Of the four candidates left in the race for the open at-large seat on the Ames City Council, there is one who shines brighter than the rest: That candidate is Matthew Goodman.

By now, everyone should know Goodman is the entrepreneurial brains behind the gyro stand on Welch Avenue. However, what makes him special goes far beyond the popularity and culinary diversity his business has brought to late-night Welch Avenue.

Goodman has shown he sincerely cares about all Ames residents. His three-pronged approach to a better relationship between residents and students, which he proposed at the City Council panel discussion last Monday, includes improving inter-neighborhood communications and facilitating interactions between neighborhood groups.

But the most intriguing step he suggests making is for the establishment of an ex officio City Council member seat on the Government of the Student Body. Since GSB has already reached out to the City of Ames by getting an ex officio GSB member on City Council, it seems only fair they should try to reach out to students in kind.

Goodman is no stranger to public affairs. While attending Iowa State, Goodman was himself a member of GSB, the Student Union Board and the Memorial Union Board of Directors. Currently, Goodman serves on the Campustown Action Committee and the Wheatsfield Grocery Board of Directors.

From a survey of current City Council members and Goodman’s opponents in the candidate race, it seems a prerequisite for Council members to be run-of-the-mill community activists who tend to share the same ideas. This homogeneity of thought limits the opportunities the city may be able to uncover through ideas provided by people who aren’t “typical” Council members.

Mary Ann Lundy and Monte Parrish may both be able to do a perfectly respectable job representing the citizens of Ames, but they would essentially bring nothing new to the Council chambers. If it’s seriousness and experience we want on the City Council, we’ve already got it in Mayor Ted Tedesco, Russ Cross, Daryle Vegge, Sharon Wirth, Riad Mahayni and Steve Goodhue

The new ideas Goodman would bring, such as creating an “idea incubator” to spur economic growth, would surely broaden the Council’s horizons. But most of all, his energy and enthusiasm in pursuing his commitment to represent his fellow citizens on the City Council has the potential to infuse life into what is usually perceived as a “boring” job.

Vote Goodman at the polls today to effect change and promote the good of the entire Ames community.