LIVE ELECTIONS BLOG

So new board:

President: Stephen "Stunna" Abrahms Downey, 2011
Vice President: Matt "Gazprom" Gazzara, 2012
Treasurer: Gordon 2011
Secretary: Jaci Rifkin 2011
---
STRONGEST APOLOGIES: MY WHOLE SECRETARY TRANSCRIPT GOT DELETED SINCE IT REVERTED BACK TO AN OLD VERSION. GUESS I'D MAKE AN EVEN WORSE SECRETARY THAN VICE PRESIDENT.

But in short want happened was Jaci dropped down to take on Erica "The Sauce" Miranda/Natalie Farah. They're running together since Erica might go abroad (aka to the faraway land of Washington D.C.).

In the end Jaci wins, winning her second conseccutive term as secretary.

That's it from the Cheeseman. If you want to see funny versions of this click here and here.

----

Next up: Gordon runs for treasurer unopposed. No one challenges him. He is acclaimed victor. But he'll have to get an extra year of eligibility/fail some of his classes to match Eammonn's three-terms as Treasurer. (9:36)
----
Internet problems prevented me from posting this earlier. Sorry. (9:23 p.m.)

Welcome to the 2009 Penn Band elections live blog. I’m Zach Klitzman, soon to be lame duck Vice President and I’ll try to emulate the expertise of Noah "Chris Webber” who did this blog the last two years. It’s going to be tough, since he’s now a professional blogger. Tough to top a pro.

The candidates are as follows:
President Stephen “Big Stunna” Abrams Downey versus Jaci “not Jackie” Rifkin
Vice President: Matt “Gazprom” Gazarra versus Mike “Pips” Guarino
Treasurer: Gordon “mini Eamonn” Watkins
Secretary: Erica “the Sauce” Miranda

Big Stunna is wearing a dapper gray suit with a red tie and oxford blue shirt. But the white socks don’t go with the brown loafers. If elected I guess we’ll have yet another President who dresses weirdly.
Not Jackie’s wearing a black blouse that is faintly similar to the puffy shirt of Seinfeld fame.
Pips is wearing jeans, the Penn shield shirt they gave away at homecoming last year and a brown track jacket. Not going to lie, the slovenly look is exactly what the Vice Presidency is all about.
Gazprom is running late for an exam, so in the meantime GREER’S DOING MAGIC! Apparently outgoing President Joe Coyne can’t tell the difference between red and black cards. He eventually shows up and is wearing a dark black suit with an American flag label. Guess he’s not a terrorist.
Mini Eamonn is wearing jeans and an off-white button down.
The Sauce is wearing jeans and a red shirt. Very penn colors-y

Stunna gives the first speech. He quotes the definition of president from the dictionary, but then ripes up his “speech” announcing he must speak from the heart. He talks about the tale of a young lad at the University of Pennsylvania without a clue of what to do. But then one day this lad’s mother told him to join the band. So then, In the words of Stunna “I said ok, I’ll join the band.” The rest of the speech describes his love of the band as it defined his college career. He ends it by quoting Pericles telling the band to cherish the band every day.
Next up is Jaci. She also talks about how much the band has meant to her. She thinks she’d be the best president because of experience: drum line section leader as freshman, secretary as sophomore as well as conducting assistant and show writing committee member. Observed the President in meetings, went to IBC. Also cites her people skills. She’d be “Proud and happy to lead you.” In short, the speech was very direct, but alas didn’t quote Pericles.

Q&A session:
Joe Coyne asks what could I have done better as President.
Jaci talks about the board email list serve and how the responses weren’t in sync.
Stunna: unnecessary yelling since he’s all about love.
Becca Aaberg: Jaci, you’ve been interested in Drum Major. So what gives/which would you choose? (note: paraphrase)
Jaci claims she’s still going to run for Drum Major. She avoids the choosing question, but when pressed says on board.
Becca’s followup: Not on board, but how are you prepared
Stunna: Fanfare and council. Some understanding of how it operats.
Brian Wright: want in general do you want to be different next year
Stunna: good year for most part, like the direction. Can’t think of amy single major thing.
Jaci: “I feel the same way” Frustrating we don’t have a band house, but not administrative.
I ask what did you do in the past year and want could you change
Jaci: doesn’t get the question at first, but then says did a good job knowing people in the band as secretary.
Stunna: try to hold some events as Low Brass leader. So as President socialize.
Me 2: Fanfare. What’s it’s role etc in your administration
Stunna should be more open and lack of house.
Jaci: didn’t run in the past for fanfare because too busy but will do so in the future. Also agrees with Stunna that it should be more open. In fact, she thought it was a secret society.
Joe Coyne: As President I live in the band room (paraphrase). Can you put in the same commitment.
Jaci: yes, my schedule is going to be clear next semester.
Stunna basically says the same thing.
Other Joe C(Catania): Favorite band moment?
Stunna: Single moment tough. Interaction with visiting fans, within the games is when people have the greatess awareness.
Jaci: Homecoming this year. Playing don’t stop believing and everyone screaming “I felt like a rock star.”
Daniel “Rockhound:” How do you make sure other groups will be included (i.e. other sections).
Jaci: That’s what’s council for.
Stunna: not a formal thing. Have to be outgoing.

Jaci’s closing statement: worked hard (in band), love band, feel great when I put something together. Sweet if you vote for me.

Stunna: Ensure it’s fun and entertaining.

My analysis: Both had similar views, none really groundbreaking. But they’re both very dedicated bandos. So they’d both make good presidents.

And the President is…. Stunna

VICE PRESIDENT
Gazprom speech: All you need to know is that I love this band, almost as much as I love America (touches American flag lapel). Says first thing he did at Penn was go to the bookstore and pay $25 for Band Before Time (alternate title: Chinese Democracy). Says he would wear Penn Band pin, but doesn’t need to because his record speaks for himself. Best attendance of candidates. Helped girlfriend with recruiting. Says he took note of my (klitzman’s) strengths and shortcomings as VP. And helped with emergency show writing gigs. Lull freshman into show writing.
Pips: Starts off by talking about nicknames. Says that he is dedicated and can “prove it” since he attends a lot of things. Despite “NFK” moniker he’ll listen to the censors—you guys. Helped with recruitment as percussion section leader.

Q&A:
Ex President Coyne: How do you make sure shows aren’t about pokemon or obscure historical reference.
Pips says it’s about show writing committee.
Matt says he can do it as well.
Sam Pasternack: Top three shows
Gaz: Homecoming (because of obscure historical references), Cornell (lots of people came), Dartmouth before it got censored.
Pips: Homecoming (crowd into it), Cornell (Dos equis was good) , Columbia (good music)
Koosh: pushing the envelope much?
Pips: in between family guy and south park
Gaz: looking at other school’s sites to poke mild fun.
I continue this theme:
Gaz: Got to find happy medium. Had experienced with you (klitzman)
Pips: Err on the side of tame. Better then getting completely shut down and then starting from scrath.
Rework shows:
Pips: Band is No. 1 priority to rework shows. Going on other people.
Gaz: way to prevent this: plan show writing earlier. Didn’t get it really submitted until week of performance. Plan on getting it done early to submit to censorship committee early.
Ex Prez: Want would you do as VP in spring semester?
Gaz: Help with retention.
Pips: Join Fanfare
Roger: Gaz your tie matches Stunna’s suit. Pips, your outfit doesn’t. Gaz, What’s your working relationship with the new President?
Pips: I’m friends with Stunna
Gaz: just both wanted to wear suits. Live together
Angela: Something you’ve done to go out of your way as section leaders.
Gaz: section events, but also hosted parties, which involves cleaning up throw up.
Pips: let people play different instruments. Also can get a house for parties.
Brian Wright: Would you run for sectional leader again if you lose?
Both say yes
The Sauce: What did klitzman do wrong?
Gaz: make show writing earlier
Pips: Make show writing more fun, potentially better time.
I ask if they have show ideas, but am overruled by Ex Prez and Greer.

Closing statements: pretty basic.

Winner is Gazprom.