Seventh Graders Take Over Oceanport Government

The dais inside the Oceanport Borough Hall looked had a different look at the start of the Borough Council meeting Thursday night.

Those facing the crowd were a little shorter and a little younger-looking than the usual occupants of the chairs on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

They were, in fact, a group of seventh graders from Maple Place School, taking the place of government officials for awhile to get a taste of what governing might be like.

Mayor Michael J. Mahon did not go easy on them, firing questions about many of the issues affecting the borough, such as the future of Monmouth Park racetrack and Fort Monmouth. The students parried each challenge impressively, displaying a lot of knowledge about these issues.

Then Mahon told them how he saw the role of an elected official.

"What's your first job?' he asked. "To listen. You don't have to do what they say, but you listen. (And) don't be afraid to believe in something and support it."

The students participating were Zachary Arlt, who took the role of borough clerk; and Robert Gruskos, Alex Olsen, Amanda Perna, Erik Graham, Maura Oakes, Cassie Morales and Rebecca Witshcel, who were council members. Evan Coffey was the mayor and Kenny Wilhelme assumed the role of borough engineer.

John Vaccarelli, their social studies teacher, said the students won the privilege of participating by campaigning in an election that was held in April.

At the conclusion of the exercise they received a hearty round of applause from parents, officials and residents.

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