City Manager Invites Public to Citizens’ Academy

As part of a broader campaign to increase knowledge and excitement for public participation in city government, City Manager Becky Berger will be launching a 5-week Citizens’ Academy. The program will offer residents a personal tour of the inner workings of the city and how staff puts Atchison tax dollars to work.

Courses offered on Wednesday evenings from mid-May to mid-June will provide opportunities for citizens to learn more about where their community leaders work, what services are provided and how they themselves can participate. Questions about who is responsible for local development projects or what it takes to keep streets, people, and the area safe will be answered directly by the staff who are involved in those fields.

Along with touring the locations and departments where the City’s staff operates, residents will receive personal and first-hand knowledge from the leading staff in each department, including City Manager Becky Berger, Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont, Director of Administrative Services Joe Warren, Police Chief Mike Wilson, Fire Chief Ted Graf, Public Works Director Clinton McNemee, and Utilities Manager Mike Stec.

All interested residents are encouraged to apply.

The first class is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, then will take place at the same time each week through June 12. The classes are expected to take 90 minutes and food will be provided. Residents who participate in at least four of the five classes earn a certification and will be recognized at the June 17 City Commission meeting.

This is a free program. Residents interested in participating should contact Joe Warren at (913) 367-5500, or joew@cityofatchison.com.

The deadline for registration is Wednesday, May 8. The class will be capped at 20 participants.

A weekly schedule and copy of the application can be found here: citizens-academy-flyer