The Shark Reports

SGA`s "Mock" City Hall Meeting
Whitney Tyler Shark Correspondent

Cedar Keys Student Government Association (SGA) decided that for the 2011 government week in October they wanted to do something special.
Begging in September, SGA met up in the Library and discussed the project. They wanted to plan a "mock" city hall meeting. And they wanted to do everything that came with that; running for city commissioner, applying for different city positions, campaigning, and then finally voting.
After two weeks of planning just how they were to accomplish this goal SGA students decided to present it to the middle and high school students. Three or four of the SGA members went around to each class in the morning and explained what they were doing and how the students could get involved.
Throughout the next week many students approached Mrs. Sue, the SGA advisor, and other SGA members for applications to sign up. The different city positions that were available were Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Clerk, and Public Works. On Wednesday September 28th on early release there was a meet-and-great at lunch. The student Commissioner candidates were all lined at a table for their fellow students to approach them and see what they have to offer. This was also the day the Middle and High School students registered to vote for the October 11 elections at their school.
The week after the meet-and-greet the candidates had a chance to campaign with signs throughout their school; the following Tuesday elections happened. There were booths and ballots to vote for five commissioners. Once finished, the ballots were dropped into a box to be counted later that day by SGA members.
The next morning the positions were announced; Commissioners - Tiqvah Cahours, Taylor Davison, Taryn Epperson, Patrick Jackson, and Kalei Wilson; Police Chief - Tyler Anderson; Fire Chief - Austin Pope; City Clerk - Emily Colson; Public Works - Kevin Carswell. The next week for one day the students hired for city positions shadowed the real city people who applied for that position and received it.
On Tuesday all the students that had a position went to watch how a real city hall meeting was done. That Friday the "Mock" City hall meeting started. The meeting started with a prayer and the pledge of Allegiance followed by announcement of the mayor, Taryn Epperson. They then introduced the city commissioners and department heads. Austin Pope gave a fire activity report in front of the commissioners then Kevin Carswell gave a pretend vandalism report and asked how the commissioners could fix it.
The SWAT President and Secretary then presented to the commissioners the bag of 4,610 cigarette butts that they found around the town and asked the commissioners if they know a way to fix this problem. The discussion was interrupted by an act between Sarah Martin and Tyler Miller about a skateboard ramp over by the basketball court. Finally, there was time for public comments and the meeting was adjourned.

Staff Spotlight: Shari Sharp
Stephen Bainbridge and Montana Beckham, Shark Correspondents

Ms. Sheri Sharp has been an important part at Cedar Key School for the past ten years but Ms. Shari`s history with the school began many years ago.
Having grown up in Cedar Key, Ms. Sheri attended Cedar Key School for many years. Today, Ms. Shari lives in Rosewood and continues to work at the school as part of the custodial staff.
She explains, "It`s great to be close to her family." She enjoys having the opportunity to see her kids and other family members grow up and go through the school. She says, "It`s a great bonus!" Her cousin Kathy Polk works in the lunchroom, her aunt Elaine Rains is the kindergarten teacher, her daughter Amy Parks is an aide in the 1st grade. Many of her grandchildren also attend Cedar Key School.
Shari says having family close makes her job even better; "Being able to see the kids and have a steady job is wonderful."