Article published May 21, 2008
A NEW GIRL IN GOVERNMENT
Young Bowling Green essay contest winner gets day as mayor
Katie Baker, in the Bowling Green mayor's seat, is briefed by Mayor John Quinn. Katie, 11, wrote a news-release style essay that judges chose from 92 in a mayor-for-a-day contest for the city's 175th anniversary.
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By JENNIFER FEEHAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
BOWLING GREEN - While her classmates at Kenwood Elementary were busy at school yesterday, Katie Baker was cruising around Bowling Green with the convertible top down.
As "mayor for the day," the 11-year-old girl got to spend a few hours with the real mayor, John Quinn, who just happens to drive a sporty Mazda Miata. They visited Simpson Garden Park, stopped by the fire department, had lunch, and did a few less glitzy jobs such as signing council legislation voted on the previous evening.
"Here's one where we're going to spend a lot of money - millions of dollars - to put in a new procedure to make our water safer," Mr. Quinn explained, as he showed her ordinances that will pave the way for a $12 million expansion of the water treatment plant.
"Oh, one of my best friend's dad does that," Katie responded.
The fifth grader won the honor of being mayor for the day by writing an essay for a contest sponsored by Bowling Green's 175th anniversary committee. Hers was one of 92 submitted, said Joan Gordon, who leads the committee, and it stood out.
While students were asked to write about what changes they would make in their city, Katie took the unusual approach of writing a mock press release announcing her candidacy for a second term as mayor.She extolled her accomplishments, which included developing a community-wide garden where families could plant flowers and vegetables and creating public transportation that enabled people to get around the city and to Toledo, Perrysburg, and Findlay "for a low price."
Katie made a few campaign promises - vowing to fix streets, potholes, crosswalks, and sidewalks, and put up "Child at Play" signs in neighborhoods - an idea she said she got from one of her constituents, her baby sitter.
Fifth grade 'Mayor-for-a-Day' Katie Baker is chauffeured by the real mayor, John Quinn, to inspect a Bowling Green park and fire station.
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"It was very creative," Mr. Quinn said.
Unlike the mayor, who said he decided he wanted to be involved in government service while he was in high school, Katie admitted she wasn't particularly interested in a career in government or politics.
"I'm really into music. I'm going to a special school next year," she said, explaining that she plays the flute and plans to attend the Toledo School for the Arts in the fall.
Her mother, Sandra Baker, who was a student of Mayor Quinn when he taught civics at Bowling Green High School, said she has no doubt her daughter will accomplish whatever goals she sets.
"I think she could probably change the world if she put her mind to it," Ms. Baker said. "She's like that."
Contact Jennifer Feehan at:
jfeehan@theblade.com
or 419-353-5972.
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