https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com


Youths take local government into their own hands

Youths take local government into their own hands

In April 1999, a Chatham County, Ga., teenager sidled into a convenience store and attempted to buy cigarettes. Across the county, many of his peers did
  • Written by American City & County Administrator
  • 1st January 2000

In April 1999, a Chatham County, Ga., teenager sidled into a convenience store and attempted to buy cigarettes. Across the county, many of his peers did the same thing; and, while none of them made a purchase, all of them walked away with valuable information.

Working “undercover” as part of the Chatham County Youth Commission, the high school students were participating in a study on youth tobacco use. The study was conducted by Partners for Community Health, a division of the Chatham County Health Department.

In a single day, Youth Commission members went into more than 80 local establishments – stores, restaurants, bowling alleys, etc. – that sell cigarettes. They attempted to purchase cigarettes, either from a clerk or from a cigarette machine. If the clerk agreed to sell the cigarettes or ignored the student at the machine, the student claimed a lack of funds and left.

Statistics on the number of establishments willing to let minors purchase cigarettes were compiled and reported by the Youth Commission at a press conference and at a county commission meeting. The Youth Commission withheld the names of violators in order to encourage voluntary compliance with the law.

The Youth Commission was formed in 1992 by Priscilla Thomas, a former elementary school principal and current commissioner for Chatham County. She wanted to create an organization that would allow youth “not only to learn, but to be an active participant in government,” she says.

High school sophomores and juniors can join the commission; students may remain members until they graduate high school, according to senior advisor Van Johnson, also Chatham County employee services/training manager. He says that parents are invited to join a Parental Advisory Council that meets at least once a year to learn about the commission and to offer input.

Forty-three high school students now serve on the commission. They include two representatives from each local public and private school, one representative from each local housing project and one representative from key community youth groups, such as the Indian Association Youth Group, the Jewish Educational Alliance and the Savannah Runaway Home.

The Youth Commission meets twice a month, and each student attends one county commission meeting each year. Youth Commission members also learn about their community through speakers, projects and field trips.

In 1999, the Commission’s activities included visiting the Greenbriar Children’s Center, an emergency shelter and orphanage; serving as panelists for a “Critical Issues Affecting Youth” session of Leadership Savannah, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce; traveling to Washington, D.C., as guests of Georgia Senator Max Cleland, Georgia Representative Jack Kingston and the National Association of Counties; and sponsoring a county-wide youth rally. In addition, Youth Commissioners sponsored a Back to School Jam concert attended by 5,000 local youths.

The Chatham County Youth Commission’s activities have inspired Fulton County, Ga., to start a similar organization. Representatives from Fulton County visited Chatham County to learn about the program; they plan to inaugurate their own group early in 2000, according to Johnson.

Tags:

Most Recent


  • When spending federal stimulus dollars, local governments are considering long-term, community impact
    From staffing constraints to budget shortfalls and an unprecedented pivot into the digital realm (driven by the pandemic), local governments have confronted myriad challenges over the last few years. But in this, there’s a bright spot: The federal government is investing an unprecedented amount of money into local governments. “The covid pandemic shuffled the deck […]
  • Reno, NV
    In Nevada county, data underpins efforts to address climate change
    Across the United States, cities and counties are doing their best to confront climate change in myriad ways—from bolstering seawalls to updating electrical grids and everything in between. But in order for communities to best direct their efforts and responsibly spend hard-earned taxpayer dollars, administrators need data. In Washoe County and Reno, Nev., for example, […]
  • $52B semiconductor investment intended to rejuvenate American manufacturing
    Three decades ago, American manufacturing dominated the semiconductor industry, producing about 40 percent of the global supply annually. But over time, companies shipped business overseas looking to cut costs, and today, the nation produces only 10 percent of all semiconductors. It’s something the Biden Administration is trying to change through CHIPS and Science Act. “There […]
  • How capital improvement project prioritization helps secure infrastructure funding
    Trillions of dollars in federal infrastructure funding have been made available to state and local governments across the U.S. since early 2020. This money has been allocated to address the nation’s aging infrastructure, much of which is at or near the end of its useful life, and to bolster the U.S. economy in the wake […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • North Texas alliance partners with Marketplace.city on smart government solutions
  • Harris County deploys next-generation security in 150 public buildings
  • Public procurement can be transformative for stakeholders in a community
  • The 10 Most Sustainable Large U.S. Cities

White papers


Modern American Perspectives on Law Enforcement

14th July 2022

Reimagine the Employee Experience

12th July 2022

How to Assemble a Rockstar Website Redesign Steering Committee

7th June 2022
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

When spending federal stimulus dollars, local governments should consider long-term, community impact dlvr.it/SWXJWZ

12th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

In Nevada county, data underpins efforts to address climate change dlvr.it/SWTGHy

11th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

$52B semiconductor investment intended to rejuvenate American manufacturing dlvr.it/SWPqHQ

10th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

How capital improvement project prioritization helps secure infrastructure funding dlvr.it/SWLQB7

9th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Climate bill lauded; predicted to reduce nation’s carbon foot print by 40% within decade dlvr.it/SWHGQL

8th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Partnership launches no-cost wastewater monitoring service for local governments dlvr.it/SW7N74

5th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Investing in America’s onsite wastewater treatment systems for equity and sustainability dlvr.it/SW4Mb9

4th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

With passage of PACT Act, veterans service officers are preparing for an influx in applicants dlvr.it/SW4KTg

4th August 2022

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X