Commack Girl Scouts Troop #2145 toured Smithtown Town Hall last week, learning all about various departments and how they operate on a daily basis. Each Department director spoke to the scouts about daily responsibilities and how each department helps the people of Smithtown. The tour was led by Town Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, with the assistance of Councilman Tom Lohmann.
The Girl Scouts and their troop leaders visited with the receiver of Taxes, the Town Attorney’s office, the Town Clerk and the Town Supervisor’s office. Each department leader asked the girls questions as they relate to each department. The Town Clerk’s office educated the troop on records management as they looked up birth records of historically significant residents.
The Town Supervisor walked through the basic responsibilities of running the town and asked the girls if anyone would ever consider running for office. Supervisor Wehrheim spoke about the importance of public service before presenting the Scout Troop with an honorary certificate of recognition.
After the tour, the Scout Troop visited the Town Board Room. Each of the girls took turns sitting in the Board seats and asking questions from the podium. During this time, the girls got the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of town board meetings through role playing. They asked a number of well thought out questions including questions on reporting stray animals, fixing potholes and who to call about picking up the garbage.
The tour ended with a photo in front of Town Hall. The girls all answered correctly when asked why it was the final day for the puzzle pieces and blue lights to be up for Autism Awareness. They learned that local government plays an important role in bringing awareness through education in many important health topics such as Autism, Cystic Fibrosis and Cancer Research. Each of the girls took home a bag filled with important information pertaining to each town department, phone numbers and a blue light bulb to put in their home porch light next April.