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Georgetown Citizens
Academy: A great way to learn more about how our city government
operates.
The City of
Georgetown recently graduated the Fall 2009 class of the Georgetown
Citizens Academy. Some Citizens Council members have completed the
entire academy and given it and all the presenting City departments rave
reviews.
We are providing some background on the
Academy for your general interest and perhaps to pencil in on your
upcoming calendars. Exact dates for the Spring sessions will be
announced within the next month or so.
Learn More About Your Local Government
Have you ever wondered how
potholes are repaired, how the fire and police departments are able to
respond so quickly to emergencies, how the City of Georgetown prepares
its budget or decides where to build a new road, a park, or a new fire
station?
The mission of the Georgetown
Citizens Academy is to provide the citizens of Georgetown the opportunity
to receive an in depth education about the services and operations
provided by the City of Georgetown. The goal is that the participants
will "graduate" with a greater understanding of municipal
operations. Participants will learn about the relationship between the
citizens, the City Council, boards, commissions and the City
administration. Participants will
also learn how and why projects are undertaken and the manner in which
services are provided, as well as receive an overview of the budget
planning process, the development review process, the transportation
planning process and many other responsibilities and functions of City
government. Each class will be conducted by City staff and will provide
an interactive learning experience through which presenters and
participants learn from each other using case studies, site tours, group
discussion, as well as hands-on experience.
Goals of the Academy
- To educate the public
on what its local government does for them.
- To improve and increase
citizen awareness and interest in local government.
- To develop citizens'
understanding of their role in city government.
- To provide an
opportunity for citizens to become involved in civic democracy and
to see how tax dollars work to improve quality of life for all
residents.
- To provide an inside
look at the operations of the City of Georgetown.
- To help identify issues
and areas of concern for citizens to help develop/implement the
City's Comprehensive Plan.
- To encourage citizens
to become involved in their local government.
- To demonstrate what is
provided by the local property tax and utility rates.
Structure of the Academy
- Approximately twenty
(20) students per class; additional classes may be scheduled
depending on community interest.
- Nine (9) sessions,
approximately 2½-3 hours each.
- Classes will
be held on Thursday afternoons during April, May and
June. The starting date will be published soon by the
City. Participants will hear from representatives of more than
20 city departments.
- Upon successful
completion of the classes, a diploma will be presented by the Mayor
and City Council at a City Council Meeting.
- The Georgetown Citizens
Academy is free to the participants.
You may contact Shirley Rinn at srinn@georgetowntx.org
to request more information about the 2010 Academy sessions or visit the
City's website at www.georgetown.org.
Don Siler
Publishing Editor
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clicking on Forward email below this box.
Send your email
address to info@citizenscouncilsct.org if you wish to
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