By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Blake Jarman may be a newcomer to politics, but the 24-year-old Salisbury resident hopes to effect change in the community where he lives and works.
Jarman is perhaps one of the youngest candidates to file for Salisbury City Council, but he comes with what he calls a true passion for the city.
He is completing his final semester at Catawba College, where he’s pursuing a degree in communications. Jarman currently works as a Starbucks community ambassador and barista.
As an ambassador, Jarman organizes local Starbucks events and comes up with ways to encourage management to become involved in the community. And as for the other part of his job, Jarman jokes, “I am the best barista in town.”
Joking aside, Jarman says he is always looking at ways to make his life and the lives of those around him better.
“Whether I’m at work, school, church or home, I’m constantly looking at my surroundings and thinking of ways to help improve them,” he said.
Jarman said he brings “youth, excitement, perseverance and passion,” to what he hopes to do for the community and for the City Council. His priorities are revitalizing downtown through economic development, safety and security ó including being tough on gangs and violence ó strengthening the image of Salisbury, helping people find jobs and continuing to build interest in the arts
“We have awesome artists in Salisbury and we already have facilities established like the Black Box Theater and Easy Street. I’d like to build on that,” he said.
Jarman said the city needs people who are committed to helping improve, expand and create the “best environment that makes people from other towns want to visit and hang out in Salisbury.”
“It is important to maintain an image of progression, historic values, but all the while moving forward so that future generations can thrive and keep on becoming better,” he said.
He is a native of High Point and grew up in Lexington and Salisbury. He graduated from West Davidson High School in Lexington.
Jarman is a member of Salisbury Christian Fellowship. He has served as senator on the Student Government Association at Catawba.
He’s a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Philomathean Society, a Catawba College organization that provides male students with opportunities for service, social and spiritual growth.
For more about Jarman, visit www.myspace.com/blakejarman.