Both Gainesville and Alachua County are getting citizens more involved with civic education programs this March.
Gainesville 101: The City of Gainesville's 2008 Citizens' Academy is taking applications for six interactive classes that start March 28. Each class will cover a different aspect of the city government, said Kate Parmelee, spokeswoman for the city.
"Last fall we had people out on Eighth Avenue running the radar guns," Parmelee said of a session with the Gainesville Police.
Classes are free but limited to the first 40 people who sign up.
The Alachua County Civic Education SerieS, ACCESS, will begin its eighth year on March 17 and already has 33 people signed up, said Maris Terry, who is in charge of enrollment.
The free program will hold seven sessions highlighting the jail, land use, public works, judicial system, health department, fire rescue, parks and sheriff's office.
People might know about services but not know what they're about, he said, and this program aims to change that.
