PORTAGE (WKZO AM/FM) — Portage City Hall became a classroom Tuesday for 16 students from Portage Central and Northern government classes, who participated in the 12th annual “Mayor and City Council for the Day” program.
After tours of the city’s operations and discussions with staff and elected officials, mock elections were held and 7 of the students were elected to actually participate in Tuesday night’s City Council Meetiing.
Mayor for a day Abigayle Kelly says she learned a lot.
They hope the collaborative effort between the city and the schools will encourage more young people to get involved in politics and public service.
Portage’s permanent Mayor Patricia Randall says she learned a lot on a trip to Lansing when she was the guest of State House Rep. Brandt Iden to witness Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s first State of the State Address.
She reported to the full council that she was moved by the Governor’s speech but when she saw the displays of partisanship during the address, she says she is glad the founding fathers of Portage decided that the council should be nonpartisan.
She thinks they get a lot more done because they keep ideology out of the mix.
