YEO Frontline News April 7th, 2015 | Page 10

Cover Networking Q: The City of Hyattsville recently got national media attention for passing a resolution you proposed to lower the voting age to 16 for city elections. Why was that an important issue to you, and why should other YEOs consider lowering the voting age in their city/state? Policy Q: Any advice or calls to action you would like to give YEOs that are reading this? Paschall: When I went to my first convening in 2013 I didn’t know what to expect, and I felt like I squandered the opportunity to get involved then – my advice to other YEOs is to attend the Convenings, attend the policy summits, and get involved. If you have a policy or issue you are passionate about, share that policy, and reach out to the YEO staff. They are always there to support. Sergio Hernandez, Jr School Board Member Lennox, CA Sarah Anthony County Commissioner Lansing, MI Michael Fisher County Commissioner Mt. Pleasant, MI Larry Herrera Governing Board Member Phoenix, AZ Annie Boensch City Council Member Saginaw, MI Shawn Fluharty State Delegate Wheeling, WV Robby Hill City Councilman Florence, SC Noemi Cabrales Governing Board Member Goodyear, AZ Dominic Foppoli Councilmember Windsor, CA Jon Hoadley State Representative Kalamazoo, MI Stephanie Chang State Representative Detroit, MI Nathan Grajek School Board Member Battle Creek, MI Patrice Johnson Councilwoman Muskegon Heights, MI Walter Deleon Commissioner-Elect Washington, DC Will Guzzardi State Representative Chicago, IL Nicholas Josefowitz District Board Director San Francisco, CA Tyler Dotson Trustee - Board of Education South Haven, MI Tyrone Hendrix City Councilman Jackson, MS Andy LaBarre Commissioner Ann Arbor, MI Herman Hernandez School Board Trustee Guerneville, CA Joshua Lafazan School Board Trustee Woodbury, NY Me w w w .YEON e t w o r k . o r g w w w .YEON e t w o r k . o r g YEO F r o n t l i n e N e w s • A p r i l 7 t h , 2015 • PG 11 ip YEO F r o n t l i n e N e w s • A p r i l 7 t h , 2015 • PG 10 sh mb Ryan Fecteau State Representative Biddeford, ME er Hayley Alderman Trustee Fort Gratiot, MI mb ers Christina Hernandez Board Member Phoenix, AZ Me Dusty Farmer Trustee Kalamazoo, MI Daneya Esgar State Representative Pueblo, CO Paschall: I would like more of us to recognize that we are a resource for each other. We all come from different backgrounds with different knowledge, passions, and expertise. I’d love to see YEO emphasize more of the sharing and support among the members. hip Q: You are currently the YEO State Director in Maryland, and the Chairperson of the State Director Policy Subcommittee. What is your vision for the YEO Network moving forward? “ Sixteen and seventeen year olds use the same city services other residents do. They go to the schools, if they work they pay taxes, they drive on the same roads, and obey the same laws. If we entrust them with those responsibilities we should entrust them with the vote. Raumesh Akbari State Representative Memphis, TN Policy Paschall: I actually learned about the idea at the YEO National Convening in 2013. It was in the context of several measures YEOs could use to engage constituents. Sixteen and seventeen year olds use the same city services other residents do. They go to the schools, if they work they pay taxes, they drive on the same ɽ