Westchester Community College students are not only studying government – they are participating in the process. On Wednesday April 3rd from 11 AM to 1 PM the students will be exercising their constitutional rights and will be organizing a sidewalk rally to promote the need for sidewalks along Hillside Ave, Grasslands and Knollwood Roads, roads that are state owned and maintained. The students, led by Neish Dawkins, a Westchester Community College student Trustee and future political leader, hope that this rally will generate momentum that will encourage lawmakers to fund sidewalks in future capital budgets. Petition drives, press events, meetingswith lawmakers and state officials are among some of the activities that the student group hopes to organize.
I think that this is terrific! The best way for students to learn about their government is to be a part of the process. Students at the Community College are taking on an important cause—pedestrian safey – and will learn advocacy techniques. They will interact with lawmakers, try overcoming some obstacles and will encourage residents, elected officials and community leaders to reflect on the benefits sidewalks have on safety, healthy life styles.
Residents of Greenburgh are invited to stop by at the rally on Wednesday to congratulate the students for their involvement in the processes of government and to encourage them to stay involved and to speak up when they have concerns. Who knows? One of the students participating in the rally could be a future US Senator or Governor! Students will be congregating at 11 AM at the Gateway front lawn of the Westchester Community College (across from parking lot 11) towards the East Grasslands Gate (at the college gate closest to BOCES). The students will be holding signs and banners for about 30 minutes from 11:20 to 11:50. Afterwards, the students will return to the Gateway Center Auditorium where the sidewalk open forum will be held.
I will be speaking to the students, along with Town Clerk Judith Beville, around noon. Refreshments will be served at the Gateway Center (room 11) from 12:30 to 1 PM. I have invited student leaders to be my guest on my WVOX radio program tomorrow (Wednesday) from 1 to 1:30 PM (program is streamed live on the internet: www.wvox.com). The students who will be on my radio program are Westchester CC student Trustee Neish Dawkins, organizer of the rally, Student Government Association President Taje Champagnie, Vice President Cyndy Shaw, Director of Public Relations Alexander Sharpsteen.
A special thank you to the leadership of the Westchester Community College for motivating students to not only study government but to be a part of it!
PAUL FEINER
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