JACKSON -- The City of Jackson's newest alderman, Tanner Hummel, has been interested in politics for eight years -- a long time, considering Hummel is only a sophomore in high school.
Hummel was unanimously appointed junior alderman by the Jackson City Council at its Tuesday evening meeting.
"I've heard of towns that had (junior council members) and I thought 'Why couldn't Jackson have one?'" Hummel said.
Worthington was one of the Minnesota cities that Jackson's city administrator, Dean Albrecht, looked to for examples of a junior city council position.
According to Albrecht, Worthington did have a junior city councilman position about four years ago, until it was discontinued because the appointee failed to attend meetings. In Worthington's program, individuals were appointed to three-month terms and could participate in meetings but not vote or make motions.
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Worthington based its junior council position on programs in Georgia and Tennessee, Albrecht said.
Other governmental organizations have junior advisory councils or junior council members, including Jackson County's own fair board.
Hummel's first term as junior alderman began Tuesday. His term will be up in January and a new alderman will be appointed, although Hummel may apply for another term if he is still interested.
Like the Worthington junior city council members, Hummel will participate in council meetings, but not vote.
He will also not be part of closed session meetings, but he may serve on committees like the rest of the council.
Hummel hopes to use his position to advance the cause of Jackson youths.
"(I want to) bring the younger crowd into it, and find some stuff so that kids my age don't get into trouble," Hummel explained.
He intends to look into the possibility of city-sanctioned drag races or other activities for area youth.
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In another matter, Brent Chozen, representing the Chozen family, donated his family's downtown store building to the City of Jackson.
Ben Chozen started the family store in that building in 1921. It later passed to his three sons, who retired and closed the store in 1981, when it became Dueber's, a department store. Dueber's closed in 2006.
Brent said Ben, his grandfather, had been involved in many charitable endeavors, including giving shoes to children during the Great Depression, and would have approved of giving the store to the city.
The city thanked the Chozens for their generosity.
