Grad. student officially 'runs' for Newark city council

Dozens of supporters of Ezra Temko gathered Tuesday night to hear the university graduate student officially announce his candidacy for city council's fifth district representative. Temko, 22, is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration at the university, and if elected, would become the youngest ever member of city council. The crowd, consisting mostly of young people, gathered at Temko's house in Fairfield Crest for a meet-and-greet period followed by the formal announcement speech by Temko. "Ezra is the candidate for change in Newark," campaign manager and university graduate student Kat Caudle told the crowd. "He is the one who is going to make Newark a place everyone wants to move to." Temko has based his platform on three issues: economic progress, environmental sustainability and responsive representation. "That is the community I believe in," he said. "I want that community to be Newark." Temko said he went on a listening tour, knocking on doors in his district and asking residents about their concerns. "People are very eager to have somebody who is responsive to them and proactive in addressing the issues we have," he said. The most common concern was disaproval of the proposed Country Club Estates development, Temko said. The Aston Development Group's plan to build 271 new houses on the grounds of the former Newark Country Club has met resistance from some residents who want the parcel to remain open space and fear the proposed development could cause traffic congestion. Temko said the issue shows the need for a new land-use strategy in Newark, one that encourages environmental sustainability through clustered housing and development that follows the contours of the land. The city's current strategy does not work, he said. "Our comprehensive plan is not comprehensive, and it's not a plan," he told the crowd. Temko said he feels it is important to attract new businesses to downtown Newark. One problem, he said, is absentee landlords who make enough money from renting the second-floor apartments that they are not committed to filling vacant storefronts. He said, if elected, he would propose a one dollar per day vacancy fee for businesses. "That would help incentivize people to at least return phone calls, think about lower rates and at least try to fill the vacancy," he said. Temko said the city should also begin actively seeking a new tenant for the Chrysler plant, which will be idled in 2009. He said he disagrees with some state politicians who believe the Chrysler company can be convinced to stay in Newark. "We need to take the next step and say, 'Oh, they're leaving; what do we do about it?' " he said. "However, I feel like there are roadblocks to us having that conversation." During his speech, Temko grew emotional when talking about his mother, Vicki, who died last July of breast cancer. "She's one of the people I get my commitment to community from," he said. She volunteered as a parent educator, taught classes for pregnant teens and worked with the CONTACT crisis hotline, he said. "I hope through my commitment to community, I can help with the work she was doing to make this a community that is filled with love and kindness," he said. Temko said his mother's death reaffirmed his belief in preserving the environment. "I take cancer personally," he told the crowd. "I think it's our choice whether or not we live in a county that meets national air quality standards." He said as a councilman he would work toward implementing policies that encourage environmental sustainability, such as decoupling the city's electric utility and implementing a curbside recycling program. Decoupling, which he emphasized is different than deregulation, adjusts utility rates based on usage, allowing the city to encourage energy conservation without worrying about losing money. "Right now, the city has a huge disincentive to promote conservation and efficiency because if they do, people will use less electricity and they will make less money," he said. Temko used the campaign rally as a chance to demonstrate his own environmental conservation. He issued a press release earlier this week billing the event as "carbon negative." He said he bought $54 worth of carbon offsets - money paid to a non-profit company that promises to use it for conservation and reforesting efforts - which he said is more than enough to offset the environmental damage caused by the food preparation and people traveling to the event. Refreshments were served on glass plates and cups, rather than disposable ones. Although there were adults in the crowd, most attendees were students. Some said Temko inspired them to get involved in politics for the first time. "I read about politics, but I'm not real involved," graduate student Scott Grauer-Gray said. "I'm curious." Graduate student Sommer Wynn has classes with Temko and came to the rally to learn more about his policies. "He's young and I'm interested to see what he will bring to the table," Wynn said. She said she hopes Temko will be an alternative to politicians who have been in office for a long time. "Some of them are seasoned, so maybe he has fresh ideas," she said. "Politics isn't just for old people." Junior Sierra Hake said she has worked on campaigns before, but is happy to see a student run for office. "Everyone says students are apathetic, so for someone my age to be running is good," she said. Temko rejected the notion that he is inspiring other students, and said, rather, he is simply engaging them in the process. "A lot of times, young people are not reached out to in campaigns and by public officials," he said. "There's a great potential to get people involved and active if they see someone else their age doing it, but also just if they're asked." He said during his listening tour he always made sure to listen to the concerns of even middle school students, something he said many politicians would not do. "A lot of times people would say, 'Oh, it's a kid. I'm not going to address them,' "he said. Another of his proposals is the Council Fellows Program, which would allow university students to intern with city council for academic credit. Temko himself has been involved in politics since an early age. "I've been trying to talk him out of being a politician for 10 years," his father, Robert Temko, joked. The younger Temko said his first recollection of politics was running for mayor in a mock election in sixth grade, complete with campaign stickers and a platform - that students should not have to walk to school when it is raining. He lost, but he said some people still remember him from the mock election. Now, Temko is a member of the Delaware Young Democrats and the Town and Gown Committee and has campaigned for state Treasurer Jack Markell. Since Temko filed to run for election in November - he literally "ran for office," jogging with supporters from his house to the city municipal building to file the paperwork - excitement for the campaign has grown. To date, he has raised more than $6,000, he said. Temko said he was surprised by the turnout at the rally. "We went around today buying more food because we had more RSVPs that expected," he said. Temko said he has not found people who are turned off by his age. "Mostly when people mention my age, it's because they're enthusiastic about new blood and somebody coming in who has youth and experience," he said. It is not yet clear if Temko will have an opponent in the April 8 election. Frank Osborne, the incumbent, has not decided if he will run for another term. Osborne said he expects to make a decision by the end of January. Regardless, Temko is confident he will do well in the election. "People are ready for someone who's interested in moving Newark forward," he said. "I think I offer a unique perspective in terms of my age, 21st century technology, and my knowledge of environmental issues. "That's what we don't have right now," he said. "People are ready for something a little different."

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