Nearly clinching the majority vote by 799 votes, Michael Edwards, a 22-year-old City College student and sociology major, conceded to Sacramento ex-mayor Heather Fargo for a charter commission seat on the Nov. 6 ballot.
The Strong Mayor Initiative, endorsed by Mayor Kevin Johnson, in which the mayor has more responsibility and power over charter officers, was one of the reasons Edwards decided to run for a charter commission on the official 2012 ballot this year.
“My grandmother and I discussed the issues pertaining to the Strong Mayor Initiative and I decided that if this initiative were to pass, I would want to be a part of this charter commission in order to avert any mayor from obtaining too much power of his office,” Edwards said.
Opportunity for an inexpensive way to gain knowledge and experience in running for an official public office is another reason Edwards said he ran for the charter commission.
“My designation of ‘student’ probably made a lot of difference to the people who did vote, in that a student designation holds a lot of weight,” Edwards said.
A mandatory class was held at City Hall and was conducted by the city clerk about responsibilities that would be included with this office.
The minimal requirements were that a citizen be able to vote, registered to vote and could read and write. Details of the position would be announced only if the Strong Mayor Initiative passed. The initiative did not pass.
The products give enough stamina to use every tool in cheap viagra levitra your sex box. They conduct generic cialis samples on-line classes where you have to visit to a sexologist. However this could no prescription sildenafil turn out to be dangerous. Lots of reasons play generic viagra on sale a greater role behind the scene of this popularity. “All the class consisted of was how to fill out all the necessary paperwork, make a ‘designation’, and sign a contract that stipulated that I would not spend more than $1,000 in campaign propaganda and to initiate a petition with at least 20 signatures, but not more than 30,” Edwards stated.
After completing all the necessary red tape, he then joined the likes of Fargo, Phyllis Newton, C.T. Weber, and Terry Schanz to run for a place on a charter commission.
When all the majority votes were tallied, Edwards, with 9,201 votes, beat out all but Heather Fargo with 10,000 votes.
Edwards is an active board member of the Southside Park Neighborhood Association in conjunction with his politically active grandmother, Susan Bush. He said he was encouraged by his grandmother to run for the charter.
“There was nothing for my grandson to lose financially and gaining experience and knowledge is far more valuable than what you can pay for,” said Bush. “However, I still feel that he needs to complete his education before he decides to run for any other office.”
As a former foster child, Edwards wants to change the status quo by becoming a successful and responsible productive citizen.
“I want to make a difference in my community and the world in which I live,” said Edwards. “Be it stopping power-hungry mayors, or just being involved in the improvement of the environment.”
