Driven student driving for mayor
By Josh Ellerbrock, Staff Writer
November 16, 2007 | 6 a.m.
A college student is taking on the city system by becoming a vital member of its mechanics.
In Donkey Coffee and Espresso with a laptop relaxed on his knee and book bag thrown beside his chair, Sergey Kahn looks like any other normal college student. With long locks and a fuzzy beard, he could be compared to thousands of other young adults roaming the streets of Athens. Hinting at Kahn's difference is a little political button pinned onto his black book bag that simply says, “Kahn for mayor.” Kahn is not like any other student. Instead, Kahn has devoted this last half year to achieving a goal of becoming mayor of Athens, and he believes he has a good chance.
Kahn, a senior photography major born in the Ukraine, thinks that he could do some good as the mayor of Athens. “I've always been politically conscious,” he said.
Kahn has been an active participant in the political process since he was a junior, petitioning to get listed as a candidate. It took Kahn two tries last year to get the number of valid signatures, but he succeeded and is now trying to win through support of the local student body.
Running on a student-oriented platform has its advantages in Athens. “About two thirds of town population [is] students. Students make up of majority of Athens. The student voice wants represented,” said Kahn. Because of this, the voter registration of students is crucial for the turnout of the election. He hopes he can “encourage more students to vote. Students have a say on government.”
This entire process has taken time out of Kahn's busy schedule. “It's never been consistent, but it's like taking an extra five hour class,” he said. While some students struggle with a sixteen hour class schedule, Kahn has spent a lot of time finding a place in the Athens political process, as well as being a student.
Kahn explained his views on government as, “When I think about government, I try to think about the big picture. I weigh things out. There's different people with different perspectives.” Although he is young for a politician, Kahn believes it could give him a leg up on the competition. “Society needs to focus more on imagination instead of experience,” he said.
After the election, and perhaps a term as a mayor, Kahn can't see himself as a politician. “In my major [photography], I don't know how beneficial it could be. I really don't know. I'll have to see. If can do some good then I'll do it.”
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For more information, Sergey Kahn has a website at http://s-kahn.com/, listing his political platform and ways to reach him.