GAMBIER — The differing roles of local government were discussed in a bipartisan panel forum Wednesday evening in Gund Gallery Auditorium at Kenyon College. Kenyon students heard the perspective of four local officials telling about their experiences in the local political scene.
Moderator for the event was Tom Karako, assistant professor of political science at Kenyon and director for the Center for the Study of American Democracy. “The idea behind this was to not only come out and talk about local issues but to actually get some local officials in to talk about discreet issues that penetrate the college campus,” said Karako.
First to address the group was Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis, Democrat, who told how the Mount Vernon city government works much like the state and federal government do. In explaining how council works in cooperation with the mayor and with various committees, Mavis noted how council has to be sensitive during election years, closely watching how they react to controversial issues.
