Steuben County Hosts Youth in Government Interns - Presenting
Resolutions
Bath, NY– Steuben County hosted a session of its Youth in Government
Program at the Steuben County Annex Building in the Legislative Chambers on
Thursday January 30, 2025. The event, which featured high school juniors
and seniors from across the county presenting resolutions they had developed
themselves.
The Youth in Government Program, which has been running for
over 40 years, provides students from various schools—including Prattsburgh,
Hornell, Hammondsport, and Bath—with the opportunity to engage directly with
county government. Students have the chance to attend meetings with elected
officials, meet with department heads, and simulate legislative proceedings.
The session saw students present their own resolutions on a
range of important issues affecting Steuben County, including proposals for
juvenile holding cells, environmental sustainability, public health
initiatives, and infrastructure improvements. The resolutions presented were:
- Changing
the Holding Cells for Juveniles
- Utilizing
Open Landfill Cells to Plant Trees
- Developing
a Community Service Page
- Purchasing
New Snow Plows for Steuben County
- Creating
a Veterans Court
- Developing
a Program that Allows Schools and Public Health to Create Volunteer Work
for Students
- Deterring
Landfill Birds for Health
- Installation
of Fire Safety Equipment at the County Jail
Kelly Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Steuben County Legislature,
was invited by the students to oversee the resolution proceedings. The students
elected Fitzpatrick as their chair to create an authentic legislative
experience. Other Steuben County Legislators in attendance included Carol
Ferratella, Hilda T. Lando, and Mike Hanna.
“In todays World- Never let anyone tell you –YOU can’t do
something,” said Fitzpatrick.
The Youth in Government Program, operated by the Steuben County Youth Bureau, continues to provide high school students with valuable insights into the workings of local government and encourages their active participation in civic life.