By Cecilia Nasmith
CORRECTION: Please note that the Mayor for a Day contest is open to students in Grades 7-10 and not Grades 5-8 as previously stated. We apologize for this error.
The Town of Cobourg and Mayor John Henderson have announced this year's Mayor For The Day contest, which will see one lucky student named as town mayor for Oct. 21.
This coincides with Local Government Week, an initiative of the Province of Ontario, Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for the purpose of increasing youth and public awareness of the important role local governments play in their communities.
The Town of Cobourg will be celebrating local government and the importance of civic institutions on Oct. 21, with observances including the naming of a young Mayor For The Day.
The contest is open to students in Grades 7 through 10. It is planned as a way to encourage young people to think about public service and future community leadership – and to share their thoughts on how to make our community a better place to live, increase student interest and enhance student awareness.
“I am looking forward to this year’s Mayor for the Day contest, as it is important for me to connect with youth in our community and engage with potential community leaders,” Henderson said in the press release.
“It’s also equally important to ensure our youth understand the role municipal government plays and the powerful impact we can all have on our community.”
This year's Mayor For The Day will tour municipal facilities, spend time with the mayor and officially open that day's council meeting. As well, the winner will see Second Street renamed in his or her honour for a week.
There is also a bonus for the winner's class, as the mayor will visit these student for a special lunch, where he will help educate and answer questions on municipal government.
To apply, complete the on-line application form, and/or upload a one-minute video answering the following questions:
Why would you like to be Mayor For The Day?
What concerns (up to a maximum of three) do you have about your community and, if you were mayor, what changes would you make to address them?
Highlight one youth program that is important to you - related to the arts, culture, athletics, non-profit environmental or civic pursuits – and tell how you have benefited from this program.
