In The New Political article “Senate president, trustee accuse former ticket of newspaper theft,” I have been unjustly accused of a crime, and inaccurately excluded from the Senate body. It is hard for me to understand why this article would come out at this time, but there is much in this article that is troubling. I know for a fact that I was not involved in the theft of the newspapers, and I am confident that the others blamed in the article did nothing of the sort. If Anna and Keith had knowledge of this theft why did they not come forward?
I remember the meeting that was mentioned. Keith asked us about some text messages where we did indeed joke about taking the papers, but it was joke. He told us to delete the messages anyhow, and then he proceeded to yell at the people in the room in the most disgusting, unprofessional manner I have ever had the displeasure of witnessing. I was not privy to any further information on the issue, but I was warned that if we ever mentioned the issue Keith would “ruin” the rest of our Ohio University career. This was yelled at the scared freshman sitting in the room while Anna Morton sat and watched the utterly degrading way the people on her ticket, those who were devoted to helping her get elected because we believed in her, were being treated.
So why is this “information” being divulged now? I do not know, but I see a trend of President Morton trying to make Jordan Ballinger look bad. I have no idea why. I have worked closely with Jordan on Senate for two years. I plan on supporting his campaign, because I believe in him. After last year’s ticket, I am wary where I put my trust as the former president and current president do not seem worthy of it. I have questioned Jordan before, and he has never let me down. He accomplishes a lot for the student body and there is proof of his work.
Yet, what is published are negative comments that have no objective basis. I am a proud member of governmental affairs where we have worked hard trying to have Student Trustee Voting Rights passed in the House, and it did. We are moving to the Ohio Senate this semester in hopes of making this dream a reality.
If Anna and Keith claim to have known the ticket committed this act all this time, as leaders of the ticket they should have come forward. Seeing this transpire now only looks to me like a political stunt of sorts that is meant to distract from current issues and will undoubtedly result in a greater divide between Student Senate and those who wish to see more from such an influential body, like I do. I did not commit this act, and I hope that this source and others will be respectable and not unjustly accuse me or others of such things without any hope for defense, particularly with little evidence.
Kate Clausen is a sophomore studying communication studies and the vice commissioner for governmental affairs and public policy for Student Senate.
