A devoted advocate of students and public involvement in city, state, and national government, Cedar Key City Commissioner Sue Colson has conceived a project that combines and accomplishes both of her passions.
After conferring with Principal Sue Ice and Student Government Association Co-Sponsors Sue Penny and Kathy Hudson and confirming the Cedar Key School`s interest, the Cedar Key School Student Government Mock Election Project, yet an unofficial name, is now underway and will culminate on Friday evening, October 21, 2011, at 6:00PM, when the five newly elected student city commissioners will meet in chamber, conduct a commission meeting, discuss several problems brought to them by the public, and make decisions that will impact their community. Four newly elected students, representing the city clerk, police chief, fire chief, and public works director, will assist the student commissioners. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this event. Colson`s two goals are actualized in this project. The first goal is to assure that every middle school and high school student will: experience the voter registration process, learn to assess each candidate`s validity, and actually vote using the booths that the City uses for its adult voters or by absentee ballot. Colson`s second goal is to assure that all these secondary school students, whether from the dais, the audience, or the voting booth, understand that they can impact their community and make a difference to the greater good. After conceiving this project, Colson became aware that the July August edition of Quality Cities, a publication of the Florida League of Cities, featured an article urging Florida cities` governments to educate their residents about voting. Colson, hoping for great press for the City, immediately telephoned article author Sharon Berrian to visit Cedar Key for the October 21 mock city commission meeting. Project events include:
* September: student commissioner candidates apply and articulate their qualifications among the middle and high school students; students register to vote.
* September 29 - October 10: campaign signs will be posted about school.
* October 11: students will vote.
* October 13: student clerk, police chief, fire chief, and public works director will shadow the actual City officials.
* October 18: elected student commissioners will confer with City Commissioners.
* October 21: elected student city commissioners, with the assistance of the elected student staffers, will conduct meeting at City Hall at 6:00PM. |
