Residents Academy provides a peek at how Delray Beach works

By DAVID DiPINO
Staff Writer

DELRAY BEACH - Applications are being accepted for the city's annual Residents Academy, which helps participants to better understand how city departments operate and what they do. The academy begins Oct. 2.
"It's a six-week course that familiarizes residents with how the city works including presentations by all city departments and tours of the Delray Beach Police Department and the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department," said Janet Meeks, Delray Beach education coordinator.
Classes are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays.
Participants will visit the police department's shooting range, learn the day-to-day activities of the department, view an EMS demonstration at the fire rescue department and listen to presentations by the chiefs of each department.
Also scheduled are sessions with the city manager, city commission members and finance department officials. Those enrolled will have the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer period during each session. The Residents' Academy program is free.
"It's a great way to see a part of Delray Beach you don't always get to see. The goal of the program is to [provide] a better idea of how the city works," Meeks said, adding that the academy can be a steppingstone for residents interested in participating in city advisory boards.
For information call 561-243-7231. Applications for the academy are available at the City Hall reception desk or can be downloaded from www.mydelraybeach.com.   

David DiPino can be reached at dddipino@tribune.com or 954-621-5000.

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About This Blog

Dave DiPino
David DiPino joined Forum Publishing Group in August 2006. As a reporter for the Delray Forum, David covers community news and writes a dining column twice a month that focuses on restaurants in South Palm Beach County.

He also is one of the writers of the twice-monthly Hometown Downtown column that looks at events, celebrations, and organizations in Delray and Boynton Beach. He freelances for the Sun-Sentinel during high school football and basketball seasons.

David spent 12 years working in the restaurant industry, and did just about every job in the back of the house, including line cook, sous chef, and dessert chef. A Florida native who lives in Jupiter, he studied Multimedia Journalism at Florida Atlantic University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree. David enjoys playing the guitar, golf, boating and snorkeling during his free time.

Contact him at ddipino@gmail.com or 954-621-5000.