It’s one of the best kept secrets, but unraveling the mysteries of how Pinellas County works, Pinellas Citizen University (PCU) since 2002 has allowed nearly 500 residents a chance to go behind the scenes and see how the many County services really tick!
Offered one or twice a year, this year’s PCU Spring Semester starts April 3, and the 35 available seats were literally filled long before the March 7 cutoff. The program meets 10 Thursday nights, usually from 6:30 to 9:30. Students must be at least 18, with tuition $35 that includes a class shirt, all course materials, graduation ceremony and diploma signed by all County Commissioners.
Since its conception in 2002 with the full blessings of the County Commission, the program has been facilitated by Pinellas County Communication staff members. Specialist Len Ciecieznski has been a facilitator of the program since 2004, and while he’s on medical leave, this year Video Specialist Libby Bolling is lead facilitator, assisted by Public Information Specialist Irena Milasinovic.
Milasinovic told Paradise News, “PCU is one of the most exciting things to happen in Pinellas County. Never before have we offered our citizens such a detailed and interactive behind-the-scenes look at county government. The program was designed to provide you with meaningful hands-on experiences and dialogue with your government. It just hasn’t been ‘seeing’ that’s made this class the great adventure that it was – ‘it was the doing’!
“We have always believed that hands-on participation is the best way to show the services the county provides. It has been our hope that PCU would provide our citizens with a better understanding of how government works and how the decisions your Board of County Commissioners makes affect your lives every day.
“During this remarkable 10-week course, participants go behind-the-scenes of many Pinellas County operations and talk to the experts as the class explores a wide range of county functions. Students meet and talk with county officials and elected county leaders. Through exciting field trips and hands-on exercises, PCU participants learn first-hand how Pinellas County provides services to nearly one million county residents.”
As the course brochure notes, “Imagine trying to plan a hurricane evacuation in the face of an approaching storm; Listen in on the drama of real 9-1-1 calls; Tour the South Cross Bayou Water Reclamation Facility and find out how to they make reclaimed water out of wastewater; Get the behind-the-scenes look at Supervisor of Elections; Tour the Pinellas County Jail; Sit in the Grand Jury Room and talk to those leaders within our criminal court system.”
This current Spring Semester includes Government 101: Overview of PCU and tour of County Assembly Room; First Response: EMS/Sunstar; Public Works: Equipment display and Public Works building; Justice Served: Pinellas County Sheriff, State Attorney, Circuit Court Judge, Public Defender; The Utility Package: South Cross Bayou Water Reclamation Facility; Solid Waste
Overview: Special Saturday Tour of Solid Waste Facility; Supervisor of Elections; Growing and ProtectingOur Environment:: Visit St. Petersburg Clearwater Overview, Consumer Services, Economic Development, Sports Commission; Leave the Driving to PSTA: Pinellas Suncoast
Transit Authority; Get out of Jail FREE: Overview & Tour of Pinellas County Jail Facilities; Public Safety Complex, Emergency Management, Emergency Communications/9-1-1; Graduation Ceremony& Class Picture.
Response to the program has been excellent from many participants. As examples, Beverley Shipley, a graduate of the very first PCU session in 2002, remarked, “This isn’t a class to sit still and have someone lecture you. This is a ‘wear your jeans, running shoes, and roll up your sleeves’ class where students get involved.” Ronnie Hull, a graduate from the 2005 class, noted, “Excellent program! PCU provides outstanding experience through interactive classes taught by county staff members, intensive leadership skills explained through decision-making processes and various functions. It is well worth the time and a bargain opportunity.”
Residents interested in the PCU Fall Semester should mark the date of Thursday, September 18, tentative start of the program. More information, check the website at www.pinellascounty.org/citizenu frequently, starting in August, to sign up before the registration cutoff!
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Irena Milasinovic, Pinellas County Public Information Video Specialist, for excellent background and PCU photos.]
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at straiman@mindspring.com.]
Story by STEVE TRAIMAN
Photos from Pinellas County Communication Department
Date: March 2014