HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GET OPPORTUNITY TO FILL COUNCIL SHOES

A mock Cape Girardeau city council skipped over riverboat gambling, but had plenty to say about a go-cart track Friday during the 10th annual Optimist Youth in Government Day.

More than 80 students from Cape Girardeau Central, Notre Dame, Jackson, Delta and Oak Ridge high schools participated in Government Day. The students filled government roles ranging from mayor in Cape and Jackson to county commissioner and circuit judge.

The event was sponsored by the Optimist clubs of Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

"We hope that with this exposure to the governmental process, our students will understand the importance of citizen involvement," Optimist member Tom M. Meyer said.

Meyer portrayed a concerned citizen at the mock city council meeting at the Cape Girardeau City Hall.

Identifying himself as U.R. Crazy, Meyer rose time and again to speak about everything from cable television to trash fees.

Central High School students Sven Rainey, Aaron Stott and Amy Chapman served on the Cape Girardeau council, along with Notre Dame students Amisha Shah, Adam Vickery, Jennifer Teegarden and Tom Berkbigler. Shah served as mayor. Emily Trueblood of Cape Central handled the role of city manager.

The students voiced concern over a proposal for a go-cart track along North Kingshighway. The proposed development was rejected by the real council because of concerns from nearby residents.

"It's where it is at that is the problem," Vickery said during Friday's mock council meeting.

Trueblood suggested that a site next to Wal-Mart would be a good place for a go-cart track.

The students tabled the matter for further study.

Several of Cape Girardeau's city officials attended the mock meeting, including Councilman Tom Neumeyer and Mayor Al Spradling III.

The students set up committees to study several of the issues.

"They are getting as bad as the City Council," Spradling said jokingly as he watched the session.

Trueblood said the play-acting was a learning experience. "I really didn't know what the city manager did before this."

Vickery found it easy to speak up at the mock council meeting. "I am an argumentative person," he said.

Vickery had a ready reply when asked why they skipped over the riverboat gambling issue. "We didn't want to do anything real controversial."