(L-R) Kesha Lavette, city clerk; Alaya Bailey; Ronnie Rentz, city attorney On Friday, March 27, Alaya Bailey was sworn in as "Mayor" for the day in the City of Colquitt. This was part of an essay contest sponsored by the City of Colquitt and the Georgia Municipal Association entitled "If I Were Mayor I Would." The contest gives students a chance to creatively use grade-specific language arts skills and civics/social studies knowledge. It also gives them an opportunity to receive a greater knowledge of how local municipal government operates. The contest was open to all sixth graders in the state of Georgia. Alaya was the local essay contest winner from MCMS and was treated to being allowed to be Mayor of Colquitt for the day. She was given the opportunity to tour all departments of the city as well as sign paychecks for the day. In addition she was given insight as to how the city operates its departments as well as what it takes to be mayor of a small community. After a tiring day of running the city and dealing with the political process, Alaya was glad to get back to her normal life at school. Alaya is the daughter of Jack and Angie Bailey of Colquitt and is a sixth grade student at Miller County Middle School. Following is Alaya's winning essay:

If I were mayor, I would definitely make more places for kids to hang out at over the summer. Some people can't afford to go on vacation, so fun places for kids at modest prices would be very popular.

For instance, a city pool. People who don't have pools at home want to go swimming every now and then. They might not want to drive all the way to Bainbridge just to swim, and then drive all the way back. It's not that far, but most parents will not want to waste gas just to go swimming.

Also, maybe an aquarium. The nearest aquarium that I know of is in Albany. That's almost an hour drive! And aquariums are educational, too. Say you're learning about types of fish. Where do you go to see them up close? To the ocean? I don't think so. It wouldn't have to be a big aquarium, but just big enough to hold a reasonable amount of sea creatures.

And lastly, I think there should most definitely be a Wal-Mart. Everyone needs Wal-Mart! It's where most people go to buy stuff. There's one in Bainbridge, but it would save even more money to have a little Wal-Mart here. Not a big super giant one, but a little one because there aren't a lot of people here anyway.

Being mayor would be great, but it would also be a big responsibility. These are just a few of the things I would do as mayor. Please consider all of these things, if you can. It would make me very happy!