Huntington – High school students from across the Town of Huntington voiced their opinions April 10 on three issues that have been the subject of recent community debate, as they participated in the annual Youth Forum sponsored by Councilwoman Joan Cergol and the Huntington Youth Council.
About 75 students attended the event, which mirrors the procedures at a Town Board public hearing. The Youth Council, with its officers presiding, held three public hearings: on whether a fee should be imposed, as Suffolk County recently enacted, on plastic bags at retail stores and on who should benefit from the fee charged for the bags; on what measures can be implemented to keep schools safe, ranging from requiring students to display identification badges to having metal detectors and armed security personnel; and on possible responses to stem the vaping epidemic in schools. Members of the Youth Council worked within committees to research and write summaries on the issues surrounding each topic. The summaries were read into the record at the start of each hearing.
Some of the students read prepared statements in “testifying” before the Youth Council, while others joined in the discussion after hearing comments that had been entered into the record. At some points, the Youth Council asked for a show-of-hands vote to gauge audience sentiment. Witnessing the proceedings were parents and some school district administrators.
“This year’s Forum demonstrated that our high school students are well-informed about major issues facing the community, have formulated opinions about possible courses of action and are passionate about their beliefs,” Councilwoman Cergol said. “As moderated by the Youth Council members, the Forum produced a level of discourse that would do any public hearing proud. Thank you to the Youth Council for your efforts and to parents and school administrators for spreading the word and encouraging participation.”
The session was recorded for broadcast on the Town’s government access television channels (18 Optimum, 38 FiOS). The video is also available for viewing on the Town’s website. Click here.
The Youth Council includes students from all of the high schools in the Town. The Council meets monthly to discuss issues important to the community’s youth and the plan events that engage their peers. For more information about joining the Youth Council or for general information, call Councilwoman Cergol’s office at 631-351-3173.