Cameron Vasseur
For The New Era
The Sweet Home City Council’s Youth Advisory Council is entering a new year and looking for young applicants from the community.
The YAC was put together in 2002 by the City Council with the intent of giving the youth of Sweet Home a voice in the community. Four Sweet Home High School seniors, along with teacher Nancy Ellis, laid the basics for what the YAC would be about and what its purpose would be.
City Manager Craig Martin took the idea before the City Council, which gave its approval.
“We wanted to show that youth are willing to get involved and do things with their community” said Martin.
The Fab Four, as he now refers to the seniors who began it, set up the system for the number of members and the positions on the council itself. Some of the members of the first official council were handpicked by City Council members to represent the diversity of the town.
In some cities that have these kinds of programs it is mandatory that anyone on a student government is a part of it, Martin said. This was specifically left out in Sweet Home as the YAC is meant for the youth who honestly care about what goes on in their community, he said.
Though it has only actually existed for a little over six years, the YAC has already created some events and activities that many local residents are aware of: A summer cleanup of Sankey Park and the very successful Dam Run.
Though these are only two events that are expected to be held annually by the council, there are other ideas in the works for next year for those who are reapplying.
In its six years, the YAC has only really started picking up speed in the past two or three, Martin said. Some early ideas for projects never reached fruition. A few fund-raisers, however, were done in order to raise money for putting in the new skate park.
Within the YAC itself there are several positions open for students in seventh through12th grade. Any local students can apply. There are two spots open for every grade level and are not always filled.
Martin noted that YAC experience looks great on a college application or a resume.
Though the rules and regulations by which the council is run have changed through the years, at its core it is still the same, he said.
Those interested should visit City Hall and ask for an application to join. The City Council will review applications and determine who will serve on the YAC.
The council itself is overseen by Martin and Scott McKee, a member of Sweet Home City Council. Both attend meetings as unbiased parties and offer suggestions and advice from their own experience to guide the YAC and help it to become successful.
“We just wanted to be able to give kids a voice,” Martin said.