NEW ADVISORY BOARD GREAT WAY TO INVOLVE COMMUNITY YOUTH

The Cape Girardeau City Council has a number of advisory boards to aid councilmen on issues ranging from planning and zoning to cable television. But age is the issue and point of view of the newest board.

In an unanimous move, the council appointed eight students to a brand new advisory board. Four are from Notre Dame High School; four attend Cape Central High School. The board grew out of the Optimist Youth in Government Day held earlier this month.

This new advisory board is not only a good public relations tool, it's an ingenious way to involve youth in city government on a regular basis. It provides an important forum for Cape Girardeau's youth, and it could provide the city with real insight into today's teen-agers. This could be especially helpful when tackling such problems as weekend traffic along Broadway or increased use of city parks or drug prevention efforts that involve the police in the schools.

Charter members of this advisory board include: Christy Hey, Holly Brantley, Neal Totton, Caroline Giles, Ben Edwards, Matt Fisher, Jean Meyer and Thuy Ha.

City Manager Michael Miller said the city is taking the new advisory board very seriously. He said students will be encouraged to attend council meetings or call up their council members and voice their views.

The real council actually voted on a resolution passed by the mock city council on Youth in Government Day. That resolution said: "That the Cape Girardeau City Council consider appointment of this year's Student City Council members, mayor and city manager for a term of one year as an advisory group or commission, to be called upon for advice or feedback when there are matters concerning the youth of the community."

The Optimist Clubs also deserve kudos for their support of youth in the community. The annual Youth in Government Day has been a useful exercise for many years in providing government insight to teen-agers. Students see how government works firsthand by shadowing public employees in both Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

This new youth advisory board should only add to the event's appeal. Drawing advisory board members each year from Youth in Government Day participants makes good sense.

In addition to the useful advice, this new advisory board serves another important purpose. It can serve as a training ground for future leaders. Teen-agers can gain both understanding and insight into what goes into making decisions that affect the community. Hopefully some will return as city councilmen and women when they enter the work world. Direct involvement is a good way to quash apathy, both for young and old.

This new advisory board represents a win-win opportunity for both the city and Cape Girardeau's youth.