This is a local diary from a small city in Alaska. Here in Juneau (in 2014: 32,406 people live here), we are seeing young people stepping up in public service. Here are a handful of people running for office or working for the community in other ways (and they aren’t the only ones).
Let me give some details and links:
Recent high school graduate running for School Board.
Kevin Allen was a student representative on the school board and is stepping forward as a candidate. “He would like to see more students, at any level, have the confidence to speak before the board on issues they find important to them and their schools.” www.juneau.org/...
The campaign site is www.facebook.com/...
Photos in a high school library and at the local AFL-CIO picnic are there.
Candidate for City and Borough Assembly.
Norton Gregory has raised three-fourths of the money the incumbent has raised. www.ktoo.org/...
He is working for the local tribal housing authority and serves on several non-profit boards already.
“Juneau’s economy is a top level priority. We need to be proactive and work to have a strong and resilient local economy.” www.juneau.org/...
The campaign sites are
www.facebook.com/...
www.gregoryforassembly.com
I love that his campaign poster shows him with his mountain bike!
Young man provides voters the choice of a Democrat in the State House.
Justin Parish is openly challenging the current mess that is our legislature.
“Replacing two or three of the incumbents would be enough to form a new majority: a coalition of loyal pragmatists, Democrat, Independent, and Republicans alike. We have an unprecedented opportunity to retake our state legislature.” www.justinforjuneau.com/...
The campaign sites are:
http://www.justinforjuneau.com/
www.facebook.com/...
www.facebook.com/...shows the conditions of precinct-walking here.
All of them have been out speaking to meetings, ringing doorbells, and participating in forums (organized by League of Women Voters, newspaper, radio stations, Juneau Votes).
Ok, I’m out of time, but do want to applaud the young woman who has joined the board of United Way and the young man who is revitalizing a local chapter of an honorable civil rights organization.
Thanks for reading about the marvelous young folks in my town. They are making democracy work. Maybe you can find people like this in your area.