Gastonia holding first Citizens Academy since pandemic began

Gastonia city leaders are seeking applicants for an educational program designed to teach people about municipal government.

The Municipal Government Citizens Academy was paused in March of 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the city did not hold the classes last year, according to a press release.

The 10-session class is designed to teach people more about how local government operates and help them develop better relationships with government officials. 

The classes start Jan. 3, 2023 and end June 20, 2023 and will take place two Mondays a month, with each meeting beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting three hours. 

"It's an exciting process," said City Manager Michael Peoples. "And really, it sometimes becomes a competition amongst departments on who's doing the best job. Certainly, police are one of the highlights... The fire department, not to be outdone, usually takes them out to Gaston College to the Fire Academy and shows them an exercise where the building is on fire, and they're suppressing the fire. So that's pretty exciting." 

Public works and public utilities employees also show up, accompanied by solid waste trucks and other equipment they use.

"It really is impressive," he said. 

The Citizens Academy started in 2017 as an effort in community outreach. Because the 2020 class was paused midway through, Gastonia also intends to allow that class to finish and graduate.

The Citizens Academy includes an optional ride-along with a patrol officer.

Applications for the academy are due by Friday, Nov. 11. Preference will be given to people who live within the city limits of Gastonia, but people who have businesses in Gastonia also may apply. 

"I would just like to encourage people to apply so that they would know more about the city in which they live in," Peoples said. "It's really a civic education opportunity that is unmatched by anything else that is offered here."

Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 704-869-1850 or at kfohner@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing here.