July 12, 2007 - We need more difference-makers like Nick Matyas

A story usually classified as routine made the front page of this past Sunday’s Press & Sun-Bulletin.

Nick Matyas, born and raised in Johnson City, was elected, unopposed, to his county’s school board. So what, you ask — aren’t these races uncontested all the time?

But Matyas is 19, a sophomore at Binghamton University.

Sure, as the story reads, it’s unusual to see a young man whose friends still roam the high school’s halls wielding such power. But it’s unfortunately common to see those school board races uncontested.

As a fellow Binghamton University student, (although I’ve never met Matyas), I’m proud to see a classmate assume such an important position. I’m equally disappointed to read any criticism of this ambitious young man, who answered the call to (unpaid) public service when thousands of other JC residents did not.

Reader reaction on our Web site, pressconnects.com, has thus far been mixed. “He probably was elected by a vote of 3-1 or something ridiculous like that,” writes one registered user. “Maybe his youthfulness will speed up the normal process of confusion and ineptitude. At least if nothing is getting done, it can get done quickly.”

In fact, “upstate24,” it’s likely Matyas did not win “3-1,” considering he was running unopposed — but the reader’s commentary on low voter turnout does not go unacknowledged. That Matyas could’ve single-handedly won a seat by voting for himself is more troubling a situation than the dubious efficacy of the board on which he now sits.

Any prospective candidate with their priorities in order would not welcome a unanimous election. Democracy depends on the participation of the people, both as potential candidates and as voters. The existence of unopposed races demonstrates the depressing apathy that surrounds elections on not only local, but state and national levels.

Matyas, however, is a difference-maker, a proponent of governance by the people, no matter what their age. To ostracize Matyas — before he was even sworn in! — is unfair, miserly, and borderline un-American.

Matyas’ tale also contradicts several other myths. The young man is juggling his new position with two other jobs, with the Binghamton Mets and at the Discovery Center of the Southern Tier — despite the old wives’ tale that “there are no jobs” in Binghamton. He also hopes to stay in the Southern Tier — gasp! — after graduating from BU.

As the class of 2007 dissipates into the job market, local or otherwise, one can only hope for more “kids” to shatter stereotypes about many college students and young professionals — especially that we fail to pursue anything beyond our own self-interests. If Nick Matyas is any indication, there stands a good chance.

Strub is a senior at Binghamton University, a part-time copy editor at the Press & Sun-Bulletin and a new resident of Binghamton’s West Side.

cstrub@pressconnects.com