By Tom Mackie and Lauren Campione
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Joan Greenberg remembers the first time she became interested in politics.
“It was in college. I got internships with various local public officials and it was really interesting,” she says about her college years at University of Akron. “We would follow local politicians around as they met with people in the community. Then we’d have lunch with them and talk about the issues they discussed.”
The idea that politicians have the power to make changes fascinated Joan, and continues to do so today, as she is a member of Ann’s Choice Political Interest Group, a club comprised of 30 people.
“The Political Interest Group is a non-partisan group with a focus on getting people to vote,” she says. “We show fellow residents, many of which are new to the area, how to get registered, where the polls are, and inform them of the issues.”
Joan emphasizes the purpose that it’s to inform, not to project, individual’s political views.
“To be honest I don’t even know what the political views are of the people in our group,” she laughs. “If someone wants to join they won’t have to worry about defending their political views or worry about having their views criticized.”
Bringing the Politicians to the People
The Political Interest Group is one of the most active clubs on campus. They recently launched “Meet the Candidate” forums, in which they invited local politicians to come and speak to residents and discuss issues. Congressman Michael G. Fitzpatrick, who represents Pennsylvania’s eighth congressional district, was the first to visit Ann’s Choice in August. More than 100 residents flocked to the Performing Arts Center at the Liberty Commons Clubhouse to hear Fitzpatrick.
“The Performing Arts Center is a very nice venue,” Joan says. “Since the center holds about 300 people, it’s a great place to hold these forums.”