Second Chula Vista Citizens’ Leadership Academy Begins April 2, 2008

Date Added: February 3, 2008
Story By: Press Release

Applications are now being accepted for Chula Vista’s second Citizens’ Leadership Academy (CLA), scheduled to get underway Wednesday, April 2.

Mayor Cheryl Cox proposed the academy concept to increase civic engagement and encourage Chula Vista residents to become better informed about their city government. Applications for the upcoming session must be submitted by February 20 to the Office of Mayor & Council, located at 276 Fourth Avenue.

The Citizens’ Leadership Academy will give participants an inside look at city programs, services, policies and issues. During six evening sessions and a Saturday bus tour, academy members will visit city facilities, meet City Council members and interact with department heads and frontline staff. Session topics include city finances, planning for growth, public safety, recreation, capital projects, road improvements, conservation and library services. Informative discussions will be combined with hands-on demonstrations and interactive exercises.

“Civic engagement is important to any community,” noted Mayor Cox. “The more people understand how their city government works, the more valuable their input will be. Informed residents make good decisions about the future of their city.”

Thirty participants, representing a cross-section of the city’s population, are selected for each academy. Names of those selected for the spring session, will be announced March 7. Those who are not selected will be added to a waiting list for subsequent academies.

Participants must be Chula Vista residents and at least 18 years old. The academy, underwritten by a generous donor, Psomas, will be held Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., beginning April 2 and ending May 7.

To learn more about the Citizens’ Leadership Academy or to obtain an application, visit the city’s home page at www.chulavistaca.gov or send an email to cla@chulavistaca.gov. Preview the CLA experience by reading comments from graduates and checking out the photo gallery of the inaugural session. Just search our site for the Citizens’ Leadership Academy.