Want to know how our town works? How decisions are made about budgeting, street repairs or Parks & Rec programs? Hungry to know a bit of town lore? Grab an application for the third year of Civics 101, a sort of citizens academy that helps inform residents about town government.
“Davidson residents are well informed and involved in local issues,” Town Manager Leamon Brice said in a press release. “Civics 101 will take that interest to the next level. Perhaps someone is interested in getting more involved, sitting on a board or a committee, or wants to learn more about how things in town happen. This is their chance to find out those answers and much more about the inner workings of our town departments.”
The free series of weekly sessions will include information about public safety, planning, parks and recreation, town history, budget preparation and other topics. Classes, held at at town hall and other locations, will begin Jan. 29 and continue for seven consecutive weeks. Sessions also include a Saturday field trip and graduation ceremony at the April 2009 town board meeting.
The program is open to those 18 and older who live within the town limits or in Davidson’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) – the area beyond the town limits where it has planning authority.
A total of 61 people have completed the previous two years’ sessions of Civics 101. They have included public school principals, writers, retirees, family doctors, real estate agents, stay-at-home dads (and moms), property owners, lawyers, and people involved in citizen committees. Graduates include the current president of Downtown Davidson Inc., current members of the Planning Board and Town Board, and the editor of DavidsonNews.net.
Read DavidsonNews.net’s past coverage of Civics 101 via the links below.
DAY OR NIGHT OPTION
Citizens can sign up for a day session from 9:30–11:30 a.m. or an evening session from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The day class will require a minimum of 15 participants.
Don’t expect simple lectures, town officials say. Classes will be interactive and entertaining. Acceptance is on a first-come, first served basis and only 20 participants will be able to take part in each class. Those selected must commit to attending all seven classes.
Applications are available online and at Town Hall. For details, call Sara-Lynne Levine at 704 940-9602 or visit www.ci.davidson.nc.us/civics101.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
March 11, 2008, “Residents get educated at Civics 101.”
March 8, 2008, “Editor ‘rescued’ at Civics 101″
March 17, 2007, “21 complete town’s first Civics 101.”
