Students Govern County for a Day

CREST HAVEN – Nameplates were of elected freeholders, but those sitting in their seats, overseeing county government April 28 were students from seven high schools. The annual celebration was part of April as National County Government Month.
Director Gerald Thornton stood beside Kelsey Osborne, of Wildwood Catholic, as she wielded the gavel to begin the 3 p.m. caucus and 4:30 p.m. regular meeting. Earlier in the day the 18 students were linked with freeholders and department heads to gain an insight into a behind-the-scenes observation of the operations that maintain the county roads, health and safety.
A Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit demonstration was included as part of the day’s events.
At the freeholder session, students followed the agenda and passed a string of resolutions. Among those resolutions:
• Commemorating the New Jersey State League of Municipality on its centennial.
• Authorizing labor contracts with the Police Benevolent Association Local 59 for investigators, detectives and sergeants in the County Prosecutor’s Office through Dec. 31, 2016, and another with the Sheriff’s Department officers and sergeants through Dec. 31, 2017.
• Entering an enterprise agreement with Microsoft Corporation in amount of $465,721 to upgrade, for the next six years, computer operating system known as Office 365.
Students also heard an update on the upcoming Coast Guard Community Festive, May 8-10, from Carole Mattesich and Nina Ranalli, event coordinator.
At the end of the meeting all participants received a blue cloth bag filled with mementoes from the county. To memorialize the day, a group photograph was taken.
Participants included:
Cape Christian Academy: Dori Chambers, Dorothy Berger
Technical High School: Paul Popovick, Caroline Roth
Middle Township High School: Gabrielle Crippen, Katy Greenberg
Ocean City High School: Zachary Colao, Darby Grant
Wildwood High School: Kalie Roach, Siena Perez
Wildwood Catholic High School: Kelsey Osborne
Cape May County High School: Nathaniel Wall