While I respect both Robert Agrusa and Thomas Hawkins Jr. in their impassioned effort to give younger people a representative with whom they can identify and general residents a stronger bridge across generations, I do not extend that respect to the Alligator Editorial Board.
To depict Hawkins negatively solely because he "seems more concerned with land development issues" is the sort of shortsighted ignorance that makes even me, a former student candidate for the Gainesville City Commission, wary of student input into local politics.
I will never forget what a local business owner told me about students when I campaigned in 2005: "What interest do they have to develop this city? None. They do their job and go bye - it's like a bathroom for them."
Since I had put great thought into how students can work with all local interests to mold Gainesville into a great place to live for everyone, I took this observation lightly.
I am extremely disappointed that Monday's endorsement is giving a bad name to thoughtful students with a working brain and a vision for their world and community that reaches beyond a handful of years.
While I encourage students to consider both candidates carefully, both of whom would represent the interests of young people in this town, I also encourage them to disregard yesterday's endorsement in the At-Large District 2 City Commission race as worthless and insulting.
