In an effort to make citizens more aware of the workings of city government, Waycross will offer a class in 2025 on City Hall.
Under the working title “Waycross 101: The Citizens Government Academy,” the class will illustrate key aspects of the city’s governing process in a weeklong evening forum, City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford said.
Rayford offered plans for the forum to city commissioners during their final planning and information session last month.
The first installment of what Rayford hopes will be a quarterly event is scheduled February 3-7. Registration now is being accepted for the class.
Those interested can sign up by visiting the city government website, its new application MyWaycrossGa or calling Rayford’s office at 287-2912. Target for the class is 40 participants.
Mayor Michael-Angelo James welcomes the effort.
“I think this is awesome. We need more lunch-andlearn type opportunites,” he said following Rayford’s introduction. “It’s kind of a civics class like we used to see in high school and middle school.”
Rayford said he came up with the idea months ago following his many visits throughout the community. He said it crystalized into the planning/development stage after interaction with citizens in the days following Hurricane Helene.
Rayford offered plans for the class to city commissioners during a plannning and information session last month.
“It’s really come from my assessment of a year and a half being here,” he said. “There are just so many of our processes people don’t understand. That’s caused a lot of frustration.”
Rayford said his travels through neighborhoods during the aftermath of Helene told him it was an idea that needed implementing.
“The recovery phase (from Helene) really showed us a lot,” he said. “The lack of understanding and misunderstandings of how things are structured and what we can and can’t do causes problems.
“Hopefully, with more clarity and transparency and by explaining things in more detail there will be a better understanding of why things are done the way they are.”
The class sessions will last about two hours and be video driven, Rayford said.
“We’ll make it as interactive as possible,” said Rayford, who added the sessions will be livestreamed and later edited for posting on YouTube.
The academy opens with an introduction to the city and its charter. Others will be budgeting 101, roles and responsibilities of members of the city staff, a question-and-answer session with department directors.
A similar Q-and-A session with Mayor James and city commissioners along with presentation of certificates to participants will comprise the final class.
Rayford said he hopes those who take the academy will be able to take the knowledge and pass it on to others in groups they’re involved with in the community.
“If we can get four done next year, those people hopefully will be able to spread the knowledge to others,” Rayford said.
