Miami University Student Among Oxford City Council Candidates

BY KAROLINA ULASEVICH, ANNIE EDWARDS and CHARLES BLADES
Miami University journalism students

The City of Oxford is brimming with local candidate yard signs, with the elections next week. Among the candidates is a student, running for one of the four spots.

Austin Worrell is a senior at Miami University focusing on bringing a student voice to local issues.

“I’ve found over my past couple years living here [and] working in student government that there is this divide between our town populations and our student populations,” Worrell said. “I hope to kind of be that bridge, to bridge the gap between our communities, bring us all together to work on tough issues in town.”

As a college town, Oxford is not a stranger to students, especially those who foresee politics as a career. While there have been students considering a run for City Council in the past, only one went through with it this year.

In 2016, the City of Oxford saw nearly 40 percent of all votes come from on-campus locations. Kate Rousmaniere, mayor of Oxford, views the youthful voting population as a benefit to the community.

“It’s a lot of reaching out, a lot of putting people together and solving problems on a day-to-day level and so I really think young people, old people, every people should be involved in local government,” Rousmaniere said.

Early exit?

Worrell’s ability to complete his full term on the City Council has raised concern, primarily due to his lack of experience in politics. Current City Councilman Kevin McKeehan holds some of these reservations.

“There is a concern I personally have is will Austin, would anyone, stick for the full four years or is it something that every year or two they’re going to have an opportunity and exit stage left,” McKeehan said.

Worrell has heard these criticisms, but remains steadfast in his dedication to the city. When it comes to other local residents, some view having a student on the council as a positive influence on the community.

“My plan is be here for four years, work at the law firm, be an active councillor,” Worrell said. “Hopefully make Oxford a better place for all of us.”

Helaine Alessio, Oxford resident and Miami professor, thinks having a student on the council could help bridge the gap between students and the local communities.

“Maybe there needs to be a student voice on City Council regardless of the outcome of the election because of the nature of this town going from 6,000 to 16,000 for nine months,” Alessio said.

Elections are on Nov. 7.