Spring Break
Age change to City Council may hinder candidates
Devin Vernick, Senior Reporter
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Campus News
On April 3, Milledgeville’s city council held an open work session that has since ignited an issue that may widen the divide between young and old.
In last year’s council election, GCSU student Zack Johnson narrowly lost to incumbent councilman Ken Vance. The minimum age for an individual to campaign for a Milledgeville City Council position is still 21 years old, but a debate has arisen as to whether or not the minimum age should be raised to 25 and the minimum age to run for mayor to 30.
The idea is still in its preliminary stages and no resolution has been drafted. Of Milledgeville’s six council members, councilwoman Jeanette Walden and councilman Ken Morgan represent differing sides of this issue.
“I am in favor of raising the age,” Walden said. “I believe the person needs to be established in the neighborhood and be someone who is a tax payer in this community.”
Walden feels that a 21- or 22-year-old isn’t ready for the fiscal responsibility of serving office.
“I disagree, I know a lot of 21-year-olds that are more mature than some older people,” Morgan said. A 21-year-old can buy a house or a car and fight and die in a war — I have problems with a 21-year-old voting for a person but not being able to be that person.”
Unfairness is not motivating Walden and other council members feeling the age raise is necessary. The closeness of the recent Ken Vance and Zack Johnson race is not a factor either.
Various GCSU students are taking a vocal stand against the possibility of change.
“We’re one-third of this population,” Will Thompson said. Thompson, a senior GCSU student and political science major, believes changing the age is tasteless. “There are many college students actively participating in local governments near college campuses, other college towns have student representation in the local government.”
Walden says the proposed change in the minimum age is not an attack on students.
“I am not against college students,” Walden said. “I love it that they come to our meetings and are getting involved, I just believe that 25 should be the minimum age to run.”
Walden is unsure how aware students are of the needs pertaining to Milledgeville’s different districts. Morgan also understands knowing the community is crucial when running for public office.
“A unfamiliar person coming into the office tomorrow saying they wanted to run may have a problem,” Morgan said. “It is important to know the office and the people you would represent.”
The council plans to discuss the issue again in the near future, the next council election occurs two years and eight months from now.
In last year’s council election, GCSU student Zack Johnson narrowly lost to incumbent councilman Ken Vance. The minimum age for an individual to campaign for a Milledgeville City Council position is still 21 years old, but a debate has arisen as to whether or not the minimum age should be raised to 25 and the minimum age to run for mayor to 30.
The idea is still in its preliminary stages and no resolution has been drafted. Of Milledgeville’s six council members, councilwoman Jeanette Walden and councilman Ken Morgan represent differing sides of this issue.
“I am in favor of raising the age,” Walden said. “I believe the person needs to be established in the neighborhood and be someone who is a tax payer in this community.”
Walden feels that a 21- or 22-year-old isn’t ready for the fiscal responsibility of serving office.
“I disagree, I know a lot of 21-year-olds that are more mature than some older people,” Morgan said. A 21-year-old can buy a house or a car and fight and die in a war — I have problems with a 21-year-old voting for a person but not being able to be that person.”
Unfairness is not motivating Walden and other council members feeling the age raise is necessary. The closeness of the recent Ken Vance and Zack Johnson race is not a factor either.
Various GCSU students are taking a vocal stand against the possibility of change.
“We’re one-third of this population,” Will Thompson said. Thompson, a senior GCSU student and political science major, believes changing the age is tasteless. “There are many college students actively participating in local governments near college campuses, other college towns have student representation in the local government.”
Walden says the proposed change in the minimum age is not an attack on students.
“I am not against college students,” Walden said. “I love it that they come to our meetings and are getting involved, I just believe that 25 should be the minimum age to run.”
Walden is unsure how aware students are of the needs pertaining to Milledgeville’s different districts. Morgan also understands knowing the community is crucial when running for public office.
“A unfamiliar person coming into the office tomorrow saying they wanted to run may have a problem,” Morgan said. “It is important to know the office and the people you would represent.”
The council plans to discuss the issue again in the near future, the next council election occurs two years and eight months from now.
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