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 College student seeks Oglesby mayoral title  

   By Karlie Baker
   IV Leader Staff, Jan 25, 2007

    A question that all aspiring senators and presidents are surely asked is “Who or what made you consider politics?”
    A great lot of them would scratch their chins, look thoughtfully towards the heavens and decide that the gallant efforts of J.F.K. inspired them. 18-year-old IVCC student Jimmy Einhaus is not one of them — he actually found it easier to name who he thought was the antithesis of a role model. “Richard Nixon is the epitome of deceit in politics,” he said.
    In a case of “I could do better than that,” Einhaus has decided to run for the Oglesby mayor’s seat in the Feb. 27 primary. He felt that despite his incomplete college education at this time, the town is in need of his fresh ideas. He will be opposing Commissioner Don Finley, Commissioner Tony Torres, and current mayor Jerry Scott.
    “This election will be a good way for him to dip his hand in the political cookie jar,” said IVCC student Mike Crouch. Crouch acts as Einhaus’s campaign manager and self-proclaimed “idea flinger.” “He’s my best friend, so I know he’ll give me honest reactions to ideas I have,” explained Einhaus when asked of his decision.
    So far, the campaign trail has been easy for Einhaus. After turning in his petition, he began working on a platform. His other efforts have gone towards ordering campaign signs, preparing a speech for the EMS crew and a door-to-door campaign.
    According to Scott, posting signs and meeting with people are general steps in a mayoral campaign. The question of experience raises interest in this particular campaign. Of the four candidates, three have served on the Oglesby City Council for at least four years. Einhaus, in his second semester of college, is the candidate with the least political experience.
    Scott said he would have recommended a commissioner’s spot before running for mayor. “You can do just as much as a commissioner as you can as mayor,” he explains. “This is a job you can’t just walk into.” Yet the most important factor in choosing a winning candidate will be the issues that they represent.
    The candidates’ ages appear to be influencing their platform. Scott feels he can continue his efforts of “lowering city taxes while keeping services at a premium.”
    Einhaus also hopes to bring in a larger economy to Oglesby. “We really need a grocery store and pharmacy. It would help the elderly people that can’t drive as much,” he said. Finley, also a younger candidate, expressed interest in the same strategy. Reactions towards Einhaus running for office have been mixed so far. Crouch cites that some people welcome the idea of somebody new in office, while others are skeptical because of his age.
    “His age is important. He will probably draw more college-aged voters [to polls] because he‘s young, but others would not choose him for the same reason,” said IVCC student and Oglesby resident Brian Baxter. Yet Einhaus operates under the belief that age is merely a number. “If nothing else [after the election],” Einhaus said, “I’d like to prove that people my age can accomplish as much as their elders, and take their local politics into consideration.”
    No matter the outcome, Einhaus plans to pursue some avenue politics. He believes that no matter where he ends up, he will always do whatever possible to keep a sense of honesty in the field.
    How can that be done in an occupation with such a stigma of corruption? “As long as you always think of what people deserve, that’s not dishonesty,” he explains.

 

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