KRTU’s Ron Nirenberg runs for City Council District 8

Ron Nirenberg, associate general manager of KRTU and Trinity alumnus, began working at Trinity in the summer of 2009 has begun his campaign for City Council District 8. Photo by Megan McLoughlin.

Trinity’s newest claim to fame comes in the form of the campus radio station, KRTU’s associate general manager, Ron Nirenberg, who is running for City Council, District 8. Nirenberg graduated from Trinity in 1999 only to return in the summer of 2009 to take on his current job at KRTU.

“It was a long time coming. I had been involved in policy and civic work a long time,” Nirenberg said. “The real reason I love my job is it enables me to work in a community and serve my neighbors and focus on what I enjoy.”

Nirenberg hopes to provide neighborhoods in San Antonio with someone with accountability and transparency, who will make decisions with only their best interests in mind. He plans to improve the quality of life for everyone in District 8 – the area surrounding the intersection of I-10 and Loop 1604 – by bringing new jobs to San Antonio, fixing roads and infrastructure and making public safety a priority.

“There are different issues every term,” Nirenberg said. “I’m out listening to the community right now. The priorities that I’m hearing have to do with fiscal responsibility, improved infrastructure and making our community safer.”

Nirenberg wants to be viewed with pride by the Trinity community, and serve as an example of graduates doing great things in the community with their education.

“The reason I am at KRTU is because of Trinity. I am truly blessed to be back at Trinity. I always knew I’d come back,” Nirenberg said.

Nirenberg believes in a difference between statesmanship and politics and hopes to use a position on city council to make the city a better place.

“I don’t intend to become a politician. My reason for doing this is because I love San Antonio,” Nirenberg said.

Members of the Trinity community have chosen to contribute to Nirenberg’s campaign by  canvassing neighborhoods and spreading news about Nirenberg through word of mouth. Those members include Michael Soto, associate professor of English.

“I’m one of many individuals who is happy to volunteer his time and talents to help get Ron elected,” Soto said.

Soto hopes that his involvement in the campaign and the campaign itself will set an example for Trinity students.

“There are many lessons for Trinity students in all of this; perhaps the most important lesson is, getting involved matters,” Soto said. “Our quality of life depends on people like Ron being willing to serve – at great personal expense and with little thanks –  a cause greater than any one of us.”

The treasurer for Nirenberg’s campaign is Bonnie Carter, former councilwoman who served from 1999 to 2003.

On his Facebook page, VoteRon8, she also speaks out on behalf of the same issues that Nirenberg does. Many other civic and community leaders have stepped forward in support of Nirenberg.

“There is tremendous support from all corners. They’re looking for leadership that rises above politics,” Nirenberg said.

Nirenberg’s campaign can be followed on his Facebook page, VoteRon8, or on his website VoteRon8.com. The campaign is accepting volunteers, especially Trinity students.