Peabody kids urging voters to do civic duty

PEABODY – Just because they?re not old enough to vote doesn?t mean they don?t care.Members of the new Peabody Youth Service Council rallied over the weekend, and will again this afternoon, to encourage those eligible to get out to the polls on Nov. 4 and cast what they believe to be the most important ballot of their lifetime.Holding signs with logos such as, “I can?t vote, but you can!” the 11-member group hoped to get their message across to those passing by the city?s busiest intersections. On Saturday, they met outside the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown, on Sunday, they set up shop at Carroll Savage Park in South Peabody, and today, they?ll be outside Peabody Veterans Memorial High School from 2-4:30 p.m.?We?re just trying to get people to vote in general,” said 15-year-old sophomore Lejla Huskic, adding that their intent is not to sway voters in one direction or the other. “I hope that we will be able to open one person?s eyes to how important it is to vote. If we can do that, I?d be happy.”Several students ranging from 11 years old to 16 founded the group this past September. Their mission is to complete 1,000 hours of community service by May 2009. They are lead by Young Adult Librarian Melissa Rauseo.?They wanted to create a group dedicated to community service,” she said. “At their first meeting, they decided the first project would be around the election. They felt the best way to get involved was to encourage others to vote.”Huskic said she has always been interested in politics, but this particular election seemed far more important than any other before.?We are the future of the country and all the decisions are going to affect us the most in the long run,” she said. “I?ve realized all the problems this country has. It?s vital to choose the right candidate to fix all of these problems?I think the younger people are the most important in this election to vote.”Rauseo said the group has been motivated and excited throughout their preparation for the rallies.?I?m very impressed,” she said. “I loved seeing the kids really making a difference. You see a lot of negative stuff about teenagers on TV; it?s nice to see, hopefully, something positive come out of this.”