Teens control city ... for a little while

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Teens control city ... for a little while

Around Osceola

Wednesday, 27 October 2010 00:00

By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer
Several St. Cloud High School seniors took a tour of city hall and participated in a mock city council meeting Oct. 20 as part of the city of St. Cloud-sponsored Student Government Day.
Eight students from Lonnie Beckel’s American Government Honors class volunteered to spend the day at city hall learning about local government from staff and elected officials like Mayor Donna Hart.
“I feel that elected officials and municipal employees have a responsibility to pass on to the citizens we serve their understanding of public service and its benefits,” Hart said. “And what a great opportunity this is for these great students to learn first-hand about their city government. It’s an eye-opener for them because they may learn about it in school, but this hands-on experience can be quite inspirational to them. In the end, it will benefit them as citizens, public servants, or any path they choose in life.”
The students each held a position on the dais, discussing and voting on issues such as amending the city’s code to allow skateboarding downtown, which was denied by a vote of 3-2, and possible action relating to building a teen center, which was unanimously voted in.
Staff also played the part of concerned residents, asking the council for its consideration on providing incentives to woo additional department stores to the city, to open an Internet cafe for young people and allow farm animals in residential backyards.
Councilman Jay Polachek asked the dais to consider granting him permission to keep a cow and six goats in his 20-foot-by-20-foot backyard. But “Mayor” Jordon Reber was against the request, saying Polachek’s “neighbors” probably would not care for the animals’ stench.
After the mock meeting was adjourned, staff and council members answered questions and offered more details into the responsibilities of city government employees and elected officials.
“It’s a ton of information to sift through and I think you understand that now,” Polachek said about the amount of research and discussion each agenda item requires.
City Attorney Dan Mantzaris discussed the state’s Government in the Sunshine Law, which makes government meetings and documents available and open to the public.
Most of the students also seemed interested in running for political office one day.
“I think it’s important to participate in your government,” Samuel Barber, 17, who played the part of city manager, said.
Added 17-year-old Joel Castro, who played a council member, “It’s real interesting to get your voice across. I would probably run if given the opportunity.”
The event was part of the Florida League of Cities’ City Government Week, held Oct. 17-23 to showcase and celebrate the services cities provide. This the first Student Government Day the city has on record since 2002, according to St. Cloud public information officer Sandra Ramirez.