The complexity of city government, even to folks who have been involved in politics all their lives, can sometimes be mind-boggling. Recently, students from Phyl’s Academy zestfully took over City Hall and became city commissioners for a day.
Just after 3 p.m. on May 5, Gregg Wright, 10, the mock mayor, pounded the gavel and called the meeting to order.
“Would the city clerk please call the roll,” he said in a no-nonsense manner, his black-and-white sneakers rubbing across the floor as he twisted in the chair of authority.
His city clerk, Courtney Sumlin, 11, called the roll and the commissioners answered in booming voices.
Under the watchful eye of their educational director, Afua Baptiste, and a few of the real city honchos — Mayor Samuel Brown, City Manager Stanley Hawthorne, Commissioner Hazelle Rogers and City Clerk Pamela Levy — the mock commission discussed the issues. Public comment and questions came from two other students, David Yarde, 10, and Anthony Tynes, 11.
Phyl’s Academy, a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade private school, is at 4645 N. State Road 7.
The two agenda items: Should the city build a swimming pool, and should skateboards be allowed on public streets?
The first item produced very little discussion. Mock commissioners were quick to approve the pool with a few safety guidelines.
Discussion, too, on the second measure was short and a no vote seemed forthcoming.
However, Rogers approached the junior commissioners and coaxed them into talking more about the issue.
“I voted for all of you and so I need to hear from each of you why you are voting for or against,” she said.
“If somebody is riding a skateboard and if a car doesn’t see them they could get hit,” said Akilah O’Brady, 10, who was the new Commissioner Eugene Beck.
It didn’t take long for the group’s comfort level to return and they elaborated their positions. They all seemed delighted, however, when their mayor loudly announced, “meeting adjourned.”
The mock commission meeting was organized by members of the newly formed Kiwanis Club of Lauderdale Lakes and West Sunrise to celebrate Builders Club Week. The observance concentrates on ways to strengthen school and community.
“Understanding the issues in their city and how government affects people is important for them to know,” said Kiwanis Club secretary-elect Audrey Hamilton.
“It was good,” said 8-year-old mock City Attorney Amankwa Baptiste.
But although pleased with being city attorney for a day, Amankwa still dreams of her name in lights, not on a dais.
” I still want to be an actress,” she said.
