Students from seven area high schools had the opportunity Thursday to see firsthand how Carbon County operates during the county’s annual Government Day.

Students from Marian, Palmerton, Jim Thorpe, Weatherly, Lehighton, Panther Valley and Carbon Career & Technical Institute high schools spent a day observing officials and seeing just how government works.

Students visited with various departments in the Carbon County Courthouse and Administration building in Jim Thorpe, including the courts, prothonotary, clerk of courts, district attorney, sheriff, coroner, public defender and register of wills offices.

At the weekly Carbon County Commissioners’ meeting, the students witnessed a number of items, including hearing from residents about the disapproval of the Susquehanna Street building project, which officials announced was being scaled back; as well as a variety of other actions on the weekly agenda.

County Treasurer Ron Sheehan and county Controller Robert Crampsie explained how the finances work in the county after a motion to invest $10 million was approved.

Crampsie, who has served as controller for 28 years, also spoke about the importance of listening to make the best decisions possible for the residents.

“Listening is one of the most important things in leadership,” he said.

Following the meeting, Marlyn Kissner, executive director of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp., and Kathy Henderson, director of economic development spoke to the students about various chamber and economic development activities within Carbon County.

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.