Alpha mayor uses youth to benefit the borough

Sunday, November 16, 2003

By LINDA LISANTI
The Express-Times

ALPHA -- Harry Zikas Jr. sits in his office at borough hall fielding questions about how he became the mayor and what he plans to do through another four years in office.

His train of thought is interrupted by a call on his cell phone. As he makes his way across the room to retrieve the phone from his coat pocket, the ring becomes more distinguishable.

It's not your traditional beeps or bells, but the theme song from Zikas' favorite movie, "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery."

The ring is not what you would expect for a man in his position, but then, Zikas is not your typical mayor. At just 25, the Easton native is the youngest mayor in the state of New Jersey.

The title is one he has held for the last four years, since he was first elected mayor.

He's hoping to give up the distinction one day soon.

"I would like to see someone else take it away from me," Zikas said. "I wouldn't mind being the second-youngest mayor for a change."

Zikas became interested in politics during Michael Dukakis' 1988 presidential campaign. At only 10 years old, he was too young to vote, but that didn't stop him from following the race and taking mock polls at school.

"He was Greek and I was Greek," Zikas said. "I saw Mike Dukakis and I thought if he could do it, then I could do it, too."

At 19, Zikas was appointed to the school board. A year later, he decided to run for mayor against the incumbent, Thomas Fey. Zikas won the Democratic primary 297 votes to 88 and then ran unopposed in the general election.

He took office at age 21 -- just three months after he became legally able to drink.

In the last four years, Zikas believes he has dispelled any initial fears that may have been circulating about his maturity level or ability.

Chief Financial Officer Lorraine Rossetti said the mayor only shows his tender age when he is talking technology. He's big on gadgets.

"Most older politicians don't have his computer hipness or his knowledge of current trends," she said. "Most don't understand what a server is."

Zikas also is more energetic, Rossetti said.

"You wouldn't expect someone who's been in politics for a long time to be like that. He gets excited about a lot of things," she said.

Zikas uses his age to benefit Alpha.

During the last campaign, he was criticized for spending too much time on the state level, but Zikas said that time has translated into dollars for the small Warren County borough.

During the last four years, Alpha has received $425,000 in extraordinary aid from the state.

"I think I put Alpha on the map," he said.

Being the youngest mayor in the state has given Zikas instant recognition and has turned out to be a surefire conversation starter.

"I'm known because of that," he said.

But it does have its downside as well. When you're running a town of about 2,500, it doesn't leave a lot of time to be a 25-year-old.

"I try to have as normal a social life as possible, but this job always comes first," he said. "If something comes up and my friends are going out, I can always rearrange my plans (with them.)"

Zikas does sneak away sometimes. Snapshots on the bulletin board on his office wall show trips with his friends to New York City.

"You have to get away sometimes," he said. "I'm the mayor, but I'm also in my 20s."

Whenever he's not feeling his age, Zikas can always go home, where he lives with his parents.

He said it's like a real-life version of the movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," even down to running the family businesses. The Zikas family owns Harry's Place and the Alpha Family Restaurant.

"They keep me grounded," he said.

Harry Zikas Sr. said he and his wife have tried to teach their son the right way to behave. Judging from his performance as mayor the last four years, his dad thinks he did a decent job.

"People like him. They think he's doing a good job. So far, so good," Zikas Sr. said.

That's good news for Zikas Jr., who said he has his future sights set on serving in the state Legislature. He already has been named by the Web site PoliticsNJ as one of 40 politicians to watch.

For now, Zikas is using his youth to appeal to the younger generation of voters, urging them to get involved in the political arena.

He recently spoke at Louisiana State University at the first YouthElect Conference, which was designed to empower the country's youth by teaching them about important political issues and providing ways for them to get involved.

All the panels and workshops were led by 18- to 25-year-old politicians across the United States.

If more young people would run for office, Zikas said the system could change.

"If young people knew they had a voice in government, they might get out there. They might vote," he said. "We have to start now."

To those considering it, Zikas has only one small piece of advice -- just give it a try.

"You never know unless you try," he said. "That's been my motto and here I am."


Reporter Linda Lisanti can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at llisanti@express-times.com.


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