Encouraging citizens to participate in the process of governing themselves is what Georgia Cities Week is all about, according to Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas.
“I think it’s extraordinarily important for (residents) to understand how their cities work,” Thomas said.
Georgia Cities Week will be held in cities across the state from April 17-23.
“The program is sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association to showcase and celebrate cities and the services they provide,” Hinesville public relations manager Krystal Britton said. “Hinesville’s events will focus on students, employees and residents.”
Thomas said the week’s activities will help the public better understand how the city government operates and why it must work within state and federal guidelines. Thomas said a number of the week’s activities are geared toward youth.
“It’s even more important for young people to get involved (in government),” the mayor said. “They’re our future leaders.”
The city is partnering with the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority, The Heritage Bank, CH2M Hill OMI, Keep Liberty Beautiful, the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, the Liberty County School System and the Hinesville Area Arts Council.
Britton outlined the week’s activities during a city council meeting April 7. The council also recognized the winners of the city’s middle-school essay contest, “If I were mayor for a day.” First Presbyterian Christian Academy student Mary Kathryn Whitney won first place, Midway Middle School student Andrea Redding took second place and Snelson-Golden Middle School student Nathan Wallace came in third.
Britton informed the council of the job-shadow program and the Old Jail Museum tours April 18-19. The old jail is at 302 S. Main St. in downtown Hinesville. A student art exhibit based on the theme “City life” is on display at the museum through April 22, Britton said.
High school juniors from Bradwell Institute, Liberty County High School and First Presbyterian Christian Academy will participate in the job-shadow program, she said.
“The purpose of this program is to expose students to job opportunities and business professionals in the area in hopes that they will return to the community as career professionals,” Britton said.
A reception for the winners of the student art contest will be from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Old Jail Museum on April 19.
Elementary-school students submitted their work to the HDDA and winners were selected for each grade level by members of the community, according to Britton.
The winners are kindergartener Shelby Horne, first-grader Briana Moore, second-grader Miame Stroman, third-grader Sache Rodriguez and fifth-grader Keith Milner, all from Taylors Creek Elementary, and fourth-grader Haley Stuart from First Presbyterian Academy, the city spokeswoman said.
Thomas will deliver his annual State of Hinesville Address at the chamber’s Progress Through People luncheon at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 21, at the National Guard Armory in Hinesville. The cost to attend is $15 for chamber members and $20 for non-members. At 3 p.m. that afternoon, during a regular city council meeting, high school students will ask questions of the mayor and council.
In addition, the arts council will sponsor a Lunchtime Concert in the Park series beginning at 11:30 a.m. Friday,  April 22, in Bradwell Park, and a citywide cleanup day sponsored by KLB will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 23, in Bradwell Park.
For a complete list of events, check the city’s online calendar at www.cityofhinesville.org.