Collegiate Times

Record numbers of Virginia Tech students stormed the Blacksburg voting booths for the 2008 presidential election. This November they'll have the chance to check the names of two fellow Hokies.

Michael Sutphin, a 2006 Tech graduate, and Bryce Carter, a rising Tech senior, are both on the ballot for Blacksburg Town Council.

The two began campaigning for one of the four council seats available in the coming election.

Carter, a 20-year-old humanities major and former vice president of the Tech Environmental Coalition, was inspired to form his candidacy when Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam spoke this spring to students about making a difference in Blacksburg.

"The way he was talking, it really inspired me," Carter said. "Here I am on the campus community and why not take the next step? That's when it clicked for me."

Sutphin, 25, graduated with a communication degree and now works for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as a writer. He always had an interest in local politics and finds himself "uniquely positioned as a graduate in 2006 and as a permanent resident in the area."

One can't deny the presence that Tech students have in Blacksburg, Tech students put about  $126 million into the local economy annually, according to the Blacksburg Partnership, and the 29,000 plus students hold a strong percentage of the town's population.

Vice Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith doesn't recall such a young candidate in the 26 years she's been involved with Blacksburg.

"I think what we're looking at is a new era in involvement and possible greater dialogue between the town and the campus community," Hager-Smith said.

Currently, the most tangible connection between Blacksburg and Tech is the Blacksburg-Virginia Tech Liaison Committee, which is made up of the mayor, vice-mayor and various citizens. Additionally, Council Member Susan Anderson is a Tech math instructor.

However, both Carter and Sutphin intend to increase the communication between the university and the town. Carter hopes to create a student advisory committee consisting of Tech students, and Sutphin wants to add more student voices within the current liaison committee.

Carter and Sutphin are among the six candidates who were on the ballot as of June 3. The deadline for declaring a candidacy is June 9. There are four open seats on the Town Council for this election.

Anderson is defending her seat, and Hager-Smith said that Tom Sherman, Mike Rosenweig, and Al Leighton don't plan to run again, leaving room for at least three fresh faces.

"With a student on the ballot and a recent graduate it'll be interesting to see what happens with it," said Randy Wertz of the Montgomery County registrar.

Hager-Smith said the town would welcome some "fresh blood" but that "it's important to have someone who has a future in our town."

"I think the best decisions would be made by who is making them for the long term," Hager Smith said.

Sutphin stayed in Blacksburg after graduation and has worked for CALS since then. His father's side of the family is from Blacksburg.

Upon graduation, Carter hopes to find a job in the Blacksburg area regarding humanities or environmental policy. He recently accepted the role as Blacksburg liaison for the SGA Sustainability Committee for the upcoming year.

Click here for a PDF copy of the necessary documents to run for Blacksburg Town Council.