Marr debated with class

I had the honor of being Chris Marr’s campaign manager in 2006, and helped out on his 2010 campaign.

Chris answered the questions regarding the 2010 Ferris debate in a recent article the same way he carried out his campaigns, conducted himself in office, and conceded to Michael Baumgartner live on TV – with the utmost class and statesmanship.

However, to be clear, campaign staff for Marr 2010 did have concerns that adults were interjecting themselves to push their own personal political agendas in the 2010 debate. Those concerns were never voiced because Chris was so pleased to see students engaged in the political process and took the debate at face value.

Youth need more opportunities to gain insight into our system of government. There is a local effort under way to take Spokane’s first YMCA Youth Legislature delegation to Olympia this spring. The team is being advised by Paul Warfield (Republican Rep. Kevin Parker’s campaign manager), Thomas Kang (Whitworth student and youth legislature alum), and I (Democrat Sen. Lisa Brown’s policy advisor).

I mention this to demonstrate that regardless of our partisan leanings, we all want to support the next generation of informed and active citizens. Interested students/parents contact the Y!

Marcus Riccelli

Spokane