Great Scott! Another College Freshman Seeking Elected Office

The perspective of the world seems different when you're eighteen. Life is, at least to those of us decades removed from high school, much simpler. The problems of a small town don't really make sense or matter all that much. You go to school, hang out with friends, make sure you're home by curfew, and look to the future. The last thing you worry yourself with is whether or not your community is governed by a council with one foot in the past and a head in the sand.

That is unless you're Luke Scott.

The recent high school graduate looked around his town and knew it was time to make dramatic change. Despite lacking the life experience to effectively make that conclusion, Scott realized things haven't been getting better around him. They're getting worse. As Wellston slipped backwards, the rest of the world was passing it by.

Scott knew he wasn't going to wait and hope the change would come, he decided to bring change himself. After talking to friends and family, he recently jumped into the race for Wellston Council - Ward 2.

Located in the northern edge of Jackson County, Wellston is home to around 6,000 people. An old coal mining town with slow streets, it's a very normal Ohio rural town. But as the economy suffers, small towns feel the impact just as much as the big ones. "Wellston is in horrible financial shape," said Scott. "I decided to run because people haven't had a choice."

Scott sees more choices and strong representation as the key to Wellston's recovery. He says Wellston, despite its size, is nothing more than "politics as usual." "There's no effort. People put their names on the ballot and see how it goes." Unfortunately, that usually means nothing happens after election day. Scott's not willing to accept that a small town should be a dying one, and he's build his campaign around five key areas : water costs, ensuring dollars allocated for streets are used for streets, a balanced budget, renegotiating a recent deal with sanitation workers, and attracting new businesses. It's a big list for someone hoping to represent a ward with fewer than 2000 voters, but so far no one is telling Scott he can't do it.

"The reception has been positive. People know I have what it takes," says Scott. "More people are getting involved and the momentum for change has grown across all age groups." While his peers and parents have been supportive, Scott is attracting attention from others in the state as well. "I met Luke Scott at the Vinton County Democratic Party Dinner in April and was impressed by his courage running for council while in high school," said Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. "When he suggested I come to Wellston and meet with members of his community, I was happy to take him up on his offer. I applaud him for taking bold steps."

With just weeks to go before he begins classes at Ohio University, and months before the election, Scott will be taking even more bold steps as he tries to become Wellston's youngest elected official. It will be a tough juggling act, but Scott says he is "focused on the task" because "I believe my hometown is worth fighting for."

Fight on, Luke Scott!

Visit Luke Scott online at www.votelukescott.com