NILES — Ever since he was a child, Michael Squier has wanted to make a mark on his community.

In elementary school, the Dowagiac native started a “Save the Earth Club.”

“We didn’t accomplish much, since we were little kids, but it shows that I am passionate about making a difference,” Squier said.

Now Squier, a 25-year-old Niles resident, is hoping to make a difference in local government.

He filed paperwork Monday to be a write-in candidate for the City of Niles mayoral election.

He joins incumbent Mike McCauslin, 5th ward representative Tim Skalla and former Niles fire marshal Bruce Leach in the race.

Squier isn’t the only 20-something hoping to make an impact on local government.

Niles resident Zach Perkins, 28, turned some heads when he upset incumbent John Klimek for the 13th District county commissioner post in November.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old David Mann is the only candidate for the 3rd Ward city council seat and will likely become the youngest city council member in city history in 2012.

Like Mann and Perkins, Squier feels his youth would be an advantage to local government.

“I know some people might not take me as seriously as some of the older candidates but on the other hand, I’m young, I’m more with the times. I’m more ambitious and more willing to take risks,” Squier said.

That ambition is evident when he talks about some of his goals for the city, which include pursuing alternative energy sources.

“I would like to see the entire city of Niles operating primarily on solar energy,” he said.

Squier, who holds a degree in political science from Grand Valley State University and works as a substitute teacher, also would like to see the city shift its business focus from the manufacturing industry to information and technology and find “new, innovative” ways of bringing revenue to the city.

Another goal he has is to “modernize government,” starting with the language of city ordinances.

“The language they use is like 1800, 1900 speak. Even the council doesn’t understand them, probably,” he said.