“I was the only person there under age 17 and so I got special interest,” was the report from Megan Sim, president of Clearwater’s junior council, after she attended the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver last September.
“I was amazed by the number of municipalities with no conception of what junior council is about. I got quite a collection of business cards from people who wanted to know more,” she told town council during its meeting on Dec. 15.
One major highlight of the convention for Sim was a presentation by Canadian astronaut Roberta Bondar.
The space medicine pioneer was “amazing”, the Clearwater Secondary School student said.
Another thing that impressed her at UBCM was how local council members were able to meet with and have meaningful discussions with the premier and leader of the opposition.
“I learned that we can affect change … if we just speak up,” she said.
Mayor John Harwood congratulated Sim on being chosen president of the junior council and for going to UBCM.
“Getting this experience at the age you’re at right now will effect all the rest of your life,” the mayor said.
Also during the Dec. 15 town council meeting, District of Clearwater chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx gave the oath of office to six members of junior council: Annie Whelan, Emily Giesbrecht, Cole Stone, Stacia Panko, Hanna Wadlegger and Sim.
Clearwater’s junior council has the same members as the students council at Clearwater Secondary School. It serves as a communication bridge between the municipality and local young people.
