That's Right, I'm Not From Texas

But Ann Richards was, despite the potential to misinterpret Lyle Lovett's dedication. I just heard this tune on XPN and had to share it.

Oh, and for what it's worth I understand I was made there but imported to the North.

A Request for Your Consideration

I would like to ask for your vote – well, if you go to school with me I do.

Montgomery County Community College student government elections begin today (Thursday) and end tomorrow (Friday). I have offered myself as a candidate for vice president of the Student Government Association. To vote, go online at the above url, and log in with your student ID. In your email you'll find simple instructions for online voting.

I am proud to say I am, without a doubt, the oldest of the four very impressive executive board candidates who joined in a candidates' forum earlier today. I think my age and maturity, my background in communications (as a former print and electronic reporter, an editor and editorialist) and my focus on government and elections make me uniquely qualified to listen to and act on the concerns of all my fellow students.

My competitor and I agree on many things, but most of all this: We each have the school's best interests at heart, and each of us intend to be active in student government whether we're elected as executive officers or not. For those who weren't able to hear the discussion at school today, here is a quick look at the reasons for running I filed with the school in my election packet.

Please feel free to contact me via email at barbra.bateman (at) comcast.net if you have any questions. Thanks for taking the time to have a read, and thanks for your consideration.

As I said earlier today, I want to help continue to build on successes: to help make the college an even better place to learn, and an even better place to be. If you elect me I promise I will work as hard as I can to look after your interests and the interests of our school.

GOALS AND PRINCIPLES

I am running to give back to a school that has given so much opportunity to me, to other students and to the community and region. I want to help it fulfill its enormous promise – and to strengthen itself as a welcoming, safe, supportive and well-structured place for all who come here to learn.

We should build on successes: continued polling of students to determine their priorities and presentation of “Top Ten” lists to the administration. I think we should continue to use both electronic and traditional communication to try to reach the student body. In addition, we should offer at least one or two well-advertised open meetings each semester, so students can be even better informed about projects on campus and have a chance to bring concerns and success stories to the student government, staff and administration.

Members of student government must continue to be active and to engage both the student body and the administration to see student concerns – and the administration’s priorities – addressed. We must also continue to facilitate increased cooperation among clubs and other student organizations to make sure the money we all pay in student activity fees and the time students devote to their pursuits benefits the college and community at large.