Mayor For a Day and Only in Third Grade

The gavel banged down at Monday night’s Fair Haven Borough Council meeting, only Mayor Halfacre wasn’t holding it. Taking center stage was Mayor for a Day Jamie Bratone, an enthusiastic third grader from Viola L. Sickles School.

Bratone’s mother won the Mayor for a Day auction at the Fair Haven PTA’s 27th Annual Luncheon on March 12.

“The luncheon committee came up with the idea,” said PTA President Cathy Alescio. “We are fortunate that Mayor Halfacre was supportive and willing to participate.”

On Monday, Mayor Halfacre visited Sickles School to speak before starting Bratone’s activities. The Mayor’s drop-in was timely for the students.

“We’re doing a unit in social studies right now about city council and the mayor,” said Bratone.

At the end of the school day, Mayor Halfacre gave Bratone tours of Borough Hall, Police Headquarters and the Department of Public Works. Bratone was especially excited about what he learned at the latter.

“I didn’t know that Fair Haven builds their own police cars,” he said. “I saw them in the Public Works yard.”

At the council meeting, Bratone sat next to Mayor Halfacre and called to order, closed sessions and assisted in awarding Eagle Scout certificates to honorees Kenneth Robertson and Nicholas Hodgekiss.

"I am amazed at the number of Eagle Scouts that Fair Haven cranks out," said Mayor Halfacre. "Jamie is a Cub Scout, so maybe he'll be up here again someday."

Mayor Halfacre thanked Bratone for his eager participation in the day's activities and noted the relevance of his skills. “Jaime is interested in language arts, reading and science,” said Mayor Halfacre. “All of which are important for public affairs.”

Bratone smiled as his day as Mayor came to a close.

“This was a great experience,” he said. “I would definitely recommend it!"