Scouts Learn How Local Government Works

Boy Scouts from Clayton Civitan Club Troop 24 got a lesson in how local government works recently from the Clayton Town Council.

Ten Scouts who are working on their "First Class" rank and "Citizenship in the Community" badge visited a Council meeting in August and in the process got a chance to discuss taxes, budgeting and a lot more with Councilmen Art Holder, R.S. "Butch" Lawter Jr. and Michael Grannis.

"We want them to consider their obligations as a citizen," said Asst. Scoutmaster Tim Catron.

Councilman Grannis described the budgeting process, explaining why the town is "pulling in spending" in reaction to falling revenues over the last few years, and is depending on town employees to find ways to cut costs and work more efficiently.

"We're required to have a balanced budget," he said.

Councilman Holder explained that the only alternative would be to raise taxes, something the Council has refused to do.

"We have to be very concerned with how much money we have, how we spend it and how to keep operating without raising taxes," he said. "We must spend wisely."

Councilman Lawter answered the Scouts' curiosity about why someone working full time would spend their free hours working for the town.

"We're in it because we love the place where we live, and we want to make it better," Lawter said. "For myself, I enjoy it."

During the Council meeting, Mayor Jody McLeod praised the Scouts for their interest in town government, and made a bold prediction: "It wouldn't surprise me a bit if some of you will someday be sitting up here on the Town Council, serving the Town of Clayton yourselves."