Hatrack River Forum: 18 yr old elected mayor

This is topic 18 yr old elected mayor in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :

Another reason why my state is an interesting place. Mayor Elect of Hilsdale, MI.

Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :

Sweet! [Big Grin]

It'd suck to be the guy he beat, though.

Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :

Wasn't there a movie about something like this?

Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :

Well, it's interesting, but time will tell if it is a story about a talented and ambitious teenager, or about an electoral system with a glaring flaw.

I mean, really, the kid isn't even out of High School. Presumably he's a senior. In my experience the pressures of that year were enough to fill anyone's life. Add to that all the pressures of political office?

I think it's a fluke. There was very low voter turnout, indicating that perhaps no one thought there would be a serious challenge to the incumbent. The endorsement of the Fire Department is unconvincing. I think it's just a likely they knew they weren't going to get a 4th person on staff under the incumbent so they took a shot.

I know I'm sounding a bit like a wet blanket, and who knows? Maybe the kid will turn out to be a great politician. But I'm skeptical. I think it's more likely he will find that he's bitten off a bit more than he can chew. He doesn't even have a HS diploma to show as qualification for the job.

Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :

I don't know if I should laugh or just be worried for the kid. I think I'll do both...

Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :

Maybe it's a trend

Posted by Foust (Member # 3043) on :

quote:
"We never thought this would happen," Hillsdale City Manager Tim Vagle told ABC News. "Now we will see what we need to do to make this work. [Sessions] missed a planning commission meeting this morning. I assume it is because he had school."

Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :

[Smile]

I think it's great. Here's hoping. [The Wave]

Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :

The college I went to got a student elected to city council, which was a really big deal. Basically they got the majority of the campus registered to vote in the city elections. The campus was tired of stupid outdated laws like not allowing more than 4 girls in a house to a avoid brothels.

Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :

Here in Texas, we had an 18 year old a few years ago get elected to a justice of the peace position I believe.

Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Stephan:
The college I went to got a student elected to city council, which was a really big deal. Basically they got the majority of the campus registered to vote in the city elections. The campus was tired of stupid outdated laws like not allowing more than 4 girls in a house to a avoid brothels.

So if you were the 5th girl in a house attendance was mandatory? [Confused]

Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :

Stephan,
Are you talking about somewhere in PA, or do other states have that crazy law too?

Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Stephan:
The campus was tired of stupid outdated laws like not allowing more than 4 girls in a house to a avoid brothels.

Snopes'd: http://www.snopes.com/college/halls/brothel.asp

Posted by etphonehome (Member # 999) on :

This week a college student almost got elected to the city council of Ames, IA (home of Iowa State University) for the first time in many, many years. But he only got 49% of the vote in a three-way race, and a majority is needed to win, so there will be a runoff in a month. But I actually think he'd do a good job, so it might not be too similar to this mayor case.

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :

There were two 19 year olds who were elected to mayor of small towns in PA in the last couple years. One of them was even reelected this week after his first term went so well, and he passed a police protection grant.

I think once people stop assuming things based on age, there won't be so many barriers to increased participation.

Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :

There were no frat or sorority houses on campus anyways. Maybe it was for more then 4 men or women in a house. I never really looked into it. The campus just got tired of making a lot of money for the town, and never having any say.

Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :

My college tried that about 2 years ago. Unfortunately, the guy who was running was a complete dink and only got 52 votes out of 4000.

Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :

Are you saying he was meeker than the other candidates? [Razz]

Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :

Peter Wiggin!

Having said that, I'd like to make a few points:

1. That is certainly a one-of-a-kind after school job.

2. Nobody's gonna believe him when he puts it on his resume for his first job filling in time in hamburger hell.

3. With that in his records, he better get some good colleges lined up.

4. "Hey man, you goin' to the party?"
"No, I got a city council meeting tonight. Sorry."