At first glance, Joseph Lazzerini's platform for his nascent Attleboro City Council campaign sounds like the typical challenger's. South Attleboro deserves more energetic and effective leadership. In tough economic times, the city must do more to increase revenues and raising taxes shouldn't be the knee-jerk solution.

But, at just 17 years old, Lazzerini's bid is far from routine.

Lazzerini is running for Attleboro's 1st Ward seat on the City Council next year. He is challenging Councilor Michael P. Sullivan, who, according to Lazzerini, hasn't done enough to represent the district.

"In the past, Attleboro has had great city councilors that were very active in the community," Lazzerini told PolitickerMA.com in a recent interview. "That's what needs to continue on and that's really not what's happened."

Sullivan did not return phone messages seeking comment for this story.

Lazzerini said that he has been involved in his South Attleboro community his entire life, volunteering and doing "as much as [he] can to help people." From talking to members of the community when he was considering a run, Lazzerini said residents aren't satisfied with the current leadership.

"I am really seeing that the people of Attleboro are not being represented at the level that the voters and the constituents of the city deserve," he said. "There are so many issues that need to be addressed and changed so the city of Attleboro can get out of the economic downturn we are in."

Lazzerini is currently a senior at Attleboro High School and turns 18 in February. He says he plans to go to college next year and is considering going to a community college first before transferring.

But while he is quick to criticize the district's current representation, Lazzerini acknowledges that he hasn't put much of a campaign together yet. He said he hasn't knocked on any doors, choosing instead to launch a media blitz to get word out of his candidacy. When he decided to run, he called the local papers, news outlets and cable stations to set up interviews.

"The people in my community do know that I am running for City Council and a lot of people are happy about it too," he said.

Lazzerini does have some experience on campaigns. He worked as the youth coordinator on Bill Bowles' winning campaign for state representative this year and was "a very big part of his success," Lazzerini said.

And Lazzerini knows he has to work hard to prove to voters he is qualified to represent them at a young age.

"I am going to have to work," he said. "I can't just sit back and think people are going to come out and work for me. I have to get out there, I have to knock on doors, I have to make phone calls, I have to raise money. It's going to take work and it's a commitment that I'm willing to make."