Several Plymouth High School students are members of the Mayor's Youth Council. Top: Cassie Gaines, Logan May, Holly Spier, Lindsey Holloway. Bottom: Karly Gruett, Ashley Harrell, Curtis Smith. Photo contributed by: Laura Mann.
By Ellen Smith
Mayor Mark Senter and the city of Plymouth have recently added a new group of helpers to their numbers — Plymouth youth. The mayor’s youth council hopes to be a helpful addition to the Plymouth leaders and the community. Some members of the youth council are even students at PHS. This youth council is a great opportunity for youth, as well as an advancement for the city of Plymouth.
Junior Lindsey Holloway, Senior Holly Spier, and Junior Cassie Gaines are all members of this new youth council. Mayor Senter and Holloway offered some insight into what the mayor’s youth council does. “The mayor’s youth council is a group of students that are working together to help build Plymouth,” explains Holloway. With a new perspective from the youth, the council will be a great addition to the Plymouth community. Mayor Senter elaborates even further on the origin of the council. “The council was originally formed back in the 80’s to give youth a touch [of understanding] of government, and to be involved. However, in late 80’s after Mayor Glaub left office, it disappeared as well. We decided to bring it back.” The youth council’s rebirth has been quite successful. Holloway says, “[The youth council] has to make decisions by doing research, and [we give] our opinions on some plans for the city of Plymouth.” This group is made up of all Plymouth students, ranging anywhere from fifth to twelfth grade.
The Youth Council has already gotten off to a fast start. They started meetings in October, and already have a lot of plans. Holloway says, “[The council] is going to name the new downtown park, and we are also going to come up with an easier way for citizens to recycle and reduce the amount of trash we have.” The location of this proposed park will be on LaPorte Street, by the Yellow River. Mayor Senter explains, “I wanted the youth council to be the ones involved with the new park, because they are the ones who would utilize it. Also, in the future they will be able to look back and say ‘I was a part of that.’ This downtown park has been pushed for since [the city] bought the land in 2005.” The mayor hopes to be able to announce the new park at the upcoming Yellow River Festival, which is held in June. Many things are in store for this new park. “We have come up with a few names that will be released so that the citizens [of Plymouth] can vote on their favorite.” adds Holloway. The council has definitely hit the ground running.
Holly Spier and Logan May are the presidents of the council, and Plymouth Park Department member Gina Young helps organize it. The location of meetings for the council is important so that they can get work accomplished. Holloway says, “We used to meet at the council chambers in the mayor’s office, but we can get more work done at the Webster Center because they have wireless Internet.” The youth council members have been hard at work on their current project, the new park. They meet once a month on a Monday.
The council is open to any Plymouth students, and is a great activity for the community. Holloway says, “I applied to the youth council so that I could help Plymouth grow and show students that they can help the city no matter how old they are.” Mayor Senter’s goals for this group are to have the members “understand the goings-on of the city, to see the different departments I have under me, to gain experience, and to be able to give [their input] in something.” The youth council is helping the community of Plymouth in ways that will benefit future generations. Holloway adds, “I think that [the youth council] will show kids that they can help the city and we will help make Plymouth a better place to live.”