Carteret, NJ – Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Carteret’s Troop 88 and Pack 88 joined with municipal officials and employees on Thursday, April 24th, to learn about local government as part of their “Citizenship Day” observation. Scouts were given a tour of Borough Hall by Mayor Dan Reiman, and invited to observe Department Heads perform their municipal functions throughout the work day. The event concluded with a “mock” Council Meeting, in which scouts portrayed and performed the functions of key local government officials. The scouts then stayed to watch an actual Borough Council meeting.
The event began with a flag-raising and a moment of silent prayer, after which Mayor Reiman gave a tour of the Borough’s historic administrative center, the Memorial Municipal Building, completed and dedicated almost 100 years ago as a tribute to fallen World War I soldiers. He was joined by Assemblyman Craig Coughlin for a discussion about state and local government, followed by a Q&A session with the scouts, who then “shadowed” municipal employees and department heads as they demonstrated some of their daily responsibilities.
Mayor Reiman said. “We were thrilled to participate in ‘Citizenship Day’, and show how some of the most crucial decision making – that which affects our residents each and every day, takes place right here under the roof of our local government.”
Scouts performed the roles of Mayor, Councilmen, Clerk, and Borough Department heads during the mock council meeting, in which several resolutions were passed, including one for continued improvements at Carteret’s Parks, and another pledging ongoing support for the redevelopment of Carteret’s waterfront.
“These are truly bright youngsters with bright futures,” Mayor Reiman added. “I’m sure Carteret would be fortunate to one day have them serving our community in our local government. I remember participating in Citizenship Day in the early 1980’s as a member of the Cub Scouts, and know it contributed greatly to my appreciation for our government.”
