Tarentum considers bringing junior member on board

For the first time, Tarentum Council might have a junior member.

Council in March will consider the idea of seeking a teen to participate in local government.

Sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, the junior councilperson program gives teens a chance to engage in local government and develop leadership skills. It also gives them a firsthand glimpse into what it takes to run a municipality.

Junior council members don’t vote on matters, but they attend meetings, workshops and other committee sessions.

“I think it would be awesome,” Councilwoman Lou Ann Homa said. “It would be an excellent opportunity for a student to actually see how local government works.

“This program is something I definitely support.”

Council President Scott Dadowski said the program would be open to Tarentum juniors and seniors who would serve a one- or two-year term.

“There’s a short application process, and I think this is something that could be pretty cool if we can get a student who is interested,” he said.

Other towns in program

Since the junior councilperson program was launched in 2000, several municipalities have taken advantage of having input from younger counterparts.

Last fall, Fox Chapel Council reinstituted its junior program after it was stalled by the covid-19 pandemic. Fox Chapel Area junior Logan Dressman was sworn in as one of two teens who will have a hand in local municipal conversations over the next two years.

He said upon his nomination that he has had an interest in working with the government as he aspires to have a career as a federal foreign service officer.

Fellow Fox Chapel Area student Roman Mason is serving a term as Sharpsburg Council’s junior member.

Mason, student council president, said he hopes to learn more about the region and how communities work together.

“You want to know what’s going on, what’s around you and what’s going to be new and coming to your community,” the senior told the Tribune-Review after his swearing in. “(You want to) have a voice in what’s going on because you live here.”

Tarentum Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said the program also can benefit council members who will be hearing from a younger segment of the community.

“It gives the kids a voice, and it provides a new and different perspective,” he said.