Civics Lesson

Community members received a crash course in city government and ways to initiate change when the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service partnered with Ogden City to offer the “Citizens Academy.” 

“A knowledgeable populace is critical to the strength of American democracy,” said Carol McNamara, director of the Walker Institute. “Low electoral turnout and public apathy are symptomatic of a civic-education deficit, concerning the function of government and the needs of the community. The Walker Institute’s aim is to encourage active leadership and civic participation.”

The four-session course, part of the Ogden College Town initiative, discussed the inner workings of government, the election process and then ended with a mock city council, where citizens got to make decisions about the many issues cities face, including taxes, roads and utilities.