Schoharie Central HS Students Discuss County Economic Development

ALBANY, NY (12/02/2008)(readMedia)-- In 1997, the Town and Village of Schoharie adopted a Comprehensive Plan to address community change, land use regulations, and planning options that better reflected 21^st century concerns. Now, eleven years later, some of those changes are being implemented, while others draw opposition within the county. Schoharie's efforts are a case study representing similar rural areas across New York State and New England grappling with the question: What changes do rural areas in Upstate New York like Schoharie have to make to survive and thrive in the 21^st century?

Members of the senior class from the Schoharie Central High School in Schoharie County will discuss economic development, changing rural communities and related issues on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at the WAMC Linda Norris Auditorium, 339 Central Avenue, Albany. The program is part of the WAMC Student Town Meetings series.

Moderated by WAMC's David Guistina, the panel for this program includes Schoharie Town Supervisor Martin Shrederis, NYS Assemblyman Pete Lopez of the 127^th Assembly District, and Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce Director Jodie Rutt. The discussion will be taped for broadcast on WAMC's afternoon program, The Speakers' Corner, in February, 2009.

This is the second WAMC Student Town Meeting in which students from Schoharie Central High School have participated. They selected the discussion topic in November as an outgrowth of their course work in economics and Participation in Government. Students worked with Schoharie social studies teacher John Sorady and WAMC Education Director Maryanne Malecki for approximately four weeks in preparation for the taping.

WAMC Student Town Meetings provide teachers and students with a structured process that prepares young people to critically analyze and discuss issues affecting them with recognized specialists in the community on public radio. By connecting literacy and critical thinking skills with students' worlds in a meaningful way, WAMC Student Town Meetings encourage young people to become part of the public radio audience. WAMC Student Town Meetings are made possible through the generous support of the Educational Foundation of America, the Howard and Bush Foundation in honor of Margaret Mochon, and Jack and Connie Hume.

Secondary educators in pubic schools interested in participating in the project should contact WAMC Education Director Maryanne Malecki at (518) 465-5233 ext. 135, or visit the Web site, www.wamcstudenttownmeetings.org. Audio versions of all previously recorded programs are available online as well.

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