University Star

Susan Narvaiz has dealt with controversial issues as San Marcos mayor, some of which incited opposition to her decisions while in office.

However, her constituents were invited to “take a final shot” at the mayor at Maximum Paintball Fields Saturday in a community paintball game.

The paintball field was set up as an obstacle course with three snipers defending her while other players tried to hit the mayor. The shooters had to get the snipers out of the game first before getting a chance at defeating Narvaiz.

Jude Prather, Place 2 candidate, and Randall Watkins, San Marcos resident, were invited by the mayor to be her defending snipers.

“After being on active duty, I’m pretty sure I can hold my own out there,” Watkins said.

The song “Hit Me with your Best Shot” played on the speakers as the first round began.

Narvaiz said her team developed the idea when they wanted to do something fun and different for her last big event in office.

“I made a comment that everybody is always taking shots at me as an elected official,” Narvaiz said. “They won’t get that chance anymore (after my term ends).”

Narvaiz said this was her first time playing paintball. She said the game is not much different than any council meeting because of the apprehension of the unknown she feels in both situations.

Members of the fire department, the police department and City Council candidates attended the event.

Ben Bolton, student at Canyon High School, said he enjoyed the event. Bolton did not make it to the mayor, but his little brother went farther than he did before being shot in the head by Narvaiz. His dad played in the next round and shot Narvaiz.

Terry Nichols, San Marcos resident, said he had a strategy to win, but was shot by a sniper.

“I learned a technique when I was a police officer that I thought might help me get to the end,” Nichols said. “You can’t crowd the barriers, because then you don’t have enough room to shoot.”

Thomas Hackler, San Marcos resident, said he had never played paintball before, but managed to shoot the mayor.

Narvaiz said she was hit three times out on the field, but it did not hurt her, because she had protective gear on her body. She said her snipers did an “excellent” job of defending her or she would have been hit more.

Narvaiz said some people were hesitant to shoot her because they “love her.” She said residents with strong negative feelings toward her had the opportunity to get them all out on the field.

“It is fun to be able to laugh about this whole thing,” she said.