Students comprise 98 percent of Ithaca’s fourth ward, the district which encompasses Collegetown. Due in part to student apathy and to the disproportionate political influence of the neighborhood’s small minority of permanent residents, students living in Collegetown frequently find their voices marginalized in city politic — an unfortunate reality for a population that contributes so much to the local economy. This is reason alone to fully endorse Eddie Rooker ’09 to represent Ithaca’s fourth ward on the Common Council.

Nonetheless, Rooker has proven his leadership and commitment to the Cornell and Ithaca communities by serving as president of the Interfraternity Council, volunteering at the Ithaca Youth Bureau and accepting other leadership roles. His dedication to Ithaca suggests he will be a positive force in improving town-gown relations.

Like every other candidate campaigning for a seat on the Ithaca Common Council, Rooker runs unopposed. While it is not surprising that few students are willing to commit the time and energy required to fulfill the demanding job of alderperson, we lament the overall lack of student participation in city politics. Two years ago, Alderperson Svante Myrick ’09 (D-4th Ward) also ran unopposed and won with only 63 votes in a ward of 6,000 residents. Unfortunately, there is little reason to believe that student voter turnout will increase in today’s election.

Voter registration may impede some student residents from voting for elected officials in Ithaca, but it should not hold anyone back from actively seeking a voice in the community. Issues such as the controversial Collegetown Master Plan, noise ordinances, poor road conditions and bar closing hours have a direct effect on student residents. To make necessary changes in these areas, active student participation in the city is necessary.

If Rooker is elected today, we hope that in addition to serving as a student voice on the Common Council, he will encourage further student involvement in local politics. Rooker can start by promoting city meetings that are open to the public and pushing for student representation on smaller city and party committees like the Fourth Ward Democratic Committee and the Residential Housing Advisory Commission.

Serving the student constituency will be an especially difficult task for Rooker, given that he is graduating in December. It is imperative that he remains tuned in to student needs through his four year term. We are confident that Eddie will meet these demands and provide a sound voice for all residents of the Fourth Ward, especially the student population.