My name is Darrin Wurz. I didn't even consider running for Eau Claire City Council until I had noticed a sign on the door of the Schneider Hall inviting me to join a grassroots effort by the College Independents to get some students on the city council. I thought I should do this – I figured I couldn't start early enough when it came to learning about city government.

After graduating in 2000 from Marathon High School in Marathon City, Wisconsin, I attended Chippewa Valley Technical College, graduating in 2002 with an Associate Degree in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning. During that time in Eau Claire I had a great opportunity to become familiar with the community as a citizen. I transferred to the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire in the fall of 2002 with an undeclared major, basically trying to find myself. As I got involved in my Residence Hall and events on campus, I eventually decided last fall that my major was going to be Advertising, with a minor in Political Science.

Running for a political office like that of City Council Alderman was something I always wanted to do. Students are affected by what the City Council decides, like through restricted parking, alternative street parking, snow removal, and bus services. I want to connect the students with the city's residents so that there can be a better working relationship between the two. Students have gotten a bad, stereotyped reputation from the actions of a few, and by electing student representatives to City Council we can work to change that.

If anything comes out of my campaign for City Council, I hope it is students deciding to get out and vote, because they statistically have not. There is more to college than going to class, doing homework, studying, and partying. There is power in involving yourself with issues and voting for a candidate who can represent your beliefs.