Thread: Local Latin American students support districts

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Students support districts
By: Lucretia Fernandez, Courier staff
10/12/2007

Local Latin American students advocated the establishment of single-member districts during the Conroe City Council meeting Thursday.

Teenagers from the Latinos United Latin American Citizens Youth Council 1087 expressed to council members their belief that single-member districts would allow for minorities to represent minority Conroe residents.
"Currently, there are no minorities on the council," LULAC Youth member Luis Cristo said. "Two minorities ran for office last year, but they could not win. ... With a 40 percent minority in Conroe, there should be some minorities on council."
According to the most recent U.S. Census in 2000, minorities account for almost half Conroe's population. Hispanics account for 32.6 percent of the population and black residents account for 11.1 percent.
The U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating the at-large election system in Conroe.
In single-member district elections, district residents can only elect someone from their district. In at-large elections, all residents vote for all positions.
City Council discussed shifting the model from at-large representatives to single-member districts in 2005, but the council decided it was best to have members looking out for the interests of all residents instead of only district residents' interests, Mayor Tommy Metcalf has said.
However, the LULAC students believe now is the time for an electoral change.
"All we ask from you is our fair share," Iris Soto said.
LULAC Youth member Juan Pablo Orozco also stressed the need to increase political participation, noting that only about 2 percent of the registered voters in Conroe voted in the municipal election.
Other members, Candy Reyes and Miguel Perez spoke about how new leadership could increase economic development and capital projects.
"As a citizen of Conroe, I would like to see an improvement in the quality of life for minorities and for all Conroe residents," Cristo said.


Reader Comments
Added: Friday October 12, 2007 at 04:38 PM EST
Lulac
We the members of Lulac (League of United Latin American Citizens) are tax paying voting citizens, we the Lulac will be at voting age, and our parents are tax-paying voting citizens as well. Lulac is not a racist organization we invite all to join the organization.
iris soto, Conroe, TX

Added: Friday October 12, 2007 at 06:30 AM EST
Minorities?
Conroe has thousands of people living here who are in this country illegally. They get food stamps, medicaid and free schooling paid for by us, the taxpayers. If you are in this country illegally you can not vote, so why do they want "their fair share"? They have no voice in our elections! And everyone knows that LULAC is a racist organization.
Elaine Bailey, Conroe, TX

IF they are citizens of the USA and pay taxes, yes, they would be able to vote. If they are citizens of any latin american country, then NO, they cannot vote. I find that these organizations twist their words and the meaning of words constantly.