Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tom Johnson, 2005 graduate and general manager for KJHK, was one of eight candidates running for city commission. Johnson ran in order to represent younger people he saw as underrepresented.
Ryan Lawler, Bolingbrook, Ill., senior and community affairs director for the Student Legislative Awareness Board, said most of the candidates for city commission had not expected a large response from the student body.
“As a whole, we’re not expecting too much from students,” Lawler said. “It’s that time of year — finals and projects are on the forefront of student’s minds.”
But some KU alumni said they thought student involvement in city elections was important because their input could improve Lawrence. City commissioners decide on issues such as safe housing and the availability of jobs.
“It’s an extremely important set of responsibilities that’s given to our city commissioners,” Johnson said. “It’s literally five people who vote on the future of the town that you live in.”
breakbox
City Commission Results
Candidate Votes %
Mike Amyx 5,564 22.1
Aron Cromwell 3,982 15.8
Lance Johnson 3,572 14.2
Price Banks 3,413 13.6
James Bush 3,241 12.9
Gwen Klingenberg 2,470 9.8
Dennis Constance 2,204 8.8
Tom Johnson 700 2.8
Public School Board Results
Candidate Votes %
Mark Bradford 3,661 18.7
Vanessa Sanburn 3,596 18.4
Bob Byers 3,055 15.6
Tom Hartley 2,426 12.4
Thom Hepford 2,399 12.3
Michael Riley 1,736 8.9
Michael Pomes 1,641 8.4
John Mitchell 1,030 5.3
Johnson said he decided to run because he said there was a lack of involvement from the younger generation in Lawrence politics.
“I think that there are not enough young professionals taking an active role in city affairs,” Johnson said. “I’d like to encourage earlier civic involvement from students, newly graduated professionals and the younger generation in general.”
Johnson said that his time at the University had influenced his campaign and that the city shouldn’t take the University and students for granted.
“The city should create policies that work for KU and respect its students and the benefits they bring the town,” Johnson said.
Instead of investing in advertisements to get his name recognized across town, Johnson ran as a one-man band, relying on word of mouth and online activity to promote his campaign. Johnson pledged to spend less than $500 on his campaign because he thought candidates raising thousands of dollars to promote themselves was selfish during an economic crunch.
Jacob Beaumont, May 2008 graduate, also helped with candidate Aron Cromwell’s campaign and said that in order for young people to have their voices heard, they needed to be involved in city politics and elections.
“Citizens are closest to their government at the city level,” Beaumont said. “It is hard for us, as individuals, to influence a decision that the president makes, but reaching out to your city commissioners is incredibly easy.”
Johnson said the outcome of the election wasn’t as important as representing those who needed a voice in the city. Johnson finished last among the candidates.
“Whether I win or lose,” Johnson said. “I’ve had a great opportunity to be a voice for under-represented individuals in our community and I think I made the most of it.”
— — Edited by Chris Hickerson
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