Younger volunteers needed
As I was attending the Marion city council public forum Sunday at Marion Senior Center I noticed something that didn't set too well with me.
I majored in journalism not mathematics, but you didn't need a math degree to count the number of people attending below the age of 30: myself, my wife Jamie, sister-in-law Jessica, and Marion High School senior Brett Billings, the events' timekeeper.
In all there were only about 100 people, which is an entirely different issue, but the lack of 20-somethings bothered me.
Then I started to wonder: Is it a low amount because there is apathy among younger citizens, or is it that the few younger residents feel they have no say in the future of Marion?
Either way it's kind of sad.
I seriously considered running for one of the two open council positions. Ultimately I decided not to do so. It came down to two reasons. The first was my lack of experience, and the second was the time commitment I would have had to make.
In all honesty, with two kids less than three years old and a job that requires work outside of a 9-5 day, it was the time management more than the lack of experience.
We proved in the past city council election, experience means nothing. I just feel we need more members of the younger generation to step up and take active roles in the community, or, at least we need more participation at community events.
And while I feel the youth of the town needs to be visible, that doesn't mean we don't need older, experienced people as well.
I've always felt an idea cannot be successful if it does not have a diverse group of people representing it.
Many, if not all, of the candidates at the forum mentioned retention of high school graduates is a must for the town to thrive. And they all said jobs are the key to keeping them here after high school or college graduation. But I still have not heard how that is going to happen.
I moved to Marion at 23 years old to take a job because it was unique enough for me to come here without a connection.
If I did not have a family now three-and-a-half years later, I can't say for sure I would still be here.
We moved away once and decided to come back because we have family here, and it is a good place to raise ours.
Even as I write this I realize there is more I can do to get involved with Marion as well.
However, it's no secret the younger generation as a whole does not have a strong voice in the community.
Whether that is by choice or circumstance doesn't matter.
It needs to change.
— Mike Norris
