Filed under: Teens & tweens, In the news, Weird but trueWhen I first read the headline announcing that 19-year-old John Tyler Hammons had been elected mayor of a town in Oklahoma, I immediately assumed that town must have a population of about 12 or so. I mean, the pickings must be pretty slim if they are putting a teenager in charge. But that isn't the case. Muskogee is a city of 38,000 citizens and Hammons got 70% of their votes.Hammons beat out Hershel Ray McBride, who is not only a fully mature adult, but a former mayor of the city. "The public placing their trust in me is the greatest, humbling and most awesome experience I've ever had in my life," said Hammons.Hammons isn't about to let mayoring get in the way of his education. Currently enrolled at University of Oklahoma in Norman, he plans to transfer to a school closer to Muskogee. "Being elected does not change my desire to continue my education," he said. "We will schedule our time in an appropriate fashion so that I can be mayor and stay in school."I think this is pretty awesome but I think it's Hammon's opponent who should be feeling humbled. A former mayor getting trounced by a teenager. That's got to hurt. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Posted on Sun, 18 May 2008 14:05:00 EST at http://www.parentdish.com/2008/05/18/okl...age-mayor/
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