. Government shouldn't decide what to do with it.
There are lots of venues for student films. It doesn't pay attention
to the needs of New Haven. Owners live off of this space. Would like
to donate it, but can't do it. It's a prime retail space. It can
employ more people.
Livengood: It does not necessarily need to be non-profit. We've
talked about economic feasibility. Doesn't think it's the time to
talk about communist history.
Shalek: A co-op won't make real jobs for New Haven citizens. Current
owners are disturbed with Livengood's plans.
Mr. Jamie Kirchick then asks if the candidates would still support the
construction of a cancer center even if it forces everyone to join a
union, regardless of whether they want to or not.
Shalek: Will still support it. Thinks that unions are a different
issue from the construction of cancer center. Aldermen would have to
step into private sector. Livengood wants to make sure unionization
happens. Decision should be a secret ballot. People should decide if
they want a union.
Livengood: It's not the right question. Cancer center will be built.
Needs to be environmentally responsible and people need to have access
to it. Looks forward to passing it. Needs to have a neutrality
agreement. Would like to have a secret ballot election.
Shalek: A neutrality agreement is that unions can go door to door and
harass people. Hospital can't do anything. This isn't democratic.
We should not tie the unionization issue to cancer center. If workers
want union, they'll vote for it.
Livengood: Workers should be able to buy healthcare with less than a
quarter of their salary. Is in favor of secret ballot. Union officer
can't force a worker. A company might mandate a meeting to talk
about evils of unions.
Mr. David Derusha, the Chairman of the Independent Party, asks what the
candidates would do to ensure safety around campus.
Livengood: Install more blue phones. 2-Walk and bus should actually be
efficient. Use of these services has increased. Need to increase
police presence in Dwight neighborhood. Can't solve problem until we
improve youth programs. Children are in position that they can wander
the streets.
Shalek: Yale students shouldn't live in fear. Ramifications affect
attracting the best to Yale. Agrees with opponent but would do more.
More blue phones. Put more pressure on Yale and New haven? Yale needs
to get over turf war. Need to build up programs. Need to get
innovative. Look at constitutionality of a gun free zone.
A gentleman in the body asks what the candidates will do about gay
rights.
Shalek: Ben Healy proposed Domestic Partnership Amendment and it did
not pass. Anyone who is gay or has friends that are gay knows that a
civil union isn't the same as marriage. Need to give them marriage
rights.
Livengood: The amendment's failure was disappointing. Was example of
student engagement. Talks about Project Orange. Need to rebuild
relationships. Civil unions are step in right direction, but not
enough. Need to lobby to get this through.
Ms. Alexandra Charrow wants to know where graduate students are in the
relationships that have been mentioned.
Livengood: Believes that grad students are workers. This isn't an
issue that board has control over. But, it is a student issue. Should
talk about it more.
Shalek: Doesn't support GESO. Brother is grad student, so he knows
how hard it is. It's a life choice. They get paid and get educated
for free. Crux comes when grad students have family. Family is also a
life choice. Has been frustrated to see aldermen, who are supposed to
represent him, always with GESO. Not enough people that are mainstream
Yalies vote about this.
Livengood: Grad students' income is taxed. Aldermen don't have to
agree with everyone. She is sure that Shalek disagrees with Party of
the Right every now and then, she does too!
Shalek: In the secret ballot election, GESO did not get enough support.
The President asks the candidates if they are comfortable standing up
against the mayor about certain issues.
Shalek: Was forced to run as independent, but still has ties to people
he will work with. He is not tied down. The mayor is running for
governor. Governor hasn't been able to stand up for cancer center.
He is not independent. It's a problem if a representative can't
stand up to the mayor.
Livengood: Shalek wasn't forced to run as independent. That's a
lie. Agrees with mayor on cancer center. Disagrees with a lot of
things. Thinks he hasn't done enough about homelessness.
Mr. Jared Malsin asks Mr. Shalek why a large part of his candidacy is a
critique of GESO and the UOC. What do you mean that these orgs are out
of the mainstream? Wouldn't it be better to invite groups to a
dialogue as opposed to accusing them of being irrational?
Shalek: Campaign isn't just a critique. It's about a city he cares
about. Hasn't said that they are irrational. These people are at
Yale, they have to have some rational bones in their bodies! Their
approach is making demands without looking at solutions. Not focusing
on facts. Majority of Yale doesn't associate with these groups. The
majority needs to be represented.
Mr. Jon Lindsey, Floorleader of the Right, observes that Yalies are
more liberal than New Haven citizens. Says that Livengood represents
just the far left. How can she represent Yale and New Haven. For
example, New Haven doesn't care about gay rights.
Livengood: GESO has support from New Haven. Other things, such as
religion, factor into their support of gay rights. We are a diverse
group and representation can only happen with dialogue.
Ms. Meredith Startz, Floorleader of the Left, says that the population
of Yale is different from New Haven. How do candidates feel about
their ability to relate to the population? If it came down to clash of
beliefs, how do you deal with that...who do you represent in the end?
Shalek: Very broad question. True that they come from different
backgrounds. He is now a citizen of New Haven. Had opportunity to
work with New Haven groups, tried to help people start their own
businesses. All he can do is try to sympathize with New Haven
citizens. Can't criticize opponent.
Livengood: Doesn't think that Yalies are completely different from
New Haven citizens. We need to build more relationships. Ultimately,
when there is a clash, she will represent Ward 1's beliefs.
Shalek: Yale community was right in supporting gay rights (apologizes
to the PoR). Balance is trying to figure out what's best with city.
Livengood: Wants to clarity that the failure of the amendment wasn't
that students didn't show up. Many showed up and presence was felt.
It was hard to go against religious groups.
Mr. Peter Prosol asked if the candidates would push Yale to use its
resources to help New Haven more.
Livengood: We can end poverty with less than the endowment.
Relationship isn't based on money. Need to build community. Policy
needs to be based on smart economics and actual care for the people.
Shalek: Yale is focused on us. Getting back to GESO and causes like
the admissions sit in, he does not think that making demands on Yale to
spend money is the right way to go. Must look at other side of issue.
Might result in higher tuition and less research.
A gentleman from the body asks about the candidates' experience with
economic development.
Shalek: Informs everyone that the gentlman is his campaign manager.
Glad that question was brought up. He has been involved in starting
businesses. 1/3 of population is in poverty, economic development is
the most important issue. Cancer center will provide many jobs. His
experience working with businesses is incredibly important. Livengood
worked with associated alloy and that made us lose many jobs.
Livengood: Shalek misrepresented the story about associated
alloy...they had environmental problems. She has met with many small
businesses. Needs to make sure that cancer center is constructed in an
environmentally responsible way. Needs to increase traffic through
port of New Haven. NY and NJ take a great deal of commerce that could
be done through New Haven. Need to increase small businesses, but they
should recycle.
Closing statements:
Livengood: We've talked about principles and pragmatism. Important
for aldermen to know these things. Conservatism isn't pragmatic in
New Haven. New Haven found a way to renovate schools through a state
program. Smart ideas can find funding. We need pragmatic people.
Pragmatism means working together. Proud of relationships she has
built.
Shalek: Some people talk about politics and other things about
implementing public policy. Hopes that he has convinced the body that
he is the better choice. Some have told him that he is wasting time
running against opponent with the ties that she has. Doesn't think
it's true that Yale students don't care. Tired of seeing aldermen
not representing the majority of students. He will make sure that he
will register people here and reregister people back home. Urges
people to go home and get informed and make decision on your own. Look
at websites. Debates are more style than substance. Need leadership
that is independent. Leadership needs to be pragmatic and focused on
how to get things done.
President moves we thank Rebecca Livengood and Nick Shalek for a fine
maiden speech on the floor of the Yale Political Union.
The Chairman of the Conservative Party moves that we adjourn.