BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK — The future of North Brunswick is now.
Linwood Middle School held its first Youth Government Day on Monday.
“We’re trying to give kids an understanding of the local government. We did this at the high school but it’s the first time we’re trying it with the eighth-graders,” said Linwood Principal Pete Clark.
Clark, along with Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Lou Ann Benson and Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack, created this program.
Dina Needles, seventh-grade social studies teacher and Student Council adviser, was a faculty liaison to the students involved in Government Day.
“This generation will someday be our leaders. This program helps to teach them about leadership and their responsibilities as a citizen,” she said.
Students met with township department representatives, took a tour of North Brunswick and then participated in the Township Council meeting at night.
“It is best when students learn hands-on. We are using some of our resources with our proximity to the municipal building,” said Clark.
Seventeen students were nominated by their teachers to participate in this event.
Quienne Burke observed the Finance Department.
“I learned how payroll works and how the council approves what money is being spent,” she said.
Maurolino Ignacio was in the Office of the Tax Assessor.
“I learned how properties are divided into blocks and lots and how some places don’t get taxed like churches and schools,” he said.
Nase Reid learned how many different departments the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services controls.
“The Department is in charge of animal control, after school programs and all recreational programs,” he said. “I also learned that Ms. Benson is a very hard worker. It is not as easy as it looks. It is hard to maintain everything.”
Aziza Gaziev was involved with Community Development.
“I wanted to learn about how [the township] lays out the land for business. I learned how much the department does for the people of North Brunswick. For the elderly who don’t have enough money, they build houses for them. They also take care of complaints if someone’s light is bothering a neighbor,” she said.
Erika Lezama participated in the municipal court.
“I learned how difficult it is to be a judge. A judge has to be very responsible and very fair. There was a woman who had mental illness so the judge gave her a break,” she said.
Regina Epps was in the Township Clerk’s Office.
“The clerks have a lot to do with the government. They give dog, marriage and death licenses and passports,” she said.
Amber Watts visited the Senior Center, and was surprised by the activity of the seniors.
“Their prom really shocked me. They have exercise tapes, bingo, puzzles, etc. As a child my age, all you do is walk around and do stuff. There are a lot of opportunities there [for the seniors] that make me want to be old,” she said.
Shane Fitzgerald took a tour of the Police Department.
“I learned that detectives don’t use [ink for] fingerprints anymore, they use powder to lift the fingerprints. We saw the jail cells and the evidence room,” he said.
Student Council President Jennifer Ilcyn spent the morning with township Business Administrator Robert Lombard. Although her first choice was to sit in the mayor’s office, “When I heard I was going to the [sewage] meeting in Sayreville, it was exciting because I felt like I was really getting involved in business.”
Seven students were picked to meet with the council and give a report of their observations.
“We have very exceptional, very impressive students,” said the mayor. “We are blessed with the caliber and talent of the students in our township.”
“This is great to see these young men and women here. When you read the newspapers you read about children making problems. Here you see the future of the municipality,” said council Vice President Bob Davis.
“Their intelligence and character speak volumes,” said Councilwoman Cathy Nicola. “They have a lot to be proud of.”
The students reported their observations to their social studies classes, according to Clark.
“Students need to know what’s going to be ahead in the future,” said Erika.