Vincent students experience local government

Published 1:57 pm Thursday, January 19, 2012

Vincent High School students toured the Vincent Town Hall as part of teacher Sam McKissick's Government and Economics class on Jan. 19. (Reporter Photo / Nicole Loggins)

By NICOLE LOGGINS / Staff Writer

VINCENT – Vincent Middle/High School’s government and economics class took a tour of the Vincent Town Hall to get a better understanding of local government and to see it in action on Jan. 19.

Mayor Ray McAllister gave the students a tour of Town Hall and spoke with them about the economic well-being of the town, the basic infrastructure of the government and future plans for the town and its residents.

Sam McKissick, the government and economics teacher at VMHS, said that an understanding of local government is extremely important.

“What we know is that many students who graduate from Vincent stay in the area. They may go to college, but often times they come back to their hometowns to live,” said McKissick.

“So it’s important that they understand local government and economics because they may live here for the remainder of their lives,” he added.

McAllister explained the functions of the city council, how to get involved with local government, districts and the voting process and the town’s fiscal responsibilities to the group of government students.