By: Sharon Aron Baron
The latest group of graduates stepped up and accepted their diplomas from the Tamarac University program during the City Commission meeting on Wednesday night.
Led by Assistant Director of Information Technology, Jim Twigger, and Special Projects Coordinator Mike Gresek, the six week interactive program gave residents a behind-the-scenes look at Tamarac, and the opportunity to meet their local government officials face-to-face in a classroom-like atmosphere.
“I think that it’s a great opportunity to learn about the city,” said Jim Twigger to Tamarac Talk last year. “There’s so many facets of the city, to see everything working in tandem is just amazing.”
Kings Point resident Joseph Morguess said he had a positive attitude about applying for a program about city government and knew it would be very different from any other educational program he had undertaken before. He said that the program schedule was varied and included visits to the public works department; a local fire station with fire rescue paramedics on hand; the Broward Sheriff Office facility including demos by SWAT and K9 officers; introductions to the city manager and clerk’s office personnel; the human resources department, and every single department head.
Morguess added that the class included thorough demonstrations and presentations by experienced personnel within their areas of expertise.
Many Tamarac University graduates have used it as a training ground for volunteering in the community or eventually serving in office. It also provides great networking opportunities for civic-minded residents. Read about Tamarac’s most famous graduate here.
“Kudos to Tamarac for offering this program to its residents,” said Morguess. “Special thanks to the program coordinators Jim Twigger and Mike Gresek who treated us like royalty and made things comfortable throughout, including snacks, bottled water, and respect and kindness.”
The application process begins in the Fall of each year. Keep reading Tamarac Talk for news about the opening of the next class.
The 2015 graduating class is: Jairo Cepeda, Joseph Champagne, Alejandro Crespo, Dennis James Dunn, Shirley epstein, Elaine Fine, robert Fortier, Janet Frank-Chudrow, Amy Furash, Elaine Goldman, Dana Goodalle, Rose Grove, Marilyn Hirsch, Veta Kelly-Bennett, Aurelie La Torre Mori, Ernest Mason, Joseph Morguess, David Mountford, Edward O’Brien, Philip Prentice, Sue Siebert, Malikh Williams.
