Though over a thousand students live in Downtown Binghamton, Binghamton University freshman Conrad Taylor says they are underrepresented in the district’s local government. And that is why Taylor is running for city council.
Taylor, a freshman majoring in political science who lives in College-in-the-Woods, announced his campaign this week for the fourth district seat on Binghamton’s City Council, which encompasses the North Side and Downtown Binghamton. Running as a Democrat, he would be replacing Democratic incumbent Lea Webb, who is vacating the seat after serving the maximum number of terms.
According to Taylor, council positions are part-time positions with a stipend of approximately $7,500. Since most members have other employment and responsibilities, he said that being a full-time student would not be an issue.
Originally from New York City, Taylor said his main goal was to foster a better relationship between the students, the University and the Binghamton community.
“Students need to feel like they’re part of the community before they graduate,” Taylor said. “They need to get more involved in local politics; they should get involved in policy making and community service. You meet some amazing people in this community.”
Having a student on the council would bring attention to students’ needs, according to BU political science professor Jonathan Krasno, but he thinks it could also benefit the district as a whole, despite what some might believe.
“The problem with someone opposing Conrad because he’s a student is just that, a problem,” said Krasno, who teaches a class that Taylor is in. “It’s shortsighted on everybody’s part to take that approach. We want to make the town friendlier to students, and students friendlier to the town. Everyone benefits.”
Taylor’s platform includes making the government aware of student grievances, like the inconsistent plowing of Downtown streets and lack of accessibility to local politicians. But he stressed that he was not only a representative of the students, but of long-term residents as well. He said he plans to bring a grocery store to the less-student-populated North Side and address the number of dilapidated houses in the neighborhood.
“We need to have students have a place in local government, so they feel represented,” Taylor said. “But I want to be a voice for all. I want to make it clear right now that I really want to fight for every member of my district.”
As of now, according to Krasno, he is the only candidate for the seat. And though some may be apprehensive about his age, Krasno said it was a benefit, as city council seats are held for four years. According to him, the district also leans 60/40 toward Democrats, giving Taylor a chance.
“We just want a friendlier environment for students who live Downtown, and students who eat and drink Downtown,” Krasno said. “The idea here is students are important players in the local economy, and they should be treated as such.”