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Campbell students get taste of civic participation
By Sarah Lehr
CAMPBELL
City council passed a resolution to order city Administrator Jacob Mistovich to cut his hair “so he is able to see – because it is wild.”
Mistovich defended his long, curly locks, stating: “I can see fine.”
Councilwoman Elizabeth Schemetti, however, carried the majority opinion, arguing the administrator’s mother would have supported the resolution.
A group of Campbell High School students staged a mock council session Friday for Civic Day. The students drafted six pieces of legislation, met in caucus session and had a meeting in keeping with all rules of regular council business.
Mayor Courtney Michaels described the meeting as a valuable experience, even though she objected to council’s decision to pass a resolution requiring her to wear a Snuggie.
The session involved robust debate, and council President Celine Hildack was not shy about banging her gavel to call for order.
“I like being in charge, so it was a perfect fit,” Hildack said with a laugh.
Twenty-six students participated in Civic Day. Each shadowed either a city or school official.
In addition to experiencing the legislative process, students got a taste of the criminal-justice system. The teenagers “arrested” their government teacher, Brett Abeid, and sentenced him to a year without teaching.
The day also included lunch and a presentation by 7th District Court of Appeals Judge Carol Robb.
Civic Day is a decades-old tradition in Campbell. Brian Macala, who serves as the city’s real law director, described the event’s purpose as twofold.
“Students get to learn about what we do and we get to hear their input,” Macala said. “They’re the future.”
Actual council President George Levendis said some of the resolutions passed during the mock session, including plans to build a grocery store and to host a three-day concert, could be viable options for the city.
“All joking aside, these are some good ideas,” Levendis said.
He urged the students to attend the official council meeting next Wednesday evening.
“It starts with you young people,” Levendis said.