About 50 C.V. Starr students recently chatted with Village of Brewster Mayor Jim Schoenig about everything from whether the area will ever see a zoo to the possibility of the Prospect Hill Bridge reopening.
Schoenig stopped by and talked with the students for about an hour. His visit was in response to letters the students wrote to him as part of a persuasive writing unit.
The youngsters asked about a range of topics. They led to a discussion that touched on fishing in local reservoirs, the future of Garden Street School and the Cameo Theater, as well as the Brewster Ice Arena (and what the mayor thought of adding more rinks).
The mayor also explained how different branches of government--village, town, county and state, to name a few--operate.
There were plenty of ideas for new shops and stores, too.
"That's part of my job, to try and bring in new businesses into the Village," Schoenig said. "And it goes back to revitalization."
Other questions dealt with everyday things, like pothole repair, municipal response during bad weather, and the different agencies involved when a bridge, like the one on Prospect Hill Road, closes.
Schoenig complimented the fifth-graders on being so observant, as did teacher Cara Manna.
"I'm very impressed with their participation," she said after Thursday's visit. The students were so excited to hear their teacher had mailed the letters. But based on brainstorming activities before the mayor arrived, Manna had not expected such a range of inquiries.
"I'm floored," she said.
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