Ward wants to create Youth Council
This in via e-mail from Toledo City Council Candidate Stephen Ward:
Toledo, OH – There are people in Toledo who do not have a voice, but they are affected by the decisions made by our elected officials. This group is directly affected when decisions are made to close city pools, stop funding programs such as the Pic program, and the list goes on and on. They are the citizens of Toledo under the age of 18. While they are not old enough to vote, there should still be an outlet for them to have a voice.
Ward asserts, “We must create a community for all people…this includes the youth of Toledo. I believe the children are our future, and we must teach and prepare them so they may become the leaders of tomorrow. By not giving them opportunities, we are failing to prepare them. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said it best when he stated, We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”
The question has been asked numerous times to Mr. Ward, “How will our youth have a voice?”
Ward states, “I understand the importance of training our youth and giving them opportunities. We hear so much about our youth being the future, but I believe part of that future can start today. We have talented youth in Toledo, and it is time that we involve them in the decision making process of government. They are affected by the decisions made by the elected officials, so they should have an opportunity to give their input as well. Therefore, when elected to city council…I would immediately propose Toledo’s Youth City Council. This youth council would work with the Mayor and City Council, to provide leadership opportunities to the youth. In addition, any agenda that the Mayor and City Council has to vote on that directly affects the youth of Toledo…the Toledo Youth City Council would also have the opportunity to be at the table to voice their concerns, and the concerns of their peers.”
The Toledo Youth Council would consist of a 2 youth from each district and 3 at-large members. To serve on the youth council the young leader would have to be in the 7th through the 12th grades, and the 9th through 12th grades to be an at-large member. Those serving on the Toledo Youth Council would have to maintain passing grades of a 2.5 Grade Point Average, and the at-large members would have to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average. They would have to demonstrate community interest and a willingness to serve the youth and the city of Toledo.
The term of the Toledo Youth Council will be concurrent with the school year of the Toledo Public Schools. If a member of the youth council has previously been removed for cause, they may apply the next year. If chosen as a member they would be placed on an automatic probation period of 90 days. Any vacancy on the Toledo Youth Council, either by removal or by resignation, would be filled by the mayor of Toledo with the advice and consent of both city council and the Toledo Youth Council.
To become a member of the Toledo Youth Council, the youth would have to write an essay stating why they would like to serve. They would have to submit an application, along with 3 letters of recommendation from either their school principal, counselor, teacher, clergy, or another community leader representing a youth program. They would also have to submit 1 letter of recommendation from a peer. Once submitted, the members of the Toledo Youth Council would be selected by city council.
Ward asserts, “My proposal of a Toledo Youth Council would encourage and promote the education of youth regarding civic government. It would encourage youth input and participation. While this position would not be a paid position, upon implementation; I would work with the city of Toledo, and the University of Toledo, to see what ways we could provide scholarship opportunities for the youth who have served on the Toledo Youth Council. Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and we must take the necessary steps to train them, and give them a reason to want to stay in Toledo. The Toledo Youth Council would provide another opportunity for our youth, a tool to help keep our best and brightest in Toledo.”
Stephen Ward is the candidate for Toledo City Council who is fighting for change, opportunities, jobs, and a better future for our children. Government solely exists to serve its people, the interest of the people, including our youth; must be the highest priority of City Council
Back in 2007, my youngest daughter was involved with an attempt to create something similar, when Dr. Louise Chawla came to Toledo.
Other cities have successfully set up youth councils, but here? Funding and getting support by those currently on Council at the time created that plan still being one that some would like to see, but that didn’t happen.
I supported the original concept in 2007, and I still support it today, Stephen’s suggestions of his plan has merit but unless the larger attitude concerning our youth changes, I don’t see much hope for the original plan or this one to be adopted.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:35 amI personally think a youth council is a great idea. It reminds me of programs like Boys State and Girls State that take place at BGSU, just on a smaller scale. If this council could work concurrently with a scholarship program, I think Toledo area students would jump at the chance to participate if government and public policy are something they are interested in. The only setback to this would be funding for the program. The city budget is already tapped out, but something like this would surely be covered by some sort of youth grant.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:13 amDuring Mayor Ford’s term the Toledo Youth Advisory Commission was empowered to help out with policy discussions about Toledo’s youth and youth related issues. Under Finkbeiner that program has not fulfilled that requirement. Instead of having a City Youth Council, we should use that vehicle to engage our mayor on youth policy.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:53 pmLet’s hope the Youth Council can come up with a solution to the thugs in Highland Park, and others…
June 17th, 2009 at 10:58 am