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Home > Leadership > Mayor > Archive Press Releases > 2007 Archives > April 2007 > Mayor Byron W. Brown Announces Start of Second Citizens’ Participation Acad

Mayor Byron W. Brown Announces Start of Second Citizens’ Participation Academy


Oswaldo Mestre, Jr.
Director, Division of Citizen Services


(View 2007 Class Roster)


Buffalo, New York: Mayor Byron W. Brown is pleased to announce the start of the second Citizens’ Participation Academy. An orientation for accepted participants was held on Tuesday, March 27th, 2007.  

“I am extremely pleased with this initiative, as my administration works to provide opportunities for residents to access government,” says Mayor Brown. “Participants from across the City of Buffalo are eager to gain a detailed perspective regarding the daily undertakings of city government operations and discover the many ways in which government affects our quality of life. I am appreciative of the desire of residents to learn more about city government and do their part to make Buffalo a better city.”
 
The Citizens’ Participation Academy was created in order to engage City of Buffalo residents in their local government by providing an interactive forum, learning firsthand about the structure and management of the City of Buffalo. During the course of 9 weeks, participants will learn about various themes such as education, public safety, community programs, and economic development. Each session will unite various city administrators and directors with participants, in an informal setting, to learn about the structure, challenges, and vision for their respective departments.
 
Participants will also have the opportunity to visit various facilities, such as the Buffalo Employment and Training Center and the Water Treatment and Sewer Treatment Plants, in addition to completing various activities such as attending a CitiStat session, a Common Council hearing and a police ride-along. By affording citizens an avenue to observe government, a sense of connectivity is bridged between city government and its constituents. “Providing residents with the opportunity to participate in government and gain an inside perspective on the inner workings of city government, it is our hope that the CPA class members will come to know the function of city government better and be inspired to become more involved in city-based activities,” said Oswaldo Mestre, Jr. Director of Citizen Services.
 
Over 70 people applied for admission into the Spring session of the Academy, as 30 participants were selected for admission. Director Mestre mentioned that “we are constantly looking to attract interested residents to participate within the initiative. In the future, we wish to work with local universities and colleges to revive a sense of civic engagement amongst our college population.”
 
 
This free, 9-session course, designed for City of Buffalo residents ages 18 and over, is offered during the spring and fall. For additional information, please contact the Office of Citizen Participation and Information at 716-851-5515.