STUDENTS TAKE OVER VILLAGE HALL
by Joseph WIszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | The 8th grade students at Rickover Jr. High School in Sauk Village took over governing of the village for the day.
The day began at 9:30am and included tours of village facilities including the Fire Department, Public Works Department, Police Department, Paesel Community Center, Senior Center and Village Hall. This was Village Trustee Rosie Williams 7th year of Student Government Day and this year was a bit different as there were no elected official counterparts seated behind the students. Last year it was the student government day that nearly wasn't because of politics. This year was a stark contrast "this meeting was the best run meeting that I've seen in the last three years" Trustee Derrick Burgess quipped as the meeting lasted 38 minutes from gavel to gavel.
Public Work Director Kevin Weller, Sauk Village Police Sergeant Jim Vela, Deputy Fire Chief Rich Atwood, Administrative Director Sherry Jasinski and a host of employees and volunteers were excellent tour guides and assisted with the students throughout the day.
About 160 students of Rickover Jr. High School entered an essay which were judged by Williams' Public Relations Committee. The winners served as the officials for the day and were out of school for the day to take the tour of the village. Superintendent of Schools Al Travaglini and school board memebers Angie Evans, Sharon Davenport, Tammy Jones, Mary Howard and Suzzanne Arnold were in attendance with Rickover Jr. High School Principal Julie Iverson as well as several staff memebers from District 168. Williams pointed out that this was the best show of support from District 168 and it was "greatly appreciated". "The kids did a fantastic job, we're very proud of them" Travaglini said following the meeting.
Village Clerk Debbie Williams administered the oath of office to the Students and they were in charge. Mayor (for the day) JoAnne Wagner called the meeting to order and ran the meeting without a hitch. Village Clerk (for the day) Chelsea Neal did a fantastic job of calling the roll and declaring motions carried. Each student gave a report for their real-life counterpart in what was historically a "real meeting". The meeting and the evening was devoid of the typical politics which has become the norm at village board meetings over the last few years.
Student Government Day has been a part of Sauk Village since the 1960s during the administration of the late mayor Roger Theisen. Since the Village has had financial difficulties several sponsors have stepped up to help defray the expenses for lunch and other activities and awards for the students. "It's a time honored tradition in Sauk Village and I'm glad it's continued for so many years" Trustees Williams said.
The winners for the 2012 Student Government Day and their respective positions are: Mayor- Jo’Anne Wagner; Village Clerk - Chelsea Neal; Trustees: Denzel Stevenson; Robert Chavez Jr. ; Mariah Turner; Quinshawn Bolden; Adriana Gnaster; Ebone’ Camp; Village Manager - Destiny Shaw; Treasurer - Blake Evans; Police Chief - Darrion Moore; Fire Chief - Tayonna Marion; Public Works - Diante Felton; Finance Director - Kai Coldman; Administrative Services - Julian White; ESDA - Yesenia May; Engineer - Ana Castro; Village Attorney- Cartiara Merrit; Beautification Committee - Roosevelt Smith; Human Relations - Destiny Dorsey ; Senior Committee - Alex Fuentes; Police Alliance - Kayla Davis
Mayor Lewis Towers was unable to attend tonight as he was reportedly under the weather.
****CHECK BACK LATER PHOTOS WILL BE POSTED HERE!!!!!*****
SAUK VILLAGE | The 8th grade students at Rickover Jr. High School in Sauk Village took over governing of the village for the day.
The day began at 9:30am and included tours of village facilities including the Fire Department, Public Works Department, Police Department, Paesel Community Center, Senior Center and Village Hall. This was Village Trustee Rosie Williams 7th year of Student Government Day and this year was a bit different as there were no elected official counterparts seated behind the students. Last year it was the student government day that nearly wasn't because of politics. This year was a stark contrast "this meeting was the best run meeting that I've seen in the last three years" Trustee Derrick Burgess quipped as the meeting lasted 38 minutes from gavel to gavel.
Public Work Director Kevin Weller, Sauk Village Police Sergeant Jim Vela, Deputy Fire Chief Rich Atwood, Administrative Director Sherry Jasinski and a host of employees and volunteers were excellent tour guides and assisted with the students throughout the day.
About 160 students of Rickover Jr. High School entered an essay which were judged by Williams' Public Relations Committee. The winners served as the officials for the day and were out of school for the day to take the tour of the village. Superintendent of Schools Al Travaglini and school board memebers Angie Evans, Sharon Davenport, Tammy Jones, Mary Howard and Suzzanne Arnold were in attendance with Rickover Jr. High School Principal Julie Iverson as well as several staff memebers from District 168. Williams pointed out that this was the best show of support from District 168 and it was "greatly appreciated". "The kids did a fantastic job, we're very proud of them" Travaglini said following the meeting.
Village Clerk Debbie Williams administered the oath of office to the Students and they were in charge. Mayor (for the day) JoAnne Wagner called the meeting to order and ran the meeting without a hitch. Village Clerk (for the day) Chelsea Neal did a fantastic job of calling the roll and declaring motions carried. Each student gave a report for their real-life counterpart in what was historically a "real meeting". The meeting and the evening was devoid of the typical politics which has become the norm at village board meetings over the last few years.
Student Government Day has been a part of Sauk Village since the 1960s during the administration of the late mayor Roger Theisen. Since the Village has had financial difficulties several sponsors have stepped up to help defray the expenses for lunch and other activities and awards for the students. "It's a time honored tradition in Sauk Village and I'm glad it's continued for so many years" Trustees Williams said.
The winners for the 2012 Student Government Day and their respective positions are: Mayor- Jo’Anne Wagner; Village Clerk - Chelsea Neal; Trustees: Denzel Stevenson; Robert Chavez Jr. ; Mariah Turner; Quinshawn Bolden; Adriana Gnaster; Ebone’ Camp; Village Manager - Destiny Shaw; Treasurer - Blake Evans; Police Chief - Darrion Moore; Fire Chief - Tayonna Marion; Public Works - Diante Felton; Finance Director - Kai Coldman; Administrative Services - Julian White; ESDA - Yesenia May; Engineer - Ana Castro; Village Attorney- Cartiara Merrit; Beautification Committee - Roosevelt Smith; Human Relations - Destiny Dorsey ; Senior Committee - Alex Fuentes; Police Alliance - Kayla Davis
Mayor Lewis Towers was unable to attend tonight as he was reportedly under the weather.
****CHECK BACK LATER PHOTOS WILL BE POSTED HERE!!!!!*****
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CLICK HERE -- 11/16/2011 The Hook Up Remains Closed- Pending Hearing