Duane Hicks
Local Government Week, an initiative aimed at enabling Ontario’s youth and other citizens to learn about local government, as well as become more informed and engaged members of the community, runs Oct. 18-24.
Council officially proclaimed next week “Local Government Week” in the Town of Fort Frances, with Clerk Glenn Treftlin saying he and other town staff have been working to organize a number of activities to help educate local students about municipal government.
Town staffer Dawn Lundy, for instance, is co-ordinating an essay contest at local schools.
The winners from each of the participating schools not only will earn a prize, but also get to read their essays at the Nov. 9 council meeting.
Meanwhile, Fort Frances Museum curator Pam Hawley is co-ordinating tours of town facilities for Grade 5 students next week, with stops scheduled at the museum, Civic Centre, and courthouse (one class also will go to the Public Works building on Fifth Street West).
Mayor Roy Avis will speak to a Grade 10 civics class at Fort High on Oct. 20, and Grade 5 classes at Robert Moore on Oct. 21, while Coun. Sharon Tibbs will present to Grade 5 students at J.W. Walker on Oct. 20.
Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig will speak to Grade 5 students at St. Francis School on Oct. 21, with Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft talking to a second Grade 10 FFHS civics class on Oct. 20.
There also will be radio spots on B93•FM, with the mayor and council appearing on-air next Monday through Thursday, explaining the roles of council, various town departments, and other aspects of municipal government.
Treftlin said an invitation was extended to Grade 5 and 10 classes to have a student mentor with town officials, but added he wasn’t aware of anyone who has taken the town up on the offer.
“Another thing we’re looking at this year that we haven’t done in the past is a mock election of a council from among Grade 5 and Grade 10 classes,” noted Treftlin.
“This is proposed to be held later in the year.
“It’s going to take some time to pull it together and get the logistics going,” he admitted. “But there is some interest from some of the teachers, so we’ll be looking at doing that later in the year.”
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario are partners in Local Government Week “to celebrate the key role that Ontario local governments play in helping to define the character, priorities, amenities, and physical make-up of communities.”
