Parksville is extending the deadline for local youth wanting to try out the job of mayor for a day.
The city is holding an essay contest for a person age 11 to 18 to be mayor for a day and get a behind the scenes look at how the city runs. With a lower response than they were hoping for they are extending the deadline a week until after the Easter break.
“We got about 20,” said director of communications Debbie Tardiff, “and they’re all from Grade 6 and 7 students at Springwood Middle School.”
She said there are some really good ones and a bit of a theme about more cycling and walking trails, but they are hoping to get more essays for council to read through.
Councillor Carrie Powell-Davidson brought up the idea as a way to involve youth in the political process.
Youth who live, or go to school, in Parksville are invited to write up to 500 words on what they would do if they were Parksville’s mayor and how they would make it the best city on Vancouver Island.
The winner will meet city leaders, tour facilities including the fire department and work alongside acting mayor Chris Burger.
The essay is now due in city hall by April 29 and the winner will be announced at the May 2 council meeting which falls in the provincial Youth Week. They will read their essay at a meeting during Local Government Week (May 15-21).
Submit by e-mail to communications@parksville.ca, drop off at city hall, 100 Jensen Avenue East, or mail to City of Parksville, P.O. Box 1390, Parksville, V9P 2H3.
For more information, contact communications officer Debbie Tardiff at 250-954-3073 or dtardiff@parksville.ca.