Student legislators
Steuben County high schoolers debate, vote on critical county issues
By MARY PERHAM CORNING LEADER

Pictured above, legislative interns get down to business in the chambers of the Steuben County Legislature.

BATH - Some 16 high school students representing seven area school districts looked at ways to improve life in Steuben County Tuesday afternoon.

The students participated in the semi-annual Youth in Government program sponsored by the county Youth Bureau and state Office of Children and Family Services.

The program offers high school juniors and seniors class credit and provides an in-depth look at the way their county operates. The students are assigned legislators as mentors and tour dozens of county departments and agencies.

Their grasp on government was tested Tuesday when they presented resolutions and promoted them during a mock legislative session.

The resolutions covered a wide range of county topics, including setting up a county inmate work program, public works projects, recycling and human services.

The first resolution, to use county jail inmates to pick up trash, passed swiftly and without debate.

At left, Brittany Wheeler of Prattsburgh questions another student regarding a proposal to build a county park. PHOTOS BY ERIC WENSEL/THE LEADER

But students soon warmed up to their task with a flurry of questions for each resolution. Unanimous passage faded after the sixth resolution.

A resolution to create a new county park for overnight camping received dissenting five votes before passing, and a plea for schools in Steuben to improve their recycling passed despite four opposing votes.

However, a resolution to spend $7 million to buy additional landfill space was challenged and defeated, 9-7.

"Don't we already have 690 acres?" asked Michael Andreasen, of Addison.

The youth interns reflected the new needs in the county, with LaKeshia McCloud, of Bath, proposing higher pay for jurors, arguing the current rate in Steuben does not meet the cost of living.

Jason Keefer, of Campbell- Savona, said the county should set up a permanent recycling center for electronics disposal and reduce the risk of toxic and chemical waste. His schoolmate, Christopher Taft, came out strongly in favor of the county methane-to-electricity conversion plant.

Joelle Lutz, of Wayland- Cohocton, argued the county should spend more money on literacy, adding her proposed start-up costs of $416,250 would eventually produce a savings for the county.

"We've been doing this now for more than 20 years, with more than 900 students," said adviser Dick McCandless. "Our main goals are to foster leadership and foster better citizens… and these are fine young men and women."