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| Committee adds teen voice to city politics |
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| Written by John Saiz / Patterson Irrigator / | |
| Friday, 02 May 2008 | |
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To deal with the disconnect between city government and Patterson youth, city officials have helped create the Youth Action Committee, a group of teenagers in high school and junior high who will serve as advocates for Patterson’s young people. The five-person board and close to a dozen other teens have met twice a month for the past three months. “I did not think it was going to be this intense,” said Lynda Zaragoza, who chairs the Youth Action Committee, “but I really enjoy that.” When Patterson City Council makes decisions, it often does so without comments from the young people the rulings will effect. Last month, the council passed a social-host law that imposes fines on party hosts who provide alcohol to underage drinkers. The move was an attempt to curb teen drinking, but no teens were at the table as the ordinance was drafted. Likewise, when the council tries to provide youth activities, teens rarely get their voices into the mix. None were involved when the city Parks and Recreation department organized a movie night at the high school and open-stadium and open-gym sports programs. City officials hope that will change. “(The action committee’s) voice helps us decide what the teens really want to do,” Recreation Coordinator Jason Hayward said. A notable exception to the lack of youth involvement in city planning is a proposed skate park, which has drawn dozens of young people to council meetings each time it has been scheduled for discussion. “We’re starting something where kids have input — have a voice,” Zaragoza said. Along with representing local teens, the committee plans to organize its own activities, Zaragoza said. She hopes to get a coffee night and a band night going. “Kinda get the bands’ stuff out there,” Zaragoza said, “and bring kids into a safe environment.” The action committee has its roots in a couple of city agencies that aimed to provide safe activities for teens. Most recently, the Youth Development Committee sought to get young people directly involved in city planning. “It wasn’t the council saying, ‘Go out and do this,’” said Councilman Sam Cuellar, who serves on the development committee. “It was just people who wanted to get together and do something for the youth.” Members of the development committee visited Patterson High School and enlisted students to get the action committee started. “More came from the leadership class, but we did get some (at-risk students),” Hayward said. Cuellar said he hopes the group not only gets teens involved in city government, but also leaves a legacy that will continue long after the present members of the action committee move on. “One of the things I wanted to come out of this is leadership skills,” Cuellar said, “and something other kids will be able to come along later and be a part of.” To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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