LV voters support Kerry and school bonds
Campus Times
March 5, 2004
Despite chilly temperatures and threatening gray clouds overhead, La Verne
voters turned out in large numbers for Super Tuesday.
Voters focused on both local and national issues, with a majority supporting
measures affecting the state budget, public school funding and Democratic nominee
John Kerry, despite distractions from both outside and inside local polling
places.
“This is not a nice place to be, but the turnout has been steady,”
said volunteer Millie Bocic about Veteran’s Hall, one of three polling
locations in La Verne, which shared space with a ballet class and a nursery
school.
La Verne residents seem particularly close to local issues including Proposition
C, a bond to improve public school facilities and educational programs.
“I believe in our little city,” said resident Carole Lemonnier.
“Our kids should get the best we can afford and I am ready to pay for it.”
Lemonnier’s opinion did not stand alone. Voters like David Kendall were
also concerned with conditions of public schools and supported Proposition 55,
an education bond that has passed by a small margin.
“Schools are in bad shape. The government is trying to fix the budget,
so I support them,” Kendall said.
Other La Verne residents disagreed.
Mona DePartee said it was not an issue of schools having enough money; it
was an issue of them spending it wisely.
Larry Castorena said that his vote for measures 57 and 58, which have passed,
came from the bipartisan support the measures received.
Although concerns for local and state government took precedent, some voters
also wanted the opportunity to voice their opinions in the presidential race.
La Verne’s support of John Kerry focused on his ability to go up against
President Bush in the November election. Kerry, who entered the March 2 primaries
with a significant lead over John Edwards, received a sweeping 64.5 percent
of Californians’ votes Tuesday.
“It can’t be any worse than what we have right now,” said Frank
Brito.
Jannie Brito has expectations that Kerry will resolve the issue of troops
remaining in Iraq.
“This war is just not too good,” she said. “I want our boys
and girls back home.”
“Anything is better (than Bush),” said Lisa Christensen, who also
voted for Kerry.
“Bush is dangerous,” she said.
Kerry even received verbal support from Republicans like Lynward Johnson.
“I am backing Kerry, but since I’m a Republican, I had the Republican
ballot,” he said.
A number of voters back Kerry because of his stance on national issues such
as the death penalty and war.
“I voted for Kerry to bring security to our country,” said Herbert
Arce.
He said Kerry can work toward security by not alienating other countries and
casting them off on the sidelines. He said communicating is the key.
Kerry’s position on the death penalty separated him from other candidates,
Colleen Bennett said.
Julian Rodriguez voted for Edwards, who received 19.8 percent of the votes,
based on the candidate’s position on issues.
“I like his stance towards poverty in America. We have tons of money;
we are the richest country in the world, and we can’t help get houses for
people.
Everyone should have a house or somewhere to go until they get on their own
two feet,” he said.