On Tuesday Nov. 5, citizens of Ohio have the opportunity (some would say responsibility) to vote on a range of important local issues. Oberlin College students who are registered to vote in Ohio often ask themselves the question, “Is it appropriate for me to vote on local issues?” During your time at Oberlin, you live here, study here and contribute to the local economy. According to our Bonner Center for Service and Learning, in any given year a majority of Oberlin College students engage in some sort of community service to this community; you are a part of the Oberlin community.

In the last several years the city and College have coordinated their efforts to set ambitious goals and engage in comprehensive planning to lead on the issue of environmental sustainability. These goals build on our history in the sense that they move us forward on addressing the key environmental issue of our time — climate change — while simultaneously addressing the social and economic dimensions of sustainability. How can a city and college in the Rust Belt work together to build a vibrant and resilient economy that addresses poverty and inequity, promotes sustainable agriculture and local business and ultimately weans us off of dependence on fossil fuels?

Politics and education are central to addressing this question, and the candidates and issues on the ballot this year present citizens of Oberlin, including College students who are registered to vote

in Ohio, with important choices. On Tuesday, citizens will vote for the members of the Oberlin City Council. During the last several years, City Council has provided critical leadership on environmental sustainability, and there are a number of fine individuals running this year. But I would like to highlight the candidacy of Sharon Pearson. Sharon embodies many of the principles that exemplify the best of what is Oberlin and the kind of town-College collaboration that we should take pride in. A lifetime member of the Oberlin community, for 25 years Sharon worked for the city of Oberlin. During that time she received several awards, including a Community Pride award that recognized her work in coordinating the 150th anniversary of the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue, in which Oberlin citizens marched to Wellington to free captured slaves who were imprisoned there. For the last several years, Sharon has served the community as a program coordinator for the Oberlin Project — a town-gown collaboration designed to promote “full spectrum sustainability.” In this capacity we have had the pleasure to work with Sharon on developing the “Community Voices” component of Environmental Dashboard, a feature designed to celebrate the ways in which the full diversity of our community is engaged in thought and action that move us forward on all dimensions of sustainability. Sharon has been a tireless advocate for sustainability, with special interests in promoting transportation alternatives, local economic development and social justice.

In addition to the City Council election, there are a number of elections and issues that are critical to strengthening education and the environment in our community. For example, a yes vote on #16 would prohibit fracking in Oberlin, #34 supports the public library and #2 supports Lorain County Community College. Many of you volunteer within the public school system. Several of the candidates running for the Oberlin School Board this year, such as Albert Borroni, advocate for an integrated school system that would enhance educational and environmental opportunities within the public schools.

I urge you to inform yourself on important issues by visiting the League of Women Voters website where you can read candidate statements, as well as nonpartisan information about ballot initiatives: lwvoberlinarea.org/pages/ guide.html. It is quite appropriate to abstain from voting on issues on which you are not informed or that you feel you do not have a stake in. However, as a registered voter, you have a responsibility as well as a right to exercise your franchise on the issues that affect your life and the community you are living in.