Citizens' Academy aims for civic involvement

For the ninth year in a row, citizens can learn about Bloomington services during the 2007 Citizens' Academy.\nDeveloped by Housing and Neighborhood Development, this nine-week class is free and allows participants to gain knowledge of budget limitations, challenges to the city government and day-to-day operations and mandates. \n"Citizens' Academy is basically a class that helps the public utilize the resources we have for them," said Lisa Abbott, director of Housing and Neighborhood Development. "Some people use the information they've learned in neighborhood associations, or maybe they want to run for an office. We do things to make living life better."\nAbbott said people of any age can participate in the class, including IU students.\nHousing and Neighborhood Development's duties include historic preservation and code enforcement, according to the department's Web site. \nThe academy was developed to encourage more civic involvement because not every citizen knows about these services and people are interested in how to get involved, Abbott said.\nThe academy will give preference to the first 30 city residents who have registered to participate in the class that teaches about city services, programs and responsibilities. Vickie Provine, program manager of the department said a waiting list is usually created.\n"During the program, different (city) departments give presentations to show how services work," she said.\n Provine added there will be "field trips," which might include walking tours of Bloomington to learn its history, Abbott said.\nAccording to the Web site, the classes will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m, every Thursday from Aug. 23 through Oct. 18 in City Hall.\nThe registration deadline is July 16. Online applications are available at www.bloomington.in.gov/hand/ under Featured Services.