City of Tifton to offer Charles Howell Academy of Public Service to citizens in March

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February 7, 2013

City of Tifton to offer Charles Howell Academy of Public Service to citizens in March

Latasha Everson CNHI The Tifton Gazette Thu Feb 07, 2013, 08:58 PM EST

TIFTON — The City of Tifton will be offering a citizens’ academy to locals in the community starting next month. The program will be called Charles Howell Academy of Public Service (C.H.A.P.S.) in honor of former Tifton City Manager Charles Howell.

Asst. Chief Raymond Drennon at the Tifton Police Department is coordinating the program. He explained that C.H.A.P.S. is an educational experience for the citizens of Tifton. The program is for individuals who have a sincere interest in Tifton’s community and want to be educated on how the local city government operates. Participants enjoy learning about their local government and the services it provides. Elected officials, department directors and other city staff will host unique and informative sessions designed to give citizens hands on experience in city government operations.

According to Drennon, the C.H.A.P.S. program is designed to educate Tifton residents, build excitement, define public service and encourage leadership. He stated that it’s modeled after the Citizen’s Police Academy. He noted that the idea to do the program started with City Councilwoman Julie Smith, and Keri Jones with the Tifton-Tift County Chamber Commerce also contributed with some ideas.

Drennon said C.H.A.P.S. is a 10-week program and the first class (orientation) will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5. The course will meet every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the training room at the Tifton Police Department, except on the nights students attend city council meetings and workshops. The class is free to citizens 18 years of age and up.

Drennon stated that each week there will be new speakers from the city and county to discuss the operations of their department. Topics will include the Tifton City Council, Solid Waste, Utilities, senior services, Main Street, Tifton Police Department, Tift County Sheriff’s Office, Tifton-Tift County Fire Department, Tift County Recreation Department, Tax Commissioners Office, Tifton-Tift County Animal Shelter and more. Students will also be able to tour some local facilities.

Drennon said students are permitted to miss two classes and still graduate the course. The last class is scheduled for May 6 — students will receive a certificate and be recognized for graduating the class at the city council meeting.

By participating in C.H.A.P.S., Drennon says participants will have the opportunity to see how the local government operates and ask questions, and hopefully, it will create interest in serving.

“Hopefully, when a person graduates, they will have a better idea of how things are done and why,” Drennon said, adding that the more people who are interested, the stronger the community can be. “We look forward to seeing folks.”

The class is limited to 30 participants. To apply, visit the City of Tifton’s website. Applications can either be e-mailed to Drennon (provided on the application) or dropped by the Tifton Police Department. The deadline to apply is March 1.

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.

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City of Tifton to offer Charles Howell Academy of Public Service to citizens in March

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