As many have already read, Martin has a new mayoral candidate. While I don’t know Brent Smoyer, have never conversed with him or met him on campus, he IS on my Facebook page.

No, this doesn’t qualify me to speak about his integrity as a candidate or anything else but that’s not why I think the guy deserves some major pats on the proverbial back.

In a generation where the only things to spark the interest and minds of young college students have been “MySpace” and a return to 80’s fashions (and you know who you are!), I am pleasantly surprised that someone only two years past the legal drinking age has turned his sights on something higher than the next layered Polo shirt or how many friends he’s accumulated. Brent has taken a look at his surroundings and has decided to do something about them. This type of action hasn’t been seen since…well, give me just a minute to think back that far.

I believe wholeheartedly that if we want to see change within the confines of the world we live in, we must do what we can to enact that change. Notice how the core of that word is “ACT” and not “sit by and watch” or “wait for someone else to do it.”

At a time when apathy is as rampant as mini-skirts and big hair were in the 80’s, I have to commend Brent and those like him for the courage to stand among their peers and actually raise their voices to a pitch that can be heard among the din – and actually have something worth saying.

In a very real way, Mr. Smoyer has restored some of the faith in “the younger generation” that has been lacking for a very long time. For the citizens of this fair hamlet of Martin, he shows community spirit and pride in his surroundings that has been hyped up in other publications and on billboards all over this town and I think he’s to be commended.

There is another important issue here that he brings to the table. When was the last time that you actually took time away from the computer screen, put down the iPod, shut off the Pussycat Dolls, closed the books (okay, so that last one happens more often than the others) and walked your intelligent, thinking, ACT-ing selves down to the polls and cast your vote for the people that lead you? Or have you found it MUCH easier to sit back, relax, have another Red Bull and wait for your parents, teachers, policemen, and OTHER POLITICIANS to cast their votes for who governs and makes laws for YOU?

Whether Brent Smoyer is a good mayoral candidate isn’t truly the crux of this column. Only an in-depth interview with him and a chance to question him about policy issues, financial savvy, and long-term plans for Mayor-ship would determine that (and if you’re reading this, Brent, drop me an e-mail!).

This editorial isn’t about support of or condemnation of Smoyer’s qualifications but rather a nod in the direction of his choice of ACTION over inaction. By declaring his intention to run for mayor, Smoyer has demonstrated that should we see problems in our government, the only way we’re going to see those problems solved is to take action.

I encourage you all to take this unique opportunity and seek out Brent Smoyer; find out where he stands on issues that affect Martin, and therefore, you. Do the same for his opponent and once you’re armed sufficiently with the facts, actually take thirty to forty minutes out of your day to go down and VOTE!

Yes, you may only be in Martin for the four years it takes to get your degree, or you may only be here for a semester or two but wouldn’t it be something to look back and remember the 23-year-old UTM student who ran for mayor and know that you had a hand in his election? If nothing else, that’s got to be worth something on the motivational scale!