Medford Township’s inaugural Local Government Institute opened its first class Tuesday, Sept. 11.
The first session, led by township manager Chris Schultz, will run for eight weeks in an effort to promote advocacy and participation in local government, in addition to educating the residents of Medford.
Mayor “Randy” Pace and Deputy Mayor Frank Czekay were in attendance to greet the residents.
“Everyone has a reason for being here over the next several weeks. Whatever that reason is, utilize it,” said Pace. “Who’s the most powerful person here? Is it the mayor? Is it the manager? It’s you. It’s your government, if it’s not working, it’s because you’re not involved, you’re not making it work.”
Residents in attendance were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Of those people, 25 were welcomed, and a second course for the spring already has a waiting list and is in the planning stages.
According to a release about Medford’s class, the institute is a forum for interested residents to learn about their local government. It is designed to provide a learning experience beginning with an overview of three power centers of local government and the concept of empowering civics through various roles and services provided by their government organization.
“I thought it went very well. I’ve received several emails already from participants thanking me for the establishment of the program and the information provided last evening. While I am not teaching at the next session, I am looking forward to the continuation of the program for the benefit of the participants,” Schultz said.
The first class included an overview of the institute and the type of government Medford is running. Additionally, residents experienced an in-depth tour of the public safety building provided by police chief Richard Meder.
Students were brought into the emergency management center, which recently received a grant slated for updating and remodeling.
Currently, the center contains a flat screen T.V. to track the news in crisis situations including hurricanes and snowstorms. There are cubbies for police officers and school officials working in conjunction to place residents in correct spots in the event of emergency, large printers for maps and plans for all county-area schools emergency plan booklets, updated annually.
Currently, Meder was unsure of the amount funding the project.
The remainder of the class included a presentation by Schultz reviewing the government’s branches and its responsibilities, in addition to what goes on during township council meetings.
“I am very appreciative of the support to run the program from the township council and hope the residents who take advantage of the program gain a better understanding of the operation and mechanics of their local government,” Schultz said.
The format of the class is more relaxed than a council meeting with the ability to ask questions at any time regarding the material presented.
“Come relax,” Schultz said in the beginning of the class. “It’s a way for us to educate the public on things that we see that the public may not see.”
The second week for students includes tax assessment and collections. Throughout the eight-week course, residents will be educated on land use planning, budget and finance, public works and utility service, emergency services and administration all before an overview of the course and their graduation in week eight.
“I think the biggest success was that the course finally started, and we reached the maximum course participation and have started a second list for a second program to run in 2013,” said Schultz.
No date has been announced for the second program.
