Oak Ridge is once again opening its doors to citizens eager to peek behind the curtain of local government operations with the launch of the second annual Citizens Academy. According to a recent city announcement, the City Clerk’s Office began accepting applications yesterday, inviting adults aged 18 and up to delve into the workings of city council, municipal departments, and community engagement.
With a first-come, first-served selection process, the 8-week program schedules participants to attend classes every Tuesday, from September 23 to November 18, barring Election Day on November 4. Oak Ridge City Clerk Beth Hickman underscored the importance of this initiative: "This program gives residents a chance to learn which challenges local government can address and which ones fall outside its scope." She continued, "The goal is to build a network of informed community members who can help others navigate and engage with their city government more effectively," as reported by the city's official website.
Applicants can find the form online and must submit it by September 2 at 5 p.m. The city emphasizes that those interested can pick up or drop off applications at the City Clerk’s Office, send them via email to [email protected], or mail them with "Attention Beth Hickman" to ensure proper processing. Those accepted into the program will need to attend eight consecutive sessions, and availability is limited to 20 participants to maintain an intimate and thorough learning environment.
Spanning the gamut of city functions through lectures and hands-on experiences, the curriculum aims to impart a granular understanding of municipal operations. The academy stipulates a $50 administrative fee on the first night, and due to the sensitive nature of some topics, the Oak Ridge Police Department will conduct a criminal history check as a precondition for entry. For additional clarifications or queries, Hickman is available through her email at [email protected], or by phone (865) 425-3411.
