Jack Griffith of the engineering division of Public Works, center, shows an
engineering map to students Clarence Cotten, left, and Jeremy Hard. To see
more photos, click here.
By Jeremy Hard
Public Affairs Manager designate
Today, students from Biloxi, D’Iberville and Mercy Cross high schools were given a behind-the-scenes look at how city officials provide services to residents and visitors.
Students learned the in and outs of such positions such as mayor, public affairs manager, parks and recreation, historic preservation and numerous others in the cities of Biloxi and D’Iberville.
The event marked the 67th annual “Youth in Government Day,” a project of the Biloxi Elks Lodge 606. The students followed a schedule that included shadowing key city personnel throughout the morning before hearing an overview of city government by Biloxi Chief Administrative Officer Jim Borsig. Students ate lunch on the Town Green and were given a tour of cities facilities in the afternoon.
Tonight, students are scheduled to sit alongside city leaders at City Council meetings in Biloxi and D’Iberville in hopes of gaining a better understanding of local government.
“This is good firsthand experience for students to see their local government, which is where the rubber meets the road,” said Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway. “Hopefully, this will spur an interest for the students. I also appreciate the Elks for sponsoring this program each year.”
Students involved in the Biloxi segment of the Youth in Government Day are:
- Dedria Rose, Mayor
- Rachel Mejia, Director of Community Development
- Clarence Cotten, Director of Legal Department
- Myron Cummings, Director of Police/Council-Ward 1
- Jason Wilson, Director of Fire/Council-Ward 2
- Brittany Gunkel, Director of Public Works/Council-Ward 3
- Erin Kourkounis, Director of Parks and Recreation/Council-Ward 4
- Lisa Wentzel, Outreach Services/Council-Ward 5
- Charlotte Fairley, Planning Division/Council-Ward 7
- Jeremy Hard, Public Affairs Manager
- Christopher Phang, Information Systems
- Matt Pickich, Recreation Superintendent
- Alex Dubaz, Stadium, Parks, and Playgrounds.
