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Bel Air presents certificates to first Municipal Citizens Academy class
Summary
At its March 17 meeting, the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners recognized graduates of the town's first eight‑week Municipal Citizens Academy, a program organized to inform residents and business owners about how municipal government works.
The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on March 17 recognized graduates of the town’s first Municipal Citizens Academy, an eight‑week course that brought residents and business owners to Town Hall to learn how local government works.
The program was organized by Eddie Hopkins, who told the board the course was created to help residents understand municipal processes and reduce misinformation. “There’s a quite a number of people who really don’t necessarily fully understand municipal government. Government is not the enemy. Government is here to help,” Hopkins said.
The academy ran eight weekly sessions with department presentations and hands‑on exercises. Hopkins said participants worked on a budget exercise with staff member Lisa, used a firearms simulator with Chief Moore, and attended sessions with planning and economic development staff. “They had practical exercises with Chief Moore on the firearms simulator. They had a chance to work through a budget with Lisa. Kevin walked them through planning… Steve brought his entire team in a wonderful PowerPoint presentation from the Department of Public Works,” Hopkins said.
Chair Eddington presented certificates to the graduates at the meeting and thanked them for their time. Commissioner Taylor praised the program’s transparency and value for a small town, calling it “a 1 on 1 experience with all of the department heads and their elected representatives” and saying the course “speaks well of…the standout constituent service that this town provides.” Director Robertson also spoke to the value of volunteer involvement and the perspectives participants bring to the town’s boards and commissions.
Graduates recognized at the meeting included Amy Biondi, Mark Magnus, Mike Motley, Tim Stilper and Tara Woodman. Hopkins said most attendees were regular participants throughout the eight weeks and suggested a fall class with a goal of increasing enrollment.
The event closed informally with refreshments; Hopkins invited participants to provide feedback and encouraged them to recruit friends for future classes.
Why it matters: Town‑run civic education programs can clarify how local decisions are made and encourage participation in boards, committees and volunteer roles, which commissioners said they want to grow.
