This week I have been contacting Angela Brown about my intership. She has emailed commisioner Blucher multiple times but he is yet to respond. Yesterday, she called his cell and left a message. I'm going to call her again today to ask if i can just do some things around city hall as an intern while we wait for him to reply.
I met with Commissioner Blucher finally. He informed me of all upcoming events that he would be a part of, and that I could attend. I am rather excited about one opportunity. He offered me the chance to go to Tallahassee to meet senators. It would be for legislative action day. Another event I am excited about is possibly meeting Senator Nelson.
Commissioner Blucher informed me that the city commissioners meet every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. He recommended that I attend the commission meetings. I have to discuss the time discrepancy with Mr. Massolio, because the first meeting of the month would be at noon. Commissioner Blucher also informed me that at the first meeting I attend, I will be given the floor for a few minutes. In this time, I will state what I hope to get from the internship. At the last meeting I attend, I will present on what I learned. I’m very excited to begin.
I spoke to Mr. Massolio about the time issue. He said that he would be more than happy to sign off to allow me to leave early. His only requirement is to complete all the work that I miss and that the teacher whose class I miss approves. I just need to write up a statement that states the dates that I will be leaving and then have my parents, him, and the teacher sign for approval.
I spoke with Commissioner Blucher last night about Senator Nelsons visit. He told me that it turns out that the senator can't make it and it will only be his aide. I was slightly bummed. I would have had a chance to meet with a senator one-on-one. This would have provided me with a chance to get my name out there, and ask a senator how he went about getting his job. He is a member of one of the most exclusive clubs of the United States, I would like to know what made him decide to run and how in the world he did it. Hopefully one day I will be in his shoes!
This last Monday was sooooo exciting for me. I got to be a part of the city commission meeting. I arrived at 3:30 since the meeting started at 4. I went up to commissioner bluchers office where we discussed what would happen at the meeting. Then we went into the chambers where he led me to my seat. The commission chair (the head of the meeting) sat in the middle. To his left sat the commission chair; commissioner blucher. I sat right beside him. I had my own name plate, chair, and laptop. On the laptop I was able to view the agenda. It was really cool because it had hyperlinks that lead to a scanned document of the item. On the counter, well kinda in the counter, there were computer screens that displayed the voting results, and the speaking order. If commissioners wish to voice their opinion on a subject, they simply push their buttons and their name appears on the list. The first meeting went really quickly. In between the meetings, the commissioner took me out to dinner. We went to brick house and they paid. It was really cool to sit with them because it was almost like sitting with a celebrity. I got to meet many local citizens, and was introduced as the ‘commission intern’. The second meeting started well until there was a big discrepancy about a prayer given at the begining of the meeting. The most annoying thing about it was that at the beginning of every section in the agenda, we stood and said the pledge. At the second meeting, the 4h club of North Port came and spoke. They hoped that the commissioners would help promote the growth of the program. I was really intrigued about the topics that were discussed and I believe that this showed me how life as a politician would be. I like it. I really think I want to do this kinda of thing. Just at a higher level.
On this monday, I attended the city commission meeting. The first meeting was at 4. At the meeting, one thing we covered was the issue about streetlights. I learned that 99% of the cost of the streetlight is keeping it up. 1% is the installation. The arguements between the commissioners was interesting because they brought up things that I didn't even think about. In the revision of the wording of the rules. The main issue was the defining of a cluster and how large it should be. Some argued that one light could not possibly be sufficient for five houses in an area that a light has been requested. The next issues concerned the spending of money for road repairing. First, we were told the money that was saved from other road repair efforts. Then, the next item was the way to spend the money. The commissioners analzed the area of road to be repaved and they adjusted the location of the road to be repaved to create the best benifit for the people of North Port. Then we adjourned. Commissioner Blucher told me that he was unable to go to dinner because he had to take a phone call about an issue on the next meeting. While he retired to his office, I went downstairs to speak with John, the security gaurd at the front desk. John had some paperwork to put together for Sharon at the City Clerk's Deparment. My last internship was with Sharon so I know that the work she gives can be tedious. I offered to help him. I help until I had to return upstairs for the second meeting. The second meeting covered the Proclamations and such. We got down off of the stand and shook hands with the Employee of the year from the police department and fire department. They were busting jokes on eachother. The Police Cheif said "I haven't seen so many firemen lined up since the recliner sale at rooms to go". The Fire Cheif said "Why do cops ride 2 to a car? To meet the IQ requirement.” Then we proclaimed the newest K9 for the police department Google The Canine Search Engine. Then at public comment, a proir city commissioner from years and years ago, Buddy, came up to complain about a pothole (apparently she does this every meeting). Afterward, the commissioners thanked her and then they joked “We should just give you a city truck and fill the back of it with tar and let you drive it around so that when you find a pothole you can just fill it for us.” The meeting covered many issues and didn’t end until 10pm. I really enjoyed the meeting and I can’t wait for the next one.
This last commission meeting, we awarded a ton of awards. The city had a water conservation speech contest and we award each of the winners (3) with a certificate. Then we listened to them each present their speech. It was amazing to see the talent that the students in middle school had. Many of the things that they said made me believe that I need to conserve more of my own water at home. However, I greatly enjoyed this, my feet hurt afterward and the following meeting was outrageously boring to me.
Yesterday after school, I attended my first special meeting. I sat in the audience for the whole meeting. I realized the great difference in feeling that it gave me. I realized the feeling of being in the audience is that of a bystander. When I'm up on the stand, I feel as though I am part of the decisions. I now see why the community doesn't attend many of the meetings.
This week I have been contacting Angela Brown about my intership. She has emailed commisioner Blucher multiple times but he is yet to respond. Yesterday, she called his cell and left a message. I'm going to call her again today to ask if i can just do some things around city hall as an intern while we wait for him to reply.
ReplyDeleteI met with Commissioner Blucher finally. He informed me of all upcoming events that he would be a part of, and that I could attend. I am rather excited about one opportunity. He offered me the chance to go to Tallahassee to meet senators. It would be for legislative action day. Another event I am excited about is possibly meeting Senator Nelson.
ReplyDeleteCommissioner Blucher informed me that the city commissioners meet every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. He recommended that I attend the commission meetings. I have to discuss the time discrepancy with Mr. Massolio, because the first meeting of the month would be at noon. Commissioner Blucher also informed me that at the first meeting I attend, I will be given the floor for a few minutes. In this time, I will state what I hope to get from the internship. At the last meeting I attend, I will present on what I learned. I’m very excited to begin.
ReplyDeleteI spoke to Mr. Massolio about the time issue. He said that he would be more than happy to sign off to allow me to leave early. His only requirement is to complete all the work that I miss and that the teacher whose class I miss approves. I just need to write up a statement that states the dates that I will be leaving and then have my parents, him, and the teacher sign for approval.
ReplyDeleteI spoke with Commissioner Blucher last night about Senator Nelsons visit. He told me that it turns out that the senator can't make it and it will only be his aide. I was slightly bummed. I would have had a chance to meet with a senator one-on-one. This would have provided me with a chance to get my name out there, and ask a senator how he went about getting his job. He is a member of one of the most exclusive clubs of the United States, I would like to know what made him decide to run and how in the world he did it. Hopefully one day I will be in his shoes!
ReplyDeleteThis last Monday was sooooo exciting for me. I got to be a part of the city commission meeting. I arrived at 3:30 since the meeting started at 4. I went up to commissioner bluchers office where we discussed what would happen at the meeting. Then we went into the chambers where he led me to my seat. The commission chair (the head of the meeting) sat in the middle. To his left sat the commission chair; commissioner blucher. I sat right beside him. I had my own name plate, chair, and laptop. On the laptop I was able to view the agenda. It was really cool because it had hyperlinks that lead to a scanned document of the item. On the counter, well kinda in the counter, there were computer screens that displayed the voting results, and the speaking order. If commissioners wish to voice their opinion on a subject, they simply push their buttons and their name appears on the list. The first meeting went really quickly. In between the meetings, the commissioner took me out to dinner. We went to brick house and they paid. It was really cool to sit with them because it was almost like sitting with a celebrity. I got to meet many local citizens, and was introduced as the ‘commission intern’. The second meeting started well until there was a big discrepancy about a prayer given at the begining of the meeting. The most annoying thing about it was that at the beginning of every section in the agenda, we stood and said the pledge. At the second meeting, the 4h club of North Port came and spoke. They hoped that the commissioners would help promote the growth of the program. I was really intrigued about the topics that were discussed and I believe that this showed me how life as a politician would be. I like it. I really think I want to do this kinda of thing. Just at a higher level.
ReplyDeletehttp://cityofnorthport.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=130
ReplyDeleteOn this site, you can watch the meeting :)
On this monday, I attended the city commission meeting. The first meeting was at 4. At the meeting, one thing we covered was the issue about streetlights. I learned that 99% of the cost of the streetlight is keeping it up. 1% is the installation. The arguements between the commissioners was interesting because they brought up things that I didn't even think about. In the revision of the wording of the rules. The main issue was the defining of a cluster and how large it should be. Some argued that one light could not possibly be sufficient for five houses in an area that a light has been requested. The next issues concerned the spending of money for road repairing. First, we were told the money that was saved from other road repair efforts. Then, the next item was the way to spend the money. The commissioners analzed the area of road to be repaved and they adjusted the location of the road to be repaved to create the best benifit for the people of North Port. Then we adjourned. Commissioner Blucher told me that he was unable to go to dinner because he had to take a phone call about an issue on the next meeting. While he retired to his office, I went downstairs to speak with John, the security gaurd at the front desk. John had some paperwork to put together for Sharon at the City Clerk's Deparment. My last internship was with Sharon so I know that the work she gives can be tedious. I offered to help him. I help until I had to return upstairs for the second meeting. The second meeting covered the Proclamations and such. We got down off of the stand and shook hands with the Employee of the year from the police department and fire department. They were busting jokes on eachother. The Police Cheif said "I haven't seen so many firemen lined up since the recliner sale at rooms to go". The Fire Cheif said "Why do cops ride 2 to a car? To meet the IQ requirement.” Then we proclaimed the newest K9 for the police department Google The Canine Search Engine. Then at public comment, a proir city commissioner from years and years ago, Buddy, came up to complain about a pothole (apparently she does this every meeting). Afterward, the commissioners thanked her and then they joked “We should just give you a city truck and fill the back of it with tar and let you drive it around so that when you find a pothole you can just fill it for us.” The meeting covered many issues and didn’t end until 10pm. I really enjoyed the meeting and I can’t wait for the next one.
This last commission meeting, we awarded a ton of awards. The city had a water conservation speech contest and we award each of the winners (3) with a certificate. Then we listened to them each present their speech. It was amazing to see the talent that the students in middle school had. Many of the things that they said made me believe that I need to conserve more of my own water at home. However, I greatly enjoyed this, my feet hurt afterward and the following meeting was outrageously boring to me.
ReplyDeleteYesterday after school, I attended my first special meeting. I sat in the audience for the whole meeting. I realized the great difference in feeling that it gave me. I realized the feeling of being in the audience is that of a bystander. When I'm up on the stand, I feel as though I am part of the decisions. I now see why the community doesn't attend many of the meetings.
ReplyDelete