BY JUSTIN MCCLURE

Staff Writer

Salisbury University’s Jacob Day has recently pursued a new undertaking that places him at the helm of political activism and debate.

Day may be deemed a Renaissance man for his “been there, done that” way of life, and he has another endeavor to add to his résumé. After growing up in the Camden neighborhood of Salisbury, attending the University of Maryland, Carnegie Melon and Oxford, and serving as a lieutenant in the army, Day is running for Salisbury City Council.

His agenda is simple, noticing a lot of potential surrounding both the university and the town he has mapped a clear course of action if elected.

“I feel a need to restore three aspects of the community,” Day said. “[We] must restore pride in the town, reestablish prosperity, and unify citizens with politicians; everyone must work together and make an effort.”

Day said the heart and soul of the community, downtown Salisbury, is his biggest concern, and he feels a need to concentrate his efforts into making it a safer, more business oriented town.

“If people see that government officials are not willing to make an investment in the city, neither will they,” Day said.

He plans to enact legislation that will provide basic community services, entertainment, walkable, pedestrian friendly streets, buildings close to streets with maximum lot coverage, but above all he wants to create an environment that people want to be in.

Day said he views himself as a prime candidate for the position and attributes that to his dealings with Salisbury University. Teaching Environmental Policy in his spare time, Day has a passion for teaching and has transferred that fervor to the likes of his students as well.

Julia Glanz, Outreach Director of the campaign, is a former student of Day’s and said she believes he is a great professor.

“He brought in good speakers to address specific and pressing topics,” Glanz said “He was able to truly engage the class and we wanted to learn more.”

Although he enjoys teaching, the Army is also a big part of Day’s life and he said it propels him to the top of his competition. According to his website, Day “works as an Aide de Camp to Brigadier General Peter C. Hinz,” but it’s the lessons he has learned in the Army that makes him such a dynamic character.

Giving him an appreciation for leadership and partnership, Day said the Army taught him that working well with others is the only way city council officials could ever restore downtown Salisbury and other areas.

Day has hosted numerous meet-and-greet sessions, promoting himself through phone calls, mailings, and social media websites.

“But the biggest thing to do,” Day said, “is going around and knocking on doors. We can learn so much by talking to members of the community.”

Julia Glanz said Day is “is able to bridge that divide that has been plaguing Salisbury and our nation for so long. He has dedication like no one I have ever met before.”

For more information on him and his cause, visit jacobday.com, or email him at jacob@jacobday.com.