Woodbine— Mayor William Pikolycky is pleased to announce that Woodbine’s annual “Student Government Day”, which also celebrated both Arbor and the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, was again a sustainable success.
On April 22 the eighth grade students from Woodbine Elementary School spent the morning at Borough Hall learning about the workings of their local municipal government.
Monserrate Gallardo, who serves as Woodbine’s Planning and Zoning Board secretary,
Zoning Office Clerk, and Municipal Court Clerk, discussed issues in zoning with the assembled students. Lisa Garrison, Municipal Clerk and Municipal Tax Collector, gave insight into the workings of her offices, displaying a preserved copy of the Borough’s minutes from 1903. She spoke about elections as “the ability to make change”.. She in turn was followed by CFO and Assessor Jack Miller, who again gave insight into assessment and other financial ins and outs of municipal government.
Municipal Court Administrator Edna Thomas, teaming with Public Defender Bernard Sypniewski, spoke about the criminal justice and judicial systems, and how they can affect the students on a personal level. Mr. Sypniewski, who also serves as Borough Webmaster asked the students to review the municipal website and e-mail him with suggestions for improvement. He will also be giving a robotics presentation at the County Library in June.
Mayor William Pikolycky, accompanied by Triad consultant Michael Zumpino, concluded the day by giving an overview of municipal government. The Mayor then signed his Arbor/Earth Day proclamation and presented each student with a certificate of attendance.
Arbor Day was celebrated in conjunction with SGD, with the students each being given a white pine tubeling. Borough residents visiting the Municipal Building were also offered trees during this week and additional trees were distributed to the school and also for distribution by the Woodbine branch of the Cape May County library and to the Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage.
Students participating were: Kayla Anthony, Mary Batchelor, Ariel Cooper, Ignacia Cruz, Justis Goolsby, Alexander Huertas, Tamera Laracuente, Lenoni McNear, Bria Murray, Alexandra Ramos, Brandon Rivera, Onix Rivera, Destiny Rollar, Lawrence Schaffer, Kiera Warner.
Accompanying them were teachers: Rose Farnan, and Margaret Benson.
“I was pleased to again have a chance to meet with these students and now want to extend an invitation to our Choice, home-schooled, and private school eighth graders to call and set up a visit to Borough Hall as well,” added Mayor Pikolycky.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
