Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Atlantic County Leadership Forum Aims to Raise Citizen Awareness and Promote Public Participation in Local Government

In an effort to promote greater citizen participation throughout county government, the Atlantic County Advisory Commission on Women is sponsoring a leadership forum, "Beyond the Ballot Box: A Citizen’s Roadmap to Constructive Action," on Thursday, July 26, 6-8 PM (5:30 PM networking) at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in Galloway Township. The event is free and open to the public. Additional sponsors include the Center for Civic Responsibility, Citizens’ Campaign and the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton College.

"Our nation was founded on the priniciples of democracy and citizen involvement. In Atlantic County we are committed to raising public awareness of the many opportunities for participation, beyond voting and paying taxes," stated County Executive Dennis Levinson. "We want to encourage a proactive citizenry with a greater role in our democratic process. This forum will help educate the public and identify current opportunities, such as public meetings, open public records, and advisory boards and commissions."

Linda M. Kassekert, New Jersey Casino Control Commission chair and former Associate Director of Government Relations for the New Jersey Education Association, will serve as guest speaker. Kassekert was first appointed to chair the Casino Control Commission in 2002 and was recently reappointed to her second five-year term. She is the first woman to serve as its chair.

The forum will include a discussion of citizens’ legal rights, paths to citizen leadership, an overview of Atlantic County’s volunteer boards and commissions, as well as the legal and organizational structure of county government. Participants will gain the knowledge necessary to become effective citizen legislators.

According to Levinson, the forum is an offshoot of the county’s Government Integrity Agenda, initiated by the county executive earlier this year in cooperation with the Citizens’ Campaign to increase government accountability, promote the highest standards of integrity and encourage greater citizen participation. The agenda formalizes many existing county operating procedures by adopting them as county ordinances and codifying them into law.

Residents interested in attending the forum may register online at http://leadership2007.aclink.org or call (609) 343-2162 for more information. There is no admission to attend, but pre-registration is required.

"Every citizen should understand their rights and how to best exercise them," noted Levinson. "Government is only as good as the citizens who choose to participate in it. An educated public benefits all."

Click here to register

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