Scouts of Today Will Be Future Leaders

“Some of these question may be rough on you guys,” Dan Runyon warned freeholders at their Jan. 26 meeting.
Steeled for sharp queries, like the President before a press conference with the nation’s smarted reporters, five of Cape May County’s top elected officials swallowed hard, and looked their inquisitors in their little eyes.
Not often are the director and four peers called upon to answer such wide-open questions from the general public.
Breathe easy. Those were not inquiries from union members fearing for their futures, or from residents about flooded roads and fields. Instead, they were from five Cub Scouts from Pack 65, Court House of which Runyon, a county employee with Facilities and Services Department.
The Webelos scouts, who will shortly cross the bridge into Boy Scouts, were working to attain their Citizens Badge, Runyon said. A requirement toward earning the badge was to attend a government meeting and ask questions.
Logan Runyon fired off the first question: “We have one president and one governor, why do we need five freeholders?”
Those in the room chuckled. Had some of them wondered the same thing?
Freeholder Director Daniel Beyel briefly explained the job of the executive and legislative branches of government on the state and federal levels. He added that county voters elect freeholders as both executive and legislative, to make and carry out policies.
Next, Freeholder Leonard Desiderio answered Webelos Scout Zackary Hurtado, who asked, “How do you get your job?”
“We are elected by the people of Cape May County. Every three years, one or two of us is up for election. The people of Cape May County vote for us,” said Desiderio.
“Why don’t we lower taxes so more people come here?” asked Webelos Kenneth Dickinson.
“We have the lowest tax rate in all of New Jersey currently,” Beyel replied. “That is a factor when it comes to affordability.” He added that demand for building lots and homes here, “close to the ocean and bay brings prices up…It’s not affordable for young people starting out or senior citizens,” he added. Many seek to live here, he added, “Because this is such a great place, that’s why there is such a demand.”
“In all the vast area of New Jersey, Cape May County is still the best place to live,” said Freeholder Ralph Bakley Sr.
“How do you decide to make a law?” asked Webelos Daniel Jeffries.
“Depending on the public and who comes to meetings,” Beyel responded. Sometimes something is “not right, and we start a dialog. We hear from other areas of government, from members of the public and taxpayers whether they want something to change. Things do happen over a period of time. We have to make adjustments,” Beyel said.
“How much money do you make?” asked Webelos James DeHainou.
“Around $17,000 per year, and I, as director get an additional $1,000,” Beyel replied.
Then, from the mouth of a boy, an iconic utterance that has been asked all the way from Main Street and Wall Street to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and around the globe: “Why is the economy so bad?” asked Christopher Bailey.
With a machine-gun quick reply, Beyel answered, “People spend more money than they made.”
The scouts sort of smiled. A round of applause erupted. I know the boys were breathing easier, as were freeholders.
These questions came from a group of boys who will, sooner than we know, be paying taxes for the things we are doing today. They will ask questions then, and no one will smile and give them applause.
Should some of them follow their dreams, one of them might well be sitting in the director’s seat replying to a generation yet unborn, who will wonder the things that they asked on Jan. 26.
That is one of the important things to remember about Scouts, regardless of age, they are leaders of tomorrow.
February is special for Boy Scouts. That’s because the organization was founded on Feb. 8, 1910. Since then, it has provided a solid ground for many who have grasped its importance, and gone on to leadership roles in industry, finance and the political world.