Nelson not yet ready to serve on C.R. council

As a resident of District 2, I am impressed with the drive and ambition of 19-year-old Taylor Nelson in his bid for a City Council seat. However, it takes more than ambition to be an effective leader. Teenagers, by nature of their youth, lack experience. While Mr. Nelson appears to be on the right track, he has a long road ahead.

Does Nelson fully understand the time commitments of our “part-time” council? With council meetings, committee meetings, public hearings, meetings with staff and hundreds of pages of information that must be digested each week, I'm not sure how a full-time Kirkwood student with a rigid class schedule and hours of homework each night will find enough flexibility to attend the meetings.

As we age, we build experiences that shape our attitudes over time. I don't believe that a teenager who has never lived outside his parent's home has the experience and maturity needed for this particular position.

What we need is a seasoned professional with an established track record of community service and leadership. Monica Vernon is that person. Over the years, she has proved herself as a tireless leader who has diligently served our district and the city in a very effective manner. When we go to the polls Nov. 8, the choice for District 2 is a clear one.

Patrick DePalma

Cedar Rapids