Monday, April 18, 2005
PASSED: Junior Council Position Established in McSherrystown
Evening Sun Online - LOCAL NEWS
Borough OKs junior council member
By MELODY ASPER
Evening Sun Correspondent
McSherrystown borough will soon be the first municipality in the area to establish a Junior Council program.
The idea was brought to Wednesday night's borough meeting by councilman Herbert L. Riede.
The Junior Council program was established in Wesleyville borough in Erie County in 1999, according to Riede. Since then, other municipalities have followed suit, including Carroll Valley and Carlisle.
"It would help get young people interested in borough government," Riede said. "And then, when they get out of school, they could actually run for a seat on the regular council."
A junior council person would attend the regular meetings of council and would be allowed to voice their opinions. They would not be allowed to vote and could not attend "executive" sessions. The junior member also would not be privy to personnel issues.
Council passed a resolution to bring the program to McSherrystown by a 6-1 vote.
Councilman William H. Masemer cast the single negative vote.
"Only two boroughs in our area have tried it, so the program doesn't have a track record for participation yet," Masemer said. "I think that there should be more (junior councilperson) activity in other boroughs before we implement it."
Riede said he recently spoke to some officials from Carlisle and they really like the program. They told him the student on their board is energetic and helps the borough in many ways, he added.
Riede said the program could also benefit the student as it could count toward graduation project credit if the school agrees.
Borough OKs junior council member
By MELODY ASPER
Evening Sun Correspondent
McSherrystown borough will soon be the first municipality in the area to establish a Junior Council program.
The idea was brought to Wednesday night's borough meeting by councilman Herbert L. Riede.
The Junior Council program was established in Wesleyville borough in Erie County in 1999, according to Riede. Since then, other municipalities have followed suit, including Carroll Valley and Carlisle.
"It would help get young people interested in borough government," Riede said. "And then, when they get out of school, they could actually run for a seat on the regular council."
A junior council person would attend the regular meetings of council and would be allowed to voice their opinions. They would not be allowed to vote and could not attend "executive" sessions. The junior member also would not be privy to personnel issues.
Council passed a resolution to bring the program to McSherrystown by a 6-1 vote.
Councilman William H. Masemer cast the single negative vote.
"Only two boroughs in our area have tried it, so the program doesn't have a track record for participation yet," Masemer said. "I think that there should be more (junior councilperson) activity in other boroughs before we implement it."
Riede said he recently spoke to some officials from Carlisle and they really like the program. They told him the student on their board is energetic and helps the borough in many ways, he added.
Riede said the program could also benefit the student as it could count toward graduation project credit if the school agrees.
