"I WAS RIGHT! I WAS CHEATED!" says DRC of FC A.S.
The recently-ousted student government ex-Senator, DanaRose Crystal uncovers long-suppressed evidence of election fraud at Fullerton College's Associated Students Senate.
DanaRose Crystal
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: Opinion
FULLERTON, Calif., ---Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008
Finally, I have my evidence; Ethan Morse, the young man who snagged the Fullerton College A.S. President's "throne" had royally screwed-up his financial statement in the Spring 2007 Associated Students election.
First violation:
Morse's campaign-partner, Yasuyo Nagata had placed a campaign poster on the inside window of a building without prior written consent, per the FC A.S. election code.
Along with the poster violation was a huge boo-boo for any person aspiring to a serious political career: Ethan Morse had not only failed to sign his form, but had also failed to list three items required by A.S. regulations:
One: "running-mate" Nagata had paid for ( and created ) seven posters bearing both candidate's names, and ( two: ) paid for 50 campaign flyers. Morse had not paid a dime, thus had decided that he didn't have to list them in his campaign expenses.
WRONG!
FC A.S. Election Code regulation section E 3.2 says that all donated items have to be listed, with either receipts or an estimation of the cost.
In her own financial statement, Nagata lists these posters as having cost $2.10. She also lists $2 for her "copy account." That means at 4 cents per copy, she had 50 campaign promotion flyers made, with both her name and Ethan's. Under the regulation, the failure of Morse to list these, plus add the receipts, or at least to estimate the value should have been a ding against him.
It was not.
Such a strange thing, since the A.S. Election Committee of Spring 2007 had to have been aware of the posters and publicity bearing both candidate's names; and having the financial statements to compare, side by side of both the candidates should have been a piece of cake. Were they asleep at the wheel?
Three:
Another omission occurred on both candidates' statements: Morse's girlfriend, Alissa Camacho, who works at Cal State Fullerton -- "for a vice president," said Morse [ "Lissa" Camacho works as Administrative Support Coordinator for Ephraim P. Smith, Vice President of Academic Affairs ]-- had crafted dozens of campaign cards bearing the names of Morse and Nagata, running for A.S. President and A.S. Vice President. It had been noted that the cards had been one of the most valuable tools in the M & N campaign. Student voters were seen to take the cards, and just march to the polling station. Asked as to why they voted for that particular team, one young man answered, "He seems like a nice guy."
Seems like a lame reason for placing a vote, but there it is. Student voters fail to take seriously a vote that could affect their own lives and education. One shudders at what these nu-voters will do in our upcoming U.S. Presidential election.
In any case, the campaign cards needed to be listed by both Nagata and Morse under the donation rule--and neither had.
Of the cards, Morse had said "They didn't cost anything; she just printed them up on her boss' copy machine."
What one wants to make of Camacho's personal usage of her boss' office equipment is up to them. However, fairies did not make those cards; ink, card-paper, and the power-supply all cost money, and the cost needed to be estimated by both Morse and Nagata.
The cards were important--how did the Election Committee miss that? Do they not keep records of all campaign material that is passed-out? In fact, they seem to, since Advisor Darlene Jensen instructs all candidates as to the whys and wherefores, prior to each person being allowed to begin their campaign. Jensen had always made this her annual joke: "Give us a copy of the flyer [ or card, or food item ], along with a sample [ of the food item--ostensibly for her own enjoyment ]". Yet, later, when I requested copies, xeroxes of campaign flyers of the candidates, Jensen had replied that Student Affairs did not maintain records of these items.
Seems that this is foolish, in case of a later dispute about violations. Fortunately, I kept my own copy of one the cards in question. I, myself, had been running against Ethan for President--yet in a bit of slightly-bad taste, one of his campaign workers offered me a card.
I cherished it.
Good thing I did.
Of course, the sad thing is, many of Morse's fans will feel this was a "lucky accident" -that an error of omission which would've led to the disqualification of any other candidate netted FC A.S. such a personable young man as President.
As the third candidate in that election, I do not agree--obviously! I feel that my own qualities of honesty and desire for camraderie and teamwork were just what FC A.S. needs.
Too bad; it seems we will not find out what kind of President I would've made. At this point, with all the current A.S. reviling me, even if Morse was made to step down --WAY after the fact!-- my taking my rightful office and replacing him does not appear to be feasable.
The current Senators have marginalized and verbally battered me way past the point of destruction. Two weeks ago, on January 29, I had rushed to the FC A.S. meeting, expecting to be inducted as a Senator--the office I held under our previous A.S. President Jonathan Mayer. Since I had run for President in Spring 2007 and lost, and run for A.S. Recorder ( Secretary ) and lost, and there was a full roster of elected Senators, there was no room at all for me, except as a Senate Member.
The role of "Senate Members," according to the FC A.S. bylaws, is to function in an almost identical way to the Senators. The only real difference is that Senate Members cannot vote, and get paid a measly $100 to the Senator's $150 per-semester, doing the same work! Seems a cheap way to treat Senate Members, in more ways than one.
In fact, I out-did most of the elected Senators in actual hours. The stipend is only given to those who devote 25 hours of work to A.S. I had attended committee meetings that no one else would--because others found them to be boring. Instead of appreciating me, I was treated as an outcast.
Why?
Because of an ugly part of human nature: the need to create a sub-class, over whom one may feel superior.
Few of the Senators reached out to me. Those who did, seemed to find value and enjoyment from my company and wisdom. The others, I had assumed, were staying away. Why? Because I was "the loser"? Because I am an older student--a member of the proud baby-boomer generation? Because Ethan Morse had shown the Senate the "proper" way to treat DanaRose Crystal?
I came to believe so, because Ethan had a tendancy to "put me in my place"--and considering that I had suspected all along that I had been cheated out of being president, that was tough to swallow. Despite my suspicions and outrage at such perfidy, I wanted to serve Fullerton College so much that I took a reduced position that was treated as if it was SO much lesser than all else.
On the other hand, Ethan Morse had told me that if he had not become president, he would've not bothered with A.S.
"I was thinking, who needs them? I'll just go play football," Morse said, describing his feelings when he had originally lost the election to David Adame by plurality vote--178-1 vs. 167+1 for Ethan. He had felt cheated by the 2006-07 A.S., when they had granted a week's mercy-time to David Adame to plead his case, when he was cited with campaign violations, and was set to be disqualified.
"They were going to let their friend get away with it," said Morse, shaking with fury, months after the conclusion of the elections.
"I'm so glad that now there's a whole new Senate just elected, who never knew David Adame, and were never his friend," he said.
At the time, I had been touched that he had told me this. But later on, when I thought back on it, I realized that I should've recognized it as foreshadowing. Ethan did not want any reminders of his original loss to Adame-including ME, the journalist with a long memory --and a big mouth.
See the FC AS Says FU! To DRC for how my hopes and heart was dashed in an attack by the FC AS, on a day when I expected to be inducted as Senator.
financial statements
The never-before-published story I wrote about the Spring 2007 FC A.S. elections where David Adame was disqualified for the office he had won as president --and Ethan Morse was installed in his place, finally published HERE for the first time at Crystal Clear News, Views and Reviews. NOTE--I left myself out of the story, per old-fashioned rules I learned at campus newspapers, though my presence is relevant to the story. I WILL include ALL in my upcoming series: "FC A.S.: The Whole Ugly Story," which will continue from this page.
Finally, I have my evidence; Ethan Morse, the young man who snagged the Fullerton College A.S. President's "throne" had royally screwed-up his financial statement in the Spring 2007 Associated Students election.
First violation:
Morse's campaign-partner, Yasuyo Nagata had placed a campaign poster on the inside window of a building without prior written consent, per the FC A.S. election code.
Along with the poster violation was a huge boo-boo for any person aspiring to a serious political career: Ethan Morse had not only failed to sign his form, but had also failed to list three items required by A.S. regulations:
One: "running-mate" Nagata had paid for ( and created ) seven posters bearing both candidate's names, and ( two: ) paid for 50 campaign flyers. Morse had not paid a dime, thus had decided that he didn't have to list them in his campaign expenses.
WRONG!
FC A.S. Election Code regulation section E 3.2 says that all donated items have to be listed, with either receipts or an estimation of the cost.
In her own financial statement, Nagata lists these posters as having cost $2.10. She also lists $2 for her "copy account." That means at 4 cents per copy, she had 50 campaign promotion flyers made, with both her name and Ethan's. Under the regulation, the failure of Morse to list these, plus add the receipts, or at least to estimate the value should have been a ding against him.
It was not.
Such a strange thing, since the A.S. Election Committee of Spring 2007 had to have been aware of the posters and publicity bearing both candidate's names; and having the financial statements to compare, side by side of both the candidates should have been a piece of cake. Were they asleep at the wheel?
Three:
Another omission occurred on both candidates' statements: Morse's girlfriend, Alissa Camacho, who works at Cal State Fullerton -- "for a vice president," said Morse [ "Lissa" Camacho works as Administrative Support Coordinator for Ephraim P. Smith, Vice President of Academic Affairs ]-- had crafted dozens of campaign cards bearing the names of Morse and Nagata, running for A.S. President and A.S. Vice President. It had been noted that the cards had been one of the most valuable tools in the M & N campaign. Student voters were seen to take the cards, and just march to the polling station. Asked as to why they voted for that particular team, one young man answered, "He seems like a nice guy."
Seems like a lame reason for placing a vote, but there it is. Student voters fail to take seriously a vote that could affect their own lives and education. One shudders at what these nu-voters will do in our upcoming U.S. Presidential election.
In any case, the campaign cards needed to be listed by both Nagata and Morse under the donation rule--and neither had.
Of the cards, Morse had said "They didn't cost anything; she just printed them up on her boss' copy machine."
What one wants to make of Camacho's personal usage of her boss' office equipment is up to them. However, fairies did not make those cards; ink, card-paper, and the power-supply all cost money, and the cost needed to be estimated by both Morse and Nagata.
The cards were important--how did the Election Committee miss that? Do they not keep records of all campaign material that is passed-out? In fact, they seem to, since Advisor Darlene Jensen instructs all candidates as to the whys and wherefores, prior to each person being allowed to begin their campaign. Jensen had always made this her annual joke: "Give us a copy of the flyer [ or card, or food item ], along with a sample [ of the food item--ostensibly for her own enjoyment ]". Yet, later, when I requested copies, xeroxes of campaign flyers of the candidates, Jensen had replied that Student Affairs did not maintain records of these items.
Seems that this is foolish, in case of a later dispute about violations. Fortunately, I kept my own copy of one the cards in question. I, myself, had been running against Ethan for President--yet in a bit of slightly-bad taste, one of his campaign workers offered me a card.
I cherished it.
Good thing I did.
Of course, the sad thing is, many of Morse's fans will feel this was a "lucky accident" -that an error of omission which would've led to the disqualification of any other candidate netted FC A.S. such a personable young man as President.
As the third candidate in that election, I do not agree--obviously! I feel that my own qualities of honesty and desire for camraderie and teamwork were just what FC A.S. needs.
Too bad; it seems we will not find out what kind of President I would've made. At this point, with all the current A.S. reviling me, even if Morse was made to step down --WAY after the fact!-- my taking my rightful office and replacing him does not appear to be feasable.
The current Senators have marginalized and verbally battered me way past the point of destruction. Two weeks ago, on January 29, I had rushed to the FC A.S. meeting, expecting to be inducted as a Senator--the office I held under our previous A.S. President Jonathan Mayer. Since I had run for President in Spring 2007 and lost, and run for A.S. Recorder ( Secretary ) and lost, and there was a full roster of elected Senators, there was no room at all for me, except as a Senate Member.
The role of "Senate Members," according to the FC A.S. bylaws, is to function in an almost identical way to the Senators. The only real difference is that Senate Members cannot vote, and get paid a measly $100 to the Senator's $150 per-semester, doing the same work! Seems a cheap way to treat Senate Members, in more ways than one.
In fact, I out-did most of the elected Senators in actual hours. The stipend is only given to those who devote 25 hours of work to A.S. I had attended committee meetings that no one else would--because others found them to be boring. Instead of appreciating me, I was treated as an outcast.
Why?
Because of an ugly part of human nature: the need to create a sub-class, over whom one may feel superior.
Few of the Senators reached out to me. Those who did, seemed to find value and enjoyment from my company and wisdom. The others, I had assumed, were staying away. Why? Because I was "the loser"? Because I am an older student--a member of the proud baby-boomer generation? Because Ethan Morse had shown the Senate the "proper" way to treat DanaRose Crystal?
I came to believe so, because Ethan had a tendancy to "put me in my place"--and considering that I had suspected all along that I had been cheated out of being president, that was tough to swallow. Despite my suspicions and outrage at such perfidy, I wanted to serve Fullerton College so much that I took a reduced position that was treated as if it was SO much lesser than all else.
On the other hand, Ethan Morse had told me that if he had not become president, he would've not bothered with A.S.
"I was thinking, who needs them? I'll just go play football," Morse said, describing his feelings when he had originally lost the election to David Adame by plurality vote--178-1 vs. 167+1 for Ethan. He had felt cheated by the 2006-07 A.S., when they had granted a week's mercy-time to David Adame to plead his case, when he was cited with campaign violations, and was set to be disqualified.
"They were going to let their friend get away with it," said Morse, shaking with fury, months after the conclusion of the elections.
"I'm so glad that now there's a whole new Senate just elected, who never knew David Adame, and were never his friend," he said.
At the time, I had been touched that he had told me this. But later on, when I thought back on it, I realized that I should've recognized it as foreshadowing. Ethan did not want any reminders of his original loss to Adame-including ME, the journalist with a long memory --and a big mouth.
to be continued....
[ NOTE--this story will be continued as "FC A.S.: The Whole Ugly Story" ]See the FC AS Says FU! To DRC for how my hopes and heart was dashed in an attack by the FC AS, on a day when I expected to be inducted as Senator.
financial statements
The never-before-published story I wrote about the Spring 2007 FC A.S. elections where David Adame was disqualified for the office he had won as president --and Ethan Morse was installed in his place, finally published HERE for the first time at Crystal Clear News, Views and Reviews. NOTE--I left myself out of the story, per old-fashioned rules I learned at campus newspapers, though my presence is relevant to the story. I WILL include ALL in my upcoming series: "FC A.S.: The Whole Ugly Story," which will continue from this page.
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