THE PUBLIC MIND: YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT DAY WAS A HIGHLIGHT FOR STUDENT

To the Editor:

I am a junior at Central High School here in Cape Girardeau, and on April 19th I was given the opportunity to participate in the Optimist Club Youth in Government Day. For those who do not know of this program, the operation of the city and county government was "turned over" to qualifying students from schools in this area. Over the previous week, the students were allowed to choose among the various positions in our city's government. Friday morning, April the 19th, all of us met at Port Cape Girardeau downtown where we were then introduced to the person whose place we would be taking for the day.

From everyone who participated, I heard only glowing reports of their activities. Students representing six council members, the mayor, the city manager, the city planner, the city attorney, and the city clerk engaged in a "mock" council meeting at City Hall. They were given an agenda which included role-playing by several "enraged" citizens so they would see first~hand what their respective jobs included.

My job was definitely a learning experience. I was chosen to work with Gene Hindman, Cape Girardeau's Fire Chief. It is always a little boy's dream to become a firefighter when he grows up, but even though that never was my dream I enjoyed my day immensely. Gene Hindman is an incredibly friendly and open man and we are privileged to have him as our Fire Chief.

We were taken downtown to a house where they were training with a new technique in fire fighting. Throughout the time we were observing, I bombarded him with questions about what they were doing and how the system worked. From each one of his answers I gained a greater understanding of how the Fire Department operates.

Lastly, I would like to extend a special thank you to the Breakfast, Noon, Evening, and Excelsior Optimist Clubs for all of the work that they did to make the youth in Government Day a success. It was a great experience for all involved and it will be remembered as a highlight of my high school junior year.

Janie Propst

Cape Girardeau