Hanover's Man in Concord

People who have a problem with how the government runs things are often told, "Write your representative." For residents of Hanover and other towns in New Hampshire's District 12, that person would be Steve Crystal '87.

Steve was elected to the New Hampshire State House in November 1986 when he was still a senior. His first session in the legislature was a scheduling nightmare, as he juggled three days per week of official duty in Concord with three and even four Dartmouth courses.

When asked how his years at school motivated his political aspirations, Steve is quick to mention Robert Arseneau's government class dealing with the strategies and operations of par-ties (the political kind, that is). This course, combined with his work with The Dartmouth, exposed Steve to the political world he would later enter.

In addition to his duties on the local and county levels, Steve sits on the Science, Technology, and Energy Committee of the legislature that is wading though the controversial issue of the Seabrook nuclear facility.

His first bill, a measure designed to simply voter registration for people changing their residence, passed the House and is up before the State Senate. As if that isn't enough, Steve directed the Dukakis for President campaign in Nashua, N.H., where he supervised 100 volunteers and three paid assistants.

When the current legislative session ends this fall, Steve will be forced to decide between running for reelection, joining the Dukakis campaign full-time, and applying to law schools. Whatever his decision, he certainly has a jump on a career in politics. Keep your eye on those ballots!