An eye-opener

Event gives area students first-hand look at county government

HARTINGTON — Cedar County officials mixed a little humor into a normally routine courtroom scene to entertain and educate area students Wednesday.

Over 120 Cedar County students, representing all of the county's five high schools, descended on the Cedar County Courthouse Wednesday for County Government Day.

This is the first time in several years that all five county schools were able to attend the event, said Rollie Becker, who helps organize and sponsor the annual American Legion event.

Becker said the purpose of American Legion County Government Day is to provide high school students with the opportunity to learn how their local government works.

Each year in Nebraska, over 5,000 students in more than 60 counties spend the day visiting their local courthouse and learning more about the duties and responsibilities of various county officials.

County Court Judge Sara Bauer presided over a mock trial Wednesday afternoon, featuring a jury made up of 19 high school students.

The trial, which alleged vandalism at the Bugs Bunny residence, kept the students entertained.

The packed courtroom got an up close view of how the judicial system works as they listened to Judge Bauer, heard witness testimony, listened to Cedar County Attorney Ron Temple prosecute the case, and then heard public defender Nikki Brandt's defense of her clients.

On Wednesday morning, the students toured the various county offices and listened to county officials, such as County Road Superintendent Carla Schmidt and County Commissioners Mike Meier, Dave McGregor and Dick Donner explain some of their many job responsibilities.

Donner shared a map of the county which is divided into three separate Districts, each one being represented by a different commissioner.

McGregor gave students a glimpse at the various responsibilities Commissioners undertake. He then named off all of the boards on which Commissioners are involved.

Meier then explained a little about the budgeting process.

Cedar County Sheriff Larry Koranda, the county's longest serving office holder, gave students a tour of the jail and communications center ,then explained the many duties his office performs.