CATO - Brittany Haskins and Brittaney Dornes didn't know much about politics or their community leaders; but that all changed last week.
Haskins, 17, and Dornes, 17, both of Cato, attended Cato-Meridian High School's Candidate Night Oct. 30, sponsored by the student council, during which 13 candidates running for public office delivered points from their campaign platforms, talked about their underlining motivations behind running, and gave some 50 students in attendance insight into the political process.
Thirteen chairs lined the span of the high school's cafeteria. Cato Highway Superintendent candidate Scott Myers sat on one end; then Ron Dennison, candidate for Cato Town Council; Conquest Town Supervisor candidate Daniel Hempel; Conquest Town Council candidate Barbara Decker; Cayuga County Legislature District 2 candidate Michael Chapman; Cato Town Council candidate Linda Chapman, and Cayuga County Clerk candidate Sue Dwyer.
Seated next to Dwyer was Jon Budelmann, candidate for district attorney; then Gary Cole, candidate for Cato highway superintendent; Cato town council candidate W. Irving Foster; Conquest clerk candidate Kelly Clark; Cato clerk candidate Jody Snyder, and finally Gene Lalone, who is running for highway superintendent in the Town of Ira.
Students asked questions of the candidates, everything from what the community will look like in 20 years to what the candidates can do for schools. A microphone was passed around allowing each candidate to get a chance to answer those questions. And while the information itself they disseminated was important, what they really did was show students, most of whom are not yet old enough to vote, what it is like to be involved in the political process and how they too can make a difference by choosing their government leaders.
“You do have opportunities to vote,” said Foster, the democratic candidate for Cato Town Board. “Take that privilege; it's one of the privileges you do have, and be proud that you do have it.”
Chapman pointed out that voters need to know why they are voting for someone before they step up to the machine or fill in the bubbles on the absentee ballot.
“It's important when you pull that level you are using good judgment,” he said. “You need to know why you voted when you can vote.”
The forum provided that knowledge to students, and while they can't vote, Chapman encouraged them to talk to their parents and family and friends about what they saw or heard.
“There are no boundaries in good government,” he said. “There are only restrictions when you don't participate.”
Student Council President Michelle Opela and Vice President Clare Meccariello said they heard that long ago the high school held a candidate's forum to learn about the issues in the community and how those running for public office could engender positive change.
“Granted we can't vote, but we can influence our parents with who we would like to see in office,” Opela, 17, of Cato said. “It gives us kind of our voice.”
Opela said it is important for the student body to know the leaders who will set law that will affect their lives.
“It will help them to be more educated and make better informed choices when they are of voting age.”
The two school leaders presented the idea to principal Joe Coleman, who supported it because he felt it was an idea that would “provide an opportunity for students to understand what our government is all about and the value of the democratic process,” he said.
Many of the candidates pointed out during the hour and a half long forum that the students sitting before them are the future leaders of the community. Some, they said, may event run for public office themselves someday.
“One day when you are running for office, I'll remember to vote for you,” said Dwyer.
Haskins and Dornes walked out of the forum with a feeling of knowledge and empowerment.
“Now we have a better idea of what's going on in our town,” said Dornes
“We can influence the future,” chimed in Haskins.
Megan Post, 17, of Cato didn't really see voting as a civic duty.
“I didn't know who these people (were), and now that I do, I see myself voting in the future,” she said.
“I feel it's important, especially with how everyone complains about the country and the county,” she added. “If they don't, vote they shouldn't complain.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239
Thirteen chairs lined the span of the high school's cafeteria. Cato Highway Superintendent candidate Scott Myers sat on one end; then Ron Dennison, candidate for Cato Town Council; Conquest Town Supervisor candidate Daniel Hempel; Conquest Town Council candidate Barbara Decker; Cayuga County Legislature District 2 candidate Michael Chapman; Cato Town Council candidate Linda Chapman, and Cayuga County Clerk candidate Sue Dwyer.
Seated next to Dwyer was Jon Budelmann, candidate for district attorney; then Gary Cole, candidate for Cato highway superintendent; Cato town council candidate W. Irving Foster; Conquest clerk candidate Kelly Clark; Cato clerk candidate Jody Snyder, and finally Gene Lalone, who is running for highway superintendent in the Town of Ira.
Students asked questions of the candidates, everything from what the community will look like in 20 years to what the candidates can do for schools. A microphone was passed around allowing each candidate to get a chance to answer those questions. And while the information itself they disseminated was important, what they really did was show students, most of whom are not yet old enough to vote, what it is like to be involved in the political process and how they too can make a difference by choosing their government leaders.
“You do have opportunities to vote,” said Foster, the democratic candidate for Cato Town Board. “Take that privilege; it's one of the privileges you do have, and be proud that you do have it.”
Chapman pointed out that voters need to know why they are voting for someone before they step up to the machine or fill in the bubbles on the absentee ballot.
“It's important when you pull that level you are using good judgment,” he said. “You need to know why you voted when you can vote.”
The forum provided that knowledge to students, and while they can't vote, Chapman encouraged them to talk to their parents and family and friends about what they saw or heard.
“There are no boundaries in good government,” he said. “There are only restrictions when you don't participate.”
Student Council President Michelle Opela and Vice President Clare Meccariello said they heard that long ago the high school held a candidate's forum to learn about the issues in the community and how those running for public office could engender positive change.
“Granted we can't vote, but we can influence our parents with who we would like to see in office,” Opela, 17, of Cato said. “It gives us kind of our voice.”
Opela said it is important for the student body to know the leaders who will set law that will affect their lives.
“It will help them to be more educated and make better informed choices when they are of voting age.”
The two school leaders presented the idea to principal Joe Coleman, who supported it because he felt it was an idea that would “provide an opportunity for students to understand what our government is all about and the value of the democratic process,” he said.
Many of the candidates pointed out during the hour and a half long forum that the students sitting before them are the future leaders of the community. Some, they said, may event run for public office themselves someday.
“One day when you are running for office, I'll remember to vote for you,” said Dwyer.
Haskins and Dornes walked out of the forum with a feeling of knowledge and empowerment.
“Now we have a better idea of what's going on in our town,” said Dornes
“We can influence the future,” chimed in Haskins.
Megan Post, 17, of Cato didn't really see voting as a civic duty.
“I didn't know who these people (were), and now that I do, I see myself voting in the future,” she said.
“I feel it's important, especially with how everyone complains about the country and the county,” she added. “If they don't, vote they shouldn't complain.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239
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