Leetsdale council to welcome new junior member in the fall

Leetsdale officials want to give a Quaker Valley high schooler a hands-on opportunity to learn how local government works.

Council voted to restart its junior council member program July 13.

A junior or senior who lives in the borough will be able to have a seat at the table, pitch ideas and get a feel for what is like managing a borough this coming school year.

“The junior council program is a statewide model program promoted by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs,” council president Maria Napolitano said. “The council has adopted a resolution to accept the program conditions.”

Conditions include the residency requirement, having students submit a written application with a cover letter highlighting their interest in the position and that the position be unpaid.

A junior council person also cannot vote at meetings or attend executive sessions, which are closed-door discussions routinely reserved for personnel matters and pending litigation.

Napolitano said the student’s compensation for their time will be experience.

“I believe it will be a great experience for young people interested in local government,” she said. “This role is an opportunity to learn critical skills such as team building and collaboration, public speaking, public engagement, budgeting, and running effective meetings. It also allows the student the opportunity to deliberate on issues that are affecting their community. It will also help develop leadership skills that can translate into future community engagement in college and beyond.”

Mayor Sandra Ford said the borough had a junior council person in 2001 when she was on council. It was unclear why the program faded away after that.

“I do know from going to conferences the majority of boroughs do have junior councilpersons,” she said. “I would be happy to work with one again and (am) excited about having one.”

Council vice president Osman Awad said more youths should get involved in local government and away from their phones and screens.

“If it’s not on YouTube or TikTok, young people don’t care,” he said. “The only future you have with this young generation is to teach them. You got to get the young people involved with seniors like us. They’re going to learn from us. You pass on information. I like it.”

More information about the junior council program is expected to be posted on the borough website and social media pages.

District spokeswoman Michelle Dietz was happy to hear about Leetsdale’s program and would like the high school guidance office to be involved in the student selection.

Quaker Valley School Board has two student representatives at its meetings. They usually provide monthly reports highlighting school activities and upcoming events.

“It’s always important for our students to have opportunities to engage with government, have a chance to have their voices heard and also understand the working of local government and how decisions are made,” Dietz said.

The junior council member will be appointed sometime in the fall.