HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 Government Is for Kids, too!Government
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(3overnmentis for Kids, too.
A visit to College Station City Hall.
Original Author
Angela Doolittle
PR & MuKet►ng Intern
Original Artist
Marianne James
Revisions
Peggy Calliham
Community Programs Coordinator
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History of College Stetson
The community of College Station began when the Texas A &M College was
founded. This was the first public college in Texas and it was located just south of
the city of Bryan in an area of farmland.
The A &M campus became the central point in the community. The school
officials arranged for everyone working and attending school at A &M to live on
the campus.
In 1877, the farmland surrounding the school was named
College Station by the Postal Service. This name was chosen
because there was a train station close to campus.
In 1938, when the University grew to the point where
students and college workers could no longer live on
campus, College Station joined with Texas A &M to form
a municipality which means a town or city.
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Mayorand City Council
The mayor is the top elected person in the city. College Station has six City Council
members that help the Mayor make decisions. Voters in College Station elect the Mayor
and City Council members.
These elected officials represent the people of College Station. They work to make
our city a good place to live. Some of their duties include making city laws and seeing that
College Station is safe and healthy.
The Mayor and City Council are elected every two years.
Who elects the mayor?
Do your parents vote?
City Manager
The City Manager has a very big job. The City Council hires the City Manager to help
run the city.
The City Manager is like the President of a company. He or she makes sure that the
orders of the City Council are carried out.
The City Manager is the boss of all city employees. College Station has many employees
who work for the City Manager. These people help in different areas so the city runs
smoothly.
Who hires the City Manager?
Who reports to the City Manager?
Who do you report to?
Fire Department
Our Fire Department has fire fighters who respond to fires, and medical technicians
who provide emergency medical aid.
When you have an emergency, you should dial 911. You should NEVER dial 911
unless it is an emergency.
What number do you call in an emergency?
What are some reasons you would need to call this number?
police
Police officers work to protect us from criminals and keep us safe by enforcing the
laws.
College Station has many police officers who help keep our city safe.
Police officers, as well as fire fighters and medical workers, respond to 911 calls when
people are in danger and need help.
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Has a police officer ever come to your school to talk to you about safety?
What are some safety tips your parents, teacher, or a police officer have taught you?
ParKsancl Recreation
College Station has many parks where you can do fun activities like
hiking, swimming, and outdoor sports like soccer, baseball, basketball,
and tennis.
The city parks department also sponsors an after school activity
program called Kids Klub. This program is for students in elementary
and middle school. -
Do you participate in an after school program?
What is your favorite thing to do at the park?
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Development services
The Development Services department helps plan how the city looks and how buildings
are built. They also decide what kind of things can be built where. This is called zoning.
Every year, hundreds of new homes are built in College Station.
Development Services employees stay very busy because College Station is growing
bigger every year. Employees want to make sure it stays safe and attractive.
What neighborhood do you live in?
Do you play in your neighborhood park?
Why does a city use zoning?
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What neighborhood do you live in?
Do you play in your neighborhood park?
Why does a city use zoning?
public WOO<$
The Public Works Department is responsible for garbage services, streets, traffic signals,
street signs, and keeping drainage ditches clear of weeds and junk.
College Station is a Clean Texas Cities Member. This means that our city has decided
to recycle and reduce waste. By recycling, our city uses its natural resources, such as landfill
space, more efficiently.
Do you recycle?
What do you recycle?
P ublic Utilities
This department provides electric, water, and sewer services. It builds and repairs all
utility lines to the customer's home.
The City of College Station buys electricity and sends it to your home to keep you
comfortable and safe and make things run, like your lights and air conditioner.
College Station has water towers where water is stored for residents to use. These
towers hold millions of gallons of water.
Each person uses water every time they flush, bathe, wash their hands, brush their
teeth, or drink a glass of water. It is important to conserve water because it is a precious
natural resource. That is why you should never leave the water running while you are not
using it.
College Station has a large wastewater treatment plant that takes wastewater from
our toilets and drains and purifies it before it goes back into the streams and creeks.
What items in your house use electricity?
Do you try not to waste water?
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Word Puzzle
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Key:
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6 = i
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Library
College Station has a nice library where you can go to find interesting books and
learn new things. The library is located across the street from the High School.
Your school also has a library where you can check out books and work on your
homework.
Do you like to read?
What is your favorite book?
Do you visit your library often?
Financial Services
The Fiscal Department takes care of the City's money. It makes sure the employees
and all of the City's bills are paid. This is like when your parents pay their bills.
This department is also responsible for trying to help save the city's money.
Do you have a piggy bank to save your money?
What are some choices you have to make about how to spend your money?
Do you give some money to your church or other charity?
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Municipal Court
The Municipal Court Judge presides over the court. He makes sure people obey the
laws. He sets fines and hears cases when people disobey the law. He can decide what their
punishment should be.
Why do we have laws and rules?
Why is it important to always obey the law?
Can You And your wav f e ('ii--v Hall's
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CLEAN TEXAS'
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Originally Publishec! by
The City of College 51,at�on %-
Public Relations OFF
October 1996
dated and Revised b,
MR City of College st
munity Programs of
May 2003