Perry County Missouri Republic Monitor s2

Perry County Missouri Republic Monitor

Published on Thursday, April 1, 2004 4:28 PM CST

Students participate in county government Associate Court Judge day Michael Bullerdieck (center) responds Twenty-five high school students spent the day Thursday to a question Thursday learning how county government operates. from a student about family court issues as part Perryville and St. Vincent Highs School students of County Government were elected by their classmates to participate in this Day. Behind Bullerdieck year's County Government Day. are County Treasurer Veronica "Ronnie" "The purpose of County Government Day is to supply Hershey and County Clerk knowledge and a broader view of our county Becky Paulus. (staff photo government and to give hands-on experience to the by Kate Martin) youth of our community," said Sandy Lohmann, a member of Post 133 American Legion Auxiliary.

"On Thursday, this program in Missouri is 50 years old. In 1954, when the program became part of the American Legion's Americanism program, they asked the Auxiliary for assistance in promoting County Government Day. The local Post 133 American Legion Auxiliary is making every effort to keep this worthwhile program alive."

Lohmann, who chairs this committee, said County Government Day is a valuable tool in teaching the framework of county government.

"We are supplying enough information for the students to make decisions as mature and responsible adults and promoting participation in elections and other government projects."

The day began mid-morning with a meeting at the main courtroom at Perry County Courthouse.

"(Perry County Prosecuting Attorney) Tom Hoeh, the American Legion chairman, presided over the day's activities," Lohmann said. "Students met local county officials and heard a brief description of their duties. After students were sworn in by County Clerk Randy Taylor, they spent time with the official to whom they were elected."

The students also heard welcome addresses by Lohmann, Auxiliary President Virginia Schnurbusch, and Leo Miederhoff of the American Legion. They were served lunch at the Legion, then returned to the courthouse for a question and answer session. During that portion of the program, students asked several questions about jury duty, the juvenile justice system and family court.

Associate Court Judge Michael Bullerdieck was asked how he decides custody issues.

"I preside over a divorce that's been happening for maybe 15 years in an hour or so," the judge said. "I have to base my decisions on the facts I'm given as well as the way the parties present themselves in court.

"Sometimes I see a child years after I've made a decision and wonder if I made the right one. It's tough, because I have to judge in that amount of time what's going to be in the best interest of a child."

Bullerdieck told the students that the toughest cases are those where parental rights are terminated.

"Often you have parents who love their children but just can't raise those children because they don't have the tools to provide a safe home for the children," he said. "Those cases are always hard."

The American Legion Honor Guard held a flag ceremony for the students.

"They described the meaning of each fold of the flag," Lohmann said. "Students were also given certificates of participation and pamphlets about flag displays and etiquette."

The officials and students participating were Presiding Commissioner Thomas Sutterer, Dustin Kueker, Chris Kline, District 1 Commissioner Patrick Heaps, Valerie Clampitt, Ben Unterreiner, District 2 Commissioner Dennis Lohmann, Rodney Sadler, Dusty Cissell, County Clerk Randy Taylor, Dusty Ochs, Judge Michael Bullerdieck, Jen Koenig, Amanda Tullock, Circuit Clerk Becky Paulus, Alex Buchheit, Allison Prost, County Recorder Sue Oster, Kristen Clifton, Savannah Gibbar, Prosecuting Attorney Tom Hoeh, Autumn Garris, Jamie Behrle, Sheriff Gary Schaaf, Alissa Moeckel, Alex Soto, County Assessor Larry White, Hailey Gibbar, County Collector Rodney Richardet, Brett Richardet, County Treasurer Veronica Hershey, Sara Schlichting, Jill Zoellner, County Coroner Herb Miller, Kyle Dobbelare, Amber Buchheit, Public Administrator Jim Taylor, Whitney Guth, County Surveyor Tim Baer, Kate Lowry and Matt Schremp.

"Post 133 and its Auxiliary are happy to provide our young adults the rewarding opportunity to become better informed about the duties, privileges and responsibilities of American citizenship," Lohmann said.