According to Haas: “Our town has been very stagnant for the past few years. I think that we do need new energy and we do need those new ideas.”

Said Young Democrats Club President sophomore Ellie Smith, “I think that Dave Haas has a real vision for this town that we need.”

Haas said he also plans to address safety issues; on a local level, he is concerned with the safety of firefighters and homeowners.

“We have seven-man [firefighter] platoons with a six-man minimum…. There are only three firemen in the south side fire house and the National Fire Prevention standard is that you have four men per truck. If three men arrive at a fire first, they can’t go in the house to fight the fire,” said Haas.

On a national level, Haas said he plans to join Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the nation’s largest gun violence prevention advocacy, according to mayorsagainstillegalguns.org.

“I think that [organization’s] proposals are moderate and supported by the vast majority of residents…. We need to be proactive in finding solutions to the scourge of gun violence in our country,” said Haas.

Senior Jill Rosenfeld agrees. She said that “being against illegal guns should not be a party issue.”

Said senior Matt Luppino: “It’s our duty [to vote]. People always complain about how the government…should be fixed…. If you want a better government, get your vote in.”

To those in the WHS community who cannot vote, senior Rebecca Trickey said, “The value of my vote is significantly lower than the value of my voice. That’s why I’m doing what I can to help the campaign. As teenagers, us voting isn’t what’s important. What is important is that we participate in the process.”