1. You can find out the answers to the following questions by visiting or calling your city hall, county courthouse, municipal building, Chamber of Commerce, library, and by reading the local newspapers.
a. What kind of government does your community have?
b. How is your local government organized?
c. Who are the top officials in your local government and what are their duties?
d. How often does your community government meet?
e. What services does your local government provide?
f. What taxes or other fees does your family pay to support your local government?
g. What services are shared with other communities in your area?
2. To answer the following questions, you will need to consult your city hall, county courthouse, municipal building, Chamber of Commerce, or library.
a. How many people are there in your town or community? How many are unemployed?
b. How many homeless are there in your community? What services does your community offer the homeless?
c. How many families receive public assistance (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families grants, food stamps, heating fuel assistance, etc.) in your community? (You may need to contact the local offices of state agencies to find this information.)
3. Write a letter to either a local official or the newspaper expressing your viewpoint about the issue you have learned about. This letter should contain solid information and facts, not just feelings and thoughts, to support your viewpoint. You do not have to mail this letter unless you choose to, but you do need to send a copy to your teacher.