Coconut Creek Citizens Academy. {City of Coconut Creek}
By Martin Lenkowsky
Registration is underway for Coconut Creek’s Citizen’s Academy, an immersive nine-week program offering residents a unique opportunity to gain in-depth insights into the inner workings of the city.
Mayor Joshua Rydell is a past graduate of Coconut Creek Citizen’s Academy. He said he and his wife signed up for the program about ten years ago.
“You learn everything about the city,” he said, adding he still stays in touch with some of the people he met. “It helps build ambassadors to City Hall. You can help your fellow residents and neighbors.”
Rydell says even as a young kid, he always wanted to get involved and engage in the community. “An engaged resident can help their neighbors.”
Each class is led by staff from all city departments, and the program culminates in a mock city commission meeting. Participation is free. The program aims to empower participants to become informed, engaged citizens who can contribute to the community’s well-being.
Classes begin Tuesday, February 13, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and are held every Tuesday through April 16. There are no classes on March 26 due to spring break.
Graduates will receive certificates of completion on Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. during the scheduled city commission meeting.
Coconut Creek Citizens Academy. {City of Coconut Creek}
Classes cover various topics, including city finances, code compliance, community relations, fire rescue, city maintenance, community services, infrastructure, and parks and recreation.
Among the program’s objectives are to foster civic ambassadors who can serve as trusted and reliable sources of information for their fellow residents and cultivate a diverse group of informed citizens who can offer invaluable “ex-officio” advice and feedback on ongoing projects, initiatives, and events; build a robust civic leadership network.
Participants will be informed by email before classes start, and each participant will be provided a binder and name tag.
For more information, contact Yvonne Lopez at 954-973-6722 or ylopez@coconutcreek.net.
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