Tuesday, April 06, 1999
Middletown wants teens' input
Youth commission on agenda
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN — Getting more teen-agers involved in the community through a youth commission is a national trend that's winning approval locally.
Middletown City Commissioners will discuss establishing a city youth commission during their meeting at 5:30 p.m. today in commission chambers. Hamilton City Council agreed at the March 24 meeting to set up a youth commission for that city.
Officials hope it will help youths learn more about government, groom them for political careers, open the doors of communication and let officials hear ideas and issues that concern teen-agers.
“I think kids have lots of imagination and can come up with many good ideas,” said Middletown Commissioner Jerry Banks. He said he hopes colleagues will approve the commission with little debate.
“I think it's an interesting idea to include younger people in our government process,” Mr. Banks said. “It teaches them to understand a little more about how governments work, how to interact with a government effectively, and it teaches them that they have a stake in this whole thing.”
Mr. Banks said a youth commission would have been an asset last year when area youths came to city commissioners complaining about having no place to practice their in-line skating and skateboarding without complaints by property owners and problems with police. It could have saved misunderstandings and resulted in ideas to resolve the matter, he said.
Fortunately, Baker Concrete Construction Inc., a Monroe company, stepped forward and offered to contribute much of the labor and materials to build a skate park, Baker Bowl, in Smith Park, Mr. Banks said. The park is under construction.
Hamilton's ordinance says the purpose of its commission is to provide a responsive and proactive voice for the youth of the community, and allow them a formal role in planning the city's future by participating in decision-making on issues that affect them.
The commission will consist of nine high school juniors and seniors who live in Hamilton. They will serve in an advisory capacity to city coun cil, the city manager and the administration.
Duties will include reviewing issues of interest to area youths, making recommendations to city officials on such issues, and submitting ideas for programs, procedures or activities.
“The commissions are a national trend — trying to have government reach out to young people and invite them to participate,” said Middletown Assistant City Manager Susan Davis.
Middletown City Manager Ron Olson said the idea came up at the National League of Cities Conference about two years ago. The league's board established a committee on youth with members from across the country, and they have been actively involved in the past two conferences, Mr. Olson said.
Hamilton Mayor Tom Nye said the league of cities also was the catalyst for the Hamilton Youth Commission. The city will hold a town meeting at 7 p.m. April 21 at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Street, to explain the commission. The members will be appointed in April and May by the city manager, council members and the local board of education. The first meeting will be held in June.
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