Voter Apathy Is High by Phillip Rodriguez Reporter
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The RenegadeBakersfield College Rip Vol. 86 ∙ No. 4 www.therip.com Wednesday, October 22, 2014 Voter apathy is high By Phillip Rodriguez Reporter Many students interviewed at Bakersfield College are unaware and uninterested in the elections taking place on Nov. 4. Several students who were asked whether they knew about the event stated that they did not know that it was happening, and of the student body surveyed, interest levels about the elections ranged from slightly interested to completely uninterested in the matter. “I don’t care,” said student Samantha Wilber. “I think it’s important for people to pay at- tention, but for people my age it doesn’t really matter.” Student Francisco Frausto stated that he felt the elections would affect BC financially, but not that students should neces- sarily want to vote. “They don’t have to be [interested], it’s their Photos BY ELIZABETH FernandeZ / THE RIP choice,” Frausto said. The Cali- fornia general elections draw From left to right: Emily Becerra and Rachel Magnus, with the Bakersfield Museum of Art, are busy imprinting chalk art on The Marketplace’s parking lot closer as the early November pavement. Becerra joked that more people were stopping by to play with Magnus’ cape-wearing dog, Ourel, rather than stopping by to admire the artist’s work. voting date has some candidates and activists spreading word for their causes and incumbents. While many local politicians are vying for positions in Congress, Vibrant artists showcase at Via Arte the elections will decide the roles of many elected officials By Elias C. Ahumada using chalk. “All the squares are ist. Purcell has been doing street throughout California, from gov- Opinions Editor sponsored by various organiza- paintings for the past 23 years. “I ernor down through local repre- tions or individuals, and so it al- came here a number of years ago sentatives. The Marketplace was host to lows for our artists to participate,” and did a painting the first couple Not every student interviewed dozens of artists, both local and said Cruz. “It’s free for the artist of years they had the event,” said felt the same about the oppor- out of town, in this year’s Via to get involved and the sponsor- Purcell. While Purcell has partici- tunity to vote. Student Govern- Arte: Italian Street Painting Fes- ship pays for their participation.” pated in the event before, this was ment President Alex Dominguez tival. Square sizes for artists vary her first time as a featured artist. said that he felt that the elec- The festival occurred Oct. 11 from four-by-six squares with “I designed a 3D painting, and tions affected all residents of and 12, and was put together by the largest square being 12 by 12. the imagery is all from Africa, Kern County, especially BC the Bakersfield Museum of Art. This year, the festival had 10 art- and I think it is going to be titled students. “In my opinion, ev- “It’s a fundraiser for the organiza- ists from out of the area, including something like Dreams of Africa,” erything comes back to affect tion and it’s now in its 16th year,” the festivals featured artist. she said. everyone. Just because I’m not a said Vikki Cruz, the museum’s ex- This year’s featured artist ren- Purcell noted that the intent was farmer doesn’t mean water isn’t ecutive curator. dered the largest piece in Via Arte not for her piece to be a political a serious issue to me,” stated The festival provides artists with history with a square measuring statement, instead the painting Dominguez, and said that all stu- a square on The Marketplace’s 15 by 15 feet. symbolizes the romantic idea of dents need to get involved in vot- parking lot pavement where the Julie Kirk-Purcell, from Chi- what Africa would be versus what ing. “I’ve always said, you can’t artists can put together a piece no, was this year’s featured art- Please see VIA ARTE, Page 6 complain about the issue if you didn’t even go out to vote. If our students want their voices heard, they need to get out and vote, es- pecially on an important election year like this one.” American Sign Language ma- jor Donald Reimer Jr. said that he also felt the elections affect students. When asked whether he was interested in the upcom- ing election, he said that he was, and that other BC students should be interested as well. “I think students should (care), be- Above: BC student Sadhya Singampalli, 18, lays down cause California is their home, some chalk at Via Arte in the Marketplace. and they should care about what Right: Julie Kirk-Purcell, who has been doing street happens in their state,” he said. In addition to local positions paintings for the past 23 years, is Via Arte’s 2014 that will be filled, there will be featured artist. Kirk-Purcell draws the event’s largest members elected to represent the work of art on Oct. 11, a 15 by 15 ft. piece that features Kern Community College Dis- a motif of Africa, according to Kirk-Purcell. trict on the fourth. Debbie Car- rothers, a member of Citizens for a Better Bakersfield College, sent out an email on behalf of the organization showing sup- Bakersfield College shut down for more than eight hours port for former Bakersfield Col- lege President Rick Wright and BC alumnus John Alexander. “I By James Macias matic in existence,” according to Amber Chiang, would like to ask you to put your Reporter public relations director of BC. “What happened trust in Dr. Rick Wright and Dr. last Tuesday was they needed a part that has not The Bakersfield College campus was shut down been standard for more than 20 years.” John Alexander with your vote for more than eight hours Oct. 7 due to a water main on November 4th,” read Carroth- That project is still on schedule. breakage. It was the result of the ongoing construc- The water and gas pipes of BC’s campus are er’s email in regard to the candi- tion that is rampant all over the BC campus. dates. Other candidates include out of date and more than 50 years old, having not Crews from at least three separate contractors on been updated or even addressed since the campus’s Kyle Carter, Hector Rivera and three separate projects were present. They repre- incumbent John Rodgers. original construction in 1955. Crews are working sent administration’s interest in addressing three hard to correct this oversight. “They start early in The last day to register to vote key issues: an outdoor restroom system for the new in this election was on Oct. 20, the morning as many worksites do,” Chiang said. theater, the new theater itself, and an upgrade for As to the specific case in point, Chiang remarked while the last day to apply for a the water and gas pipes. vote-by-mail ballot is Oct. 28, that, “Closing the campus was not an arbitrary de- It was the crew covering the outdoor restrooms cision. The last time we decided to was July ’09, according to the state’s official that ran into trouble. voter guide website. The polls ELIZABETH FernandeZ / THE RIP also for a water main breakage. When things like Students were asked to leave the library after the “They hit a waterline that was deeper than re- that happen you have to run out for parts. We knew will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 quired by any code and not mapped on any sche- Please see WATER, Page 6 p.m. on Nov. 4. campus was closed when a water pipe bursted on Oct. 7. NEWS Page 2 The Renegade Rip www.therip.com Wednesday, October 22, 2014 News VP shows support for Renteria By Elizabeth Fernandez briefs Editor in Chief Vice President Joe Biden re- The Bakersfield College cently visited Bakersfield and Student Government Asso- joined congressional candidate ciation has positions open Amanda Renteria and state Sen. for senators and is encour- Alex Padilla on stage during the aging students to apply. Rally for the Valley event, to Any student who would gather democratic candidate sup- like to serve on their gov- port for the upcoming midterm erning body, voice student elections. opinions and host campus A line of over 2,000 attendees events is encouraged to ap- waited outside of California State ply to be an SGA Senator. University, Bakersfield’s Icardo For an application, visit: Center Gymnasium on Oct. 7. https://bcstudentlife.wufoo. Various locals and representa- com/forms/sga-officer-ap- tives provided brief speeches in plication. support of the democratic candi- *** dates for nearly an hour before the candidates and the vice presi- The Apocalypse Hallow- dent finally took stage. een Truck Festival will be The event marked the vice held from 5 p.m. to 10:30 president’s return to the Central p.m. Oct. 24 at The Bakers- Valley in over 40 years. field Speedway off Chester “It’s good to be back at the Avenue. Interactive activi- valley. First time I was here, I ties will be offered, such was a young senator, 1973,” said such as live zombies, throw- Biden, who addressed citizens’ of the valley and its significance. ELIZABETH FErnandEZ / THE RIP ing plasma balls, rides with Vice President Joe Biden visits the Central Valley for the first time in over 40 years to show support for 21st professional drivers, jeep “We understand back at my crawls and more.