Mayor Byron W. Brown's Citizens’ Participation Academy Graduates Second Class

 

BUFFALO – Mayor Byron W. Brown this week joined the graduates of the City of Buffalo’s second class of the Citizens’ Participation Academy (CPA), along with the graduates’ friends and families, at a commencement exercise in City Hall.

 

City of Buffalo Corporation Counsel Alisa Lukasiewicz delivered the Commencement Address.

 

“I am very pleased with the continuing progress of this initiative, which provides a unique opportunity for residents to gain access to their city government,” said Mayor Brown. “CPA participants were provided a detailed understanding of the daily operations of city government and see, from an ‘insider’s perspective,’ the many ways in which government affects our daily lives. I appreciate the desire and interest of these residents to learn more about their city government and, as a result, do their part to make Buffalo a better city.”

 

The Citizens’ Participation Academy was created in October 2006 as a way to engage City of Buffalo residents in city government by providing an interactive forum, learning firsthand about the structure and management of the City of Buffalo. Over nine weeks, participants learned about diverse city issues, including: education, public and fire safety, community programs, and economic development. Each session included presentations by various city administrators and directors, in an informal setting, helping the CPA participants learn about the structure, challenges, and day-to-day operations of their respective city departments.

 

Participants also had the opportunity to visit various city facilities, including the Buffalo Employment and Training Center and the Water Treatment and Sewer Treatment Plants, as well as attending a CitiStat Buffalo session, a Common Council hearing and a Buffalo Police Department “ride-along.”

 

Oswaldo Mestre Jr., Director of the Division of Citizen Services, stated, “Many of the participants are amazed at the dedication of city officials in executing city services on a daily basis. I am extremely appreciative of the CPA participants and the time they took to learn about their city government.”

 

The Division of Citizen Services plans to offer this program twice a year for interested applicants. Prospective candidates must be 18 years of age, with priority given to City of Buffalo residents and business leaders. Interested residents are chosen for the free program, via an application, which will be available in July 2007.