Sarah Marley students held a mock city council meeting on Jan. 18, at city hall.

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Douglas Mayor Danny Ortega Jr. had visited with the third, fourth and fifth graders before Christmas break and invited the students to hold a council meeting of their own.

“One of the questions they asked me was what goes on during a council meeting,” the mayor said. “So I invited them to hold one of their own.”

The mayor and council were elected by fellow students to represent their wards.

Dylan Vasquez was elected mayor, Lexie Otero represented Ward 1, Venecia Torres Ward 2, Pablo Aguilar Ward 3, Naydelin Luna Ward 4, Briana Peralta Ward 5 and Angel Barrera represented Ward 6.

There were approximately 80 students in the audience. These students were from Ms. Diane Campas, Ms. Brenda Moreno, Ms. Suzie Cantua and Ms. Dora Mendoza’s classes.

“I hope to really serve on the council someday,” Barrera said. “Mr. Quinonez showed me a lot today.”

Council members Margaret Morales, Luis Greer, Rudy “Popo” Quinonez, City Clerk Brenda Aguilar, City Attorney Juan Flores and Mayor Ortega were on hand to help the students move their council meeting along.

Meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. followed by the pledge of allegiance, invocation and roll call.

First item on the agenda was the discussion/decision on approval to cancel school policy concerning student uniforms.

Some of the reasons the students had for canceling this policy were due to other students making fun of them for wearing uniforms. The students also argued that they should have a choice of what they could wear to school.

The second item on the agenda was the discussion/decision on approval to amend school policy concerning earlier lunch times.

Their argument was that they get hungry earlier and should be feed lunch earlier.

Third item on agenda was the discussion/decision on approval to serve ice cream cones during lunch. Students also voted on what flavor they would be served.

The last item on the agenda was the discussion/decision on approval to add one morning and one afternoon recess.

Lexie Otero from Ward 1 suggested having a 20 minuet recesses and Angel Barrera suggested an hour recess in the morning and one in the afternoon.

All agenda items were motion to pass for the day.

After the meeting was adjourned the students were served cookies and juice.

When asked what their favorite part of the council meeting was Mayor Dylan Vasquez said “hammering the gavel.”

“I think it is important to involve our youth in things like this,” Councilman Greer said, “It’s important for them to understand what we do and how they can make a difference in their community.”

It was awesome; we had fun, were some of the responses the students had when Mayor Ortega asked them what they thought of the council meeting.