Northpinellas: Citizens' class studies city's workings

CLEARWATER -- The crowd watches as the firefighters cut their way through the windshield of the battered maroon Plymouth. As glass explodes onto the pavement and the driver is pulled from the car, an onlooker gasps and turns her eyes.

"All right, let's head back to the station so these guys can get things cleaned up," said firefighter Pete Huffman as he motioned the group away from the glare of the floodlights and the rumbling generator, back into the fire station.

After watching the mock accident scene, used to train firefighters, the first class of Clearwater's Citizens' Academy walked into the quiet of the station. The group, wearing matching yellow polo shirts and armed with binders full of information about the city, had just finished its third lesson of the night: a day in the life of a Clearwater firefighter.

The academy, which aims to give residents a better understanding of the workings of city government, includes lectures and hands-on demonstrations from city officials. Nearly 20 residents are enrolled in the program, which began three weeks ago.

Classes like this one are becoming common around the country. From California to Kansas, lawmakers and city officials are battling low participation rates in local government and poor communication by creating training classes for community members, promising a glimpse into the world of local politics, city and county ordinances and facility management.

In Pinellas County, Largo has so much interest in its academy that it has started a waiting list for next year. The county government's version of the academy has also had a big turnout since it began last winter.

From visiting wastewater treatment plants to watching police dispatchers answer calls, class members learn the nuances of their governing systems. Members say they benefit by seeing for themselves how government budgets work. Cities and counties say the programs help them recruit people to serve on boards and committees.

"We're really glad to see how well our first class is going," said city spokeswoman Jackii Molsick. "We had a strong desire to get people more interactive with their government. We're pleased and excited about program."

After learning about the academies last year at a convention of city government officials from across the nation, Joelle Wiley, Clearwater public communications assistant director, said she and several colleagues decided to start their own program.

Free to anyone interested, the program attracted the attention of several community members. Three weeks ago, they entered the classroom.

Members have since played a Jeopardy-style game show, learned about the intricacies of the city budget and watched a PowerPoint presentation by Police Chief Sid Klein about the department's efforts to help the homeless. They say it's been an eye-opening experience.

"I've lived here for 20 years and just wanted to learn more about the city," said class member Mary Story.

Story, community relations director for the Church of Scientology, said she hopes her experience in the class will also help to create better relations between the church and city officials. She said she was surprised at the efficiency of the government and the technological tools at city officials' fingertips.

"I'm really impressed so far," she said.

Class member and retired New York police detective Ray Goldbach said he was shocked that city officials take so much time to educate residents.

"This is like a paradise compared to where I'm coming from," he said. "Nothing like this ever happened in New York. I just wanted to get in and see firsthand what goes on."

The apparent success of Clearwater's program is not surprising, says Richard Lillquist, executive director of City-County Communications Marketing Association, or 3CMA, a Washington-based organization dedicated to helping city officials communicate more effectively among themselves and with citizens.

"We don't know of any city or county that has tried a citizens' academy without success," he said, citing College Station, Texas, as one of the pioneers.

Class member Gary Lee, a Verizon Communications employee, said taking the class has changed his impression of city government.

"I wanted to learn how the city works," he said. "How it all worked was kind of a mystery to me before this class. I've been impressed so far at how much work the city does."

-- Abbie VanSickle can be reached at (727) 445-4224 or at vansickle@sptimes.com.

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