Sun staff
Visitors from the Democratic Republic of the Congo made a stop in Amelia to learn more about local government Oct. 1.
The visitors included a member of the electoral commission, a civic education and election program manager, a journalist, an assistant to the parliament, and more.
Councilwoman Katie Krafka helped organize the visit through an international exchange organization that she works with.
Krafka, along with Amelia Mayor Todd Hart, showed the visitors around the village and with the help of translators were able to talk with the visitors and answer questions about how local government works in Ohio.
“It was an exciting visit, and they were very interesting folks,” Hart said.
Many of the visitors were eager to learn more about local governments as they are preparing to shift to democracy.
Hart and Krafka discussed how they work together to manage the village budget as well as how the village is run and how council members and the mayor interact with residents.
“I think you have to lead by example,” Hart said about what he feels is important.
Hart said sometimes residents will see him out working on the roads or cleaning up the streets. He said he also works hard to communicate with council members as well as residents.
Krafka talked with the visitors about how she organized a campaign to run for council, the challenges she faced, and what she learned from the campaign process.
Many of the visitors were impressed with how local government works in Ohio.
“I am very impressed to see such a small community so well organized and a municipal council made up of young people,” Mysette Misenga, assistant to the parliament, said after hearing from Amelia officials. “I appreciate this harmony. I would like to copy this model.”
Eugene Kandolo, a journalist, also said Amelia’s government was a good model.
“This, in Amelia, is the perfect place to see democracy at the grassroots level,” Kandolo said. “It’s wonderful to see the dynamic between young people and elected officials. This is what we’re hoping to achieve with decentralization. This is the model.”
Hart said this is the second group of international visitors they have had come to the village. He said the first group was from India.
“Hopefully we’ll have another group,” he said.