Students from six area high schools recently had the opportunity to see how Carbon County operates during the county's annual Government Day.

On Thursday, students from Panther Valley, Marian, Palmerton, Jim Thorpe, Weatherly, and Carbon Career & Technical Institute high schools found themselves spending a day observing Carbon County officials doing what they do best: run the county.Students visited the Carbon County Courthouse and Courthouse Annex in Jim Thorpe and the county Emergency Management Agency and 911 Communications Center in Nesquehoning.They talked with various county officials, including President Judge Roger N. Nanovic; Roberta Brewster, court administrator; Jean Engler, assistant district attorney; Anita Dietrich, first deputy recorder of deeds; Robert Crampsie, county controller; and Ronald Sheehan, county treasurer, in the morning and learned what goes into operating the county.The students then attended the Carbon County Commissioners' meeting, where they got to see how the commissioners make decisions that they feel are best for the county.Some of the decisions that were made included accepting the weekly personnel and treasurer's report, adopting proclamations, entering into agreements with various outside companies to provide services, and paying the bills.Commissioners Wayne Nothstein, William O'Gurek and Thomas J. Gerhard, thanked the students for their interest in government and explained to them about different decisions and how the county operates some programs.The board encouraged the students to ask any questions to help better their understanding of how the county operates.Gerhard said that getting involved on the school level, such as in student council, will help build future leaders.Nothstein said it takes a strong work ethic and dedication, as well as the desire to take the leadership role.O'Gurek echoed his colleagues, adding that students should get informed so they can make educated decisions."Government is a good thing," O'Gurek said. "I encourage you to listen, learn and inquire about what goes on in government, whether it is borough, township, county or state or national scenes, and become involved and interested. Good government needs good leaders. You're the next generation so we encourage you to get involved because you may be sitting in these chairs governing one day."Following the meeting, the students each asked a question, ranging from where the commissioners went to high school, what is the most rewarding thing about the job, what was their greatest project as a commissioner, why this career path, and what requirements are needed to become a county commissioner.The students then traveled to the Emergency Management Agency, where they were treated to lunch and more discussions by Nothstein, who was acting now as a deputy EMA coordinator; Fred Merluzzi, deputy EMA coordinator; Thomas Newman, chairman of Citizens Corps Council; and Gary Williams, 911 director.A question-and-answer panel was conducted before the completion of the day.Carbon County Government Day was the idea of former Commissioner Charles Getz, based on a similar event he ran while he served as a Kidder Township supervisor. The first county Government Day was held on April 26, 2001.