Economic development, property taxes and improved relations between Ball State University and the Muncie community were the hot topics Wednesday when the two Muncie mayoral candidates came to speak.
Democratic candidate Jim Mansfield, 58, and Republican candidate Sharon McShurley, 45, addressed about 30 audience members on how they would best serve as mayor. Each had 30 minutes to speak with a 15 minutes question-and-answer session.
One of Mansfield's points was that he wanted to work diligently and aggressively to bring jobs into Muncie.
"We want to turn over every rock and kick open every door of opportunity to bring jobs to the Muncie community," he said.
Mansfield tied his points into the property tax issue where residents throughout the state are seeing increases in their bills.
"Bringing jobs and bringing businesses into the community helps share the burden of property taxes and lowers it for everyone," he said.
The Democrat also addressed how Muncie and Ball State seem to have an invisible barrier separating the two communities. Students can help shake the poor conditions the city is in and help make it better, he said.
"We've had individuals who have taken a hard stand on what it expects the university to do and what it'll give it," Mansfield said. "I don't know why. I believe all that can be changed and we can knock the wall down, but it'll be a give and take."
McShurley said she hoped to improve relations with the Ball State community by involving students in immersive learning capabilities through internships in the city. She said she would work to encourage the city and the university to collaborate to get this initiative implemented.
The Republican also said sometimes students might wonder why they should care about who the Muncie mayor is, but she said it is because students live in the city for at least four years and building codes, streets, off-campus housing and trash are all issues that affect them. McShurley said student input is important and the relationship the City of Muncie has with students is vital because everyone is in the same situations together.
"Vote on Nov. 6 and be a part of the future, not a part of the sideline," she said. "The question is, what can Muncie do for you to make your experience the best it can at Ball State."
Elsa Shipley, a senior communications studies major, said the candidates gave good points and it was clear they had different personalities. Mansfield had a structured point-by-point speech and McShurley was lively and entertaining, she said.
Whatever her views on the candidates, she said she came because she wanted to be more informed about the local government because she is from the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Zac Davis, the Student Government Association treasurer, said the Political Speaker Series was a way for students to get involved in politics. He was proud of SGA for starting the series and facilitating politics for students to hopefully build civic engagement, he said.
"I wanted that series that students need that we don't have," Davis said. "There's an apathy that comes with our age ... and we're trying to give students an opportunity to see they should be involved and politics affects them and they can affect politics."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
