Page 4 - Overview Summer 2018

Teen Council experience teaches more about city
By Sophia Belshe, Teen Councilmember, Shawnee Mission South High School
I've always called Overland Park home. I can tell you the best restaurants, places to shop, the order of the major streets, anything you want to know. But before joining the Teen Council, I knew very little about the actual
functions of the city.
At our monthly Teen Council meetings, members visit each department of the city to see what that department does. These meetings provide excellent insight into the functions
of city government and how each department affects the day-to-day lives of citizens.
In addition to the monthly meetings, every semester, second year Teen Council members arrange a service project. Past projects include working at the Johnson County Christmas Bureau and planting trees at Osage
Park. These projects allow high schoolers to get hands-on experience helping the city.
Possibly the greatest connection Teen
Council makes is with members of the City Council. Teen Council members attend committee meetings and meet with councilmembers who represent their respective wards,
allowing students to share their ideas with those who can make them happen.
Before joining the Teen Council, my primary interest in politics was on the state or national level, but after spending two
years learning about how a city functions, I've realized that local
government offers more opportunities to impact individual lives.
I would highly encourage any high schooler interested in politics to
apply for the Teen Council. It's a great opportunity to meet other
students who share common interests and to make
meaningful connections with people who can make a
difference.
Teen Council applications for
the 2018-2019 school year
open July 1.
Fourth of July: Know what’s permissible in Overland Park
It’s months away, yet, it’s better to be informed in time rather than too late.
Fireworks are illegal in Overland Park.
In fact, Overland Park prohibits the sale, possession and discharge of any fireworks, including sparklers, snakes, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, bottle rockets, and roman candles.
The city does allow devices which contain quantities of less than twenty-five hundredths of a grain of explosives such as contained in paper caps used in toy pistols, toy guns or other novelty items, such as snappers.
Each year around the Fourth of July, additional police officers patrol city streets due to an increase in calls from residents upset or concerned about use of fireworks.
Tickets have been issued by officers in the past. Anyone who violates the city ordinance is subject to a fine of up to $500.
Overland Park is organizing and co-sponsoring, along with Corporate Woods, this year’s Fourth of July celebration in Corporate Woods. This
is one of the area’s most popular Fourth of July programs with thousands attending.
Scheduled entertainment for this year’s program includes “The Elders” on the main stage. Food and beverages will be for sale by vendors.
Overland Park is seeking sponsorships. If you or your company is interested in a sponsorship, please contact Julie Bilyea, event supervisor, at [email protected] or 913-344-8656. There are
different levels of sponsorship.
Monitor opkansas.org for the latest
information or the city’s social media sites: Facebook, City of Overland Park; Twitter, OPCares.
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