Elections continue: Early voting on campus for City Council tie breaker
Dec 2 2009 – 1:08am | DJ Nutter
Early voters began casting their ballots Monday as the people of San Marcos head to the polls for the second time to elect a candidate to City Council Place 5.
The only candidates on the ballot this time are Ryan Thomason and Lisa Marie Coppoletta — who got 49.9 percent and 26.2 percent of the votes Election Day Nov. 3, respectively, sending them to a runoff.
Candidates said economic issues are proving to be the No. 1 priority for voters who have been going door-to-door around the city.
“We have a $146 million budget for economic development,” Thomason said. “The most important thing either of us is going to work on is the budget, and well, Lisa has not been a part of that.”
Thomason said his experience as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and as a finance major make him the more experienced candidate regarding economic issues.
Coppoletta, disagrees, saying her 20-year experience working on grassroots issues in San Marcos make her the more experienced candidate. Coppoletta said she has focused much attention to issues facing veterans.
“(My proposals) are getting the ears of city officials,” Coppoletta said. “I’m also an activist in preserving the San Marcos River, and in making sure that graduating college students get good paying jobs in our community.”
Candidates said they want to set the record straight regarding any factually inaccurate information causing negative opinions among voters.
“I’ve heard people say that I want to fill the river with concrete just because I’m involved with economic development,” Thomason said. “Nothing has been too derogatory, and I’m surprised because five or six years ago we had a different kind of politics in San Marcos.”
Coppoletta said being thrown into the political realm of name-calling was expected. She said putting debate videos on her campaign Web site is an effective way to dispel the legitimacy of any mudslinging.
“People know that I’m the first person to speak up, but I’m also the first one to compliment,” Coppoletta said. “I know what’s in my heart, but I’m still sensitive.”
Coppoletta said she has been receiving donations since November, but still considers herself a grassroots organizer.
Thomason said he spent less money on the runoff election because more than $20,000 was spent on November’s election for less than 2,000 votes. He said the consistent trickle of new people donating to his campaign have helped pay for writers and signage.
“Six different people used money in six different ways last election, and only 7.09 percent of registered voters went to the polls,” Thomason said. “Signs can’t vote, money can’t vote. Only people can vote.”
Early voters can cast their ballots at Hays County Elections Office until Dec. 11 or at LBJ Student Center Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5p.m.
Election Day will be held Dec. 15, with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hour 2 ( Listen to the the MP3 )
“Good friend of the show, Lisa Marie Coppoletta, is in the midst of a run off for Place 5 on the San Marcos City Council. Early voting for the run-off election will be from Monday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Dec. 11. Early voting will take place only at the Elections Administration Office on Broadway. The proposed Election date will be Tuesday, Dec. 15. Jesse Benton pops in for a brief conversation with Katherine about the proposed health care reform that is underway in Washington D.C.”

November 09, 2009 Rule of Law interview about the run-off election.
http://mp3.ruleoflawradio.com/ROL/64k/ROL_2009-11-09_64k.mp3
Thank you to the 8% of San Marcos voters who chose to get involved, and made it to the polls on Tuesday November 3rd. Since we did not have a clear majority in the race for place 5, we are asking those who came out to again cast their ballot for a CHOICE on city council, and we welcome those who were not able to cast their vote to add their voices to this historic race to shape our local city council.
I have always fought against outside special interests and my track over the past two decades on this is well documented. The issues have not changed, and I will continue to be the candidate who knows that the role of city council is looking out for the best interests of the citizens, not for the special interests.
Our supporters are dedicated to getting voters to the polls. I received nearly 5000 votes just a year ago; I am confident in my chances in winning this runoff election as I pledge to continue to fight for people of San Marcos.

LMC Campaign Celebration
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 7:30pm – 11:30pm
Location: Wake the Dead Coffeehouse
City/Town: San Marcos, TX
Carrie Ann will be playing at our Campaign Celebration!
PSA for event this Saturday.
http://www.lmc4sanmarcos.com/LMC_Celebration.mp3
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, September 21, 2009
“The Place 5 race features Lisa Marie Coppoletta, Shaune Maycock and Ryan Thomason.
Coppoletta, an academic adviser at Texas State, said she favors limiting urban sprawl and increasing the number of green jobs in the community. An opponent of incentives to Springtown and city subsidies for outlet mall advertising, Coppoletta, who lost to Place 4 Council Member Chris Jones in the 2008 election, said she’d like to build up local businesses instead.”
Posted on September 21, 2009 at 9:53 am • Print • Share
http://www.newstreamz.com/2009/09/21/downtown-association-to-grill-candidates-at-tap-room/
STAFF REPORT
The Downtown Association will play host to the six candidates running for the two city council positions at its monthly meeting on Wednesday. The meeting will be held at the Tap Room, 129 East Hopkins Street.
Downtown Association President Brian Montgomery said the candidates were invited to meet with the association because of its focus on issues involving the downtown area.
Issues of interest to downtown include revitalization, parking, late hour bar closing, police presence and an overall city commitment to a vital business and entertainment district.
The six candidates include Lisa Marie Coppoletta, Shaune C. Maycock and Ryan Thomason for Place 5 and incumbent John Thomaides, Anita Fuller and Monica Garcia for Place 6.
The Downtown Association of San Marcos is a volunteer organization comprised of people interested in promoting the appearance, safety, vitality and economic development of the downtown area.
For more information, contact Montgomery at The Wine Cellar Bistro and Boutique, 200 N. LBJ Drive, Suite 101, or call him at (512) 805-9463.