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ATHENS-The City of Athens joined Montevallo and Alabaster in a presentation at this week’s Leadership Institute hosted by the League of Municipalities. The presentation focus was why and how a city starts a youth council group. The meeting was held at Ross Bridge in Birmingham. Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks discussed how Athens started its Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission in 2012 to teach students local government’s role and their role as citizens in order to encourage them to be informed and engaged citizens. Several cities expressed interest in the program and asked for further information from Athens.
ATHENS-The City of Athens joined Montevallo and Alabaster in a presentation at this week’s Leadership Institute hosted by the League of Municipalities. The presentation focus was why and how a city starts a youth council group. The meeting was held at Ross Bridge in Birmingham. Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks discussed how Athens started its Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission in 2012 to teach students local government’s role and their role as citizens in order to encourage them to be informed and engaged citizens. Several cities expressed interest in the program and asked for further information from Athens.Wednesday, December 6 the Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission held its monthly meeting 
with part of the students going to the Athens Water Treatment Plant to learn how the city provides drinking water from the Elk River. Other students went to High Cotton Arts to learn about watercolor painting and created there own Christmas piece. They currently are working on making and delivering Christmas cards to and singing carols at one of the rehabilitation centers in Athens.
with part of the students going to the Athens Water Treatment Plant to learn how the city provides drinking water from the Elk River. Other students went to High Cotton Arts to learn about watercolor painting and created there own Christmas piece. They currently are working on making and delivering Christmas cards to and singing carols at one of the rehabilitation centers in Athens.“This program is important because it captures the interest of our youth and lets them know they have a voice, they can make a difference in their community, and their opinions and actions do matter,” Marks said.
