ASUO President Adam Walsh is set to become the new chairman of the West University Neighbors at its meeting tonight.
The group will hold elections, and Walsh, currently a WUN board member, is the only candidate for the office.
The WUN charter states that 20 people, including the board, must be present to carry out official business, such as voting. If not enough people show up at tonight’s meeting, the WUN will have to hold the election later.
“We want to get a good turnout for the elections,” Walsh said. “It’s important for people to choose who the new neighborhood leaders will be.”
Walsh said he hopes to bring more students to the organization and make it a place where residents can discuss issues and learn about the neighborhood and the city.
“I want to have people come in, like the chief of police and the mayor, and give people a better idea of how the city runs,” Walsh said. “There’s a lot of information to be had.”
Current chairman Drix Rixmann has confidence in Walsh’s ability to lead the WUN after working with him on the board. Rixmann said Walsh successfully mediated a disagreement with community activist Zach Vishanoff over the West University Park at last month’s meeting.
“I watched Adam, how he handled that situation with Zach,” Rixmann said. “Who else would you want for the job?”
The WUN will also elect eight other positions: two vice-chairs, a secretary and five at-large board members.
The WUN will be setting its agenda for the coming year, looking at issues such as the West University Park, neighborhood security and a neighborhood cleanup.
Julia Augustus from the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity is organizing a cleanup day for Nov. 12th and will speak at the meeting about her plans.
The meeting will be tonight at 7 p.m. in the Sloat Room of the Atrium Building at West 10th Avenue and Olive Street. All neighborhood residents can vote in the election.
-Chris Hagan