The Peru Gazette

The League of Women Voters of the North Country announces the fourth annual Meet Your State Legislators (MYSL) event to be held on Saturday morning, March 15, 2014, 9:30 AM-12:00 noon at the Peru Central High School auditorium.  For the fourth consecutive year,  Senator Betty Little and Assemblywoman Janet Duprey have agreed to assist in educating students from Clinton and Essex Counties about the structure and function of our New York State Senate and Assembly, and this year, Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward (2003-2012) will also participate as a special guest.

We have asked the legislators to explore the following areas in their remarks to students:

What are the steps to becoming a legislator or how did you get elected?  What is your job?

What is your role as a member of the Women’s Advisory Committee as appointed by Congressman Bill Owens?

What committees do you serve on? How do you get to be on a committee? Introduce a Bill?

What is the impact of election year on your job?

What role do citizens and party loyalty play in influencing public policy?

The program will consist of these components:

• Welcome and brief introduction of delegates
• Viewing of Students Inside Albany slide show
• Introductions of elected officials, followed by their addresses, Q & A, and photo breaks
•  Remarks by Inge Sapp regarding living in a country with no voting rights
• Drawing of students names to be the chosen attendees at Students Inside Albany May 18-21. One student will be from Essex County and one student will be from Clinton County. Funding from Sunrise Rotary, Northeast Central Labor Council, and private donations allows the sponsorship of two students.

This program is positive for all participants:

• Student delegates are chosen by their respective high schools based on achievement, character, and interest in government. Delegates receive public recognition, letters of commendation and certificates signed by all three state legislators.
• Schools and teachers receive positive recognition for excellence in their government/social studies program.
• Legislators receive the opportunity to share the details and successes of their job in a non-political environment with media lauding their generosity and expertise.
• Media  professionals have the opportunity to interact with these outstanding students and state legislators in he North Country.

Meet Your State Legislators offers booth students and the general public a unique opportunity educational opportunity to experience non-partisan politics devoid of divisiveness. We encourage the public to join us.

For further information, contact co-chairwomen Betty Ann King 310-1164 or Betsy Metz 561-6106.