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Posted by Mike "The Watchdog" Matthews
(Memphis 11/20/2009) The streets seem mean.
In North Memphis there are places that look like the final resting spots for hopes and dreams. Some people in North Memphis don't know the meaning of the word future. And then there is 19-year-old Eric Dunn, a graduate of Northside High School. "I just want to reach out to the young people," Dunn says. "I want to let them know they have a chance. It's time for a new generation. A new generation for the future."
Eric Dunn is serious about being a Shelby County Commissioner. "I have had this dream since I was born," he says. "When I first decided, I sat with my uncle, (Memphis City Councilman) Joe Brown and said, you what what? I'm going to give it a shot." He fits all the qualifications for running for the office. He's 19, the minimum age is 18. He's lived in Shelby County all of his life, and he's a registered voter. The County Charter requires candidates to be registered voters and to have lived in Shelby County for at least one year.
Young people voting in this country is a fairly recent civil right. The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 during the administration of President Richard Nixon. At first, young people flocked to the polls. In fact, South Dakota Senator George McGovern won the Democratic nomination for President in 1972, largely because of the youth vote. But in recent years the younger eligible voters have stayed away from elections. "A lot of people say the young people don't care about politics," Eric Dunn says, "...but I care. It doesn't matter. And it doesn't take a PhD to become a perfect leader."
Dunn was preparing to pick up a petition to run for Shelby County Commission in 2010, but was told by elections officials that petitions weren't ready. "The two political parties need to inform us that they desire to hold a primary election in May 2010," says Shelby County Elections Supervisor Richard Holden. "They have until the middle of next month to do that. Once they do, we will then inform candidates when they can pick up petitions." Holden admits that they were hoping to have the petitions ready now.
Dunn is counting on his youth and his life experiences in helping him get elected. "I want the young people to know that it doesn't matter where you came from. It doesn't matter who your parents are. You can push through life." His age will be an issue. If elected, Eric Dunn will make history. "To my knowledge, " says Elections Supervisor Holden, "...we've never had any candidate that age."
- Eric Dunn graduated from Northside High School
- His Uncle is City Councilman Joe Brown
- Commission Candidates must be at least 18 and live in County for a year
Posted by Mike "The Watchdog" Matthews
(Memphis 11/20/2009) The streets seem mean.
In North Memphis there are places that look like the final resting spots for hopes and dreams. Some people in North Memphis don't know the meaning of the word future. And then there is 19-year-old Eric Dunn, a graduate of Northside High School. "I just want to reach out to the young people," Dunn says. "I want to let them know they have a chance. It's time for a new generation. A new generation for the future."
Eric Dunn is serious about being a Shelby County Commissioner. "I have had this dream since I was born," he says. "When I first decided, I sat with my uncle, (Memphis City Councilman) Joe Brown and said, you what what? I'm going to give it a shot." He fits all the qualifications for running for the office. He's 19, the minimum age is 18. He's lived in Shelby County all of his life, and he's a registered voter. The County Charter requires candidates to be registered voters and to have lived in Shelby County for at least one year.
Young people voting in this country is a fairly recent civil right. The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 during the administration of President Richard Nixon. At first, young people flocked to the polls. In fact, South Dakota Senator George McGovern won the Democratic nomination for President in 1972, largely because of the youth vote. But in recent years the younger eligible voters have stayed away from elections. "A lot of people say the young people don't care about politics," Eric Dunn says, "...but I care. It doesn't matter. And it doesn't take a PhD to become a perfect leader."
Dunn was preparing to pick up a petition to run for Shelby County Commission in 2010, but was told by elections officials that petitions weren't ready. "The two political parties need to inform us that they desire to hold a primary election in May 2010," says Shelby County Elections Supervisor Richard Holden. "They have until the middle of next month to do that. Once they do, we will then inform candidates when they can pick up petitions." Holden admits that they were hoping to have the petitions ready now.
Dunn is counting on his youth and his life experiences in helping him get elected. "I want the young people to know that it doesn't matter where you came from. It doesn't matter who your parents are. You can push through life." His age will be an issue. If elected, Eric Dunn will make history. "To my knowledge, " says Elections Supervisor Holden, "...we've never had any candidate that age."
