Students at the Spanish Immersion School listen Tuesday as Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker describes his job.
Tim Theaker climbed the steps of Brinkerhoff Elementary School as a first- and second-grader in the early 1960s.
On Tuesday he returned to that building – now the Spanish Immersion School – to tell students about his job as mayor of Mansfield.
Theaker’s visit was arranged by third-grader Anna Abrams. She and her classmates had been discussing local government in teacher Jennifer Osberg’s social studies class.
“I mentioned that my dad knows the mayor,” explained Anna.
With her teacher’s permission she sent an email to the mayor, asking if he could visit the school.
“His secretary emailed me back and said he could come at 11 o’clock on Feb. 2,” Anna said.
Principal Gabe Costa said Theaker, a 1971 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School and 1979 graduate of Bowling Green State University, spent nearly an hour describing his duties and answering students’ questions.
Theaker, elected to a second four-year term in November, explained city services such as police and fire protection, water service and maintenance of streets.
While he enjoys being mayor Theaker said the most difficult aspect of his job is not being able to please everyone. As an example, he said, some residents are unhappy that their street isn’t cleared of snow quickly enough, while others complain that city streets are cleared too often.
Theaker urged students to prepare for college and careers and avoid negative behavior that would prevent employers from hiring them. He also urged them to be good citizens.
“Report illegal and dangerous behavior to an adult,” he said. “Listen to your teachers and principal. Talk to an adult if you see someone being bullied or if you are the target of a bully.”