Next Generation Gets Taste of County Government
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 11, 2024)
Pontiac, MI – “When I was your age, I thought politics was super boring,” said Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown as teens from several schools across the county listened eagerly during Youth In Government Day, “But when I became a mom, and saw things changing in the world for my kids, is when I wanted to get involved.”
Brown served two terms in the State legislature before successfully running for Clerk. But before that she had actually run for office and lost. “I lost. It’s not an easy thing, but I got bit by the bug. I felt, ‘this is what I’m supposed to do. This is my calling.” Now her job is to help people in a number of ways, including maintaining important records for the court system, for property deeds and more, plus managing elections, serving as Clerk for the county board, and the most fun job of all, she said, officiating marriages.
For the young people who filled the Board of Commissioners Chambers Friday morning, they weren’t just learning about departments and job descriptions to help inspire dreams of public service, but from stories like Brown’s of learning and trying again.
The Clerk’s story also showed another important part of democracy – the fact that elected officials come to office with a variety of backgrounds and experiences that help bodies like the BOC have multiple viewpoints to consider as they make decisions that impact residents.
Dave Woodward, Chairperson of the BOC, touted the diversity of the County Commissioners. “We have a doctor, social workers, farmers, small business owners, even a crane operator. We all come together to make decisions.”
Woodward himself had gone to college to earn a math degree in hopes of going on to medical school. He was working as an actuary before making the leap to politics, though he’d been active in supporting others in their political endeavors.
For him the best part of being in government is the challenge. “Have you ever been told ‘you can’t do that. It’s not possible?’ I love that challenge,” Woodward said. Some of the challenges the County is tackling now include expanding public transit and facing weather-related problems due to climate change.
Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash spoke about his passion for environmentalism and activism.
“I got my start in the peace movement in the 80s,” Nash said. “It took me recognizing that if somebody doesn’t stand up and do something, nobody will.”
He shared that “stormwater is one of the biggest things we do. Climate change is the biggest thing impacting our community. It’s 60 degrees out. In your lifetime its not going to be 60 degrees in the winter, it’s going to be 80 degrees in the winter.”
But Nash does have hope. “Being an old person, I can tell you I have faith in your generation. Your generation is brilliant. In the long run you’re going to be dealing with this. But you will find solutions.”
Seeing the students learning is an exciting part of Nash’s job. In addition to Youth in Government Day, the Water Resources Commissioner hosts daylong tours for students to learn about various services like maintaining water quality and tackling drainage issues.
Students also heard from Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg, Oakland County Undersheriff Curtis Childs, and Keisha Washington who is the Chief of the Family Support Division in the Prosecutor’s Office. They also did interactive workshops with 4H and got to visit with judges in their courtroom in the afternoon.
Students came from several schools, including Hazel Park High, Southfield Christian, and International Tech Academy in Pontiac. Erin Delaney, Kevin Carter and Valentia Sedano all attend Notre Dame Preparatory Academy in Pontiac. “I like knowing you can have a say in your community,” said Delaney, who hopes to be a Political Science major and work in the White House someday.
Sedano said the presentations “were very informative.” She hopes to one day go to law school to work in immigration law or to become a defense attorney.
Carter said he’s not sure what he wants to do for his career. “If there is a need for change I’ll be ready to step up,” he told Oakland County Times. “But I don’t think I would run for office for my career, but when I retire from my real career I could run for Mayor or County Commissioner.”
Whether poised for politics, or just interested in helping others, county government has a lot to offer as far as careers, even those just starting out in life. Summer jobs through the county can help young people explore work in parks and recreation, the court system, working with animals, helping the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and more.
Internships are another option. County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg encouraged students to take advantage of opportunities to learn and make connection.
“Do an internship. See how things work in government,” he said “You may see it’s not what you want. We had a two month intern who went on to become a pilot.
“So you just never know how things may turn out.”
Learn more about Oakland County at https://www.oakgov.com/.
