In a significant stride towards engaging youth in governance, West St. Paul has appointed its first junior City Council member, McKinley Cherrier, a high school junior. Cherrier, who attends Two Rivers High School, was sworn in on January 8th, taking on a role that allows him to offer a ceremonial vote on city matters. While his vote won't carry legal weight, the initiative marks a step towards broadening the perspectives represented in the council.
Acting as Mayor Pro Tem, Council Member Wendy Berry conducted the swearing-in ceremony for Cherrier, placing the teen into a unique position of participating in local government, West St. Paul Reader reported. Recommended by his speech and debate coach, the high school student's new responsibilities include voicing his opinions and experiences on behalf of the younger West St. Paul residents.
Cherrier's foray into municipal leadership comes as no surprise given his interests: he is engrossed in the realms of political science and local government, a passion that has marked his academic and extracurricular pursuits. "I want to get a lot of experience and exposure," McKinley told CBS Minnesota, underscoring his desire to learn about city governments' inner workings and to serve as an advocate.
Addressing more than just symbolic gestures, the Council tackled a lot of issues at its latest meeting. Alongside Cherrier's appointment, residents' concerns over the safety of the Marthaler Park sledding hill were raised, spotlighting safety hazards added by the recent addition of a stormwater basin and picnic shelter. Neighbors have been advocating for precautionary measures from the city, such as increased signage or possible removal of construction materials to mitigate dangers, as detailed by the West St. Paul Reader.
Alongside the community safety discourse, the city council approved a trio of conditional use permits which included a new liquor store and a project to rebuild a fire-damaged duplex. Discussions in the Open Council Work Session covered conceivable additions to city wages and whether to rejoin the National League of Cities—a decision underscored by the potential for grant opportunities that could offset the membership cost.
The integration of McKinley Cherrier onto the City Council and the variety of issues addressed at the last meeting reflect a growing trend of inclusion and proactive governance. Cherrier, representing the youthful voice of West St. Paul, begins a one-year term with the optimism and hope that his position will foster positive changes within the community. "With this position I feel like i have the opportunity to do that and create that positive change," McKinley stated.
