City elections involve student issues
Mayoral, Common Council candidates' platforms include stances on crime rates and safety
Kaitlynn Riely
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: News
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Most of the approximately 80 percent of Notre Dame students that live on campus will not be able to vote in the local South Bend primary election Nov. 6, but Student Senate community relations chair Colin Feehan thinks the recent debate over the Common Council's party ordinance may have piqued student interest in the upcoming Common Council and mayoral elections, regardless of students' eligibility.
When Feehan worked at a student government event geared toward getting students living off campus registered to vote a few weeks ago, the turnout was disappointing, he said. He said he thinks student turnout on Nov. 6 will be "modest."
"I think student interest in these elections has definitely increased, especially with all the issues with the ordinance this summer," he said. "That being said, I think it's probably not at a level where it should be. Hopefully, in the coming year, or years, we can increase student civic engagement in local issues."
The shooting of two students outside local pub Club 23 in August and frequent break-ins of students' houses and cars off campus may also be drawing student interest to the election, Feehan said, with many candidates promising to drive down crime rates.
"I think, as of late, first and foremost, students are concerned about crime and safety," he said.
Crime rates and safety for city residents is something candidates for mayor and for the Common Council positions are worried about as well.
Current Democratic Mayor Stephen Luecke is running against Republican Juan Manigault and Green party write-in candidate Tom Brown.
Luecke has been mayor of South Bend since 1997 and is running for his fourth term.
"We've built, I think, a great relationship with the University and have had excellent communications, in particular, with the last two student body presidents working on relations that affect Notre Dame and South Bend," he said.
Luecke pointed to the start of construction on Eddy Street Commons and the freshman tours of South Bend that began two years ago.
When Feehan worked at a student government event geared toward getting students living off campus registered to vote a few weeks ago, the turnout was disappointing, he said. He said he thinks student turnout on Nov. 6 will be "modest."
"I think student interest in these elections has definitely increased, especially with all the issues with the ordinance this summer," he said. "That being said, I think it's probably not at a level where it should be. Hopefully, in the coming year, or years, we can increase student civic engagement in local issues."
The shooting of two students outside local pub Club 23 in August and frequent break-ins of students' houses and cars off campus may also be drawing student interest to the election, Feehan said, with many candidates promising to drive down crime rates.
"I think, as of late, first and foremost, students are concerned about crime and safety," he said.
Crime rates and safety for city residents is something candidates for mayor and for the Common Council positions are worried about as well.
Current Democratic Mayor Stephen Luecke is running against Republican Juan Manigault and Green party write-in candidate Tom Brown.
Luecke has been mayor of South Bend since 1997 and is running for his fourth term.
"We've built, I think, a great relationship with the University and have had excellent communications, in particular, with the last two student body presidents working on relations that affect Notre Dame and South Bend," he said.
Luecke pointed to the start of construction on Eddy Street Commons and the freshman tours of South Bend that began two years ago.