Profile: Sophomore Runs for City Council

Most Columbia students are too busy worrying about things like homework, internships, building portfolios, and student loans to get involved with local politics.  But sophomore John Trierweiler is not most Columbia students.

The 20-year-old Broadcast Journalism major is currently running for city council in his hometown of Geneva, Illinois.  Trierweiler announced his bid for fifth ward alderman in January, and has enjoyed the campaigning process thus far.

"Campaigning is fun, it's a blast," said Trierweiler. "It's an alderman race in a town of 25,000, so it's a lot of going door to door.  One of my goals is to hopefully visit most if not all of the houses in the fifth ward of Geneva. It's a fairly big ward, but with time, dedication and energy, I think it can be pulled off."

Trierweiler has lived in Geneva for his whole life and has spent much of his time giving back to the community.  He has volunteered with the local fire department, the history center, and the Emergency Service and Disaster Agency. 
"Geneva is a great town.  It's got a lot of charm, a lot of unique history," said Trierweiler.
Still a Geneva resident, he currently spends two days per week commuting to Columbia, two days working in Geneva, and one day campaigning in Geneva.

The election will be held on April 7, and Trierweiler has big plans for Geneva if he is elected.  Plans include possibly converting a landfill into a recreational space, and redeveloping the former Kane County Jail site.

"I think the city should purchase that land from the county, and ultimately I think it would be an ideal space for a resort hotel convention center," he said.  "It's a big enough plot of land, and right now Geneva has nothing like that.  I think it would be an ideal situation, especially since it would create jobs."

Though a 20-year-old alderman isn't something you see everyday, Trierweiler is sure he can handle juggling school and holding a public office.  He has already served as a member of Columbia's student senate and is currently the Student Government Association's vice president of Communications.
 
"I know that I have the experience and the leadership and the dedication and the energy to make things happen," he said.

The local community also seems to think a college sophomore can handle the job.  Trierweiler says he receives a lot of positive feedback from residents.

"The reaction is good I think.  A lot of people have been supportive, and they've been intrigued," he said.  "A lot of people hear that I'm 20 and they say, 'wow, good for you; we need some young blood on the city council.'"

Though he loves television and plans to continue studying broadcast journalism, Trierweiler is not sure what he plans to do after graduation.

"Journalism and politics don't always mix so at some point I'll have to choose one or the other," he said.  "Ultimately my goal is to hopefully complete my term as alderman, and just see where to go from there."

Anne Pilon
Magazine Journalism