DeKalb’s 6th Ward residents will be better-represented by aldermanic challenger Jamie Pennington.

Pennington, a 21-year-old junior political science major, plans to represent his constituents based on the point that “only about 10 percent of what the council does, doesn’t effect students” in some way.

Both Pennington and incumbent 6th Ward alderman Mike Neylon, a 23-year-old senior liberal arts major, share common interests on several issues including improving tenant-landlord relations and the city’s towing code enforcement.

But the primarily student-populated ward deserves an alderman with a stronger voice and a willingness to speak up at city council meetings for all issues—not just an alderman who is concerned about the issues.

Neylon has served on the city council for seven months and has had little to say on behalf of his constituents on any issues, whether student-related or not.

Although Neylon has been a resident of the DeKalb community for the past 15 years, Pennington is better in touch with the views and concerns of the students through his involvement with various student organizations at NIU.

Each alderman is elected to serve the city as a whole, but more importantly, voice the concerns of his ward’s constituents—Jamie Pennington is best qualified to do so.